Sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out! I was extremely busy, but I assure you I'm always going to be working on this story as much as possible. Thanks for all the support you guys, it's great!

Chapter 7: Tendencies

5 months later...

That familiar burning sensation that would snap me awake at night was now utterly gone. The haunting crackle of the flames as they rose higher and higher, destroying my body. Everything that made me who I was today, and what I was today, was beginning to disappear.

I thought I'd relish in the fact that I could finally sleep. I could finally focus on other things besides my lust for revenge, and I could try to move on with my life. After all, things were completely different. I wasn't a lone wolf. I wasn't the same man I once was. Sombra changed my view of life, and my cynicism had been obliterated, and instead replaced with a hopeful outlook. That inspiration she gave me motivated me, and kept me moving. Odd. I was inspired by someone like her. I looked up to her, and I pledged my life to a woman who's real name I didn't even know yet. I felt like I was falling at times, free falling, and I hadn't packed a parachute.

But I felt a sting of guilt in my chest every time I slept through the night without waking up in a cold sweat. I hated myself for looking in the mirror and seeing something I could accept. For once, the titanium limbs felt like my actual flesh, not some augmentation. For once, I was beginning to forget what drove me here in the first place. What haunted me in the first place.

Megan.

Even the name seemed like an old ghost. An old ghost that belonged to another life, left to turn to ash along with the rubble of what remained of that life. I'd often times forget what brought me here, and what caused my pain in life. But that pain was fading, much like a waning moon, slowly becoming smaller and smaller, before disappearing entirely.

I felt terrible for thinking like that. She was someone I loved.

Loved. That was the key word. I loved her, but all memory of my days with her were extinguished, and that love didn't exist any longer. Now all that remained was a hole in my heart, that I doubt could ever be replaced. But that never stopped me from searching. I didn't even know what to look for, but I searched all the same. Perhaps that hole could be filled with Overwatch. The new bonds I was forming with those around me. I was proud of those I surrounded myself with. Heroes of a bygone age, who, even though the world cast them aside, still felt the urge to help those in need, even going as far as risking their lives for others. Even others who hated them.

I didn't belong. As much as they tried to make me feel welcome, even here I felt an outcast. I still have a lot to learn about this whole 'good guy' thing. Saving people wasn't my strong suit. But the thing is, Sombra knows that. She's seen what I can do. She's seen me covered in blood and guts, unable to determine what blood was my own, and what blood belonged to the people I slaughtered, and still accepted me. Something about the way she acted made me want to follow her. It's been months since I first joined, nearly a year, and I still couldn't help but feel like she treated me differently. There was a look in her eyes whenever she noticed I was in danger. Sombra never hesitated to help me, even going as far as to risk her own life for me.

Sitting up, I took a deep breath, the scent of the ocean wafting it's way into my nose. I frowned, looking up at the bright stars and moon above me. I hadn't even noticed it was nighttime already. It became a habit of mine to disappear and head up to the highest point I could reach at the base, and just spend hours thinking. Lena said I just wanted to look cool while I brooded, but it was more than me just fretting over worrisome things. I contemplated what I was going to do here often times, and if I should stay. I made the decision to stay a while ago, but I never made it official.

My blade shot out of my wrist, replacing my hand. I stared at it, the stars above shining down and reflecting into it, causing it to shimmer and dance along the sky. I clenched the muscles that remained in my arm, the titanium reacting along with it, the prosthetic beginning to tremble as I gripped tighter and tighter. Sombra and the others had risked their lives for me. They didn't need to take me in. They could've left me to die in Monaco. But they took me in, and showed me a place to be, and what I could do with my talents. They were comrades, friends even.

I released a shaky exhale, feeling a tear threaten to reveal itself. I hadn't ever truly cried since my augmentations. I figured it wouldn't solve anything. But tonight, I allowed the tear to run down my cheek, as I closed my eyes. "I don't know if this is what I'm looking for. I don't know if this is my dream. But for now, I pledge my life, and my blades, to them."

