Disclaimer: We fail at life, and therefore couldn't own Overwatch.
Author's (Kate) Notes: Looking over our story, I now regret not making the name of the restaurant 'La Griffe'. It would have matched everything else so perfectly. Oh well. It has been a very long time since we have published. Longer than we have wanted. And for some reason, people are still reading our stuff. Not that we're complaining. Thank you. Here is our latest chapter, published a number of months since the previous one. Enjoy.
Chapter 8: Ne Fais Confiance à Personne
The sun parted through the light dusting of decorating the sky overhead, scattering its light onto the pavement below. From under the fabric of the overhang parting from the small cafe at the street corner. Emily sat at a metal table for two, looking from her space to the empty chair across from her. After twenty minutes of spacing out and browsing her phone as she waited for the other to show up, her fears started to get the better of her. As her uncertain thoughts started to get the better of her, a breath left her parted lips slowly as she looked down into her now cooled coffee, the heat of the cup against her hand being the only reminder of its once warm contents.
Not only a minute later, the sound of hard rubber hitting the cement of the sidewalk pulled her away from the fit of slight brooding, her eyes leaving the drink as the redhead looked over the small railing separating the outside seating area from the sidewalk. Her heart almost skipped a beat, catching heavily in her throat as the image of a brunette parting her way down the walkway filled her vision, each hurried step more than she could have imagined. Emily put her coffee down onto the woven metal of the table and got up, grabbing the other as soon as she was close enough and pulling her into a tight hug. "You can run!" was all she could say, each word highlighted with an amazement she thought she would never feel again.
It was this that forced the realization of how long it had been since the two had seen each other. How long it had been since Lena had faced the reality of her life instead of away in her private bubble of New York; away from everyone she had ever known and the life that she once had before the accident. Before her life was forced to have changed in a way that she didn't even recognize anymore. To say that her spirits didn't fall at that moment would be a lie, even to herself. Her gaze fell slightly as she began. "Yeah, I've been able to for about 8 months now. It's nothing like before, but-"
The words were halted once Emily spoke up, the corners of her light pink lips turned up in a small smile that the brunette couldn't see. "Just to know that you're fine is all I needed." After tightening the squeeze for a second, she let the other go as she looked onto her with almost a new outlook; her worries and fears settled as the fact of the matter was settled. No words could be said as the two old friends and ex-lovers looked onto each other once again after over a year of being apart.
It was Lena who finally spoke up, breaking the silence between the two as she glanced over to the table she had seen the other at, her gaze fixed on the plain white ceramic mug. "I think your coffee will get cold if you let it sit out like that." Emily didn't have the heart to tell her that it already was.
The two head back over to the table, the red head pulling out a metal chair for Lena as she then sat down; Emily taking her old spot again. It took little time for the two to strike up conversation. "So tell me, what happened to you?"
This left the other unsure, both of what to say and where to start. Her fingers found the holes in the the underside of the table's surface, the tips tracing around a few of them. "I just left," she began as she was almost forced to face the reality she had been escaping for so long. "I wasn't really thinking it through. I just wanted to get away." Whereas she had looked at the redhead with ease before, it became increasingly difficult as the weight of the situation forced itself down onto her; her gaze now drifting off to the side.
To see how much pain this brought onto the other was difficult to hold, dampening Emily's spirit as she held onto Lena's words. "What made you run? We were all there for you. You just.." Her voice trailed off as she paused, the emotions of the memory coming forth once again. "It was like you weren't there."
Hearing this brought nothing but the pain of remorse and almost justification as to what she had done as the they fought in her head until one feeling simply overwhelmed the other, each highlighting an aspect of her past. They built up until it was overflowing. "You weren't there either, you broke up with me." As she tried to justify her actions both with herself and the other, her voice came up as nothing but a mixture of sadness and anger.
Emily was a bit taken aback by the other as she tried to explain what couldn't be understood. "You weren't there. Every time we were together, it was like your mind was off in the void. How can you be with someone who isn't even there?"
