The Villain Wrangler | Overwatch

Chapter 36

Angelica was sitting at her desk, glaring at the screen when Gabe walked in.

"Torb's probably working Jesse's ass off. Besides, between Winston, Hammond, and Ao Kuang, they can get out of any issue that pops up," Gabe said, rubbing her shoulders while she stared at the communication console.

"Currently, there is a planet between your team and the communication arrays. We will receive any communications once the planet's orbit shifts," Athena chimed in.

Gabe sighed when Angelica didn't move. "Okay. Athena? Give us a moment?"

There was a soft ping as Athena shut down her sensors in the office. Angelica looked up at Gabe, brow furrowed.

"What-?"

Gabe sighed, sitting in the chair beside her and grabbing her hands. He watched their hands while he tried to pull himself together.

"I lied, earlier." He felt her stiffen and pushed on, not daring to look up at her. "Angela doesn't know what's going on with me. Or how to fix it. Or how long-" he bit that back. "Moira has notes, and the dragons have agreed to go after them. That's why both of the Shimadas are listed as on medical, if you saw that."

He flinched a bit when she moved her hand, but she only twined her fingers with his.

"Moira did this to you?"

He sighed. "Some of it. Some was a side effect of the SEP, some was side effects of... a different procedure. Moira got most of it under control."

She tugged his hand until he looked up at her. "Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered.

He looked away from the hurt in her eyes. "Didn't tell Jackie, either," he muttered. "I-" he sighed, pulling a hand free to scrub the back of his neck. "I don't want you to worry about me. You've got enough on your plate, and-"

"Stop." She glared at him. "You and Jack are more important to me than anything else going on. Don't hide shit like this."

He sighed, hunching his shoulders. "Yeah, I know. Shit like this is why Jackie and I fought too much, before."

"Can you try?" he felt her hand on his cheek and let his eyes slide closed.

"I'll try. Not exactly an easy habit to break."

He kept his eyes closed as he felt her slide into his lap. He looped his arms around her waist as she nuzzled into his neck.

"You're important, dumbass," she muttered, startling a laugh out of him.

"Ma'am, yes, ma'am," he replied, rubbing small circles on her back.

She sighed. "Alright. So Jesse, Lena, Torbjörn, and Winston are on the moon. Hanzo and Genji are on medical leave for now. Lúcio and Satya can't work together. I really hope Talon doesn't do anything for like... a month, so we can get settled again." She flicked his temple. "And tell Jack, if you haven't."

"I did. We were talking about it when the dragons offered to help."

She swatted him lightly. "You have two of us. You don't have to deal with this on your own."

He sighed, resting his chin on the top of her head. "I know. I'm... I'll work on it."

"Good."

—

A few weeks later, the lunar team returned. Gabe watched the ship land, prepared to summon his guns if needed. He wasn't certain how things had gone, Jesse's reports being... brief, and was prepared for the worst. He relaxed when Lena bounced out, chattering happily at someone he couldn't see in the ship.

"So, a few of them decided to join us!" she announced when she caught sight of the team. "This is Fuentes, Larson, and Goodall." She gestured at a trio of gorillas disembarking behind her.

Hammond and Torbjörn exited behind them, deep in conversation as they made their way toward Torbjörn's workshop. Winston guided the three new gorillas off while Jesse and Lena headed over toward Jack and Angelica. Gabe watched as everyone dispersed, then sighed as his phone signaled an incoming text.

-Udon's back with Moira's notes. We need to talk.

He slid the phone back into his pocket, then wraithed off to the medical wing. Jack and Ange could handle the newcomers. Might as well get this over with.

—

Angelica looked over at a flash of movement, then sighed when she saw Gabe wraith out of the room. She shook her head and prepared to integrate the new arrivals into Overwatch. Gabe would let her know how things went. Eventually.

She waved Gérard over, frowning a bit when her phone buzzed. Dammit, Brad... She glanced at the display and laughed. Dick.

Answering the phone, she smiled. "Mister Anderson, what a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Angelica! I know we ended in a bad place, but honestly, it was the board that was pushing me to fire you. You know that, right?" His tone was wheedling, and she sneered instinctively.

She waved away a concerned look from Gérard and began pacing.

"I did tell you that Overwatch wasn't going to associate with you anymore-"

"Please come back," he interrupted. "We need you. You were the best handler we had, and we're losing so many without you."

She laughed. "Dick, I told you that would happen. And no, I'm not coming back. My work with Overwatch is far more satisfying, and it pays more, and I'm getting far more recognition. Try someone else."

She ended the call, blocking the number with a sigh.

"Old boss finally pull his head out of his ass?" Gérard asked.

"Yeah. Apparently, they've been losing supporters since they fired me. Can I be petty? I want to be petty."

He laughed, guiding her toward her office. "I'm sure you will have support in your pettiness. What were you planning?"

"I'll work with Shooting Star, let Overwatch support them and everything, but only if Anderson is removed from a position of authority."

He considered that. "Sounds fair, and you aren't angling to have him fired. Should work. I'll start planning the spin for you."

She studied him. "Has Gabe always hidden health stuff?"

"As long as I've known him. He was always one of the worst patients, too, according to rumor." He side-eyed her, then nodded. "I'm surprised he's told you anything this soon. You're a good influence on him. Both of them, really."

She made a confused sound and he laughed. "You yell when they don't care for themselves. Much like my wife, actually."

She laughed. "I aspire to that level of terrifying."

He arched a brow at her. "You aren't that far behind, my dear."