Chapter 2

Five Months Ago

Burr smiled at Noah's expression. "I don't believe it's...it's, uh, a flash drive. I haven't seen one of those since forever." His smile faltered, but it maintained its form. "That may be true, but Mr. Bastin it's what's in the flash drive that counts. I'd, uh, rather not show the surprise here."

He leaned in. "It's not the best place to share such a thing."

Noah looked around and saw the few patrons and Ernie were continuing their own activities. Still, it's got to be one hell of a secret if Burr was hiding it. "Well then, shall we leave. We can go to my place."

Burr chuckled. "After one drink? I thought you'd take me to dinner first. However I know you are a man of quick and easy." Noah punched Burr's arm and the two laughed at the joke. Burr put his arm around Noah and led him out. And the two disappeared into the night, but with two piercing eyes had them in her sights.

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The door opened on the humble apartment on one of the highest floor in the building as the lights went up and the two men walked inside. Noah led the way to his computer and turned it on. The holo-screen lit up and Burr passed the flash drive into his hand. "Alright let's see what's got you so excited."

"It'll be worth it trust me." And once the flash drive was inserted, the screen began to fill up with files and a map. Noah looked on with surprise as the screen gave away to numerous faces. Recognizable faces at that.

"Jack Morrison? Ana Amari? These are big names from the war."

"Keep reading." Burr said as Noah continued to scroll down. "Angel Ziegler aka Mercy. Current location: XXXXX, XXXX. Genji Shimada, believed deceased, last known area. Winston, dangerous, unknown location. Lena Oxton aka Tracer, unknown location, proceed with seek and destroy. Locations of agents and potential bases..."

Noah looked at Burr and the man simply tapped the map. Once the map was touched, the globe began showing former bases of Overwatch. Burr tapped one area and it showed one Jesse McCree in a shootout on a train. Another showed Hanzo Shimada standing alone before something like a robot cut the feed.

And one more video revealed security footage of a battle at one of the Overwatch Museums. Professional assassins, Widowmaker and Reaper were taking on Winston and Tracer. Noah was in complete awe at the battle before that footage was cut off by some kid wielding Doomfist's gauntlet. He quickly shut off the computer and pulled out the flash drive.

"Where the hell did you get this?" Burr grinned sheepishly. "I got it off Talon's servers. You know with all these advancements in technology, they seem to forget that some of the gems of the past still got some use."

Noah ignored the rest of that statement and rubbed his forehead. "You're telling me you got vital information on Overwatch from a Talon server."

"No. I got it from multiple Talon servers, before blowing them up."

"Multiple! And, and you blew them up!" Noah wheezed as Burr finally got serious. "Yes. Now I know it sounds crazy-"

"It is crazy!" Burr watched Noah ruffle his hair. "I mean you're holding intel on where all the Overwatch agents, their latest excursions, and information in that little flash drive."

"I know, but listen with Talon on the rise and after that Omnic activist assassinated I needed to do this...mostly since it's my job."

"Job." Burr nodded. Noah shook his head and walked off, "Jesus, Burr I thought we were both over with that part of our lives. Why are you here?"

Burr rolled his eyes. "No, you were over with that part of your life. I only agreed to help ease your conscience. Besides, it isn't one of those "jobs"." Noah looked at him with a disbelieving glance. Burr reached into his pocket and pulled out a communicator. Noah quickly caught it when Burr tossed it to him.

"It's more than that." The Overwatch symbol was more than enough for Noah to pull the pieces together. "Oh God."

Burr pursed his lips and sighed. "Yeah." They stood there for a second before Noah tossed it back along with the flash drive. "Yeah, well thanks for dropping by, but I can't have a criminal in my home." Burr was taken by surprise at that as Noah was pushing him toward the door.

"Now, wait a minute!"

"I'll tell Ernie to add the gin to my tab, but that's all."

"Wait, a second! Noah!" He dug his heel into the carpet and Noah was getting annoyed with his presence now. "Look, it's more than that I swear. Besides I didn't come all this way just to show you that flash drive for nothing."

"And whatever your ulterior method is, I'll take no part of it." Noah said before Burr turned around and grabbed Noah's wrist. "Just let me explain!"

Noah went silent and Burr took that as his cue to talk. "Now I know being here with all...this is overwhelming, but I wanted to see if you'd be coming back."

"Really?" Burr nodded. "Burr, it's been almost a three years since I took that kind of work. I mean I got a nine to five job, regular omnic and human friends who won't stab me in the back, and a steady income. I've straightened my life."