Despite the pain that it conjured up, Lena knew that the other's words were true. An overwhelming sense of defeat washed over her as she looked down onto the table's surface, her seeing the cement underneath through the holes. "You're right." she began, words stopping short due to the length of time between now and when it had been relevant about two years ago. For all of it to come rushing back so quickly hurt in a way she did not want to experience again. "I'm sorry. I don't blame you for any of this. I guess I was just mad at myself." Despite all that she was feeling, Lena looked back up, her eyes connecting with Emily's as a new sense of courage came over her. "I ran because I was scared. You and Winston were there for me. I couldn't let you down, and when I wasn't getting better, I decided to leave." She gave the other a weak smile as her words came out. "It just started working. When I removed myself from all of that, I was able to heal. It took my mind off it."
The sense of hurt that Lena's words brought Emily was obvious and difficult to hide, hearing the true story that had been a mystery to her for all this time. It was apparent the pain that it brought her, listening to the difficult words of someone who she had cared about struggling in a way that couldn't be helped or dealt with, especially when the other had no idea of how to care for it. "You could have told us." She began, her words coming out slow and soft. "We would have given you the space you needed."
In an instant, Lena almost regretted saying what she had, the outcome of this conversation going in a way that she didn't like. "I'm sorry. I can't fix what I did. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry." Her face turned soft and sad as she looked at the other, knowing full what she had done to her. "You're one of the last people I would ever want to hurt." She reached out her hand across the table and touched Emily's, lightly lacing their fingers as she smiled up to her.
Emily smiled back weakly, the slight welling of tears in her eyes becoming easier to push back as she lightly squeezed the other's fingers. "If you ever find the person you want to hurt, tell me. I'll want to shake their hand and congratulate them."
It was with those words that Lena's smile became real. "What's that supposed to mean? For all you know, there are dozens of people I wish harm to."
The other let out a snicker, not believing it for an instant. "I don't think you have the heart to even wish harm to another."
Lena thought about it for a second, running it over in her mind. "Does Voldemort count?"
At this, Emily gave her eyes a roll before leaning across the small metal table and planting a kiss on the other's cheek. "No."
"Darn, I really thought I had someone."
"I have to leave tonight. How about you show me your apartment so I can tell Winston with a straight face that you're ok." Emily said after taking a small sip of her cold coffee, fingers still wrapped around the ceramics as she looked back over to her phone.
At this, Lena gave the other a smile. "Alright, you're going to love my roomie."
The next day brought a new shift at work and another evening of taking orders, meeting new people, and bringing out meals. A few hours into following the flow of orders and customers, Lena was pulled away from her work as slender fingers wrapped around the middle of her bicep, halting her trek to the kitchen as the older, black haired woman called her to the office. Nearby, Hana watched as she took notice of what was happening. The usual stern expression of the French woman and mixed, almost anxious look of Lena as she spoke. She thought back to what Sombra had told her about her supposed short time here and how dirt was needed to survive any longer. Perhaps, she thought, this was exactly what she needed. But as the brunette followed the manager to the back room, she decided to brush it off, at least for now.
It took a few minutes for Hana to realize that she was still not back as the business of the restaurant and staff picked up. She caught sight of Lucio coming back from waiting a few tables before she intercepted him. "Hey Lucio, can you watch my tables for a moment? I need to go talk to Amélie."
"Yeah, no problem," he said, giving her a thumbs up.
She headed off down the little hallway and over to the wooden door of Amélie's office as she leaned in close, pressing her ear to the cold wood. Mumbling could be heard from a voice that was distinctly Lena's, and the tone of it made the younger girl begin to worry. From what she could hear, the waitress sounded like she was in trouble, the noise sounding panicked and fast. Pushing against the door a little, Hana parted it from its frame quietly, leaving a little sliver of open space. From here, she turned on her phone and opened up the app of her camera, slipped it through the crack as she began to record what was going on inside.
It was only until she heard the familiar clicking of high heels heading getting slowly louder as the manager started heading towards the door that she pulled her phone away, ending the recording. Quickly stashing it into her pocket, Hana walked swiftly down the hallway and into the kitchen, slipping through the side exit.
Once the metal door shut behind her and the chilled air of the outside washed over her, she and pulled out her phone once again and opening it up, taking no time to begin playing the video.
Inside of the office, Lena stood near the blank left wall, her chest stripped of its shirt and fully exposed, her arms wrapped firmly around the middle of her chest, keeping the only article of clothing, her white and black bra, to her chest. Standing right in front of her, Amélie placed her arms out in front of her and by Lena's hips, hands placed on the wall behind them, trapping the younger woman between it and her. "Amélie, wait." Lena spoke up, words shaky. "I'm done."
