"Cowboy," Rosa sighed, "I'd rather not think about him right now. "
"That bad huh?" Jesse chuckled softly, sliding his left hand down her arm and lifting it up, cupping her hand in his as he stepped away and spun her around before pulling her back. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you when I was walkin up." Jesse watched as Rosa sighed softly and laid her head against his shoulder again.
"His name is Chris, we've been together for two years." She said softly, making Jesse stiffen as they swayed. "But for about the last seven or eight months, I dunno it just feels like he's done with me." Another sigh from her and Jesse rubbed her lower back with the hand that kept her close. "He was supposed to come on this vacation with me, but he said no so I dragged Ami with me since it was too far to turn back."
"Oh," Jesse felt disappointed. "You don't live here then? How long are you guys staying?"
"No, we're both from the northeast. well more northeast than this. We'll be here for two weeks, we just got here today." She laughed and looked up at him. "Do you live here?"
"No, kinda used to. But now I travel with them," he tilted his head back to the bar. "Spend most of my time in Switzerland now-a-days."
"Switzerland! Wow!" Rosa sounded impressed. "I've never been! How is it there?"
"Its ok, pretty place and never short on excitement, but it doesn't quite feel like home ya know?" Jesse admitted, shrugging as Rosa looked thoughtful. "Well, as for that guy of yours, he's damn foolish." This made her chuckle softly, eyes looking at her hand on his chest. "I couldn't let you travel so far from home without me if I was your man." Rosa looked up at him and cocked an eyebrow at him, giving him a skeptical look. "Sorry if that sounds," he gently tilted his head left and right, trying to think of an appropriate word.
"Pig-ish?" Rosa offered up, chuckling and pulling back a little.
"We'll go with that," Jesse chuckled. "I'd be too worried about your safety, and I ain't real trusting of men I don't know." He pulled her closer and squeezed her hand gently. "Plus, well, as you can see I'm real good at stickin my foot in my mouth, I wouldn't want you to go and get swept off your feet by some..." His face grew a little serious as they turned, the first song fading out and another beginning.
"Cowboy?" Rosa laughed, Jesse could feel the vibration against his chest and in his hand on her back.
"Exactly," Jesse laughed, "Because I said or did somethin dumb before you left." Jesse lifted his eyes from her and scanned the room, eyes locking on a guy a little older and bigger than him, wearing a leather jacket with a bright white skull stitched onto the front. He was wearing a bandana and his pants were sagging around his waist, he grinned at Jesse who nodded, face growing serious. "Rosa," he stopped their swaying and gripped her elbows somewhat tight. "I'm sorry but it's about time for me to go to work."
"Aw, I never thought of a nickname for you." She laughed gently, a soft look of disappointment on her face.
"Well, you're here for two weeks right? I dunno how long I'll be here but I think I won't be leavin anytime soon." Jesse winked at her, making her smile. "You got time, just don't go gettin swept off our feet by any other outlaws in the meantime." he put her chin between his thumb and the curve of his index finger, bringing her closer to his face. "At least," he was whispering now, bringing his lips close to hers. In a reflex, she closed her eyes and it made Jesse's heart pound in his chest, "Not till I see you again."
Jesse felt the edge of his lips touch hers and felt her tense in his hand, causing him to hesitate before pulling away, smiling sadly. He wanted to dance with her again but he had a job to do, there was justice to dispense. He let go of her chin and tapped her lips with his gloved finger, smirking as she opened her eyes in shock. He backed away and put one hand on his hat and tipped it down, shoving his fist into his pants pocket as he turned and walked back to the bar, when he thought he was out of Rosa's eyesight he looked up and locked eyes with Gabe, nodding and glaring.
Gabe smacked Jack on the back as he talked to Ana and nodded as Jesse walked up. Jesse gave them his serious face and rubbed his chin, using his index finger to discreetly point back to where he had seen the man. Gabe nodded as Jack looked over his shoulder and Ana turned her head to the side.
"He's here," Jesse told them, stepping up to the bar as Gabe ordered two drinks. "He's already seen me, while I was dancing with Rosa."
"Game face Mccree." Jack told him, slapping him on the shoulder. "You got this. We'll be in the crowd if you need any help."
"Remember, don't get too cocky," Ana told him as Gabe handed him two glasses of some alcoholic drink that Jesse didn't recognize. "You need to take it slow with this."
"Not my first rodeo Cap'n." Jesse grinned, "Just sit back and watch me work." Jesse turned on his heel and scanned the dance floor as he walked past but saw no sign of Rosa now. He stepped around people easily until he found the contact. "Howdy." Jesse greeted, "Look like you could use a drink."
