"Now you need to move your left foot then your right foot. And so on and so forth."
"I know how to walk Burr." The two were walking through the medical bay with the thin man and a lean man with a mechanical hand helping him through. Angela and Genji were watching them with the doctor taking notes. The past few weeks have passed since they returned and the Overwatch agents were going about their business.
Though it was a bit difficult with the whole world witnessing the battle and the debate sparking. They were hoping for a quiet recovery, but today's news stations and politics were getting in the way. Some were trying to impose new sanctions others were trying to agree to reintegrate Overwatch back under a U.N alliance.
This captured the attention of their de-facto leader Winston and he's been swamped with the responsibility of keeping contact and negotiations up. Others offered help and Winston gladly took them on it. Now most were either supporting humanitarian efforts or talking to other countries on the Overwatch branches they've employed.
It was very stressful and the battle before with Talon almost cost them their lives. A break would be nice. The door opened again and a blue blur came in. It whizzed past Angela and Genji and towards the two men trying to walk.
"Hiya!" Lena greeted warmly. Burr and Noah returned the sentiment with their waves. "So how goes physical therapy?"
Burr let go of Noah and the man almost fell on his face if he hadn't caught himself. Taking a shaky breath, Noah stood upright and looked very wobbly. Angela walked up and lifted Noah's arm.
"Right now, he can hold himself up. Though I suspect within another month he'll be able back to normal."
"Another month, doc? But what if something happens?! I need to be-"
"No, you won't need to be. We are more than capable of handling ourselves for awhile. You need to focus on a full recovery if you intend on continuing your work here as an agent." The two gave passive yet aggressive stares at one another. Noah wanted desperately to recover from his condition, but grew impatient. Angela wanted him to make sure he was even healthy enough to sleep at night. Lena saw the fierce battle going on between the two and stepped in. "Alright, alright enough. I came here to drop off lunch."
"Good, build up your protein and perhaps the new muscle mass will decrease the amount of physical therapy needed." Noah looked at the plate of food and took it. Genji and Burr helped him to a seat and let the man eat. Burr tapped Genji's shoulder. "Watch will you? I got to talk to Angela."
Lena, Angela, and Burr walked out and the doctor sighed tiredly. "I am sorry that this is taking so long, but the battle with Reaper corrupted his body from the inside out. I've looked at many methods to hurry the process up, however these practices are experimental at best. They would do more damage than repair if something went wrong."
Lena patted Angela on the shoulder as Burr flexed his fingers. "That's fine Dr. Ziegler. I didn't expect to save him as it is. I really expected to drag back a corpse not him alive. Honestly it's just a miracle he hasn't died."
"Yeah, the bloke's just impatient. He should slow down. I see Reinhardt and Zarya's dishes have worked out in the long run. Noah seems to build up some muscle mass."
"Some, but they'll mean nothing if doesn't start training. I've contacted Fareeha or 76 to help with that, but he needs to be able to stand without assistance." Burr said. He looked through the window and saw Noah trying to stand on his own. Again it was wobbly, jerky, and overall sad to see his old partner struggle to do simple tasks.
"We could just employ him to more menial tasks till the recovery has finished or for the rest of his employment under Overwatch."
"Paperwork? Angela that man was practically an Overwatch agent when he was dragged into one of our fights with Talon! You can't just move him to tech support. He lives for the action." Burr saw how determined Lena was on Noah's return, but something stopped him from completely agreeing with her.
Before he confronted him directly, the man was working a simple job at the office and never seemed bothered by it. In fact Noah seemed to enjoy the boring life he was in. Some of his memories were a blur, but Burr remembered Noah outright refusing to join Overwatch with him. "Maybe just paperwork in general, Lena, is the best for him. He's done more than enough."
The time traveler looked at him surprised as he took Angela's side. "Look he's been on two missions and on the second mission it was a literal hell. And he's not like us or even me. He had a normal life before joining us."
"We all had normal lives Burr, but here we are!"
"But he was happy without all this action! It was my fault he even got back in the game." Burr argued back. They were lucky the glass was soundproof otherwise the two inside would be watching them. Lena looked back at Noah and straight at Burr.
"Lena I agree he lives for action, but he wants a normal life. He had that mentality four years ago and still does."
"I don't blame him." A new voice entered the fray. The three looked to see Ana waking up with her hands in her pocket. The sniper was wearing a navy gray coat and her long gray hair tied up nicely in a pony tail.
"In this world filled with new technology, terrorist organizations, and heroes we seem to forget that we have these things for everyone to enjoy, not just civilians."
"Ana…" She raised her hand to silence Angela. "Honestly I'm surprised he still stayed. Why is that?"