"What do you mean 'done'?" She asked, hand reaching up and wrapping itself firmly around the other's wrist, pulling it away from the other's chest in a harsh yank. Lena's face contorted with pain and an underlying sense of fear as she looked down, refusing to make eye contact with the manager.
"I don't want this." She choked out.
"We had a deal." With this, she yanked the other woman up, forcing her forward towards the other as her head came to Amélie's lowered level as their eyes forcibly met.
"Please, I'll do anything. Just don't make me…"
"That's all I want from you." The manager said simply before slamming Lena into the wall behind her, pressing their lips together in a harsh force. It only lasted for a few seconds before Amélie's eyes glanced over to the office door, noticing it parted slightly open. She gave a sigh and looked at the vulnerable and exposed woman in front of her. "Stupid girl. Can't even close the door." As the black haired woman began walking towards it to shut it, the footage was cut short and shut off.
Hana's eyes widened as she watched the recorded scene unfolding in front of her, her lips parting as her mouth opened in almost shock. She closed out of it before shutting off her phone, placing it back into her pocket before leaning heavily against the wall behind her. Her hands traced up her opposite arms as they wrapped firmly around herself, holding herself close as the lids of her eyes softly closed. Thoughts raced through her mind as the close of her eyes became firm, the younger girl trying to rid herself of them as they popped up. Taking a deep breath in and letting it out quickly and harshly, she got upright before heading back in and attending to her work.
In a matter of moments, Lena finally left the confines of Amélie's office, overall appearance looking the same, save for her off and distant look. As she went back into the kitchen, the waitress found herself on autopilot as she took her work back up and attempted to catch up on her tables. From the main floor, Hana watched her, waiting a few moments before heading into the kitchen to try and check up on her. Mind other places, she pushed open the out door of the kitchen, only realizing when it heavily hit something hard. When it was too late, the noise of a person hitting the ground was heard on the other side.
Quickly going over to the other door, Hana parted through and into the kitchen, she sight of Lena sitting flat on the hard floor, legs scrunched up around her, hands woven into her messed up brown hair as her face contorted with pain. Going down to the waitress's level, the younger woman leaned forward to see what was wrong, a sense of fault hitting her as hard as the door had hit Lena. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
Lena rubbed a sensitive spot on her head, feeling the place that would no doubt be forming a bump soon. "Yeah, I'll be fine." She said, pushing off the other's worry with a slightly pained smile.
Hana's mind began to race once again, leaving her completely alone and unsure of what to do from that point on. Almost as if on cue, the familiar clicking of high heels was heard as Amélie entered the kitchen, her stern look falling onto the two women on the floor, her eyes narrowing into a scowl. "What happened?"
From behind the metal counter, the chef glanced up from his work. His dark brown eyes looked over the scene in front of him from under his thin eyebrows. Pulled into a tight pony tail, his dark hair, slightly graying at the temples and sides, went down along the underside of his jaw, ending in a well kept and slightly pointed extended goatee. "Hana ran into the wrong door and hit Lena." He said just as he went back to the task at hand, finding no need to waste more time than necessary.
Amélie's eyes darted to the younger waitress. "Go back to your tables." She ordered, voice tight and harsh in her throat as she spoke down to the other.
It took almost no time at all for Hana to quickly get up and run out of the kitchen.
Despite the younger waitress being gone, the manager's words were still harsh, face accented with frustration as she looked towards the kitchen staff. "Will someone get her some ice now?" The chef who had spoken earlier was the one to hand it to her, placing a washcloth in her grasp wrapped around a small bag filled with ice cubes. "Thank you, Hanzo." She said, taking the ice as she knelt down to Lena's level, putting it to her head. "Can you get up?" With this, Lena gave a slight nod, not exactly wanting to meet the other's gaze. "Good. Get up slowly." Helping the waitress up, Amélie led her over to a chair placed in the corner of the kitchen, allowing the younger woman to sit down. "I want you to stay here until you feel better." She instructed, hands leaving the brunette once she was firm in the seat.
At this, Lena gave a small, fake smile. "I'm alright. I swear."
