Victorias eyes were still wide as she felt the darkness seep in to much at once and then she promptly fell to the floor. Ana, Jack, Gabriel, Reinhardt, Torbjion and Liao all jumped from there chairs as Victoria crashed to the ground. Jack lent over her checking her pulse and breathing seeing that it was normal, before he lifted her with ease into his arms as she rested against his chest. "She's breathing," Jack told them, he saw them all relax whilst a few moved in front of them blocking Victoria from the cameras knowing she did not need this not now at least.
"LET ME SEE MY DAUGHTER!" Mrs Johnson yelled across the security guards.
"Mrs Johnson please calm down," Secretary General Adawe told her.
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD HER! THOSE THREE YEARS WITHOUT HER! YOU HAD HER DIDN'T YOU!" Mrs Johnson accused.
Ana lent into Jack as he picked Victoria up seeing her like this was breaking his heart, "slowly out the back," she told him then he noticed Gabriel was against his other side seeming to shielding Victoria from the cameras.
"JACK MORRISION DON'T YOU DARE TAKE MY BABY FROM ME," Mrs Johnson's shrill scream broke the air.
The four left through the back Reinhardt, Torbijion and Liao stayed back guarding the backdoor, Jacks hold tightened on Victoria as he took off down the hallway heading straight to the medical bay. She had to have suddenly remembered that, she told him what she remembered she wouldn't keep the memories from him well ones she remember clearly. He was worried how this would affect her, he was so caught up in his world he forgot about her, Victoria's own mother how can he be so selfish he scolded himself. After Victoria was safe he will go back and get her.
"Doc!" Gabriel yelled as they entered the medical bay.
"Mr Reyes this is a place of..." The old doctors eyes flicked down to the limp Victoria, "get that ridiculous coat off her and lay her down on the bed."
Gabriel stood guard on the other side of the door making sure no one would come in from the other side, whilst Ana helped Jack removed the white coat as they laid the woman down on the hospital bed as the doctor lent over her checking her vitals, "Pulse a bit faster than normal, breathing a bit laboured... what happened?" He asked as he hooked her up to one of the many machines.
"Think shes gone into shock," Ana stated.
"I think a lot of memory's just hit her at once," Jack stated whilst Ana had taken a seat next to Victoria.
"Go," Ana smiled at him not taking her eyes off the doctor as he checked Victoria, " I won't leave and Reyes is just out side she won't be on her own."
"Thanks," Jack smiled as he left he passed Reyes but both men were silent as they looked at each other both knowing there is going to be repercussions of what has happened today. Jacks pace was fast and he was back in the conference room seeing the others still there, "They took her outside," Reinhardt answered his unspoken question, Jack noticed Secretary General was not there either the reports suddenly came back to life shouting questions at him as he pushed through the crowd and out the front door.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"
"Delilah," Jack spoke his voice calm and settled as he watched the woman struggle against the security.
"Jack!" She cried with relief looking over to him, "Tell them Jack please I just want my baby girl."
"Let her go," Jack told the security guards, "Come on."
Delilah slipped from the security's grasp rushing towards Jack as the security general stepped back into the hallway, "Jack what are you doing?" She questioned.
"I'm taking Mrs Johnson to see Victoria," Jack told her.
"Mrs Johnson has no authorisation to be in the Overwatch HQ," She told him, "We will have to ask her to leave and come back at a later date once she has been given a guest pass."
"No," Mrs Johnson whispered shaking slightly, "You've taken her once please... no..."
"This is not right," Jack stated, "It will be good for Victoria for her to remember. Her memories are week as it is, she called Mrs Johnson Mum before she fainted Secretary General let Victoria see her."
Jack will admit he has never seen Secretary General Adawe annoyed at him, Gabriel, Ana even Victoria yes.
But that look had never been shot his way, before the red haired woman sighed realising she had lost this argument, "Fine."
Jack turned Mrs Johnson round and lead her down the the halls, "why wasn't I told..."
"They said they would," Jack told her, "Delilah I never wanted to hurt you, I..."