"But listen, I finally found a way to redeem ourselves."

"Sure."

"I'm serious. I know I've been in and out, but I've been meaning to ask you to come back and work with me. Besides we'll be actually helping so many people. I know you got a sense of self preservation, but I think I found a way to redeem ourselves after what we've done."

Noah wasn't having any of it. "Redemption? I don't need redemption, I need to move on. And the only people I protect are my friends, you included. Also FYI the only people we screwed over deserved it."

"And the people that didn't?"

"It doesn't matter. Burr, I get that you want to help people, but my life filled with all...this is over. Now please just leave."

"Noah-" However Burr stopped himself to bring Noah and himself down. All while a single bullet hole was where Noah's head was originally at. "What the hell, man?"

"Shit, I didn't think they'd find me here." Noah got up and ducked near the wall. "Aw, what did you do?"

Burr pulled out a gun. "Off chance I was followed and now Talon soldiers are coming to take us out."

"Us?!"

"They might think you're an informant."

"Yeah, great. Thanks asshole." Burr rolled his eyes and pulled out another gun. "Here take this. I know it's been awhile, but you just need to point and shoot at the people shooting at you."

Noah rolled his eyes. "I know how to use a gun." And the two aimed their guns at the door when it was knocked down. Talon soldiers came in, but stopped when two of them fell under a couple of bullets. Burr took out his communicator and clicked it.

"Winston, I'm in some trouble." Noah took another couple of shots to hold back the mercenaries and tried to take a few out. "Look just get someone here."

"Burr anytime now!" Noah said as he picked up of the assault rifles and opened fire. Burr shook his head and pulled out a smoke bomb. He threw it on the ground and grabbed Noah's wrist. The two barged through Talon's men and ran out to the bottom floor. The two ran as fast as they can, trying to take on any soldiers that came their way.

Burr took a few shots at the soldiers and Noah kicked open a window the to the outside, only to see a rocket fly close to them. The force separated the duo and Noah fell down a story before grabbing onto the railing. His fingers were locked tightly against the metal bars as Noah's senses took a moment to regain their bearings.

"Noah, you alright?!"

"Just fine as rocket to the feet should be." Noah retorted as he tried to pull himself . His fingers were locked tightly against the metal bars as Noah's senses took a moment to regain their bearings.

And then he tried to climb back up. Key word tried. Noah had to watch out for any stray bullets and firing back on from where he was.

"Noah! Don't worry pal I'm coming!" The rail creaked from Noah's weight. "Don't worry. Take your ti-TIIIIME!" He said before the rail was shot loose and it snapped off. Burr shouted his name, but a blue blur made Noah disappear in thin air and reappearing on the roof of the building just below.

Noah felt the concrete roof beneath his palms and laughed in pure relief to not being a red paste. "Don't worry luv, calvaries here!" And that phrase was very familiar with anyone on the news or did a lick of research on Overwatch knew this was a quote from Tracer.

And Noah would normally enjoy the charming of such a hero in his presence, but almost dying seems to put a damper on that.

"Does that mean I can take it easy?" Noah asked as Tracer helped him up. She flashed him a smile and nodded her head. "Sure. It'll be over in a jiffy, though keep an eye out." And with that she disappeared.

Noah fell back down in relief and let the adrenaline run its course. "This is not my Friday night." And though it wasn't it was better for anyone not associated with Mr. Burr at the moment. He could hear siren going off with local enforcement finally arriving. Maybe he could get Burr out before everything goes down as another terrorist attack and people have a reason to poke around.

'Still enjoy the sounds of destruction that don't involve you.' Noah thought before seeing something in a distance. It was someone with red dots around the face? And a long cylinder pointing at him?

"Shit!" Noah ducked behind cover as a bullet lodged itself right next to his foot. "Are you kidding me? A sniper?" He grumbled and took out his gun. A modest rifle with only half a clip left. "Yep, odds are definitely in my favor."

Noah looked in the building and saw blue streaks of light and gunshots. And any of his allies behind him are too busy. However he shook his head and remembered his situation. It was just one sniper and what was one sniper going to do? Besides killing him with a high caliber bullet, but that was besides the point.

'Maybe I can flank whoever's shooting me. That might work.' Noah smirked, but picked up a rock and threw it over his cover. That rock became slowly floating dust. A bead of sweat rolled down his head as Noah wondered how accurate that sniper was.

