Mercy

'It's gonna be strange going on this kind of mission without you, Angela…' Jack was saying in the final moments before departure. Two of Overwatch's fastest and most advanced aircrafts were prepared to leave, their engines humming and seats filled with only the finest the organization had to offer. Jack was the last individual lingering, perhaps in one final attempt to see if Angela would push against his recommendation and join the fight anyway.

She wouldn't.

Perhaps in the past she may have considered it, being that dedicated to what she perceived as her calling in life, but now it was different. Now, she had a different perspective on everything thanks to the dark-skinned woman standing at attention next to her.

'Just get on yer way.' Torbjorn encouraged, coming to Angela's aid.

'We've already discussed how dangerous that could be given her ongoing recovery, Jack.' Winston seconded.

'I know that. It was just a passing comment.' Jack rolled his grey eyes. 'Be careful, in any case. Talon has already attacked this base once. I wouldn't put it past them to try again, even with the heightened security.'

'My thanks.' Angela nodded. 'Stay focussed. Your leadership during this mission could effect the entire world.' The doctor shrugged playfully. 'No pressure.'

'Heh. Right.' And the man known as Soldier 76 now was off to Rialto, where a hidden Talon base was busy experimenting on an alien substance that could threaten all living things on the planet. It wasn't until the aircrafts were completely out of sight that Angela exhaled, wishing she could have joined the mission in good conscious.

'Well, then…' She murmured. 'I best check on Amelie. Lena claimed she was resting soundly, but having not been cleared for this mission certainly upset her, and I'd like to see her mental status for myself. Fareeha?'

'Of course.'

'I'll be in the watchtower.' Winston explained. 'I want to monitor the mission closely.'

'Holing up?' Angela giggled.

'Something like that. I'm just worried…'

'You prepared for this mission as carefully as possible, Winston. The briefing was perfect. I could see no flaws, and Jack was obviously content. They'll be fine. You practically sent every Grandmaster, after all.'

'I know. I know. But I'm a worrier.'

'Evidently. It's a good trait, overall.' Angela bid farewell to the other agents, feeling the comfortable shadow of Fareeha walking next to her. She felt excessively close to the woman ever since the night before's lovemaking and dinner with Ana. It was almost embarrassing. She had never ever felt so exposed, and it was taking some getting used to. She loved being so intimate with Fareeha. So intimate. But it was raising old red flags in her mind, and it was something of a battle of wills to push past the "fight or flight" concept infiltrating the doctor's senses regardless of everything she had been through for this young woman.

'How are you doing, Fareeha? Seeing your mother and the rest off like that must have been hard as well.'

'Hm. It was. But I've come to terms with my place in this particular fight.' She put her arm around Angela, something she didn't do often but that the good doctor didn't mind. The difference in their height was drastically felt, and Angela was surprised by how easily she blushed still. 'We shall suffer together, I guess.'

'Indeed. It was much more difficult than I imagined. Knowing my friends are performing such a pivotal task without me? Troublesome. Alas, should this draw the battle with Talon closer to a conclusion, it shall be worth it. The quicker I can help those in desperate need around the world, the better.'

'I look forward to accompanying you on such endeavours.'

'Heh…' Angela smiled. It was a future she wanted to embrace. But it was a future that had also been horribly shortened. Certainly, she had been a "good girl", according to Fareeha, and was beginning to look into ways to potentially extend her life even with nearly cancerous nanomachines eating away at her innards while simultaneously keeping her alive. However, as suspected, it would take someone as skilled or perhaps even more gifted than Angela herself to perform the feat. For now, anyway. Angela wouldn't write off the possibility yet. She would surely be scolded if she did.

Still, Angela was beginning to come to the very real understanding that her years were terribly finite, and that meant less time helping others and…less time with this exceptional woman who wanted to stay by her side no matter what third world country she planned to assist.

'I would officially hire you as my bodyguard. You would be paid.'

Fareeha chuckled handsomely.

'No need. Haven't we discussed this already? I'll be fine.'

So selfless. So honest. Angela just couldn't get enough. She really couldn't.

Before she made a scene and began ravaging Fareeha right then and there, they fortunately made it to Widow's room; the tiny one she had requested likely due to her and Lena's complex relationship.

It only took a nod from Dr. Ziegler to have the two guards step aside, and Angela was ringing the doorbell, feeling the buzz within indicating a successful request. Angela waited for nearly ten seconds before ringing again, and finally, Widow's sultry voice answered drawlingly.

'…Yes?'