"Oh Jack my dear boy," she whispered her hazel eyes welled with tears, "I know you hurt when we thought she was gone."
Jack sighed, "I thought you knew... I should have called you... it was my right to tell you but how do I..."
"Tell someone there daughter is alive," Delilah chuckled, "I never blamed you Jack..."
"I do..." Jack sighed seeing Gabriel leaning against the door frame his eyes flickered up to him, Jack felt a small weight lift off his shoulders he trusted Reyes knowing that his Commander will keep Victoria safe is he wasn't around.
"Shes alright Jack," Gabriel smirked at him.
"Delilah this Gabriel Reyes Commander of the Overwatch Unit, Gabriel this is Delilah Johnson Victoria's mother," Jack introduced them.
"Lovely to meet you Mrs Johnson," Gabriel greeted holding out his hand.
"You were with Jack weren't you..." Mrs Johnson started taking his hand, "When they..."
"No, I wasn't I am sorry," he told Mrs Johnson looking back over at Jack who was shifting uncomfortably.
"Oh but..." She whispered.
"Come on Delilah," Jack smiled pushing the door open, "Thank you..." he told Gabriel as he passed him and into Victoria's room.
Mrs Johnson let out a choked sob looking at Victoria who was propped up against the fluffy pillows Ana was right next to her holding Victoria's pale hands in between her own olive toned ones. "Mrs Johnson this is Ana Amari, she's part of Overwatch," Jack explained.
Ana didn't move from her seat because as she went to move away Victoria's whimpers filled the air and as her hand clenched down on Ana's hand, "Is she?" Delilah stepped forward looking at Victoria who's body seemed to be tense her eyelids fluttering for a few moments before she relaxed.
"Shes fine," The doctors voice filled the air, "I think Miss Johnson took in too much at once sending her body into shut down shes just resting at the moment I accept her to awake soon."
"What happened to her?" Delilah cried, Jack lead her to the chair next to Ana which would have been his seat.
"Delilah you have to understand Vicky... she wasn't in a good place they kept her dependent on a drug for years... because of this Victoria has had hard time recalling things and..." Jack tried to explain.
"She doesn't remember..." Delilah whispered.
"No that is the thing Mrs Johnson," Ana smiled widely, "Victoria's memories have slowly been coming back, yesterday she couldn't remember having a family today she called put to you calling for her mum."
"She doesn't...?"
"No she does not remember much she only remembers small bits of me, she remembered Dexter the other day she was so happy just remember him," Jack smiled.
"She loved that dog," Delilah let out a watery laugh.
"I dove into a ditch for Dexter my mum was furious when we came home and I was coated in mud dragging it through her clean kitchen because Victoria's new puppy we found half an hour before was caught under a tree root in the worst storm we had seen in years," Jack smiled.
"What else... does she remember you..that you proposed..What about the ring?"
"No not at all shes been told that I am her fiance, but I never gave the ring back to her, I won't until she remembers," Jack smiled.
"I will not have her home will I..." Delilah whispered, "Overwatch has her now..."
"You know what Victoria is like always wanting to help save the world," Jack smiled.
"She wanted to be like Richard."
Jack didn't remember Victoria's father much just the flash there was a picture on the Johnson's mantel frame it was a picture of Mr Johnson holding a new born Victoria the picture was with Mr Johnson in army gear and Victoria swaddled in a pink blanket. Her eyes were open wide green looking up at her father, Victoria had copied it and kept it with a few personal pictures when she went on tour.
"I guess so," Jack smiled.
"I will leave you two," Ana smiled at them both moving to stand again but Victoria whimpered again.
"Let me," Jack told her slipping up next to Ana taking Victoria's hand in his own she calmed again, "There... you can take Gabriel as well we will be fine."
Victoria turned towards Jack as Ana left the room closing the door softly behind her, "Jack will she ever..." Delilah softly whispered looking at Victoria's sleeping form.
"I don't know..." He answered.
Victoria whimpered softly her eyes blinking a few times she pushed herself up gasping for breath, "Jack."
"Vicky," He grinned sitting down on the bed next to her, "You ok any light headiness?"
