Tracer woke up with a groan. Tangled in the covers of her bed, she slowly stretched. Her feet went over the side of the bed. She laid face down and breathed into her pillow. She had a nightmare but couldn't recall much. There were omnics and blood and…

Tracer shook her head. She couldn't remember. It was all a blur. She flipped onto her back and rubbed her eyes. She stared at her ceiling and decided that there was no good coming from obsessing over a dream that she couldn't remember. She looked over at her clock. It was only five. Tracer swung her legs over the side of her bed and got dressed.

Wearing her classic yellow jumpsuit, Tracer left her bedroom and went to the base's kitchen. The kitchen wasn't much to talk about. The Gibraltar base was rundown and the kitchen was hobbled together pieces that made it a semi-operable space. Winston and Torjborn swore that in eight days it would be fully functioning. That was two weeks ago. The war with Russia put any luxuries like a working kitchen on hold. It was training, weapons building, and planning for the foreseeable future. Tracer took comfort in the fact that they had hot running water and a seemingly endless supply of coffee, tea, and milk. Jack was to be thanked for that.

"I'm not setting foot on a battlefield without a cup of joe." He said, taking a stand against the base's miserable conditions. "I did it for three years and I'm not doing it again."

It wasn't hard to rally behind him. Coffee was needed to operate. Properly caffeinated agents meant that they were awake which meant that they were more aware of their surroundings which meant that they were less likely to get shot or hurt during battle which meant that they were less likely needed to see Mercy or other support teammates during the heat of battle. It was a win-win situation all around.

Tracer sighed. She could smell coffee brewing already. Life was good. But she didn't hear the tell-tale footfalls of Jack. He was always made coffee in the morning. It was his ritual. She entered the kitchen and saw Genji pacing.

"Good morning, Genji." She said as she tried to stifle a yawn.

Genji nodded to her and continued to boil the water for his morning tea.

"Thanks for making coffee." She said, helping herself to the first cup. "How's it going?"

He shrug his shoulders. Tracer pouted. These kind of vibes she expected from Hanzo or Roadhog, not Genji. She wondered what got his boxers in a knot. Did he wear boxers, she thought. He went without pants in battle but his new cyborg body did cover everything. Tracer shook her head. This was no time to be thinking of Genji's decision to not wear clothes.

"Are you okay?"

Genji leaned against the counter. His arms were crossed against his chest. His head was tilted a little to the right. He sighed and said, "I am worried for my master."

"What's wrong with Zenyatta?"

"Nothing, hopefully. However, last night…Tracer, I consider Master Zenyatta to be the strongest person that I know. Not in physical strength but his kindness and serenity. Where I stumbled and fell, he was always there to pick me and last night…" He trailed off and rubbed the back of his neck. "Master Zenyatta informed that he will be traveling to England to honor Master Mondatta."

"That's great, isn't it luv? I know Master Mondatta meant the world to him. He seemed indecisive when he got the call from the monastery."

"I am proud of any decision that my master makes but this…this doesn't feel right to me."

"What do you mean?"

"The monks of Shambali have requested that he go alone."

"Okay?"

"I have never been apart from my Master to where I could not follow."

"Well, he'll be safe, right? He's staying at Shambali and not King's Row?"

"I would feel better if I could go with him. King's Row is dangerous for omnics and while I know my master can protective himself, I…" Genji shook his head. "Maybe I'm being paranoid."

"It's not when you're worrying about someone you love." Tracer said.

"I do not know what to do. I respect the Shambali order as my master does but I have considered breaking the go alone rule."

"Considered?"

"I have been ordered to go back to Russia. The fighting has fired up again. A few of the rebelling omnics have targeted civilian residences."

"Who else is going?"

"Zarya." That was the obvious choice. "It is her home area where we are fighting."

"How's she holding up?" It felt like everyone was having trouble on their home turf.

"She is angry and quiet." Genji answered. "She reminds me of Hanzo sometimes before we…" He shook his head and changed the subject. "Reinhardt is coming as is Mercy, Phara, and Junkrat."

"When are you leaving?"

"Noon. I will not be able to see my master off." He took a deep breath. "Tracer, I wish to ask a favor of you."

"Me?"

"Yes. I would like you to accompany Zenyatta to Nepal."

"Genji, I-"

"I know it is crazy to ask but Master Zenyatta means the world to me. I love him, Tracer. I do not think that I could handle it if something were to happen to him." Genji said tearfully. "He is precious to me."

Tracer frowned. "Genji-"

"I should not have said anything." He said remorsefully. "I am sorry. I-"

"Genji!" She grabbed his shoulders.

"Yes?"

"I'm going." She removed her hands from him.

"Y-You are?"

"Yes. I get it. You're worried."

Genji chuckled. "Thank you."

Genji spent the rest of his morning with Zenyatta. They mediated with each other, enjoying and taking solidarity of the other's company, until Mercy came by.

"It is time to go."

Genji unwillingly stood up. He hugged Zenyatta and kissed him goodbye.

"I am with you, Master."

"And I with you. Goodbye Genji. I love you."

"I love you too."