Hearing footsteps coming from behind me, I quickly straightened up, wiping the tear away before it could streak down my face. I looked behind me, noticing Sombra, her vibrant hair and augmentations attracting the light, as the metal ran down her skull and spine, those dark blue eyes meeting mine. Although Sombra was leader, she certainly didn't dress like it, opting to wear a loose fitting shirt and gray sweatpants. Her smile widened when she saw me stand up to greet her.

She raised her hand. "Please, sit down. I didn't mean to interrupt something." Sombra said, and I shook my head. "No. No it's fine. Did you want to...sit?" I asked, moving over slightly. She promptly took a seat beside me, offering me a look. "I noticed you didn't come to the cafeteria for food. How long have you been out here?" I shrugged in response, and she smiled. "You always have something to brood over."

"And you always have some business to go sticking your nose in." I grinned, and she laughed. "Touché."

My mind flashed back to the night we talked back in my room at Talon. Things certainly changed. Though we still treated each other the same as we did back then.

"So what's up? You only come find me when you need something done." I replied, and she gasped. "So untrue! I come to see you all the time, Scottie! Besides, I'm not always asking something of you." When I only frowned in response, Sombra continued speaking.

"But I do need something from you. Or well, something to tell you, rather. I want you to lead the other strike team tomorrow. You should be the ones escorting the civilians to safety while me and the others distract Talon."

I stopped, staring at her with wide eyes. The mission tomorrow was the most dangerous one we'd ever taken. Once again, the city of Numbani was being attacked. We intercepted plans for an assault on the city while authorities were scrambled by other teams. We alerted the authorities anonymously, and prepared to counter their attack. Talon wanted to send a message with this attack. They wanted people to know they were back, and they meant business. With the assassination of Tekartha Mondotta, a civil rights leader for omnics, human and omnic tensions were reaching a boiling point, and Numbani was nearly the only place where omnics were treated as equals. If Numbani fell, omnics would have no safe haven to go to, and nowhere to hide.

But Sombra trusted me with overseeing the evacuation of civilians that would be caught in the crossfire. The authorities couldn't order a mass evacuation without Talon knowing they were onto them, so it was up to us to keep them safe. Or, now it was up to me.

"Me? The guy who's never saved someone in his life?" I asked, and she nodded. "You saved quite a few during your days in the FBI. I bet you'll be able to do it again."

"You're sure? You trust me with this?" I questioned again, and she laughed. "Yes. Yes I'm sure. You're better than you think you are. And I know you won't let me down. You never have. Never will. I've already informed the others. They're ready to follow you."

I paused, looking down at my hands. 'I pledged my blades and my life to Overwatch. If I wasn't willing to lead them in one of their most dangerous missions, what help would I be? I swore I'd help them. I won't break my promise so easily.'

"Sure. What could go wrong?"


Something went wrong.

Genji had to be left behind for us to evacuate the few remaining citizens in the city. Or what remained of the city. It was being torn apart, even with us aiding the authorities and the government. I shuddered at the thought of how things would be if we hadn't found these plans. We needed to go back and get Genji, yet we were being pinned down by snipers and a few squads of Talon agents.

Ducking, a bullet whizzed by my head. I looked up at Reinhardt as he held his shield up, laughing with a joy unmatched. "Is that all?!" He demanded, cackling as he did so. Lena and I offered each other worried glances as he did so. Jesse grunted, barely dodging a shotgun shell. "As much fun as this is, we need to get Genji!" He yelled, and I nodded. "I know! But we're fucked here! We don't have a clear path through this!"

"Well, you're the leader! Find the path!" I heard Brigitte reply, and I growled, peeking out from cover. A thought popped into my head. 'No. No. Don't even think about it.' I scolded myself while I looked at Reinhardt's crusader armor. With a good charge, I could break through the line. I'd move on ahead and get Genji while they defeated the remaining Talon forces.

I could only hope Sombra was having as much fun as I was on her side of the city.

"Reinhardt, I've got a plan. It's crazy, but listen up!" I called out to him, and his grin widened. "Ahaha! I love crazy!" He laughed, and I sighed. "I'm gonna need you to charge the enemy lines. Just let me ride on your back."