'Alright, I'll just blind fire from here. That should scare them!' Noah thought before placing the muzzle over his head, only for the gun to split through the vertical middle. "Son of a bitch." He mumbled.

'I am not dying here! Though it's either here or my warzone of a home.' He weighed his options before a bullet embedded itself next to his head. 'Warzone it is.' Noah picked up several more rocks and carefully glanced from where he was. And the figure was gone.

'Where did they-' The tip of a heel met his cheek and Noah sent sprawling on the ground. And before seeing stars, Noah saw a nice leg attached to a nice hip, which he assumed belonged to a nice figure. He looked up and saw a lady with a blue face, but a pinkish purple bodysuit on with a sniper rifle strapped to her back. 'Oh ok. Leave the buff soldiers to them and I get henchwoman here.'

Noah got up and spit out some blood on the floor. "Where's the information?" She asked.

"Lady, you just kicked my brains into scrambled eggs. I need a moment."

"I don't." She walked toward him and kneed him hard in the stomach. Noah gasped for air as the lady threw him across the roof. "Now talk before I put you down."

The man was breathing hard and got up to rub his bruised diaphragm. "I'd rather not die, but I can barely talk with you kneeing where I breath. Look, let's start over."

"No." She pulled her rifle out and aimed it right at Noah. 'Crap.'

Before she pulled the trigger, the ever lovable Tracer appeared once again and once again saved Noah by tackling the sniper. The man sighed in relief before seeing Tracer be thrown off. "I do not have the time to deal with you."

"But I do." Tracer responded before disappearing in the blink of an eye. Noah watched Tracer and the sniper begin their battle with another landing on the roof. It was Burr. And it looked like he fought through a landfill. Filled with smoke and blood. "You, okay?"

"Fine, just watching your good looking teammate take on an equally good looking sniper." Burr's eyes widened at who Noah was referring to. "Holy crap, Widowmaker's here."

"And?"

"Shit, Noah, we have to get out of here. Now." He emphasized the last word.

Noah wasn't following before a loud whirring sound was heard above them. The duo covered their eyes as the light poured onto them. Tracer was pushed back by Widowmaker and the French woman leapt away toward the ship.

"Time to reap." Black smoke started to cover the roof and the face of Death was staring right at them.

Tracer appeared right between Burr and Noah with her guns drawn. Her expression was filled with worry at the sight. "Come on Winston, where are you?"

"Burr." Death said. "Reaper." Burr responded nervously. Noah could feel Burr's fear as Reaper pulled out his dual shotguns.

"Die." Tracer disappeared to another rooftop and urged the guys to follow her. The two ran to the edge of the roof with bullets barely scathing them as Reaper opened heavy fire on them.

"Jesus!" Noah cried out as they jumped to the next roof. Tracer ran with them as to provide some cover fire as the two were weaponless or bulletless. Noah turned around for a second and saw Widowmaker swinging toward them.

"Watch out!" Burr and Tracer dodged the incoming assassin, but Noah was caught with a solid blow that lifted him with Widowmaker and sent them both off the roof. Noah screamed as the two crashed through a window into some woman's apartment and her omnic. Noah broke the table landing through and Widowmaker landed gracefully.

She looked at the woman and pointed out. The woman and her omnic complied and quickly left the two alone. Noah got up and knew he was going to feel this in morning. If he had a morning to look forward to. Widowmaker walked toward him and Noah put up his fists.

"Do you really think that's wise, boy?"

"What's wrong? Scared of a little fist a cuffs?" Noah replied. If shooting a gun was an old skill, then fist fights were dusty memories of the past. 'Let's just hope she turns away and we can...leave without one of us being in a bodybag.'

Widowmaker laughed and stretched. 'Oh it's a shame to hit something that fine.' Noah thought as she got into a stance. "I enjoy playing with my food."

Noah didn't waste anytime and threw the first punch, Widowmaker dodged and countered with a quick kick to the ribs and a second to the stomach. The man wheezed past her and took time to breath. "Don't telegraph your moves."

He didn't reply and threw a straight jab right at her face. The assassin caught it and twisted his arm behind his back. The close up allowed Noah to strike a blow against the small of her back and she reeled at the first hit.

"Not bad." Noah shrugged his arm to get feeling back and wondered where Burr or Tracer was. Death was certain for him if he didn't get out. "I, um, try. Look we can get out of here if you just leave. I'll turn around."

