Chapter 3
It was hard, to say the least, for the grim reaper and an angel to discreetly move the human American flag to Gabriel's safe house. Reyes had forgotten how convenient turning into a shadow was.
Gabriel had a small apartment in DC. Structural problems due to the Omnic Crisis meant rent was cheap. Even better, the landlord couldn't afford to be suspicious that one of his tenants hid his face and only paid in cash. It was hard to find customers with nasty rumors of a shadowy monster surrounding the building.
"The keys are in my right pocket. Hurry up." Angela grabbed the keys and turned around to glare at Reyes before unlocking the door. Gabriel ducked in and clambered upstairs.
"This one," Gabriel said. Angela opened the door and stood aside awkwardly as Gabriel laid Jack on a couch. He muttered something under his breath as he put a pillow under Jack's head.
"So what are you going to do, doc?" Gabriel asked, without turning around.
"I'm... not sure yet. Can we just discuss this reasonably, Gabriel?"
"I'm not feeling reasonable today."
"Then can we sit down? I know this is difficult but-"
"Is this how you tell someone they're a widow?"
"Widow?"
"Forget it."
"I just think we should talk." Angela sighed and rubbed her temples.
"Fine."
Gabriel sat on the edge of the couch while Angela pulled up a chair. She looked thoughtful for a minute, trying to think over what to say. Gabriel crossed his arms cocked his head to side. This should be good.
"Jack is gone, Gabriel-"
"You know how to bring down a room."
"-Listen. I have an idea, but it cannot be taken lightly," Angela looked up to Gabriel's mask, "I think I can bring him back."
"Stop stalling."
"There's no real way to put this delicately. The only way resuscitate Jack, would to make him like you." Gabriel was hoping she wouldn't say that, but somehow he knew. Would it be worth it? "I remember your medical records, you and Jack have compatible blood types. We might be able to transfer some of the bonded nanobots."
"Are you kidding me?" Angela winced slightly as Gabriel stood up. "Do you not know how bad this really is?"
"I just can't see any other way to help him. Maybe it's better to just let him go."
"I can't."
They were both silent. Gabriel fought the urge to punch something. How could he have been so stupid? "I'd like to be alone for a little while," Gabriel said, more a statement than a request. "You can sleep in there." Gabriel tilted his head toward the bedroom. Angela left without a word. She knew better than to argue. Gabriel waited until she shut the door to move again.
"Damn it, Jack." He slumped against the couch, defeated. "Why do you always have to be a pain in the ass? I was happy when you died, nothing was holding me back anymore. You had a knack for holding people back.
Like that one time New York? We were doing that interview with that ungrateful reporter. I was ready to attack him when he said the Crisis could have been won without us. You put your hand on my shoulder and gave that look, like you knew exactly what I was thinking...
I guess I'm saying that you got me. That's what I remember most about you. Not the Overwatch bullshit."
...
It was sometime later when Angela reemerged from the room to grab her medical supplies. It would be best to prepare in case Gabriel did decide to donate nanobots. He's just confused, Angela found herself thinking, he never knew how to handle his feelings. Maybe I can point him in a better direction… As she turned to leave she noticed Gabriel was loosely gripping Jack's hand. He'll be okay.