A Man's Heart Within

Chapter Two - A Shadow Returns

Chapter 2: A Shadow Returns

Genji was on his second week in the hospital, though in all honesty he only needed to stay for one. He felt as though he should try to assist Dr. Ziegler to repay her. Walking around the hospital, Genji greeted patients and talked to them, also helping Angela whenever he could.

He silently mused to himself. 'There I go again with calling her Angela. It really should be Angel. A woman as pure and kind as her, always trying to save everyone.'

He could see her now, with her golden locks tumbling down her shoulders at the end of a long day, her tired blue eyes rimmed with circles from sleep deprivation.

As the first week had gone on, Genji had grown comfortable with her, laughing and making jokes with her as though she were a close friend. He would watch her interact with the patients, always so kind and caring. As she flitted from room to room, Genji could never help a smile coming to his face as he saw how tired she was, yet how beautiful she still was through that. A truly incredible woman, he thought.

The thoughts of her that filled his head from day to day made it worth suffering through the nightly battles of depression that he often lost. His legs and chest a host to many more scars than the ones Hanzo inflicted.

She interrupted his thoughts with a small smile as she caught him staring at her. "Genji, could you fetch my examination clipboard for me please? I believe I left it on my desk."

He replied, slightly sheepish as he noticed he had been staring. "Of course, Dr. Ziegler. One moment." Genji walked through the small hospital, taking in all of the sights. Based on the amount of soldiers and operators he could see, he knew he was in some sort of military hospital. Yet, for military, everyone was awfully informal and willing to speak with him openly, smiles on their faces. He passed through a waiting room as he went to Dr. Ziegler's desk, seeing many different nationalities, all wearing the same blue and black uniform, all with the same insignia on the chest and shoulder.

Reaching her desk, Genji took the clipboard from the center of a mess of papers, looking down and seeing the word "Overwatch" plastered over almost everything. With a questioning look, Genji returned with the clipboard to Dr. Ziegler.

"Here you are, Dr. Ziegler. Right on your desk, just like you said", Genji reported with a smile.

Despite everything, she still was the only person to bring a smile to his face, besides the cowboy of course, whom he had sought after when he was able to move in order to thank him.

"Ah, thank you, Genji." With a small giggle as she looked through it, she asked, "I hope the intimidating stack of papers wasn't too offsetting. With so many patients, I find little time to actually fill any of those out."

"Not at all, Dr. Ziegler. Though, I-I did have a question regarding those papers. What is Overwatch?", he asked cautiously.

Her laugh calmed his nerves a bit, though he did feel like he had asked a redundant question.

"Of course, Jesse never told you, did he? Which tale of his was it this time? Was I the witch or the devil?", she asked, still giggling.

Since he had been able to get up and walk, Genji had found the man named McCree and thanked him for saving his life. In return, he got a hat tip and a toast from the third glass Jesse was downing that morning. Genji found that he liked Jesse McCree, and found him quite entertaining. The two became fast friends, though they were on fairly opposite ends of the spectrum.

Laughing, he replied, "As a matter of fact, the cowboy told me both. And a few extras."

Angela looked mortified. "He's come up with more?"