They parted ways on the tarmac. Zenyatta situated himself in the conference room to watch the news on the war in Russia. The stations covering the crisis showed nothing but fleeing people, rubble, and a few scenes from the battlefield. Occasionally, they showed some impressive feat of the team. Tracer joined in around three.

"Hey." She sat down.

"Good afternoon."

"Is there any news?"

"No. Have you heard anything from them?"

"Outside comms are shoddy as ever, luv." Tracer pulled her legs up to her chest. "We have no visuals and anything we get is pfft!" She blew a raspberry. "Winston's given orders that if things get too rough they're to bail."

"Do you think they will?"

"If it was me? I don't think I could." Photos of Zarya's hometown were shown. Everything was in ruins. "I would stay and fight."

A bomb shell exploded reducing a house to nothing.

"I would hope that you would take cover." Zenyatta said caringly.

"When do you think the fighting will stop?"

"The war or overall?"

Tracer thought for a moment but went with, "Both."

"Never." He said shockingly.

"What? Zenyatta!"

"The people will lay down their weapons eventually but it is an idea that fuels the war. The omnics who are fighting believe that they are equal to or superior than the human race but plan their actions with bloodshed. They're angry. They want change and they want it now. So they'll do anything even if it means hurting others to be heard. The people who are fighting against my omnics brethren have good intentions. They want to protect their homes and their country but they do have negative thoughts and ideas about omnics. They believe that we are better suited for hard labor and menial tasks. They do wish that we would stop fighting for our rights and return to our previous lives before we were enlightened. Those people do not believe that we possess souls or have feelings, that we are simply machines that have gone rogue. These ideas Tracer will continue to exist long after we are here."

"That's awfully cheerful of you, luv."

"I say this with the best intentions. It is because these ideas persist that make Overwatch's presence important. We are to balance the chaos in the world. We are to find the harmony."

"Fighting doesn't seem too bad when you put it like that."

"There's nothing wrong with fighting so long as it is for ideals worth fighting for."

Tracer and Zenyatta stayed in the room, watching the news for the rest of the day until eight. At eight o' clock sharp, a luxury jet landed on the base's tarmac.

"It's nice." Winston commented.

"Nicer than ours." Said Tracer.

"Lots of things are nicer than ours." Winston said wistfully. "The jet still has dents from the first Omnic Crisis

The doors opened but not a soul stepped out. Zenyatta looked to his teammates, Winston and Tracer, and bowed to them.

"I will return as soon as I can."

"Please do. We might need you to go to Russia soon if the fighting continues." Winston said worriedly.

"See you later." Tracer used her incredible speed and was gone in the blink of an eye.

Zenyatta boarded the plane. Basho was there, chatting with the pilot and there was another omnic; Eila, one of the first female omnics to join the monastery, sat in a tan plush seat. To his surprise, she actually did a little wave before Basho sat down next to her.

"Hello Zenyatta." She said softly. "It's good to see you again."

"Eila." He bowed as he took his seat. "You look lovely."

She wore red robes with gold trim. A soft gold scarf was wrapped around her waist. She had eight blue lights on her forehead which were framed by delicate white swirls. Before his banishment, Zenyatta had never seen the monks dress so…flashy before. Basho was also dressed in a similar fashion but Eila stood out more.

"The years have been kind to you as well." She said.

Zenyatta was hardly one to deserve such words. Eila was polished and refined, he was rusted with second hand, sometimes third hand parts. It was hard not to feel like a piece of scrap metal compared to Basho and Eila. Soon they were at cruising altitude and on their way to Nepal.

"Are we done with the pleasantries?" Basho asked. "I would like to get to business."

"Please proceed."

Eila spoke first. "Master Mondatta's memorial service is set for the fifth. We plan to have it…" she clasped her hands together. "At the site of his-his death-I'm sorry. I-I miss him."

"As do I." Zenyatta reached out to her but was stopped by Basho.

"We all miss him which is why his service needs to be flawless. Zenyatta, you do understand that while you are in Shambali, you are a guest, yes?"

"I do."

"Good." Basho snapped his fingers and Eila grabbed a thin stack of paper from underneath the desk. "Then you understand the need for you to sign this contract?"

Zenyatta flipped through the pages. "I, Tekhartha Zenyatta, swear that I will not discuss the operations of the Shambali order with members of the organization known as Overwatch or any organization that operates under a similar name, guise, or body as Overwatch." He was dumbfounded. "This is a gag order."

"Yes. The courts have proven useful to enforcing our freedom."

"I fail to see how a gag order accomplishes that."

"We are trying to protect ourselves, Zenyatta." Said Eila. "With our master gone, we are vulnerable. I realize how…unconventional this may seem but we need it. There is no telling where the next attack may come from and-"

"Is sabotage a great worry?"

"Not yet. But we have to be prepared. Zenyatta, please sign the paper." Eila pressed.

Pen in hand, he did.

"While you stay in Shambali you are to adhere to our rules. Is that understood?" Basho stated.

"Yes. Have the rules changed much over time?"