"Mccree?" the man chuckled, a Spanish accent verses Jesse's southern. Jesse shrugged and held up his hand, looking pleased with himself.
"The one and only partner."
"We'll see about that." The old man laughed and took one of the drinks from Jesse before taking a drink. "I know you used to run with Deadlock, but the word is you went legit?"
"Nah," Jesse laughed, taking a sip from his own drink. "Just decided to go out on my own, gotta have my freedom ya know? Nothin better than bein your own boss." The old man chuckled and took another drink. "But my skill ain't changed none, that's the important part."
"Looks like you went soft," The man accused him, looking down at him and staring hard as if his black eyes could break Jesse into admitting something. "The way you's with that lil chica, looks like you traded in your old tricks for new ones."
"Ha!" Jesse laughed, leaning back against the wall, crossing his legs. "Just because I can snare the ladies doesn't mean I can't smuggle some goods."
"I don't believe you Mccree." The man said coldly, narrowing his eyes. "You've been out of the game to long, you couldn't take candy from a baby, an your movements are obvious, I was able to keep an eye on you since I found you."
"I let you find me," Jesse retorted quickly-if he didn't think of a way to prove his skills he would lose this chance and Jack would never shut up, even after Gabe put him in the grave. Not to mention all the people who would be killed with illegal military equipment in the hands of outlaws all across the southwest. "And apparently you didn't see me disappear for drinks, judging by the way you tensed up when I let you find me again." The man tensed even more as Jesse smirked around the edge of the glass.
"Hiding in a crowd is only one skill you need for a job like this." The man growled, his hand holding the glass went down to hang by his pocket where a chain was attached to his belt loop, Jesse glanced as the man turned his head and scanned the room. Must be a wallet. Jesse took a sip as the man's eyes scanned the other side of the room.
There was a gasp to Jesse's left and he recognized some voices.
"Your choker is gone!"
"What!"
It was Ami and Rosa, a few feet away as they walked toward the exit, Jesse turned slightly and removed his hat, sliding around the wooden post that held up the second floor. He slid his hand into his pocket balled his hand into a fist, smirking as the contact looked him over. Jesse jerked his chin in their direction.
"Did you take it off at all?" Ami asked, helping Rosa look around on the ground for it.
"No!" Rosa groaned, "And the clasp was super strong so I know it didn't break!"
The contact narrowed his eyes at Rosa and then looked to Jesse with a confused look as Jesse took out his hand from his pocket and spun the choker around his index finger, smiling softly with smug pride in his light touch. She had never felt him take it off when he had moved to kiss her. The contact scoffed and shook his head as Jesse tossed up the choker and caught it before pressing it to his lips and replacing his hat.
"You don't think your cowboy took it do you?" Ami asked in the distance.
"I found a name for him-THEIF!" Rosa's voice was angry and he could hear her footsteps as she stomped around-probably looking for him. There was some more angry muttering as the contact watched her intently. The finally a dejected, "Let's go Ami, I don't think we will find him. He said he was going to work."
There was a quiet moment as the door swung close behind Ami and Rosa, the song ending for the dance floor.
"So you can weasel a little girl out of some jewelry." The man scoffed walking by Jesse and nudging his arm with his own. "Doesn't mean you can do this." He started to walk away when Jesse slid around the post and pat his hip.
"What do you think Wolf? Chain or no chain?" Jesse smirked as the older man looked at Jesse's hip where a chain was connected to his belt he pulled out a leather wallet with a white skull and crossbones stamped on the front, matching the one of the man's jacket. He quickly pat his pants and looked down where it had been previously and then stood up straight as Jesse twirled it.
"I dunno, kind cool lookin n all but I feel like it clashes with my southern look personally." He unclipped it and tossed it at the man before dipping his hat and walking away. "I'm staying with Santana at the hotel when you're ready to admit you want me in, come find me." Jesse slapped a hand on the guy's shoulder as he walked out the door confidently, never looking back as he started to head to the hotel.
Jesse had almost made it to the hotel when he noticed some movement to his left in the treeline. Gabriel's tall and dark form appeared as Jesse stopped, his eyes on his brown boots.
"Well?"
"Can't say for sure yet." Jesse admitted, rubbing his neck. "He definatly doesn't trust me, but I think I proved myself a bit to him." He took off his gloves and palced them between his elbow and side as he took out Rosa's choker and played with it with his fingers. "Took this from Rosa when she was distracted, then took his wallet when he doubted me."
"You stole from that sweet girl? Jesse, I'm disappointed." Ana's voice called out from the tree above Gabe, making him jump in fright.
"Borrowed! I didn't steal it," Jesse grinned up into the tree, finding Ana's form in the moonlight. "I fully intend on giving it back when I see her again."