Widowmaker smiled before tackling Noah and smashing him against the wall. He felt the wall cave into the pressure and left him stuck. He looked up before breathing hard as his chest and ribs were barraged with light punches that built up the pain. Once Widowmaker stopped she pulled him down and he fell to the floor groaning. "Funny, how you tried to negotiate, but now it's time we part ways."

She flipped Noah with her foot and stepped on his neck. Her heel was cutting off his windpipe. A little more pressure and his time of breathing was over. Widowmaker smiled at his failing struggles and savored the moment. Only for something heavy to hit her on the back.

Noah took in sweet gulps of oxygen as his savior this time was Burr. Burr helped Noah up and patted him on the back. "I am always saving your ass."

Noah laughed with a hoarse voice. "You gotta admit, it's worth saving. Where's Tracer?"

A small explosion on the roof of the next building provided the answer. "We really got to get out of here." A small grappling hook flew past them and hit the wall. In the moment they looked at the hook and to its source, Burr felt knuckles dig into his cheek as Noah moved out of the way.

"Don't even think of escape Monsieur Burr."

"Did you do something other than blow up servers, because she looks pissed to see you." Widowmaker threw a dirty glare and Noah put up his fists with any energy he has left. Burr rolled away from Widowmaker and stood next to Noah.

"I...I did a lot to piss them off." He faced Widowmaker and put his fists up. "I'll tell you later."

"Do you think two imbeciles can beat me?"

"Took one to bed you." Noah and Widowmaker froze at the comment and the assassin's eyes sharpened on Burr. "I'm going to enjoy this far more than I should."

Burr gulped nervously and Noah was very reluctant to tangle with the sniper again. The two then threw away their fear and directly charged Widowmaker and she sufficiently kicked their asses. Burr was tired from the fighting before and Noah couldn't stand quite right.

When Burr was on the floor again, he spat a wad of blood out. "I really hate tonight."

Noah was thrown right next to Burr and tried to see through the black spots in his vision. "If we survive this, I'm going to kill you Burr." Widowmaker smiled at her work and pulled out a sharp piece of wood.

"You two are an annoyance. Any last words?"

"Banana man!" Burr shouted. Noah lifted his head to see what was going on through Burr's mind. When he looked up, he saw Reaper flying past the window along with a wild roar. And if he wasn't so delirious from the beatings, Noah would've questioned the flying ape with power armor with Tracer riding his back.

Widowmaker growled at the third interruption to her kill. Burr took the second long distraction to push Widowmaker against a bookshelf and pulling the giant shelf down on her. Noah was barely sitting up when Burr pulled him up. The ape and Tracer landed on the window.

"'Ello loves! Secondary calvaries here!" Noah was relieved to hear that and stumbled to greet them. "Thank you, Mr. Ape." He slurred. The ape looked at him with confusion and Burr pulled Noah close.

"He's...punch drunk. Widowmaker did a real number on him. Winston, we need to get out of here." Burr said. Winston nodded and help Noah stand. He seemed to be standing well enough, but Mercy was better to take a look at him. Tracer got off his back and stood next to Burr. "Do you have the intel?"

Burr nodded and patted his pocket. He took out the flash drive and handed it to Winston. "Alright, let's get out of here."

Tracer smiled, but looked worried at Burr's friend. He was in bad shape and Widowmaker did seem to enjoy personally beating the man up. In the moment of peace and quiet you could hear a pin drop. And it turns out a pin did. Noah looked behind them to see the apartment door close and an unpinned grenade left on the floor. He moved from Winston and grabbed Burr and Tracer's wrist. The two realized what happened a second after he did.

"Oh SHI-!" The curse was interrupted by the explosion and the group of was thrown out by the force and heat. Winston caught Burr as they fell and Tracer flipped positions with Noah so she could blink them to the ground.

The heroes land with each one carrying the normal human. Winston held a burned Burr as the man seemed to take the brunt of the explosion. Any dangerous shrapnel was lodged in his arms or torso and it was ugly.

Tracer's goggles were cracked and her outfit was singed with the heat. Noah was fading in and out of conscious as the last few moments were with Winston calling a ship and Tracer trying to provide any medical attention on Burr and him. The last thing he saw was Tracer's worried look as Burr's scarred face turned toward him. And then everything faded to black.

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Hello all readers! I'd like to thank you for reading all the way to the end of this chapter. I appreciate the attention and please leave a review or favorite/follow to help support my first Overwatch story.