I didn't bother trying to explain why, and I doubted Reinhardt even cared, just as long as he got to fight. "Uh, no. I'm the one always stuck fixing up his armor! No!" Brigitte contested, and Lena nodded. "Scott, you've pulled off some crazy stunts, I won't lie, but I don't know about this one!" She said, firing at the enemy forces. Jesse chuckled. "Well then he'll have one hell of a story to tell! We're counting on you, partner!" He nodded, offering his support. I grinned at him, before hopping onto Reinhardt's shoulder, gripping the armor as tightly as possible. "On three."

I gulped audibly, for once not really liking the odds.

"One..." I hesitated.

"THREE!"

"Wait no!"

Reinhardt blasted off into the enemy lines, taking four unlucky men with him as he laughed. We collided with a bus, crushing the men between the vehicle and Reinhardt. I hopped off immediately, still reeling from the speed at which we just moved, but Reinhardt was already blocking the incoming bullets from hitting me. "Go! Run!"

I turned and began to do exactly that, run. Leaving him to the others, I knew he'd be fine, and come away with some scars and a new tale to tell. That old man always had something to share.

I slashed through two men, not bothering to stop and make sure they were dead, instead running for Genji.


Angela's POV

I was in the midst of bandaging a wound Winston had sustained when I heard shouting coming from below me. One of the screams belonged to a voice I recognized. It belonged to Scott. Rushing to the edge of the building we were in, I looked down. I looked at Scott as he pulled his blade out of a Talon agent's throat, before turning a corner and vanishing. 'What the hell is he doing?' I asked myself as I tried to follow him, moving to a window to my left that might overlook his destination.

There he was, charging head first into an entire battalion of Talon agents, his blades extended and his entire vest covered in blood. He ran alone like some sort of superhero, screaming in anger as he didn't bother to find cover. His usual trench coat must've come off during a firefight. Or, with how frantically he was running, he lost it during his sprint downhill. And at the end of that hill lied about a hundred agents, who were already beginning to fire upon Scott.

I noticed someone dash through their lines, preventing them from focusing and killing Scott. I recognized the white armor with green accents, along with the sword he swung. "Genji!" I yelled. Sombra soon rushed to my side when she heard me yell. An amused grin stretched across her face. I turned to her. "What the hell does he think he's doing?! He's going to get them both killed!" I demanded, and she smiled at me despite my anger.

My scowl soon turned into a confused frown.

"He's distracting them for us. He's risking his life for us, and he's doing it alone like always. In other words, he's doing exactly what I expected him to do."


My face became distorted with both rage and blood as I swung my blade indiscriminately, killing anything in my path. I had completely forgotten about my duty with my fire team, only focusing on Genji. Genji was a good friend, who, unlike me, had something to live for. He deserved to be able to come back to Angela and the others, and be appreciated for the man he is. I refused to allow him to die all alone in the streets of Numbani, riddled with bullets and rendered unrecognizable by the gore. I pledged my blades to him, and I won't let him down.

Jumping to his side, I split a man in half as he aimed his sights on Genji, standing back to back with him. There was a pause in the chaos, and he turned his head in my direction as the Talon agents swarmed us. "How many?" He asked, and I chuckled. "So far I'm at thirty-four. You?" I replied, and he laughed. "Fifty-two."

"Ah, finally a challenge." I mocked him, and he charged the enemy along with me, reflecting bullets back into them as they fired. I could hear him counting upwards as he cut through their armor like butter, causing me to swing even harder to protect him. He was a good man, and he didn't need to die out here. At least not alone.

A bullet found my lower hip, causing me to stumble, but Genji sliced the other bullet in two before it hit me. "On your feet." He said, offering a hand. When I grabbed it, he flung me into a crowd of them, allowing me to catch them off guard. Some of them attempted to block my slashes with their guns. They learned the hard way that my limbs were made of tougher stuff than their equipment. 'I bet Talon regrets making me so resourceful.'

I could hear what sounded like roaring thunder as the shadow of a man flew overhead, before crashing into the ground with a crack. A shockwave was sent towards Genji and I, and we both rolled out of the way. The Talon agents weren't so lucky, being sent flying into the buildings around us. Scrambling to our feet, I soon recognized the man by thengolden gauntlet he wore on his fist. "Akande Ogundimu." I muttered, glaring at him.