"No I'm fine," she smiled up at him resting her head against his shoulder her eyes scanned the room as they landed on a silent Delilah, "Ma?"
Delilah was in shock looking at her with shock, "Victoria."
"Oh Mum..." Victoria laughed a small smile across her face, "Are you?"
Jack stepped back as Delilah launched herself at Victoria wrapping her arms around the blondes next, "My baby girl."
"Mumma," Victoria smiled wrapping her arms around her neck, "Its good to see you."
Delilah pulled back cradling Victoria's face in her hands smiling at her softly kissing the girls face, "I thought you were dead," her mother whispered to her.
"Why would you? I wasn't... I don't remember how long I was gone," Victoria whispered looking at her mother, "I am sorry."
"No," her mother told her sternly Jack noticed he flinch but her mother didn't. "You have not done anything wrong sweetheart."
"But... I made you and Jack worried..." Victoria whispered.
"Oh darling no," Delilah told her stroking her hair gently back, "You have done so well beautiful."
Victoria bit her lip feeling her mind start to argue against itself again, she wanted to scream through something just to make it stop. "Thank you," she ducked her head softly.
"I am so happy you remember me Jack explained about the memory loose, though you don't remember much Jack thinks its a good idea for us to meet he told that awful woman that its a good idea..."
"Mum," Victoria tried to interrupt.
"What woman keeps a mother from her daughter. One without kids I tell you Victoria Mrs Yang you remember five doors down she never had kids."
"Mum..."
"Vile woman always screaming at the kids on Halloween."
"MUM!" Victoria screamed.
Delilah and Jack were both startled Jack because Victoria had not raised her voice unless she was hysterically screaming begging for the dreams to stop whilst Delilah had not been shouted at like that.
"Please..." Victoria whispered, "I am struggling to remember as it is I can't." She turned her head to bury it within Jacks armour.
Delilah was silent holding Victoria's hands which were softly shaking as she inhaled deeply taking in Jacks scent, "I am sorry," her mum told her.
"Delilah," Jack sighed feeling Victoria shake under his hands, "She needs time."
"I know that," Delilah hissed at Jack suddenly throwing him off slightly, "I raised Victoria Jack do not think."
"Mum please..." Victoria begged her.
Delilah practically jumped out of her seat pointing her finger in his face, "You have no right to tell me how to deal with Victoria I am her mother I know best."
"Delilah please settle down you are upsetting Victoria," Jack tried to reason trying to calm Mrs Johnson down maybe he shouldn't of sent Gabriel and Ana off bloody hell he can not deal with Victoria when she is having a panic attack along with Mrs Johnson screaming at him.
"How dare you accuse me of such a thing," She hissed, "She is fine, she remembers everything you and your secretary general are saying shes ill so she won't come home with me."
Jack looked down at Victoria her eyes glazing over she hung her head down not looking up at either of them, "Victoria... listen to me..."
"I am sorry," she whispered.
"No Victoria listen you have not done anything wrong," He told her.
"I am sorry!" She wailed.
"Look you have..." Mrs Johnson continued to rant, this wasn't good for Victoria bright red blood under nails hit him in the face again. If Victoria goes into another panic attack and faints again.
The door slammed open and an angry looking Secretary General Adawe stormed into the room, "Mr Morrison, we will be removing Mrs Johnson from the premises."
Jack felt guilty for even thinking this was a good idea but Victoria was shaking he needed to calm her down and her mother screaming and shouting at them both was not going to help Victoria at all, "Please do," Jack stated gathering Victoria into his arms he felt water drop on the back of his hand he was silent listening to Mrs Johnson as she struggled against the guards. He only cared for Victoria at this point in time, it had always been his job ever since they were children to protect her from harm. He remembered at the age of seven she fell off her horse doing a ride and her tears broke his heart then like they do now. As the door slammed shut leaving Secretary Adawe, Jack and Victoria in the room. Victoria buried herself deeper into Jacks hold shaking like a leaf in his hold.
"Did not go well did it?" Secretary Adawe stated.
"No Ma'am," he said, "I thought it would help her but."
