Jack crept through the window and fell onto the floor. His boots made the softest thump against the wood. He snapped his head up, scanning the room through his red-tinted visor, only moving his neck as he did so. Nothing. No one. Silent.

He waited a few seconds more, listening for any and every sound. Nothing. Coast clear. He stood up with a sigh.

He was currently in a small apartment in Mexico, near Dorado. He looked around for any belongings. There wasn't much. A makeshift bed, a few decorative plants, even some photos.

Jack walked over to the mantle-piece. He looked at the handful of pictures and took one in-hand. It was a Blackwatch hangout: Gabriel, Genji, that Moira woman, and—

"That was a good one."

Jack whirled around, picture still in-hand. Jesse stood across the room holding a drink, wearing a casual red flannel shirt.

"Never seen Gabe so happy," he went on, strolling forward. "He smiled that day, how 'bout that? Forgot what it was like to see the old cat enjoy himself. 'Course, that was before what happened in Venice."

Jack could only stare at him. "Jesse."

Jesse's expression was a little somber. "Hey, Jack."

Jack looked down with a quiet sigh. "Sometimes I miss you having spurs on your boots."

Jesse snorted. "Was I really that hard to keep track of?"

"I'm reminded of King's Row..."

"Gabe knew where I was." He looked down. "Actually, I see your point."

Jack chuckled. He set the photograph back on the mantle, gesturing around the room. "This is...humble."

"Layin' low," Jesse agreed with a nod. "Don't need much when you're the target of a nation-wide man hunt. You should know, of all people. Got any tips?"

"Don't get attached to anything you can't carry on your person or strap to yourself. Tightly."

"So, lose the hat?"

"And the blanket."

"Ah," Jesse said with a grin, strolling closer and setting his drink on the table. "'Fraid that's a no-go. Wait, 'it's gonna be the death of me,' right?"

"If you don't get shot first for lookin' like...that."

"At least everyone's focused on me and not Reinhardt or Torb, or Lena, or Winston. I can take it."

"You shouldn't have to," Jack insisted.

Jesse shrugged. "Eh. It's just what criminal records do to your publicity." He looked up, eyes narrowing. "Why're you here?"

Jack clicked the back of his visor and peeled his mask off. His expression was sad. "We need you, Jesse."

"No you don't," Jesse quietly said with a shake of his head, a sad look in his eyes as well.

"We want you."

"Same here, but the second PETRAS gets their fat mitts on me, I'm gonna be their lap dog, the dirt they need to make all of Overwatch look shady. I don't wanna risk that, 'specially not with you all still in the loop. I'm doin' us all a mercy here." He snorted a chuckle. "Speakin' of which, how is the doc?"

"Worried about everyone. Relieved I'm back. Asked me to ask you if you're still smoking. Proud of what Fareeha's accomplished over in Egypt."

Jesse smiled at her mention. "Yeah, little spitfire's livin' up to her legacy. She'd make 'er mother proud for sure. Best part is? Unlike us, she's doin' it legally."

Jack opened his mouth to tell him that Ana was still alive, but found himself faltering. Ana still wasn't sure about telling everyone just yet. Not even Sam knew. Best keep it a secret for now. "For sure," Jack agreed instead. "I've almost forgotten what it's like to not have to look over my shoulder after everything I do. Almost wanna say I miss it."

"Really? I thought you'd like this setup more. Less suits 'n ties breathin' down yer neck."

"Mm. Point taken. Miss having a team and a warm bed to come back to at the end of the day though."

"We all do."

Jack grunted. He snapped his mask back on and turned to the window.

"I'm sorry, Jack," Jesse said. "Really. I got my own business to take care of. It's not that I don't wanna join you, it's...just that I can't."

Jack nodded over his shoulder. "I understand."

He put his foot on the windowsill.

"Jack?"

He paused to listen.

"Tell everyone I do miss 'em. And...I'll try to make it back to y'all once I'm done with my mission."

Jack smiled under his mask. "I'm sure they'll appreciate it." He pondered. "What is your 'mission' exactly?"

"I messed up bad. I...let Talon get their hands on somethin' to spare some folks."

"What was it?"

"That's what I gotta find out."

"Mm. Any leads? Need any help? I could stay here another night or two."

"I already got a gal," Jesse said with a smile. "Gonna meet her on Christmas and see if we can work somethin' out."

"This gal got a name?"

"Not sure. Heard she's called Shadow, or somethin'. Hear she's the best at what she does and that she knows how Talon works on the inside. That's all I need."

Jack smiled. "Keep your head low, Jesse. Make it back home safe."

"Aye-aye, Commander."

NOTES: So this is kind of an odd situation lol. I don't have any ideas to continue this fic with, but I didn't quite know if this chapter should be it's own fic or not. I think it works well enough, Jack being the common thread between them and there's enough continuity that works. Still a little one-shoty but whatever. I wrote this before Reunion came out (Ashe and her gameplay are lovely btw), so this is supposed to tie together McCree's bar scene in Reflections with his own comic Train Hopper. Echo seems like she has big things ahead of her, playable or not. It's surprising SHE isn't playable before/instead of Ashe but I don't work at Blizzard lol.

Hope you enjoyed! :)