'It's me. I'd like to do a checkup, if you would be so kind.'

'…No, thank-you.'

Angela giggled.

'Oh, I wasn't asking. Athena?'

"Affirmative."

The door swooshed open, and Fareeha laughed hesitantly.

'You're a little frightening when you're mad, you know that?'

'Hm? I'm hardly angry.'

'Right…'

Angela hummed as she made her way through Widow's space, the woman still standing near the intercom and scowling at her unwanted guests.

'Come now; don't be so sour just because I refused to allow you on such a dangerous mission fresh out of your operation. You're still unstable, Amelie.' Angela took a seat at the dining room's table, the dreariness of the living space depressing enough. Widow had done nothing with it. Not terribly surprising, but it wasn't good for her psychological state either to be so isolated. 'Yes, I managed to reduce the information Talon wished to be subconsciously feeding your brain on a consistently dangerous basis, but those lethal urges won't disappear overnight. Entering such a dangerous stronghold with the potential of turning, even for a split second, put the mission at risk as well, and we simply couldn't allow that.'

Widow didn't respond, but appeared to subdue any anger toward Angela maturely, moving to the little couch that folded out into her bed as needed and sitting upon it elegantly. She was a refined woman, Angela noticed more than ever. It was interesting how such breeding didn't let go even after everything she had been through.

'…I'm irritated.' Widow admitted at last, sighing.

'That's completely understandable. If it helps, Fareeha and I are of the same mindset.'

'True.' Widow almost smiled. 'But you're together…'

'Yes. I have to agree with that important detail.'

Widow glanced at Fareeha, and Angela tried to read the look readily.

'She is a vault, Amelie. Anything you say will stay between the three of us. I trust this woman with every secret I've ever told her. She'll respect your privacy if you wish to discuss anything personal.'

That must've been it. Widow physically relaxed her shoulders, rolling her eyes as she did so.

'It is why I came.' Angela pushed encouragingly. 'I wanted to see how you were doing, mentally. If discussing a certain young lady is part of that equation, please, do elaborate. I may be able to provide some useful advice.'

Further hesitation, but Widow obviously needed to say something, and Angela waited for her to start, watching as the woman exhaled deeply, giving the respectfully silent Fareeha one final look.

'I…told her I loved her…' Widow confessed slowly; quietly.

'Who, Amelie?' Angela questioned, perhaps cruelly, but necessarily. Honestly, she was shocked. They were at that point already? Widow's emotions had grown that fiercely? Lena was quite the individual, indeed.

'…Never mind.' She reverted, and Angela shook her head.

'It's healthy to voice such difficult thoughts, Amelie. Do go on.'

It was clear that was the last thing Widowmaker desired to do, but she visibly weighed her options, her almost robotic eyes flickering in their sockets inhumanely. A conclusion reached, Widow began speaking again.

'…Lena.'

'I see.' Angela let the affirmation linger almost dramatically.

'Was it…premature of me?' Widow asked, and it surprised Angela anew.

'That's not something I can competently make a statement on, but if it is how you feel, then it must be true.'

Widow somehow seemed smaller. Not as deadly. Not as frightening. The way her arms folded over herself was practically childlike. She was curled up into the corner of the couch. Physical rhetoric indicated severe discomfort emotionally. Her soft voice continued.

'I loved Gerard…but not like this. I love Lena. But…I do not wish to marry her. I don't even wish to…be with her in a relationship of that nature. Yet…y-yet…'

Angela noted the way Fareeha shifted ever so slightly. Seeing this killer so subdued. So tentative. So unsure. It would unsettle anyone. Even Angela was beyond intrigued by what Widowmaker was saying. Her voice was breaking. She was on the verge of tears.

'I can't imagine my life without her…as you said, Dr. Ziegler…'

It hit Angela in the stomach, then. It nearly knocked the air out of her. Complicated didn't begin to describe Lena and Amelie's relationship. One wanted a lover. The other simply wanted…a friend. No. Perhaps more than that. A sister? Not quite? Then what? Family? Something…completely different?

'Another form of love…' Fareeha uttered in a whisper.

Indeed. An excessively unique version of it. Poor Lena.

'We talked…for quite some time after my operation.' Widow continued. 'I'm drawn to her…And do enjoy…her touch.' She blushed. It was clear even in the badly lit space. 'But I was cruel to her. I confessed without fully understanding what this "love" was. I still don't comprehend it…'

'How did Lena take the conversation?'