Lena stepped up and looked at the ground as she tried recalling what made him stay. "It was Burr. I showed him when he was in comatose state and he made the promise of staying until Burr came back."
The man responsible for getting Noah in glanced at Lena. "Really?"
"He didn't want to fail you in case you died from your fight with Widowmaker. He never agreed to stay and wanted to leave." It was their secret. Everyone assumed that he joined them willingly and with enthusiasm, but this was different. Burr looked at him with guilt.
He could've just walked away and resumed his life, but he didn't. His loyalty and friendship kept him there. "Then things have changed. He hasn't brought up leaving once right, Angela?"
"Never." she responded. Ana nodded and turned toward the others. "Whatever he decides whether leaving, fighting, or staying behind the scenes is up to him. And Lena, you cannot change his mind if he chooses something that you disagree with." Lena gave a sad look in defeat as she agreed with what's been given out there.
"I understand Lena, more than anyone how he is as a fighter. He's already a hero in our books, but I think it's best if we let him decide how to carry on from here. If that means he's with us on the battlefield or not." Burr said. Lena agreed and just stepped back.
"Good, I'm glad we all agree. Though I would like to-" The door opened and the four turned to see Fareeha walking in with some food. "Lena I finished cooking the rest of the meal with McCree and he told you'd be here. I hope it's good enou-" Fareeha stopped to see her mother standing there among the group.
Ana's confident demeanor shifted to a nervous one as she waved a hello at her daughter. Fareeha briskly walked past her and to Lena. "I made the food, here."
"Actually luv, why don't you give it to Noah. He'd appreciate if he realized how much work you put into it." Ana almost see the darkening of her daughter's cheeks.
"It's ramen. It's not much. Just some noodles."
"That you haven't burned." Fareeha glared softly at the Brit before walking toward the door and opening to Genji and Noah trying to meditate. Behind the soundproof glass, the four watched their mouths move as Genji moved over and let Fareeha sit down.
Burr could read lips and notices that Noah told a really cheesy joke. He laughed softly with Fareeha when soldier seemed almost happier there than after she walked in. Ana watched the two with a pang of sadness. She wasn't getting the time of day with daughter and ignored her as if she were still dead. Again, she couldn't blame her.
They continued to watch with Burr feeling like Genji told them how he wished he could eat ramen again. The awkward looks on Fareeha and Noah's face sold that prediction. Ana ended their watch session first, "Anyways Angela I also came here to tell you that you're needed for relief mission at Cairo. The local government has allowed our to provide medical services to those wounded. They would like your help."
"Of course. I'll be off." She turned to Burr and Lena, "I can trust you two will watch over my patients here."
The two nodded and Angela left with a smile on her face. She looked back at Noah, Fareeha, and Genji and felt a small pang of jealousy at the looks Noah and Fareeha shared. It was sparking something, but nothing was going to happen with it. That was it.
Ana and Angela left the med room leaving Burr and Lena alone. Silence blanketed over them until, "So how's Emily, it's been awhile since my last visit? You can tell me about while get some medicine for Noah."
Lena smiled and brought Burr up to speed on what else he's missed. Burr turned around once and smiled before going back to listening to Lena.
0-0-0-0-0
"Wow, you ate all of it."
"It must've been delicious." Genji said slightly wistful. Noah almost groaned at the tone, but kept his composure together. "It was. Thank you Fareeha."
"You're very much welcome. Lena told me that Angela wanted you to eat more. I'm more use to rations so I apologize if something was a little off."
"It's fine really. I mean Lena gave me her dish and I was still hungry."
"So do you feel ready for more training when you're ready?" Genji asked. Noah pondered on that. "Maybe, but I mean it's gonna be awhile before I get back in the fray. And as much as I like the med bay, I'd like to stretch my legs on new land. I dunno."
"You could help us with the forms. Many of us are use to battle or war in some cases. It's a bit hard to handle all."
"So become secretary?" That sounded like his old job. Well his old job before Talon destroyed his apartment, but whatever.
"Kind of?" Fareeha shrugged her shoulders. Honestly time had passed and still he can barely walk. She thought a different job can do. The speakers went on in the medical bay and Athena's voice came through. "Genji Shimada, you're needed for a mission briefing. Genji Shimada, you're needed for a mission briefing."
Genji sat up and stretched his arms. "Mm, a shame. I enjoyed the peace and quiet while it last."
"Hey well you got something to do. I'm stuck here waiting for my body to recover. So it could be worse."
"I've experienced worse." And that was very true when Noah recalled Genji's backstory. "R-Right. Um, hey maybe you can show some new moves once you get back. I want to train, but I guess watching will have to do for now."