"Oh, if it isn't the traitor himself. You will pay for what you've done, but I will hear a confession first. Then, I'll crush every bone in your body."

"Why are you doing this?!" Genji demanded, and he chuckled. "This..." he gestured to the rubble and fire that replaced the once tall skyscrapers of Numbani. "Is evolution. Only through conflict do we evolve as humans. In order for us to become better than we were, we must fight. The strongest will survive, and soon every man, woman, and child will fight for themselves, not their country, their government, or for anyone else. In the end, we are liberating us all."

"Evolution? By killing innocents?" I growled, and he scowled. He was almost spotless, only a few scratches decorating his body. His skin gleamed in the sunlight as he approached us, getting larger and larger with each step.

"Got a plan?" Genji asked, steadying himself. "Yeah. Beat him."

"Sounds good."

We both dashed at him, attacking from different directions. Akande caught us with both hands, crushing my wrist with his gauntlet. "I haven't had a good fight in a while. You disappoint me."

He flung me into the wall behind me, as both the cement and my spine crashed against one another in an unsavory crack. I fell to the ground, struggling to stand as I looked up. He held Genji in his fist by his throat, as Genji stabbed Akande's arm to no avail. He didn't even seem bothered by it. "You're this world's heroes? We're doomed with you guarding us."

Akande slammed his gauntlet into Genji's sternum, shattering his armor as he screamed in agony. "GENJI!" I exclaimed, watching as he crashed into the windows of a large bus behind him, shattering the glass.

Akande laughed, and I yelled, an unadulterated rage rushing through me. I hoisted him upwards by his hips before slamming him into the hard ground. I didn't stop to allow him to stand up, instead stabbing my blade through his shoulder, pinning him to the ground. For the first time, the proud Akande made a pained expression as he stumbled to his feet as I withdrew my blade from his shoulder. Blood ran down his dark skin, as he grunted in pain. I growled, slamming my left blade through his lower abdomen, before his left hand grabbed my throat.

He picked me up off the ground with ease as I stared into his eyes with a hatred unmatched. He winced as he forced me to pull out my blade slowly as I ascended. I kicked, my foot meeting his chest, but it didn't seem to affect him as he raised an eyebrow at me. He offered a smile. "You're willing to fight to protect the people you care for. I respect that. I even envy it at times. But you must die for what you've done."

His grip around my throat tightened. I watched as he prepared to strike me with his gauntlet in the same fashion as he did with Genji, but I slashed through his left hand, severing his hand from his arm. I dropped to the ground, coughing as I heard Akande scream in both pain and shock as he realized he was missing his left hand. I stood up, and lowered my gaze at him, smirking. "Does this mean you're going to have two gauntlets?"

I watched as Talon reinforcements arrived, allowing a still yelling Akande to escape and mend his wounds. They all pointed their guns at me, and I exhaled. I glanced at Genji, who was beginning to stand up, and I stood in front of him, my blades extending outwards. I heard murmurs of discontent as they seemed afraid of me. "That's him! He beat Doomfist all by himself!" I heard one man shout, and another seemed to be shaking with fear. "They say he killed 100 men all by himself!"

I growled, and once again released a battle cry, preparing to fight once more.

Before I could slice through the first man I saw, Sombra appeared in the midst of them in a flash of purple using her translocator. "Miss me?" She asked, before firing her sub machine gun into the crowd wildly. I watched as Reinhardt charged into the enemy forces without hesitation, Brigitte reluctantly following him. Winston leaped into the air with a ferocious growl. Jesse rolled into action, firing his peacekeeper at anyone he could see. Lena zipped past with a giggle and flashed a signature smile before helping the others decimate what remained of Talon's reinforcements.

When I realized the others could handle them, I collapsed to my knees, coughing up a bit of blood. I felt an arm wrap around me and help me up, and I looked at Torbjorn helping me. "Don't think this means we're friends." He spat as he rolled his eyes, and I placed my weight on the engineer as he helped me hobble towards Genji. He was unconscious, and Angela was desperately trying to bandage his wounds before he bled out.