'Well.' Widow half-smiled. 'Brilliantly, she would say…'

Angela grinned. Yes. Amelie clearly adored Lena. That little reference to the girl's common vocabulary, and the lingering gaze at memories of her; it was too obvious. But she didn't want to date her? Didn't want to be a couple? How curious.

'What did she say?'

'Heh. That we are never on the same page.' Widow shrugged. 'She's not wrong. Our timing is terrible, and we're both so unsure of what we want.'

'I see.' Angela repeated. 'It isn't surprising. The two of you have been through much. You, undeniably more so. Entering a relationship of any kind is something I wouldn't recommend for some time, to be perfectly honest. Having someone to lean on – to be utterly vulnerable with – that is essential for your recovery, and perhaps our rather "passionate" Lena misread your needs, and due to her attraction to you, misconstrued what would ultimately be the healthiest way of handling your person.'

Widow nodded hesitantly.

'But…we made love. And…I didn't dislike it.' She said shamefully, and Angela giggled a little out of nerves and also to lighten the potentially difficult turn of the discussion.

'You are human, Amelie. You were also a professional dancer, from what I understand? I imagine your emotions were a powerful tool before Talon skewered them. I could be quite off, but your need for physical and emotional attachment may have desired an outlet of some form. You were…to put it bluntly, somewhat pent up sexually? Would that be accurate?'

Widow didn't reply, but her answer was clear. She didn't disagree. Angela couldn't miss what she never had, but Amelie had been married. She was also, presumably, a passionate soul, meaning her longing for such connections was completely different from Angela's. It was reasonable to assume as much, anyway.

'How did the talk conclude prior to Lena departing?' Angela changed the subject slightly, and Widow sounded relieved.

'We…decided that we want to be together in some capacity, but not romantically.'

'Not always.' Angela raised a brow, and Widow turned away shyly.

'…Not always.'

'Hm. Complicated, nonetheless.'

'…Yes.'

'Friends with benefits?' Fareeha added calmly. 'I don't recommend it, personally. I've never heard of such relationships working out, in the end.'

'I understand coming to that conclusion, Fareeha, but I do not believe that is quite what they are striving toward, correct?'

'Lena mentioned it, but that form of classification negates my…emotional needs. It's more than that.'

'Then you do want to be with her as a lover.' Fareeha said with just a hint of frustration only Angela could note, which she had to nip immediately if Widow was to remain transparent.

'It is not a black or white matter, Fareeha, as ideal as that would be. Please allow me to have this discussion with my patient.'

'…Sorry.'

'You only want to help, and I appreciate it, but this is extremely complicated. I may need to call upon one of my colleagues who has her master's in psychology if you wish for a more thorough diagnosis, Amelie.' Angela touched Fareeha's hand, and the girl gave her a quick squeeze. Good. Fareeha wasn't so petty. Such a wonderful woman.

'No. I feel…comfortable with you, Dr. Ziegler. But that is all.'

'Understood.' Angela wasn't surprised. She and Lena were quite close, and thus, Widow had a connection with Angela in some capacity. Fair enough. 'The most important thing is that you are both talking openly with one another at last. So long as you continue to do that, all should be well.'

Widow's face changed then, her mouth trembling for a moment before she bit at it, eyes almost shimmering.

'…But what if I don't get the opportunity to speak with her again? What then…?'

Angela's eyes widened, and she stood up immediately, kneeling in front of Amelie and taking her cold, cold hands into her own. The woman pulled back, as if to withdraw, but she was shaking, and Angela could more than sympathize. Any mission Fareeha went on since she understood her feelings for the young woman filled her with dread. Dread she was forced to push to the side lest she lose all sanity remaining. That fear of losing someone so important…yes. Angela knew it severely well.

'Lena is one of Overwatch's best. You know this personally. It would take a special kind of enemy to bring her down.' Angela tried, but Widow remained panicked, snapping a painfully realistic response.

'Like an army of biologically enhanced, feral omnics?'

Angela almost recoiled, but she stayed, knowing Widow needed her support in this fragile moment.

'She is not alone. Many of Overwatch's finest are with her. My mother.' Fareeha spoke firmly. 'Reinhardt. Jack Morrison. Genji Shimada. Zenyatta. Jesse McCree. Brigitte. Dva and her mech. The majority of these same individuals are revered as heroes because of their superhuman abilities. They did the impossible before. They'll do it again. Have faith.'

'Indeed.' Angela agreed. 'Alongside a small army of our Master-class agents. I personally would only humour minor worry. Jack, Ana, and Winston pieced this mission together very carefully, and without Sombra to interfere, and having Moira also in holding, we have the upper hand this time.'