It was when she started getting up again that Amélie placed her hands on her shoulders once more, halting her movements. "Rest. I don't need you out here like this." While her voice was still firm in its intentions, there was an underlining of almost worry that wasn't there before. "I will send someone in to check up on you later." And to this, Lena slightly agreed.
Ten minutes later, Angela walked over to the corner where the brunette had been sitting, ice still pressed to the aching spot on her head. "How are you feeling?"
She allowed the rag to drop, holding it in her lap as she looked up at the blonde. "I'm fine now. I got the best doctor watching over me."
At that, Angela laughed a little. "You're too nice." She said, raising her hand up as she placed it onto Lena's head and into her hair, checking for any bumps or bruises. "You seem like you're doing fine. Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel great, don't worry about me." Despite the outward presentation, it was obvious that the other's words didn't match her true intentions. They seemed forced, as though lost and clouded with a mixed emotion.
This brought concern from one woman to the other as Angela looked over Lena. "Something you're not telling me?" She asked.
The brunette was quick to brush away any worry. "Angela, I'm fine. I promise."
She gave out a sigh, but decided to take the other's word at value. "Okay." She said, dropping it on sight. "But let me drive you home tonight. I don't like you riding your bike so late at night."
"Deal." Lena said, setting the ice aside as she got up, both then heading back to work.
A few hours later, the two women had finished up their shift, soon clocking out before putting Lena's bike into back of Angela's car. As the key was turned into the ignition, they began heading back to Lena's apartment. As they passed through the streets, the overhead lamps shed their light onto the passenger, lighting up the side of her face; gaze far off as she stared into space. Even from the short glances the blonde made, it was obvious that Lena's mind was somewhere else. "Are you alright?" She asked, cutting through the soft music pouring through the radio.
The other jumped slightly, a bit startled as the other's words came so suddenly. "Yeah.." She said, word trailing off at the end in an almost unsure manor.
"Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Lena thought to herself for a moment, turning the idea over in her mind a time or two before coming to the conclusion, sighing before beginning. "What do you think of Amélie?"
Not having expected for their conversation to go this route, Angela was taken aback a little. "Amélie? I guess she is alright. A little too serious, but she is fine."
The brunette looked down a little, gaze fixing itself on the hard plastic of the car's glove box.
"Lena, do you have a crush on Amélie?" Angela said, a smile accenting her face and lining her words. "I guess that hit to the head was more than I thought." she continued with a tease.
This only made the other's lids sink further down her eyes as the negative emotions got the better of her. "No, I just.." She began, pausing as she became unsure of herself and what to do from that point on. "Has she ever hurt someone?" Her voice began to waver, becoming quieter and more unsure with every word.
Angela only looked over at the other in short glances, confusion knitting her eyebrows slightly together. "Not that I know of. Lena, what is wrong?" Much to her dismay, the brunette continued to look down through her half-lidded eyes, her hands now clenching into fists as her body began to shake. "Lena?" She asked once again, worry beginning to overtake her.
It took a few moments for Lena to speak up. "She's been." She paused for a moment, thinking of what to say and how to exactly say it. When she did, her voice was quiet and to herself. "Touching me."
"Oh, Lena…" She said with great and deep sympathy, instant regret for her words hitting her as the urge to pull off to the side of the road and pull the other close became more and more intense. Despite only being a few streets away, the apartment had never been so far away as the weight of what had been said seemed to slow down the time in the car, leaving the two trapped with their own thoughts for far longer than either would have wanted at that point.
Angela pulled into the apartment's parking lot, turning off the car before reaching over, placing a hand on Lena's shoulder lightly. From the dim lights outside, tears could be seen that began to form in Lena's eyes. As she pulled the other into a hold, Angela spoke in a soft voice. "Let's get up to your room. You can tell me more there if you want."
With a slight nod, Angela let go as the two head up to the apartment. As the door opened, the other roommate could be seen on the sofa, the mixed lights from the TV washing over her as she sat. Looking out, Pharah got up once seeing the blonde in the doorway. "Angela, hi."
As her gaze rested on on the other for just a moment before Angela raised a finger. "Not now, sweetie." She said, leaving the other with a confused look, completely unsure of what was going on as Angela led Lena to her room, leaving Pharah with no other words.
