Commander Morrison called for a meeting; you remember as such, do you not?

I'm aware of it.

Then act upon that.

I am. I am.

Moira stood perfectly still at the entrance to her laboratory and ran through-

Worry about it another time. You have more time on your hands than you can ever ask for. You're simply stalling.

You're stalling. You're stalling. You're stalling.

I'm stalling.

Enough standing in one place.

Of course.

With that, she opened the doors and made her way to the Conference Room.

It's awfully quiet.

The bottom floor never bustled with life, especially not her little section of the building. It was rather lovely; Blackwatch and Overwatch gifted to her the solitude she desired, perhaps without even realizing it.

It was unlike her to attend these meetings; however, Gabe had stressed th-

Gabe.

Gabe was going to be there.

Had you thought otherwise?

It slipped my mind.

He would most likely want to speak with her, as well, and it wasn't as if anyone else at the facility were particularly fond of her.

Calm yourself. He explained nothing had to be spoken of. You're becoming anxious over nothing.

Is that truly where this anxiety stems from?

She mentally paused to assess her predicament.

Perhaps I want for everything to be brought up in conversation.

The more she pondered such an idea, the more likely it became.

Why would you want that?

To prove to myself that I can, I suppose.

That you can what, exactly, Moira?

The words appear normal and handle these types of situations came to mind, but she knew neither answer were correct. It didn't seem as if that were a question she could respond to adequately without a bit of prior contemplation.

Moira continued her journey rather reluctantly, partially due to not wanting to attend in the first place and partially due to...

Anxiety. Am I truly anxious? Do I not want to face him?

That's exactly the case.

"How childish," she mumbled to herself.

Pitiful and sad. Childish, pitiful, and unutterably sad.

You scolded Jack for unjustified emotions, and yet, here you are.

She grimaced at that thought.

All we can do is recognize our mistakes and work to rectify them.

She continued the rest of her adventure void of any thought. Arguing with herself won't bring about any pleasant emotions, she decided, and the very last thing needed was to desire peace and silence in a room bustling with life and interactions.

Not that anyone besides Gabriel would even remotely wish to interact with her.

Does that upset you?

It's better to keep it this way. There are less distractions and annoyances.

Do you think that's healthy?

She chose not to answer.

Upon her arrival, Moira found the large room to be strikingly void of Overwatch's members. Lieutenant Willhelm and Captain Amari seemed to be conversing happily, judging by the large man's body language, as well as Winston and Genji, who resided in a corner, and Gabe was reclining in a chair-his arms folded, a stance she noticed he took up often-with Jesse at his side, though her eyesight was too poor to make out how lighthearted the interaction was.

I'd sooner believe the sky was falling than my being early, she thought to herself with a smirk despite her strange nervousness, and hopped down the curved staircase before her toes.

He will speak to you at some point.

I'm aware. I'm aware.

The words could have been choked out, had she not shouted her question.

"What's going on?" Moira paused at the edge of the table as the Commander turned his head around to face her. His only response was a shrug of those massive shoulders.

"Had Captain Amari explained anything?" She pressed.

Relax.

"Yeah. Guess she doesn't know either. Jack's MIA."

If I'm forced deal with that man's games again...

"It's a bunch of horseshit most of the time," Jesse said, standing from his chair, "won't lie. But Morrison's always got something keeping him busy. Angela, too." She watched as the man walked over to the coffee brewers and heard Gabe stand from his seat, as well, though she didn't truly register it until he stood next to her.

"There was also a time where he completely forgot to announce the meeting to everyone," he explained. "They were all busting his balls for about a week."

How unprofessional of all parties involved.

"How unprofessional," she commented.

"I know. But sometimes you get so swamped stuff slips your mind. Maybe not for you, but, you know."

This isn't as terrible as you originally thought.

Moira even found herself smirking at his comment. "I suppose it may be difficult for me to empathize."

"Oh, shut it, Einstein."

"Is that jealousy I hear?"

The American laughed and recrossed his arms. "I could kill you sometimes."

"That wasn't a 'no.'"

"Wasn't a 'yes.'"

It's so easy to speak with him.

A sense of familiarity perhaps.

And he was always smiling.

It was almost odd how perpetually joyed this man was to socialize with her. Never in her existence has she experienced anything like it; not from acquaintances, nor coworkers, nor her father. She appreciated it, she truly did, more than anything, but the gesture more often than naught left her unsure.

Moira wanted to discover what it was like to trust and be a part of a friendship, but it was hard. She wasn't the greatest at relationships of any kind.

Far, far from it.

"Sorry," Gabriel smiled, "I'm just so fucking bored."

"No need to apologize, you hadn't done any wrong."

"Look who's talking."

His voice became quieter as he finished his sentence, and the grin he bore turned awkward and nervous.

"Sorry. I shouldn't of said that."

You hadn't offended me.

"It's alright. It isn't very easy to offend me."

I know how it may sound.

"I know."

I simply cannot stand the way I act.

The bulky man turned and examined the crowd. "We got a few more."

"Any sign of Commander Morrison?"

It gnaws at me.