"Mrs Johnson when Victoria was first announced missing called your platoon everyday demanding news, with the Omnic threat and the new terrorist group Talon which your squad was assigned to hunt down. No one had the time to get back to her, when they found her tags Mrs Johnson was determined she was dead. We don't hold funerals for soldiers who are MIA but it was the only way to get her off the backs of your squad commander," Adawe told him.
Jack didn't realise that, thinking they just did it so they didn't have to put more force into finding another solider that went missing in the war, "I didn't realise," he sighed.
"No we thought it was best for you not to know Morrison, I understand you think Mrs Johnson can help Victoria but..."
"I understand," He stated running his hand through Victoria's hair.
"I am sorry that this has caused her distress," the woman told him.
"No... It's fine," Jack told her.
"I will be speaking to the press on your behalf Mr Morrison is there anything you don't want the papers to know?" He was surprised she was asking for his opinion on this.
"I... no they can now everything," He tells her.
"Good," she smiled, "Victoria can take the day off from training if she would like."
The day went slowly for them both the doctors wanted to keep Victoria in they tested her memory again the only new things she remembered was her mum. They laid down in Jacks room that evening after another round of injections which Jack stayed for realising the it wasn't Victoria being scarred of the needles but the after affect how her body seems to be fighting herself day in and out. Not understanding exactly what was happening to her but the Doctors continually repeated she was getting better.
They flicked through channels on the tv before they landed on the news, "After the recent success of Overwatch..." Channel changed, "No you can't..."
"Turn it back," Victoria told him as her head was lent down on his chest her body curled around him.
"You really want to watch the news?" He asked.
"Yes," she laughed.
Slowly she was coming back being the Victoria Johnson that he remembered though she still doesn't remember what happened when she was captured by Talon. The doctors were not sure if it was the drug or her mind blocking the traumatic memories in regards to what happened. Jack sighed as he switched back to the news, "Overwatches first successful mission went off without a hitch, Secretary General Adawe has told Us1 News that Miss Victoria Johnson did not join the team due to health concerns. Though we worry for Miss Johnson at today's press conference. With unexpected moment Mrs Delilah Johnson single mother who lost her husband twenty years ago at the first stages of the Omnics uprising against us had managed to get access to the press conference and started to cause havoc for the team. Miss Victoria seemed to be in shock at seeing her mother and promptly fainted upon seeing her mother." The woman on the news stopped talking as a video played of Victoria passing out was shown before going back to the woman, "No word has been said on Miss Johnson's health, though after the terrible experiences that it has been told that young Miss Johnson to have suffered at the hands of Talon we all hope for her to have a speedy recovery, back to you Ross."
Victoria whined in embarrassment hiding her face in his chest, "That's embarrassing."
"Could have been worse," Jack told her.
"Yes they could have shown my mum fighting off security guards," Victoria huffed.
"She cares for you Vicky, she's just..."
"Shes not understanding," Victoria stated,"I don't remember... I don't remember the woman down the street...I don't remember you proposing and I want to that's..."
"Vicky?" He questioned her brushing her hair out of her face, "Are you trying to force yourself to remember things?"
She shook her head, "I tried it doesn't work... it just hurts if I try to grab onto a memory it hurts so much..."
"Why do you want to remember me proposing Victoria?" He asked.
"Because it will make you happy and that is all that matters is you being happy," she answered she was reverting in on herself sounding unsure.
"Victoria," he laughed, tilting her head back kissing her lips softly, "I am happy."
"But me wearing a ring would make you happier?" She questioned.
"No, because you do not belong to me never have and never will you are an extension of me," he smiled down at her, "You marrying me has always been a dream of mine and one day when the omnic crisis has been taken care of and you have all your memories back we will get married in the apple orchard outside my parents ok, that's what you said you wanted. You had a journal and everything when I proposed saying what you wanted."
"Promise?" She questioned.
"Of course," he laughed as he rolled her over till she was laying across his chest, "But only when you remember."
Victoria laughed pushing herself up to sit on his stomach, "And..."