Once the door had been pulled closed, Angela sat Lena down onto the comforter of the bed and pulled up the desk chair next to her before sitting down to face the brunette. "If you can, I'm here for you to tell me whatever."
"I don't think there is much more to say." The words leaving her lips were soft and towards the back of her throat, each one proving to be difficult to make out.
A hand was placed on Lena's shoulder, the pad of her thumb rubbing into it softly. "I understand," She began, "If you want, you can try to talk to Gabriel about Amélie."
"Do you think he will care?" Lena asked, glancing up at the other. She had heard of Gabriel as being the owner of the restaurant, but never before had she really seen him in person.
The corners of Angela's lips turned up in a small, reassuring smile. "Of course. I can go with you, if you want."
She waved the notion and the other's worry off slightly. "I can do it myself.."
Angela gave her a slight nod, small smile not leaving her lips as the hand on her shoulder gave it a slight squeeze. "How about for now, you just rest up?" She asked, pulling the corner of Lena's sheets back as the other got up slightly before laying down on the soft sheets underneath, obviously approving of this suggestion. "I can make you something if you're hungry."
Lena simply turned over on the mattress, facing the wall and leaving her back to face Angela. "I'm fine. I'm just going to bed."
The blonde simply nodded and pulled up the comforter, allowing it to cover the body of the other woman still in her work clothes, covering her in a layer of plush blanket. "Alright then. Sleep well."
Getting up from her chair and sliding it back to its place at Lena's desk, Angela was about to open the door when Lena spoke up again, a small "Thank you," parting from the blanket.
A small, sad smile was all that could show as she looked over at the brunette, seeing what true effect the manager's actions had on the younger girl in front of her. "This will all be over soon." Was all she could say as a last measure of reassurement.
Pushing open the door and parting the room, the sight of Pharah standing in the hallway had come to her closer than she would have wanted. She looked onto the other with an expression of sadness and disappointment, easily disapproving of what she had done. Remaining quiet, she pushed Pharah aside as she closed the door, wanting to leave Lena with a lasting notion of privacy; not wanting her to know that the secrecy of their conversation had been let out once it was known that Pharah had been listening in.
Riding through the city streets the next day brought a new air. With the wind passing by, Lena passed alongside cars, the rising sun of the morning creating the brunette's spirits bright and sunny along with it as Angela's words coursed through her, a new sense of hope coming forth. As she came around the side of the restaurant, she hopped off her bike, letting it rest against the wall as she head towards the back.
Rounding the corner, she caught the sight of a man pulling a ring of keys attached to his belt from a retractable ring, the small cable connecting the collection as he put a gold one into the back lock, and twisting it open. Letting it go from the lock, it snapped back to its original position, drawing back under his grey hoodie, opening up the back kitchen despite the restaurant opening at 5 pm. As she watched the man from afar, Lena began to prepare herself for the talk.
Taking a deep breath, she came decided announce herself, making herself noticed in the given back lot. "Hi'ya, are you Gabriel Reyes?" She asked, looking at the man who now turned to face her, his hand pulling away from the door handle that he had been reaching for not a moment ago. To say that the scars decorating his face didn't add a level of intimidation would be outright lying. Having only met him once before, he need to make sure was necessary.
"Who's asking?" His eyes scanned over the woman before recognition hit him. Something about the hair made it hard to forget who she was.
"I'm Lena Oxton. I work at your restaurant, Talon." She said, nodding over to the building beside them.
Arms crossed over his chest, Gabriel simply nodded as the other spoke, the look on his face becoming less patient as he silently encouraged her to get to her point.
"Right.." she said quietly, heart becoming heavy and unsure in her chest. "It's about your manager, Amélie."
At this, he rolled his dark eyes, finding no amusement in being bothered with the woman's personal problems, and instead shrugging away any possibility of him caring or worrying. "If you have an issue with her, then you can talk it out with her."
Lena's heart sunk impossibly deeper as her spirits went with it. It was at this point that she could barely manage to speak, let alone continue her point. "I can't.." She began, looking down onto the dirty asphalt, the unsureness continuing as she doubted herself even more. "She's been..Touching.." Her sentence was cut short as emotion built up, leaving the brunette unable to say any more.
It was with this that Gabriel had given his full attention, understanding exactly what was going on without a full explanation from the waitress. "You don't have to say anymore. I get it." He thought about it for a minute, shifting his weight from one foot to the other before continuing. "If you can do me a favor and run a package over to someone, I can go to Amélie now to take care of this once and for all."
