The Villain Wrangler | Overwatch

Chapter 34

Gabe sat on the exam table and tried not to snarl. Angela was helping. Hell, she had helped, with everything she'd done shortly after the explosion. He clenched his jaw, but forced it to relax when she shot him a sympathetic look.

"Would it be easier with her here? Or Jack?"

He was shaking his head before she finished asking. "If this is gonna kill me, I want to go out on my terms."

"Meaning, you'd lie to them."

He snarled. "They're good for each other."

Angela didn't reply, but she sent him a reproachful look before she turned back to her equipment.

He knew she wouldn't agree with him, but she knew him well enough to not fight him. He lay back when she instructed him to, blindly staring at the ceiling while she took scans, x-rays, and who knew what else. His mind kept circling back to her question. Would he tell Angelica? He'd lie to Jack, no question, but Ange? He sighed as he rolled over for another angle. No. She deserved to know the truth. Jack, too, if he was being honest with himself.

"Alright. I want to get some blood samples, too."

"Angela..." he began, then sighed. "Fine."

He presented his arm, looking away. He really wasn't comfortable with doctors after the SEP, and didn't want to watch if he could avoid it.

"Gabriel," he felt her hands on his and looked over. "They both do love you. Even if you are dying and no one else knows, they need to."

He met her eyes, then nodded. "I know. Now, can we get this over with?"

She smiled as he turned away and quickly filled her samples. When she finished, he pulled his sleeve down and marched out of the medical area, waving as she let him know when she was done.

—

Angelica studied the craft, trying to hide her skepticism.

"You're sure about this?"

Torbjörn laughed at her expression.

"Aye, lass. It'll hold, and be well enough to make a few extra trips if needed." He clapped a hand on her forearm. "Listen. I've been doing this for years. It'll hold. And your boys are more than capable of keeping an eye on things down here."

She glanced down at him, trying to glare through her smile.

"I know. I do trust you. It's just..." she waved at the small ship. "Space. I'm going to space. To the moon. To talk to gorillas. It's...." She trailed off, watching as the team loaded the last of the supplies. "It's a lot more than I expected," she muttered, half to herself.

"You've been doing fine, lass," he told her, patting her arm before marching off to bellow at Jesse.

She smiled and turned to go, wanting to make a final check of everyone before they left in the morning. Satya was trying to isolate herself, but Hanzo and Amélie were slowly pulling her out of her shell. Angelica hadn't see much of Mei, but she had heard that she was still a bit fragile. She had taken a room in Zenyatta's wing, spending time with the monk and Angela.

Angelica shook her head, amused. Zenyatta was rapidly becoming the councilor for the whole team, but he didn't seem to mind overmuch. He did spend a bit more time meditating in Bastion's garden, but he wasn't complaining to her. She guessed he was happy, being able to help all the broken people who made Overwatch their home.

She shook her head and went looking for Gabe. He was either more relaxed about the upcoming launch than Jack was, or he was hiding his anxiety better. She couldn't tell with him. The man had an amazing poker face when he wanted to. She found him on one of the observation platforms, staring out over the beach. I wonder if that's whet they mean when they call someone "broody"? she wondered idly as she walked up beside him.

He wrapped her in a few tendrils as she approached, tucking her under an arm once she was close enough.

"Worried?"

He nosed her hair, kissing her temple. "Yeah. We only have one conversation with them, and Winston said they were tearing apart the human scientists when he left."

"I'll be okay, I-" he spun her around, cutting her off.

"Don't. Don't make-" he fell to his knees, burying his face against her stomach. "Don't make a promise you can't guarantee."

She held him, feeling him shake and wondering how to help. She looked up at a footstep and saw Jack.

He sighed and ran a hand over Gabe's shoulder. "Torb hasn't had a machine fail yet, and Lena and Winston will bring her home. And Ana can't get to her in space."

Gabe stiffened, then relaxed and stood slowly. Angelica looked between him and Jack.

Jack's jaw stiffened. "We found an old safe house, with a target set. You're her endgame."

"We also found some of what Moira did to her, and some evidence that she might not be completely sane right now," Gabe added.

She leaned into him, relaxing as he held her close, holding out an arm out for Jack. She wiggled until she was comfortable between them, then dropped her head onto Jack's chest.

"Wanna go watch a movie and cuddle until I have to go? We can be a mess of panic together."

They laughed but didn't move. Eventually, she managed to extricate herself. She glared at them.

"Right. Jack, go find pizza, or Chinese takeout, or something. Gabe find booze and a sappy movie. I'll bring the pj's."

"You bought pajamas?" Gabe asked, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose it's a bit much to hope for something lacy and revealing?"

Jack smacked him on the shoulder as she laughed.

"For me or you?" she asked, eyes dancing.

He froze, like he hadn't considered it. "You know what? Me. I would look amazing in a little black lacy number."

"True, but it's flannel pants and a t-shirt. Easier to fit without knowing measurements."

She sauntered off while they ribbed each other, making her way to her room for her presents.

—

She knocked on the door, jumping back as it slid open under her fist. She grinned up at Gabe.

"Hey. Hear back from Angela?" she asked, pecking him on the cheek.

He returned the kiss, deepening it as he shut the door behind her. "Mmm. Yeah. Apparently, some of what she did fixed a lot of what Moira was talking about. Some issues she wants to keep an eye on, but nothing lethal."

"Good. I'm not through with you yet." She lightly slapped a package against his chest. "Thought you'd like those."

She moved past him to find Jack and present his while Gabe wraithed into his pajamas behind her, laughing.

Jack rolled his eyes at the bats and jack-o-lanterns parading over Gabe's flannel pants and went to put his own on. Angelica was in the bathroom when she heard Jack's bark of a laugh, echoed by Gabe's.

"Foxes? Really?"

She stepped out in a black tee and yellow smiley face pants to grin up at Jack. He was shirtless, in low-slung blue flannel pants decorated with dancing foxes.

"They didn't have silver ones."

Jack sighed while Gabe collapsed against the sofa, hooting with laughter. Angelica kept a straight face, watching Jack. He sighed, chucking a pillow at Gabe's head then sitting on the couch. Gabe sputtered as he sat up, glaring at Jack.

"Boys," Angelica said, sitting between them and dishing out the Chinese food onto plates. They settled down, watching the animated adaptation of Tolkien's books while they ate.