"Of course. Maybe once my mission is over I can find my old master and have him give you a visit. Perhaps he may be of better assistance with your recovery."
"Um, sure. I'll see you around Genji, though you don't have to do it."
"We are friends Noah, don't forget that." The ninja walked out of the room leaving Fareeha and Noah sitting on the floor with empty plates. The silence between the two grew as Noah picked up the plates and tried to stand. Fareeha watched him struggle to stand, reluctant to help since he seems so hell bent on getting better. The news was on and he could see the reconstruction of the district in place. The reporter seemed to talking about Talon and pulled up a picture of Reaper. He was standing up before almost dropping the plates on the ground when he saw the image.
Fareeha caught them before they hit the ground and stood up with it. "Be careful Noah, we don't want to lose our plates because you were clumsy."
"Yeah, clumsy me." Noah said as he looked at his hands. They were thin and shaky. Fareeha watched him clench his fists tightly as if to stop the shaking, but they wouldn't. Placing the dishes on the cabinet near her, she walked back to Noah and took his hands in. "Don't grip too tightly. You're making a fist not crushing a walnut. Your condition is going to have this, but-"
"It's not just my condition, it's just..." Reaper's mask flashed in his mind again and his neck felt sore again. "Just what?"
"I'm...I don't know. It just feels like I'm...don't know." Fareeha has seen that look before, his eyes widened like he was in peril again, sweat began dripping down his forehead, and his behavior changed. He looked scared. "Calm down, you're just afraid."
"Afraid? The hell am I afraid of? I've got you guys with me and I may have had a couple close calls."
"A couple?"
"A lot, but come on. Fareeha I'm not scared of anything!" The soldier didn't buy it and let go of one of his hands. Pulling an image up, she showed him one of the few clear images of Reaper. Noah's pupils dilated as he jerked back. Fareeha managed to stop him from falling and caught him before he fell to the ground. "Careful!"
"I-I am!" Noah sputtered out as his mind returned to that empty room. Blood splattered the ground, his best friend on the ground bleeding out, and his own life being drained away. The energy and life he had being taken away stuck with him. "See? You're trembling."
"It's my condition."
"It's not just your condition. Noah, you're scarred. You're afraid of Reaper." He shook his head as tried pushing Fareeha back. "I'm not! That fucking bastard doesn't scare me! I don't fear him."
"There's a difference between bravery and stubbornness and you're being very stubborn. You remember it don't you. He almost killed you. Absorbed almost all your soul and yet you stand here saying you're not afraid. It's alright to admit you're scared." Her caring tone came to him more as mocking.
"Well I'm not. Fareeha, that isn't the case. I don't care if that mask is in my head. I don't care if my neck throbs old pain when I think about it!" Anger most likely denial began leaking out. "I don't care if every fiber of my being wants to run away! I DON'T CARE!"
In his anger, his arms flailed and almost hit Fareeha. Almost. The soldier caught it and gripped on his wrist tightly.
"Liar!" She pulled him and slapped him with the back of her hand lightly. That snapped him out of his senses when the door opened with Lena and Burr ran in. "What the hell Fareeha?"
"What're you doing?" She turned to them and answered, "Making him face the truth."
"I-I-I'm not afraid. I'm not…" Though the slap seemed to knock something in his mind to make things click. His recovering arm twitched when he remembered him snapping it like a toothpick. He did feel fear, but of was more he thinks. Death had a tangible form in his mind now and it was in the form of Reaper.
"Fareeha, you can't just slap him! This won't help!" Lena argued.
"It wouldn't if he was honest with himself. He's scarred more in his mind than body." Burr bent down and trying to get him up. "Come on pal, are you ok?"
Fareeha walked up to him and Burr looked up. "Fareeha, that was-"
"Enough." Noah shook off the pain, but a red mark could be seen. Despite the light slap, his body was weak. "She was just helping. Thank you Fareeha."
"Of course." She picked up the dishes and Lena softly glared at Fareeha. "You didn't have to hit him."
"Sometimes you need to be rough to those you care for to help them be better." The two left the room with Noah and Burr getting up.
0-0-0-0-0
The dark hallways of the Talon headquarters grew winding as Sombra walked down its path. The past few weeks have been a huge waste with many men either captured or dead from the battle. Widowmaker herself wondered what went wrong when Reaper came in extremely frustrated. The hacker was informed of the casualties and was surprised to hear so many. Still it didn't matter to her, the lives lost were nothing more than an afterthought in her mind. Right now she would like to know where her friend was.
He seemed to have gone quiet ever their initial meeting. It was rather strange. The reports told her that Ana Amari was with Overwatch and that this was one of the more humiliating Talon defeats. She almost laughed at how some of the Talon soldiers were thinking of abandoning ship once hearing it.