"Hush," Jack told her pushing himself up onto his elbows, "Slow I do not want you to hurt yourself agreed."
"Agreed," she smiled.
Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulders drawing her down onto his chest, they laid silently in bed watching the news talk about Talon attacks, Omnics crisis and Overwatch. A light snort came from her as she turned over her eyes closed and her chest raising in a slow steady pace, Jack switched off the tv and lights running his fingers through her hair slowly drifting off himself.
Jack woke to the buzzing sound of his alarm he groaned in annoyance turning over and switching of his alarm clock, the bed was empty other than him. A small note was next to his clock, 'Training hall - Vicky x'
Jack jumped out of the bed pulling his Overwatch sweats along with trainers, he jogged down the hallway to the training hall. It must be early he did not see anyone awake he heard Reinhardt snores from his room as Jack passed. The training room was across the building, they did not allow weapons and explosives anywhere near the barracks.
As the door to the training room open on one of the training mats, Victoria and Gabriel circled each other on the mat. Gabriel was dressed in the same sweats as Jacks whilst Victoria was dressed in black sweat pants with a white tank top with the overwatch symbol on the front. She bounced forward swinging her leg in an upward arc, Gabriel lifted his fist up brushing it to the side her leg fell to the side landing hard on the ground Victoria pressed her foot hard into the ground lifting her other leg round kicking him in shoulder sending him back a step. Gabriel grabbed hold of her ankle pulling her back with a sharp tug she fell slamming her front down onto the ground.
"Getting better," Ana smiled, "Need to be faster."
"Getting there, again?" Reyes asked her helping her to her feet.
Victoria nodded her head taking a step back again, Jack moved over to the bench Ana was sitting on watching Victoria and Reyes circle each other again Reyes moved first throwing his fist out at her Victoria bounced down onto her heels before shooting straight back up to stand tall, she threw her leg up fainting to hit his shoulder before she jumped up on her free hand slamming her feet in his stomach springing back flipping back onto her hands and springing up. Reyes was winded for a moment as he threw two more punches at her she dodged under the first punch whilst the second one hit her in the stomach sending her stumbling back a few steps. She snapped her eyes up to his rushing forward she sprang up tumbling through the air landing on her hands falling forward slamming her feet into his chest. Sending him back two steps she dropped back down to the ground sweeping her legs out catching Reyes at the ankles. Reyes actually stumbled back, she took his moment of stunned slamming her feet into his knees.
Reyes grunted as he fell back against the mat, he had to admit she was good quick and nimble they needed that. She bounced back a few steps a wide grin across her normally down face. "Again?" She questioned tilting her head like a confuses child. Reyes did not give her time to react as he was already back on his feet swinging hits at her, she ducked and weaved. Muscle memory was a good thing her mind not remember her fighting against Talon but her body when put into the correct situation will remember her fighting. Though something that concerned him when he caught a punch into the side of her ribs she practically went flying across the map landing in a heap on the floor. There was nothing to her she was under fed at Talon the moment she stepped into the truck behind Jack looking at her he could tell that.
She flinched as she sat up trying to regain her breath, "Again?"
"No you have had enough today," Reyes told her helping back up onto her feet.
"But..." her green eyes were wide at him.
"You have been saying again for over an hour Victoria," Gabriel chuckled at her then he caught Jacks blue eyes watching them intensely his blue eyes burned into his own dark ones, "You and Jack go running need to build up your speed."
"Still faster than you," she huffed smiling widely as she looked over at Jack who was now walking towards them, "Did you see?"
"Yes I did," he smiled at her but Gabriel could tell something was off.
"Take her for a long run Jack she needs to shake off all this energy shes building up, shes like a toddler on mountain dew," Gabriel smiled down at Victoria.
"Yes Commander," Jack huffed wrapping an arm around Victoria's shoulder leading her away.
Gabriel was left with Ana who had moved from the bench to his side, "Did I just get given the cold shoulder from him?" Gabriel asked Ana as she shrugged off her own jacket.
"Seems so Commander," Ana smirked at him.