"Genji..." I muttered, but Angela snarled at me like a rabid dog when I attempted to help. "Get away from him! This is your fault! You left Genji behind! He's like this because of YOU!" I watched as her eyes filled to the brim with tears, hands clenched into fists as she scowled at me.

I stopped in my tracks, looking down in shame as I tried to hide the pain her words caused me. The tears in her eyes were there because of me. That anger was all directed towards me, and rightfully so. Genji wouldn't have been in this position if it wasn't for me. I knew we should've stuck together.

Stepping away from Torbjorn, I began to stumble without his support, but I continued forward all the same. "Scott! You alright?" I heard Jesse call out, but I ignored him, limping back to the aircrafts we took. I shook my head, though unable to be rid myself of these visions of Genji being hurt.

Sombra never should've given me this responsibility. I wasn't ready.


Something in my heart tore when I heard Angela yell like that. It wasn't that she hurt my feelings or something. It was that I knew she was right. It truly was my fault. I refused to go see Genji, guilt overwhelming me whenever I neared the medical bay where he was stuck. He was going to be alright, but that didn't mean he was going to be okay the next time. The next time he probably won't be so lucky.

But there shouldn't be a next time. I won't let that happen again.

When we all arrived back in Gibraltar, I tried to stay as far away from the others as possible. Though it didn't necessarily work. Lena and a few others must've been trying to track me down, or my little hiding places weren't as private as I'd like them to be. It had only been a few hours since the mission and I already tried, and failed, to gather enough strength to check on Genji.

On the bright side, the mission was an overwhelming success. The citizens of Numbani were safe and sound, and a few of them even reported that we saved them, though luckily no one could confirm that. All Overwatch activity was illegal, after all. Talon was beaten back with relative ease, despite the change of plans due to my tendency to be a lone wolf. Something about charging the enemy singlehandedly got my blood pumping in a way I doubt anyone else could imagine, and the violence I inflicted on those men gave me a feeling of self worth nothing else could. I wasn't truly good for anything else other than fighting. It's all I've ever known since I was rebuilt by Talon. It's all I'll ever know.

"Scott! There ya are!" I heard Lena shout, snapping me from my thoughts. I'd yet to change out of my bloody gear, the red beginning to fade into a light brown. Reinhardt, Jesse, Brigitte, and Winston walked with her, all of them smiling. 'Did they forget about what happened to Genji?' I thought to myself, choosing to ignore it. I plastered on a fake grin, and I greeted them.

"Hey." I said casually, and Jesse chuckled. "Good work out there Scott. Or should I say sir?" He teased, and Brigitte smiled at me in a sort of mesmerized gaze. "It was amazing, Captain! You took them out in one charge, and even defeated the legendary Doomfist!" She exclaimed, and Lena laughed. "That's gotta sting Talon, losin' such a great opportunity like that. You saved Genji's life too!" She patted me on the back, though I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt in my chest. 'He wouldn't have needed saving if I had done a better job.'

"It was like their whole army was afraid of you!" Winston said in amazement, and Reinhardt grinned at me, the look in his eye showing the respect he had for me, even if he towered over me about a foot in height. "I expect nothing less from a warrior of your caliber! Let's hear it for our new Captain!" Reinhardt bellowed, and they all cheered and smiled at me.

"Thanks. You all did a good job. I'm sorry if I got a little carried away out there. I apologize." I said, scratching the back of my neck in embarrassment. We all began to walk through the hallways together, as Jesse frowned at me. "Apologize?" He said, abashed. "What are you goin' on about? Now we get to brag about you to everyone else!"

"C'mon! Let's celebrate! First round's on me!" Lena laughed, and the smile on my face soon dissolved as I noticed we were right beside the medical bay, and along with that, I heard a voice call my name. "Scott! Congratulations!" I heard Angela say, each word dripping with sarcasm. Her hand rested on her hip, now in her usual white lab coat, her gloves still coated in blood. 'Probably Genji's.' I thought.