Morale fell after the battle with Helix and Overwatch proving to be formidable fighting at the same time. Sombra didn't care. She was hoping her friend and his allies would pull through. She still had some use for the thief, but they could discuss it once he contacts her.
Pulling a holo-screen, Sombra pulled an image of Symmetra working with the scientists of Vishkar. "We'll be coming after you soon."
Pulling another screen Deadlock members were waiting near a cargo truck filled with the smuggled plants from Egypt. Taking apart the code of the truck, information pulled up and the company's entire database opened to her. These days even with these advancements, it just made things just easier for her to take control. "I'll have you by the balls in a couple seconds."
Finishing her work for the hour, Sombra pulled up more screens with the news networks, commercials, political airings, and the "secure" 1%'s homes displayed for her pleasure. "Ooh, looks like everyone's having a field day with Egypt."
"We should consider the consequences."
"Consequences? People died and Overwatch just flew away!"
"Don't act ignorant. One of their agents is helping people there right now."
Muting them, Sombra unmuted another screen.
"In other news, the UN is starting to impose limited martial law among many of the volatile cities where Omnic and human relations have strained the most. Leaders are stepping up and speaking very loudly for their points. Debates will begin in upcoming week."
"Boring. Sounds more up Talon's alley."
"Marco, why do not love me anymore?"
"Mi amora, I do love, but society will never accept us." The omnic ran away as fast as it could on its feet while the human woman sobbed softly in the sad. "MACRO!"
"Ooh I need to catch up with that series. I'll save you for later." Flicking the screen away, Sombra continued her work. Before moving on a ring came from the last screen. Volskaya. Sombra smirked and tapped to answer the call. The Russian leader stood before Sombra with a blank look on her face.
"How nice of you to call friend. I assume you got what we want?"
"We managed to breakdown the chemical formulas and provide a small sample with some results. Hopefully that'll be enough for your silence." Sombra cocked her head at the leader and pulled the reports up. And while Volskaya couldn't see, Sombra pulled up Angela's analysis. Comparing the two, they were the same.
"Good enough. Thanks pal. You've earned yourself a break." The woman's eyes briefly flashed relief before returning to their stoic look. "Though I hope you know this doesn't mean we're done just yet. Keep an eye out, I might need you soon."
"How much longer must I work for you? You've already exploited my scientists and funds to find out this little golovolomka."
"I'm going to need this little golovolomka for my other friends. And trust me a woman as powerful as you can spare a bit of money, remember that." Sombra waved her hand and Volskaya disappeared in handful of pixels.
"Now let's check up on my other friend." Pulling up the camera footage, Sombra found Noah and someone she hasn't seen in some time. Her surprise turned into glee when she saw the two together. Next to Noah was the man who helped raise Overwatch back to power, Burr. She remembered Widow and Reaper being more uplifted a few months ago on taking him out.
If he was back then that would explain why Reaper was more pissy than usual today. Sombra almost laughed too loud when Widowmaker came in. "What are you snickering Sombra?"
"Did Reaper tell you why he was in a bad mood?"
"What do you think?" The french assassin asked. The hacker nodded and showed Widowmaker the footage. "I kind of remember a certain Talon recruit that pulled the wool over all your eyes and crippled our servers."
Widowmaker's fist tightened when she saw Burr on the screen. "Putain de mère."
"You know you two were very sweet with one another. I honestly couldn't tell who was seducing who, but we both know who got screwed in the end." Widowmaker pulled out her rifle out in frustration as Sombra disappeared before her eyes.
"Sombra!" Widowmaker put away her rifle and growled at knowing Burr was still alive. Now she was in a bad mood. As she turned around, Sombra pulled up the picture of the man and whistled. Widowmaker didn't hesitate and fired one round at that direction.
Sombra reappeared again with small surprise. The bullet hole was right between Burr's eyes. "Je vais tuer ce salaud." With that Widowmaker left to await her next mission.
Sombra whistled at the fury Widow was giving the man. "I guess we'll see how things play out." She glanced and saw Noah and Burr eating lunch. She saw his condition and sighed. He was out of the fray for now, but things will change once he's ready. She's got plans and plenty of patience.
Meanwhile Widowmaker walked through the base and was imagining how to kill the recent revived Burr. It was going to either be quick and easy or slow and painful, either way Widow knows this will be one of the few kills making her actually feel something.
0-0-0-0-0
With Noah out of commission who do we turn to now? Mister Burr sir. I think it's time we spend with the OC who started all this crap in the first place, plus I want to show how Overwatch expanded before Noah came to be a part of this. Also review on what you guys want to see