Gabriel look confused at the door that Victoria and Jack just left through, that wasn't the happy attitude they normally get, "Reyes you must remember compare to the rest of the team Victoria and Jack are kids in the last month they have been through hell. After yesterday I wouldn't blame him for being in a mood," Ana explained.
"Point taken," Gabriel ducked under her punch.
"Victoria fainted on live television yesterday she seemed shaken over that at dinner," Ana jumped over his kick turning to her side leaning away from a punch.
"She has to get used to the damn cameras," Reyes growled as he blocked the punch to his rip cage, "Secretary General seems like she wants those two to do all the press stuff."
"It should be you," Ana stated.
Reyes pointed to one of the scars down his face and chuckled, "Not pretty enough, plus do not like the spot light. All I need is to keep my team safe and to destroy the omnics."
"Sounds like a plan," Ana laughed at him wide grin across her face.
"Yeah... plan..." Gabriel sighed.
"They won't do anything drastic we both now that," Ana explained, "Jack and Victoria will be the face of Overwatch we need to support each other like team mates should."
"Agreed."
"Jack MY LEGS ARE SHORTER THAN YOURS!" Victoria shouted after him as moved out of the Hq onto the large fields behind the Washington Hqs.
"Why did you fight him?" Jack suddenly stopping making her crash into his back.
She blinked a few times in confusion, "Did I do something wrong?"
"Victoria," she flinched so used to be called Vicky by him it felt like a slap in the face, "We did you not wake me we could have..."
"You looked peaceful... I didn't go to fight him. Him and Ana were sparring I just wanted to see... if I was still any good."
"Victoria he practically threw across the room," he was struggling to keep his voice level the he paused, 'if I was still good,' "Your remembering more aren't you?" He asked.
"Like a Bastion unit won't," Victoria actually snapped a small fire in her eyes something he hadn't seen in years. The last time he saw it was just before she left on the mission to take down the Talon human trafficking ring, they argued over switching letting him go in her place. But she argued she stomped she screamed she kissed him sweetly with her beautiful smile telling him she would be fine and there is nothing to worry about, "Jack... please I understand you are worried for me..."
Jack sighed releasing it was normal for him to worry for Victoria, he always did and always will, "Sorry..."
"I know," she smiled at him, before she turned round and started to jog, "Come on slow poke I can still beat you in a race."
Jack blinked a few times at her as she took off down the track at the Overwatch Head quarters, it was small things he knew she didn't realise she was doing it that she was remembering how she was before she switched looking terrified of the idea of angering him and happy that she has crawled back under his skin.
She was always faster than him he thought as he took off after her, her fighting style was never one of brute force was did not have anything to her and was easily beaten in a fist fight. However, given the chance for a free fight she ducked weaved and threw her legs out catching many people of guard. He saw old Victoria clearly as she looked over her shoulder at him smiling widely, all pearly white teeth green eyes sparkling with mischievous as he caught up to her.
"You worry to much about others..." she sounded distance in her own mind as she spoke, "About yourself you will run head first into the danger take on anything... but if I tried you would argue saying that you should be doing it..." Jack listened to her silently as she continued, "I never wanted to join the army... not really... there was someone I wanted to be like but... I don't... I have his eyes though..."
She lapsed into silence bowing her head as they continued round the track, "I hate this... I hate not remembering... what happened to me...not clearly anyway and..."
"You will remember," he smiled down at her.
"I don't feel like I ever will though," she told him.
"Vicky," he laughed bumping her shoulder slightly, "You remembered Dexter and your Mum you will be back on track in no time. Your fighting skills though bit rough good like how it was before."
"Oh thank you," it was sarcasm as she kept a steady pace next to him.
"No need for that," he told her.
She winked up at him before taking off running down the track, "Catch me if you can."
He laughed large smile across his face, soon they will be back to normal deep down he knew it but a small part told him it will only get worse... a lot worse before it got remotely better.
AN; I am actually really enjoying this fanfic I have plans like odd ones here and there all the way up to the fall and even with that I have a small idea from the recall and afterwards. I am not as sorry for my plans next chapter though, though I think it will be enjoyed.
Love Scarlet.