Finally, Widow relaxed some, her jaw loosening and hands pulling away from Angela's gently.

'…Very well.' She straightened, as if ashamed of her prior weakness. 'I shall await her return. That is all I can do, after all.'

'Excellent.' Angela returned to her seat, knowing Widow would prefer her to. She valued her space. She deserved that much. Angela decided to move past the subject of Lena for now, in any case. 'Otherwise, how are you feeling physically. Any concerns?'

'No. You are a gifted doctor. Even I can determine that much. There is slight congestion in my head, and a minor migraine, but that is to be expected, I imagine.'

'Certainly. Ensure you are taking the prescription assigned regularly to assist with those discomforts, and notify me immediately should you have any other issues. I attempted to be as non-invasive as possible, but I'm not always a miracle worker.'

'…Thanks.' Widow said in a small voice. It was almost cute. Lena didn't have a prayer. 'I have been wondering, however…' The woman proceeded to talk, which still surprised Angela. What a difference between how she acted when first brought to base. Lena had done well.

'Yes?'

'My heart…and eyes. Is there…any possibility they could be fixed as well?'

Ah. Yes. She was reaffirming her humanity, after all. Aesthetics naturally came into play, and being blue-skinned with somewhat frightening yellow irises was abnormal at best.

'I'll compensate you.' Widow added. '…Somehow.'

'Unnecessary.' Angela waved her off. 'I will conduct some tests when there is time. Perhaps today, even. Allow me to perform my other tasks and I shall be in touch.'

One of the most skilled assassins in the world couldn't hide her smile then. She turned her face as best she could, and Angela's motherly instincts made her want to give the woman a hug. She really had been through so much. The bitterness toward any pain Widow caused Fareeha seemed childish and trivial when faced with the innocent desire to be normal again after being dragged into hell.

'You're too kind…' Widow huffed.

'It is my calling, Amelie. I will save everyone within my reach.'

'Heh. The angel of Overwatch. I always thought it was too grand a claim. How wrong I was.'

'You flatter me. I'm only human.'

Widow nodded toward Fareeha, smirking.

'I think she would claim otherwise.'

And Fareeha simply cleared her throat.

'You are an amazing woman, Angela.' Fareeha said nearly abruptly, silence mostly following the two ladies as they left Widow's room. It caught Angela off guard, and she laughed nervously, shyly turning away a little bit. She was maintaining a professional attitude with Widow for quite some time, but now she could relax, and it was a sudden shift met with whiplash.

'M-my thanks. I was merely doing my job.'

'And it's always a spectacle. My pride swells to the point of stupidity I find your work so impressive.'

'Go on, Fareeha, you flattering warrior.'

'I could perpetually, I'm sure.'

Angela took the woman's hand, interlocking their fingers pleasingly. Fareeha was so strong. It was quite overwhelming at times.

'I feel sorry for Amelie, to be perfectly honest. She is suffering with her newfound emotions. Could you tell?'

'I could, and that's what unsettled me as well.'

'Indeed. Love is such a complex emotion. This most recent conversation only further distances it from my understanding.'

It was almost midafternoon. A stern collection of clouds had gathered overhead, blocking the sun and turning the world grey. Angela and Fareeha went inside her medical wing, entering through various doors and eventually making their way to the waiting room where multiple couches and homely decorations were setup to make the area more pleasing. Televisions were playing the news, the anchors rarely not having a fresh omnic outbreak to report that were progressively getting more worrisome as a whole.

'I hope they succeed…' Angela mentioned distantly.

'As do I.'

'It is going to be a long day or two.'

'Yes…'

'But it gives me time to look into Amelie's data and perform research on my own body's state of being.'

'Yes!' Fareeha brightened up, and Angela grinned.

'Also, I meant to ask, how was breakfast with Brigitte? I'm saddened I was quite busy this morning with final preparations needing my attention for the mission.'

'Oh. It was fun.' Fareeha followed Angela to her lab, making herself comfortable in a chair recently setup for this very sort of occasion. Angela wanted to laugh at herself, because she purposely refused to have more than one "comfortable" seat to avoid having too much company when she worked. Fareeha was a very special exception; one she never thought would exist.

'What did you talk about?' She pried, hoping she didn't sound too jealous, although she admittedly was.

'…O-oh. Um…many things. Our workout routines and…so forth.'

'Her crush on Reinhardt, perhaps?'

'…You know?'

