A/N: I wanted to apologize for not updating as of late. I had to funnel all my energy into helping the family and searching for a job, so I couldn't draw or write as much as I want to. Luckily, I have four possible jobs lined up so I don't have to worry as much.

3:00 P.M., Route 66

Zooming into a dingy TV inside an empty shack, CNN blares laced with .jpeg artifacts. An omnic news reporter sits up, holding a stack of papers. He speaks, confidently.

"Breaking news, a group of Talon operatives have tracked down a shipment of chemical agents meant for the various military bases in the west coast. The once-celebrated then now-ostracized global team Overwatch has responded by escorting the payload. The US military in response has come to oversee the situation. Residents can hear the noise but casualties are unknown-"

The TV burst into flames afterward and exploded.

Soldier 76 was running around the outhouses, scanning for any Talon members. He crouched down behind one, listening for any footsteps. The other Overwatch members ran ahead, pushing the payload forward and creating choke points. The only ones remaining behind other than Soldier 76 were Reaper, Hanzo, and McCree.

"This current stretch is clear. You're ready to do reconnaissance now, over," Ana buzzed in, looking over the from the steppes.

"Rodger, Amari. Over," Soldier 76 replied, signaling the other three to move on ahead. The four dashed beyond the payload. They then stopped at the entrance of the fire station, letting Reaper phase in.

Reaper floated through the rooms and saw something rather compromising: Not only where there multiple Talon soldiers, but there were loads of C4 scattered around the floor and the abandoned firetruck. He tried to mentally count the packs of C4 but got distracted by a pack with beady eyes and a high-pitched voice too shrill for comfort.

"You held me as a teenaged boy," The C4 pack said and winked. Reaper shuddered and started to agree with McCree's sentiment of the coffee tasting like boiled dirt. He phased back to the entrance before materializing to share the intel.

"Too many tangoes, and lots of C4," Reaper shared, "We're going to need everyone." McCree gasped.

"I don't think that's all Talon if there's that much C4," McCree added, "Stealth may be a good option, but if it fails, we might as well go all in. The Deadlock Gang doesn't play. Trust me, I know this."

"No matter the alliances, we are still required to go in quiet to reduce any unnecessary damage," Soldier 76 replied, "Follow me." The three followed him, scattering to the walls.

Hanzo entered the first room, seeing three Talon lookouts. Putting away his bow, he took out a tanto and slit everyone's throat one by one.

McCree entered the second room and put a silencer on his Peacemaker. He fired three shots, all of them headshots. Unfortunately, the bullets bounced off some shelves and he rolled forward to catch the falling objects. He caught a jar in one hand, a box in another, and then a book on his foot. Standing on his remaining leg, he tried to catch a vending machine with his face.

A crash resounded through the building.

"SHIT!" Soldier 76 cursed on instinct. Cocking his shoulder, he misaimed his helix rockets towards the wall instead of a lookout. The Talon soldiers turned to him and started advancing on him. All four ran out of the fire station, pushing the payload.

"What happened?" Genji asked Hanzo.

"We got caught," Hanzo snorted, "We're all going in!"

"Our position has been compromised!" Soldier 76 brayed in frustration, "Move out!" Alarmed, the tanks moved out first, providing barriers for the others to move. Zenyatta sneaked past the Talon guards and tossed a healing orb to Orisa.

Symmetra saw a Talon guard sneak up onto Zenyatta, and threw a photon shield at her. She then pushed Zenyatta to the wall.

"What's this?" The omnic asked, cupping Symmetra's face.

"I care," Symmetra back-tracked, "There was a Talon behind you. I pushed you because she could kill you."

"It's brusque for an answer," Zenyatta pushed her off gently, "But I can feel the intent." They separated, with Symmetra creating sentries to hold the enemy back.

So a firefight erupted between the two parties…

The Talon squad was whittled down to around ten people, but some reason they dropped their weapons to the ground and raised their hands up.

"We surrender," The Talon guard exclaimed, "Obviously you overpower us." A cloud of 'huh's' and 'what's' swirled around the Overwatch. A chatter of confusion also rode the current. McCree and Soldier 76 were unaffected and groaned to themselves, but Jack started having tics, only quieted by the storm of confusion and chatter.

"Wait," McCree called out, "Why are you doing this?"

"Simple," The Talon guard answered, "You're a world class operation."

"So are you!" Soldier 76 broke out of his tics.

"Indeed, but we found some friends on the way," The guard motioned to some of the remaining soldiers. They whipped their vests off to reveal plain cowboy clothes. McCree's face snapped as if he entered his worst nightmare. "Yes, McCree, these are your old friends. Say hi to them!"

"You ally with the Deadlock Gang?" Reaper added in, "That makes you irredeemable miscreants."

"Insulting us doesn't make this negotiation easier. These are chemical agents after all."

"What exactly do you want?" McCree's curiosity peaked.

"How about we all agree to leave the payload alone? These chemical agents will hurt someone somehow if any of us got it."

"Can we talk about amongst ourselves about it?"

"Sure. I'll do the same." The Talon stood there, apart from each other. The Overwatch gathered in a huddle. Junkrat thumbed the button on his detonator, looking suspiciously at the Talon.

"We are heavily compromised already," Soldier 76 prefaced the discussion, "Do you think we're going to negotiate with terrorists on stopping a payload?"

"They have a point strangely enough," claimed, "This payload isn't going to help anyone."

"It's true," Jack agreed, "But think of this: The US rarely uses it. I rather have it in their hands because goodness knows how often the Talon and the Deadlock Gang use them."