Relief washed over her as Lena almost perked up, exhibiting the first bit of actual happiness since last night. "Of course. Thank you so much." It was at this point that it was over. She just knew it. "So, where's the package?"
Resting next to the restaurant's back door was a pile of what could best be described as stuff, standing tall and each part of it wrapped or boxed up to conceal what was inside. From the top, he grabbed a package. It wasn't too big or heavy; just the right size to be carried for an extended amount of time. "They're just a mile or so down this street at the docks. You can't miss them. Just say that I sent you there."
Lena took it into her outstretched hands, putting it under one arm and giving him a nod. "You got it, sir." she said with a smile.
"It will probably be faster if you just run it down." He said before getting back to work.
Taking no time at all, the brunette ran off, following the given directions, each lengthy and rushed step led her closer and closer until she found herself at the docks.
For the most part, the space was open and empty, leaving area mostly free of people, save for a group of men. Being some of the only people there, Lena knew that they must be them, leading her to go up and approach them with not a worry in the world. "Hi'ya. Reyes sent me here to give you this." With an air of innocents, she simply handed it over.
The man she had assumed was the leader of the group took the package from her and tore it open. Peering inside, it took him all of a second to close it back up, a scowl forming on his face. "Tell Gabriel we already made a deal." He handed the package over to a man next to him who had appeared from behind the van nearby. He then looked inside as slowly, other men appeared next to him, all of which were holding guns.
The scowl on the leader's face formed deeper, the apparent anger and annoyance coming through more so than it had before. "Reyes really thinks he still runs this town, doesn't he?" He asked to no one in particular before looking back over at the delivery girl who was simply frozen in place, finding no ability to move or even think of what to say. "You really expect me to take this?" As he spoke, his men raised their guns, all of which landed on Lena. "I guess we will be sending Gabriel back your head to show him who is really running things."
Adrenaline kicked in as Lena turned on her heels, legs taking her faster than they ever had before. As they hit hard against the pavement, she got a matter of spaces away before the shots rang out, all but one of them missing. In an instant, a white hot heat raced through her upper arm, a pained scream bubbling out of her throat as she grasped for it, the sleeve of her shirt becoming more and more stained with red as her hand became coated with hot blood pouring from the new wound. Throwing herself behind a crate nearby, Lena gritted her teeth hard as her breath came out in harsh ins and outs. Attempting to calm herself down, she braced herself against the cold metal and attempted to calm her breaths, each second of existence becoming a misery as the pain did not seem to go away.
Outside, vans began pulling up across the docks, more shots cut through the air as what could be assumed as a gun fight began. Each bullet being fired brought more anxiety, and with more anxiety, the less the brunette saw her making it out of the situation alive.
Just as her last doubts left her, a van had pulled up next to the crate, its doors being thrown open as a voice called out to her. "Lena, get in." With her vision going blurry from the pain and overall blood loss, she couldn't see who it was. Almost blindly, she tried crawling towards it, but was then stopped once more. One of the leader's men had found her, and once again, she found herself staring down the barrel of a gun pointed right at her head. His face broke out in a smile staring down at her and soon enough, a gunshot echoed through the space once again.
But she didn't feel the same pain she had before. Actually, she had felt perfectly fine minus the searing pain still embedding itself in her bicep. Looking up, Lena saw the clearly marked exit wound of a bullet hole through his head, almost perfectly in the middle of his forehead. Dropping his gun, the man had collapsed on top of her. From inside the van, a few people had come out as two of them grabbed for her, pulling her in. A woman's voice was heard through the fuzziness of her blood loss. "Get back to the warehouse. She needs help. Now." And with that, the motor kicked up as they drove off.
Author's (Alec) Notes: Writing can be lonely, if anyone reading this what to tell us how we are doing in the reviews we would love to hear it. If you have any question or just want to say hi you can PM us anytime, we love you guys and will love to hear from you.
Author's (Alec) Notes 2: We wrote this a while ago and yeah, we finished this today. We have mapped out the next 5-6 chapters and do plan to write more. We apologies for our weird schedule and thank everyone who read it. Because this is a cliff hanger will we be putting up the next chapter within 5 days.