'I had my guesses. It doesn't surprise me. I've been friends with the Lindholm family for quite some time, and she's looked at him with the sparkle of a young maiden in love for as long as I can remember.'

'Well, yes, then. A little bit of that. Hana was with us as well, and she was persistent in talking about that, and…'

'Us?'

'Y-yes.'

'How troublesome for you.'

'Not really, but she is quite…forward.'

'Ah.' Angela nodded knowingly, swiping through Widow's files simultaneously and projecting the necessary graphs before her. 'She poked at our sexual relations?'

'…A curious girl, that one.'

'Well, she's still young, and I can understand it being an intriguing subject matter for her.'

'I did not like the interrogation. Brigitte, thankfully, relieved the pressure for me.'

'Hana likely meant no harm.' Angela was confident in that.

'I agree. She even admitted to some…"deviant" endeavours of her own during her "experimental days", as she put them.'

'I see…' Angela blinked, a little unsure of how she felt about the information. 'What did you end up revealing?'

'Just…' Fareeha blushed. 'That you have a very beautiful body that…ahem…excites me greatly.'

'Hahah!' Angela lost her focus, getting up from her chair and straddling atop Fareeha, wrapping her arms around the woman's neck and shifting on her legs suggestively. 'My dear Fareeha, how dare you say such things.'

'It was something of a brag, I'll admit, but I seemed to satisfy Hana for the moment, anyway.'

'Good girl.' Angela touched Fareeha's hair, letting the raven strands fall through her delicate fingers until she reached the woman's decorative beads, playing with them briefly before stroking her soft cheek and chin. She stared into Fareeha's dark eyes, seeing what was left of her future in this incredible woman's reflection.

'Ah…' Fareeha gasped, and it was terribly adorable.

'To be so handsome and beautiful; how does such a thing feel?' Angela appraised, her nose nearly touching Fareeha's own.

'Likely similar to that of an angel blessed with unparalleled genius.' Was the competent rebuttal, and Angela bit at her lower lip hungrily. Her lab had cameras on constantly, but that almost didn't stop her from pinning Fareeha to the ground right then and there and giving herself over again and again.

It may have even happened. Angela was seriously considering the act of aggression.

But then the world shook like nothing before, and all power was cut, switching to emergency lighting in a terrifying case of déjà vu.

"Warning. All Overwatch agents report to – "

Athena's voice ceased altogether within a second of the announcement. Fareeha had her arm around Angela's waist, holding her in place as if expecting the tremor that followed, this one enough to shake the lab until multiple pieces of machinery came undone and were crashing onto the floor. An explosion in the distance followed. Then another. And another. And another.

'W-what on earth…?' Angela breathed shakily, her instincts screaming that this was no ordinary attack on their base.

'Talon, more than likely. This wasn't entirely unexpected, but the severity of the attempt seems more than Winston or Jack anticipated.' Fareeha grimaced, still crouched beside Angela.

'Indeed…'

A frightening silence, but then it sounded as if Athena was about to begin speaking again, the speakers giving off white noise prior to another deeper, dangerous, mechanical voice projecting itself in her stead.

"Attention, Overwatch." The being started. "The beginning of your end is here at last. You have two options: Surrender gracefully to your fate of destruction, or struggle and be wiped from this planet regardless."

'Who is that?' Angela asked in a hush.

"Hm. Angela Ziegler. Mercy. Grandmaster class. One of the most valued members of Overwatch. A pleasure to finally speak with you."

Angela's eyes widened, and Fareeha's grip on her shoulder tightened.

"You wish to know who I am?"

She covered her mouth, breathing heavily. Angela had been through enough battles to be capable of braving the storm that came with such fights, but something about all of this shook her to her core. There was danger in the air. Death. A snap of a finger meant certain doom. She had too much to live for now…

'We're not afraid of you.' Fareeha answered bravely, but it only seemed foolish.

"Fareeha Amari. Master class. A promising agent. A shame your true potential will never be realized."

'Is that a threat?'

"It's the natural course of your reality now, Ms. Amari."

'Try me.'

"Gladly. Will Dr. Ziegler be capable of 'reviving' you again when I'm done ripping you in half before her very eyes?"

'Fareeha…stop…' Angela urged, but Fareeha ignored her.

'You won't get the chance.'

"Heh. Take heed, Overwatch. Yes, I hear you, Winston. Calm yourself. You'll have your turn. Now, where was I? Yes. Take heed, Overwatch, for this foolish girl will be the first to die; die by the hands of…Nemesis."