"I agree with Soldier 76," McCree added, "The Deadlock Gang will use absolutely anything to get their way. Take it from a former member."

"Well, since we're compromised to the point of no return, we might as well go as far as possible. Destroy the payload, the Talon, and the Deadlock Gang all in one fell swoop," Reaper commented, "The US may be angry at us, but this is a do or die situation."

"I don't feel right about any of the decisions discussed right now," Zarya said, disappointed, "I'm going to the payload. It's not right for it to be left alone like this. If they shoot us, we'll hit back for sure." She and many others went up to the payload.

"I get what she's saying, but I'm going to keep my distance," Reaper responded, "I'm glad you're doing the same thing, Jack and Jesse. Glad you're not half the miscreant I picked up."

"Reaper, you're the kind of cowboy that really needs a beer," McCree snapped back, "Besides, Junkrat hasn't looked right since the beginning of this escort." Junkrat sat back, sweating.

"Bombs determine all. Bombs determine all. Bombs determine all. Bombs determine all. Bombs determine all. Bombs determine all," Junkrat chanted feverously, nervously looking at the pack of C4.

"Jack, aren't you going to say something?" Reaper growled. Soldier 76 gazed on, then sighed.

"Alright," Soldier 76 raised his voice, "I have my answer."

"By the amount of people that went to the payload, I already know it." The Talon guard smirked, and that answer is no-

He produced a detonator and swiftly pressed it.

11:00 P.M., Gertrude's Office

Jack Morrison sat begrudgingly in the red chair. Gertrude had a look of mild disappointment.

"Morrison, that mission was a wreck not only by our country's standards, but on the Overwatch's standards as well," Gertrude opened, "A million worth of damage to the payload, many injuries, and a few casualties. The news is on to you, Morrison. If this is the damage the Tourette's begets, I am going to get the clearance to suspend Overwatch."

"That mission was a relative success!" Jack talked back, "My tics only made me miss once and McCree was the one who made the most noise. Junkrat created a counter explosion just in time to protect not only us but to actually push the payload into safer transport. FUCK!" He went into a tic, "My conditions and my mistakes are mine, not those of Overwatch!"

"But something as volatile as Tourette's can have a high cost, Morrison. Especially on a person like you. This isn't like your youth where you can do all the damage you want and we'll pay for it no if's and's or but's. We have to be careful now."

"Suspend me! Lift the pardon! Punish me!" Jack yelled, "Don't push the cost onto them. They did what they could."

"I'm only a psychologist, Jack," Gertrude corrected, "I don't make the rules. And before you go apeshit in my office given that you have no Ativan…" She produced a manila envelope and opened it, "I want you read these letters from Overwatch."

"How did they even have the time to do that?" Jack sifted through the letters bewildered.

"Angela organized it. I guess that book club was a good front after all," She chuckled.

"Perhaps." Jack started reading them. He started with 's.

Dear Soldier 76,

I guess now is a good time as ever to express my appreciation of you being our leader. I know what it's like to rebuild something from the ashes, and it's not easy. I know I can be a bit childish and bratty, but I always try to keep in mind you're older than most of us. To be honest, you're like a father I would've needed when I was fighting on the East China Sea. This Tourette's is puzzling to me, but I guess it's another challenge to go through when you're trying to rebuild Overwatch. Just… don't burn yourself out.

Love,

Jack felt a modicum amount better. He then read a few more letters, next stopping at Mercy's.

Dear Jack,

I know this Tourette's Syndrome is very hard on you. And I know you don't like it that I press so much about it. I only do that because I care about you and your health. You don't have to face this alone. We all support you even though it may look like we don't. I support you. Please don't isolate yourself. We all worry about you and the professionals here are not here to hurt you. They're there to help you, Jack. They only have your and the Overwatch's well-being in mind.

I know you have your fears and suspicions, but please, please, please cast them aside so you can cope if not heal better.

Sincerely, Angela

PS. The mission was a success and you contributed to it. Don't beat yourself up.

Jack wiped some tears from his eyes, and kept reading until he reached the last letter: Reaper's.

Dear Jack,

You and I have a lot of history together. I guess fate brought us back together. I know there's a lot of bitterness between us, but I can safely say this for sure: I don't hate you. I don't think I ever have. If there's one thing I've admired about you, it's your burning passion for justice. It's one of the very things that kept Overwatch in existence other than your leadership. I actually don't mind the Tourette's at all. I think it's another scar of war.

But your condition and your burning passion is a dangerous cocktail. You've made some dumb moves with it and may have cost some lives.

I don't want another break down. I don't want another falling out. I just want to make amends with you.

Please for the love of god don't burn yourself out… or burn the whole thing down.

From, Gabe

Jack started sobbing, burying his face into the chair cushion, facing away from Gertrude. Gertrude had a smile and even wiped a tear or two.

Then the door swung open, courtesy of McCree's foot.

"Winston told me this. Due to a mental health measure, our suspension isn't going to be dishonorable," McCree clarified, "I made the most noise. I should be the one on the hook, not Soldier 76 here."

"Indeed," Gertrude agreed, "It's a forced vacation and it will do a world of not only Soldier 76, but for all of you."

"Seriously?" Jack wiped his eyes but started sobbing out of happiness. The rest of Overwatch filled in, saying, "We love you, Jack!"

"Ha-ha! I saw you cry!" Reaper chuckled. Jack playfully punched him in the shoulder and everyone laughed.

Sorry if this wasn't funny at all.