"Wait," Jack's voice came from the right as the group closed in around the young cowboy, still smiling down at the rose on the black choker. "You intend on finding her? Jesse this isn't the time to be distracted, we have to do this mission and return to base, as soon as possible."
"I know but I..." Before Jesse could finish Gabe swore in Spanish.
"Jesse, you can't let her get in your head." he grabbed Jesse in a headlock as Ana dropped from the tree. "One wrong move and you'll end up dead. Can't have deadmen in Blackwatch." He flicked the boy's nose with his finger but Jesse didn't fight back.
"I'm focused!" Jesse snapped, "She ain't gonna stop me from doin what I need to do. I'm still intent on makin up for all the bad I done in Deadlock. Justice won't dispense itself. But that don't mean I can't be with her when I'm on downtime!" He pulled himself from the headlock, losing his hat and gripped the choker tightly in his hands. "Just like tonight, I still met with him and played my part-even walked away from her to do it!" He glared as Gabe backed away and crossed his arms, Ana looking to Jack and gesturing for him to follow.
Gabe and Jesse stared at one another until Jack and Ana had left, Gabriel closed his eyes and pinched the skin between his eyes. Jesse shoved the choker into his pocket again and messed with the sleeves of his shirt, refolding them so they stayed at his elbow. Bending down he grabbed his hat and ran a hand through his hair when the older man finally spoke.
"Jesse." Gabriel's voice was dark and deep, making Jesse grimace and turn away, "Look at me." Jesse started to put on his hat when he heard had a picture dangled in front of him. It was a dark skinned woman with a loose braid smiling happily with Gabriel's arm around her.
"She's pretty." Jesse complimented, "Didn't know you had a special lady. What's her name, how come I never met her?"
"Maria," Gabriel said flatly, Jesse turned to look at him when he saw him pull out a cell phone and press a few buttons.
Jesse didn't move but listened intently as there was panicked panting and the sound of a woman terrified to bits. Gabriel? Mi amour, I'm scared! Please come find me-this guy- Jesse felt his blood turn cold and a shiver run up his spine as there was ear deafening scream and gunshots. G...Gabriel...I love you.
Jesse stared at Gabriel who was staring down at the phone, its light showing tears in his eyes. It sounded like the phone was picked up and a deep voice growled. Fuck Overwatch. The message ended as Gabe stared down at the small black phone in his hands, closing out the program and shoving the phone into his pocket. "That's why you've never met her. Her last message to me, while I was out on a mission. And I was still older than you are now."
"Jesus Christ boss..." Jesse felt his stomach tighten into a knot. "You never told me..."
"I had hope I never would." Gabriel looked up at the younger boy and saw the sadness in his eyes. "Look, kid, I can't stop you from liking anyone. Eventually, you'll find someone who will make you question everything about your life-but I don't want you getting too cocky like I did and think you can take on the world over this girl. That everything will always be ok and that the danger is just a game." He shook his head and stepped forward, "I did, and it cost me two precious lives."
"Two?" Jesse asked, seeming confused, but the grave look in the older man's eyes made something click without much thought in the back of the cowboy's mind. "Oh Fuck Gabe...she was... He put a hand to his head, suddenly everything felt like it was swaying. "It was yours?"
"She hadn't even told me yet." Gabriel pulled out his wallet and pulled out a different photo, looking down at it before handing it to Jesse who felt his heartbreak. It was an ultrasound print off of a small fetus. "Had planned a big reveal party with some of the women from Overwatch to tell me when I got back. She was two months along."
Jesse couldn't muster any words, suddenly feeling guilty for all the crap he had put Gabriel through since he had met him when they busted Deadlock in that sting operation two years ago. He liked to push Gabe's buttons and often acted out to get his attention, even if it was resulting in PT or what he and Genji called 'groundings'. Gabriel took the picture back and replaced it in his wallet silently, shoving it back into place in his back pocket before slapping Jesse on the shoulder.
"It's alright," Gabriel told him, making him look up at him. "I know it seems like I'm impossibly hard on you, and seem like a hardass. But it's because I see a lot of me in you, Jesse. I used to be a troublemaker too, a clown. Too many mistakes and the military beat it out of me for the most part."
"Gabe...I'm so sorry, I..." Jesse was fighting hard against tears, remembering how he had slipped up and called the older man 'dad'. It must have pulled up some unpleasant memories or thoughts.
"Jesse, it's alright. I'm not mad." Gabriel smiled down at the younger boy, reaching up and patting the boys head. "I know you were embarrassed, it's alright. It was..." Gabe laughed softly. "Flattering. To be called dad." He pulled the younger boy into a hug and pat his back. "It'll be our lil secret, Mijo."