"Group meditation is still at nine, chores are to be done by ten and meal times haven't changed." Eila said helpfully. "We have new rooms and a kitchen. The temple has finally been repaired so the winter air doesn't seep in anymore. You'll love it. The-"

"Eila, we are here to discuss the service, not sell the temple as a vacation spot to ex-monks."

"Sorry. That was careless of me."

"A-Achoo!"

A sneeze was heard. The cabin went silent. Between the three omnics not one could sneeze. At least not what could be considered or even mimic a human sneeze.

"Bless you." Zenyatta said to the unseen person.

"Thanks, luv." Tracer appeared in the seat next to him. She stretched out her legs and cracked her knuckles. "I love your plane. It's quite lovely."

Basho jumped from his seat and used Eila as a shield. "Who the devil are you?"

"Name's Lena Oxton but my friends call me Tracer! Isn't that right, Zenny?"

"You are quite correct, my dear. I am surprised to see you here. Where were you?"

"Hiding in the refreshment cart."

"Ah."

"It's not the most comfortable place to be but…."

"You must make do with what you have."

"Exactly. I knew you would understand."

"Excuse me!" Basho roared. "I don't care who you are but you're not spending another damn second on my private plane!"

"You wouldn't make a girl walk all the way back to her base, would you luv?"

"It would be highly cruel." Eila piped up. "Considering we are forty thousand feet in the air. To turn back now would be a waste of time and gas."

Basho shot Eila a dirty look. "Zenyatta, she cannot stay. I forbid it."

"Master Basho, I must disagree with you. What better way to improve human and omnic relations than having a celebrated and founding member of Overwatch at Shambali?"

Master Basho took one look at Tracer and scoffed. "Her celebrated? Master Mondatta was celebrated and he did not run around in a yellow jumpsuit to do it. Besides, she's is an Overwatch member and we have an agreement, a law-binding one. You will not be able to talk to her at all during your stay at Shambali."

"Oh see, I'm not an Overwatch member. Not anymore anyways."

"What?" Basho snapped. "I saw you at the base. I talked to that monkey thing."

Tracer became very still. "Winston. Is. Not. A. Thing." She said through gritted teeth. "He's a scientist." She took a deep breath. "Overwatch was disbanded years ago. Now, a couple of us veterans get together and talk about the good old days and tell jokes. We're as harmless as a knitting club."

"But aren't you fighting in Russia?" Asked Eila. "I saw two fellows, Reinhardt and Jesse McCree, on the television."

"We're a very active knitting club." Tracer said with an award winning smile.

Eila laughed but Basho remained unmoved. Zenyatta came to her defense. "She has proven herself time and time again that she is reliable. I trust her."

"Is that so?" Basho asked.

"With my life." Zenyatta swore.

The rest of the flight was riddled with silence. Basho refused to say a thing with Tracer present. Eila tried to make light conversation but Basho's attitude spread like a toxic cloud and made the trip unpleasant. Tracer found it easier to sleep the rest of the way. When she woke, they were starting to descend. Basho had gone into sleep mode but Eila and Zenyatta were talking.

"How are the gardens?"

"Beautiful as ever. We planted a tree for Master Mondatta. It is a sapling now but it'll grow."

"Of that I have no doubt. When did you make master?"

"A year after you left. Master Basho recommended it and Master Mondatta approved it." Eila went quiet. "When-When did you find out about…?"

"I saw it on the news. You?"

"I was there-backstage. I heard the explosion and then the shot and…I just knew it was him. What was the point of having bodyguards if they didn't guard him?" She scoffed. "Sorry, I know how bad that sounds but…"

"I miss him too." He looked at the contract that he signed. "I guess this was your work?"

"Spending half my life in an attorney's office was good for something after all. What about you? The last bits of news we got was that you were a wandering guru? Solving people's problems with…your balls?"

Zenyatta snorted. "Orbs."

"You say 'tomato', I say 'tomato'. But now you're with Overwatch?"

"Off the record, I assume?"

"I never heard a thing."

"Yes."

"How bad is it in Russia?"

"Bad enough that we are involved."

"I heard a rumor that omnics are bombing civilians. Please tell me it's not true."

"I'm sorry."

"Oh. People hear that and they think that we're all like that, that it's the First Omnic Crisis all over again. Some are calling it the Second Omnic Crisis, can you believe it?"

"I believe that where there is fear people are comforted by giving it a name."

Eila laughed. It was happy at first but then it turned into a heartbreaking, sobbing laugh. "You sound just like him, you really do. Dear Iris, if he could see us now, turning away refugees? Gag orders?" She shook her head. "He would be turning in his grave."

"I thought that the refugees was-"

"Mondatta's idea? When was the great man ever able to turn anyone away? No, it was Basho. There were a couple of omnics who wanted to fight back against our oppressors. They were talking about bombings and killing. Making a grand stand against anyone who'd hurt us. Basho freaked. He found that they were stockpiling weapons inside the temple and he wasn't having any of it. He kicked them out."

"What happened to them?"

"I heard they ended up in Russia." She said darkly.

"I see…"

"I've been busy nonstop writing press release statements that we're not like the other omnics. Your speech will help us greatly."

"I hope so."