Everyone in the group surrounding me exchanged nervous glances, now regretting all the pride they shared over my actions. They knew full well how much Angela despised me now, and I doubt they planned on getting chewed out along with me. They noticeably backed away slightly. Ironic how everyone was so afraid of the one person we're supposed to go to for help. "Ah! Angie!" Jesse said, voice cracking as he said it.

"We need to talk. Would you come with me for a moment, sir Captain Scott?" She mocked me, and I exhaled. "You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up." I muttered, before stepping towards the doctor. It was as if she fumed with anger, each step making me grow more aware of how unpleasant this was going to be.

As soon as the door behind us shut, and we were in an entirely different hallway, Angela instantly began to raise her voice. "What did you think you were doing?"

"What?" I asked, and she rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that! Your strike team was supposed to provide support for the evacuation of civilians, not rush head on into enemy forces! We were supposed to each take a flank to contain Talon's assault on the city. Despite your success in defeating Akande, you ruined our battle plan, charging like you always do into the center of the enemy. You just had to go out there and attack them alone, like you think you're some kind of hero! Your self centered actions and leadership put your team in serious danger, and you nearly got Genji killed! You're going to get someone KILLED, you ass!" Angela gripped me by the collar of my vest, staring into my eyes with the same fury as before, a raging fire engulfing her eyes. Each one of her words was laced with as much venom as the woman could muster.

I looked away, brushing her hand off of me. I turned away, before stopping. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." I promised, and that only seemed to infuriate her even more. "You always say that."

"You haven't changed at all. Not since that duel with Sombra nearly a year ago. You don't care at all about the lives of those you lead, not even Genji, someone you claim to think of as a friend." I looked down at my titanium hands, not even bothering to try and defend my actions. "All you care about is swinging those blades of yours and killing people."

"You're just a mad dog!"

I snapped, turning around in an instant and grabbing her wrist, holding it tight enough to snap the bone clean in two. Angela looked up at me, a hint of fear flashing through her as I scowled at her.

"You're wrong! I'm NOT like I used to be! I've changed! I do care about Overwatch, I do!"

"Why don't you two calm down?" Sombra asked, walking towards us as she frowned at us both in disapproval. We both turned, and I released my grasp on her wrist. Angela glared at me. "Angie, may I speak to Scott alone for a moment?"

Angela sighed, and nodded, before looking at me, then turning her gaze back to Sombra. "You're too easy on him. Genji nearly died. I won't forget that." She walked off, leaving me to Sombra. I rested my arms on the railing beside me, struggling to relax for a moment.

"You two are a handful, you know that Scottie? Constantly arguing." She muttered, losing the professional attitude she wore around the others as she leaned against the wall to my left, crossing her arms. I didn't bother looking at the hacker, instead fixing my eyes on the floor beneath me. "I do care about Overwatch. In my own way I do care about you all. I'm not like that...thing I used to be." I admitted, and Sombra sighed. "I know." She grinned at me, but I didn't return the smile.

"It takes me back, back to when you first joined us." Sombra began to reminisce, and I frowned, thinking about that duel. I could still hear the clash of our blades coming together in a spark, the way she dodged my blows with relative ease. "In Talon, you wandered from firefight to firefight, never bothering to ask yourself why you did the things you did. On that day, we held a duel for your freedom. And what a duel it was..." she trailed off, becoming lost in her own memory.

A smile formed on her soft lips, and her shoulders relaxed for a moment. I met her eyes, and we shared a gaze I couldn't describe. She tensed back up again soon enough, and I instantly saw her as a leader, rather than the friend she was a few seconds ago. Sombra smirked at me, and turned. "C'mon. You'll be the toast of tonight's celebration." I watched her walk away, catching her attention when I said her name. "Sombra!"

"I'm sorry about Genji. And for ruining the battle plans." I apologized, unable to look her in the eye. She took steps towards me, and placed a warm hand on my cheek. "I made those plans with your tendency to charge the enemy in mind." That cocky grin of hers spread from ear to ear, and she winked at me.

The woman left me both confused and smiling at the same time. I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"Thanks, Sombra."