"Excuse me. Ma'am? Miss Ziegler?" Angela bemoaned at the peaceful slumber she was having before seeing one of the doctors approach her.

"Yes?"

"Apologies, but we need to give the patient his pain medication and replace his IV. Along with providing tonight's dinner." She tried sitting up before feeling Noah's arm still be wrapped around her. She chuckled at his little antic before pulling herself off. Noah didn't notice it while the doctor's injected the latest dose.

Once they were done, Angela watched the doctors work and stretched her back. The popping sensation made her more aware as she got up. The doctor's also brought in some chicken soup and bread.

Angela's mouth watered at the sight and realized it's been sometime since she last ate. A nurse tapped her shoulder and held up a tray.

"For me?"

"Yes, we'd like to extend this as a form of thanks for repelling Doomfist."

"He got away." Angela replied sadly. Any recent development on finding the man has stumped the team. Even Widowmaker seems to lack any updates.

The nurse shook her head. "It would've been worse if you weren't here. And for that we'd like to thank you." Angela accepted the tray and watched the doctors give an approving nod before leaving.

She sat down next to Noah and tore into the bread. The buttered crust and fluffy insides were much appreciated. Many hospitals these days have improved their cafeterias and with the extra funding towards the medical industry, hospitals are able to provide better food for their patients.

"Mhm. Something smells good." Noah mumbled. She looked up and saw him grinning at her. "Care to help me up?"

Angela moved his tray onto his bedside table and pushed it closer to him. Grabbing his spoon, Noah slowly sipped soup. The medic took the time to break his bread and place it down. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." They quietly went back to eating before Angela put down their bowls on the table next to them. She curled up next to him and just held on. The two barely moved as Noah just enjoyed holding Angela in his arm.

An hour passed of just silence when a question popped into his mind.

"Is there a way to regrow my limbs?" Angela didn't reply. Not immediately. She was just trying to enjoy their cuddle session before the nanobot session she recommended begins. The doctor took a moment to rack her thoughts first. "Angela?"

"No good way." She replied. "It's one of the goals everyone in the medical field that deals with this type of stuff. Nanobots were the first step in regeneration, but the Omnic Crisis happened and they were now used as healing item. I, myself, was highly invested in looking for ways to have regeneration happen for people."

"What happened?"

Angela gave a sad smile as she looked at the bandaged nub Noah bore. "As smart as I was, my mind was still not good enough to crack the code on that. They were...others who would cross lines to attain that and in a way they did."

"Really?"

"But to do so included breaking so many ethical barriers that it could be seen as the same arrogance that started the Omnic Crisis. We're lucky that Omnics have their own humanity with them. But…"

The conversation definitely moved somewhere else, but Noah never heard her talk about it this much. Maybe she opened up like this before and just needs to do it again.

"What they did, what I did down the road. This belief in progress to do something such as human regeneration has led us to someone like-"

"Reaper." He finished. Angela swallowed nervously. She just wanted to say regrowing limbs was a work in progress, but now its turned to something much deeper. "Angela, I...I remember some things about you and Reaper. That you're responsible for something that happened to him."

"I wanted to save my friend. His ability to survive almost anything with the enhancements of America's super soldier program was remarkable. But he was still human and I took that from him. Because I didn't want to lose someone without trying to save them."

"Oh." The room felt tense as Angela squeezed Noah's shirt tighter. She gave a shaky breath.

"I did something, something that boosted his already impressive powers to near immortal levels. I don't know what I did. I just...I'm sure Gabe was dead the second I found him and I brought someone worse."

Noah moved his hand up to his neck. It seemed harder to breathe now. "Those nanites that you used for Fareeha and Genji."

"They were a prototype for a plan to stop Reaper when the time came. Burr has fought Reaper many times and each time he went above and beyond trying to slay him. That's when I went around to develop my weapon. And I worked on them harder these past few years in case he ever returns.."

Noah didn't say a word as he just laid there. He could feel his shirt grow damp. "I...lost my friend and brought to life some damn shadow."

"You believe he's still out there."

"Burr went on to label him KIA, but I know he's still out there. If a mountain couldn't kill you then he's out there. I want to know why he's not coming here. What's he planning?"

"Hey off chance, Reaper's probably having a cup of coffee with a few...friends?"

Angela didn't say anything and held onto Noah a bit tighter when he kissed her forehead. She just laid there when Noah closed his eyes again. Her eyes looked at the sky through the window. The darkening sky slowly shadowed her eyes when her communicator rang.

She got up and looked at the message. The doctor reluctantly moved Noah's arm and grabbed her coat.

"If you're leaving take my gun." Noah mumbled. She turned and saw him looking at her with sleepy eyes. "I don't...want you to go defenseless…"

He fell back to sleep and Angela smiled at him. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. She slipped out with his gun holster on her hip. Stepping out, Angela was surprised to see Widowmaker sitting near by looking at her communicator.

"Fareeha sent out a call for you to be at Efi's workshop. They need you to examine something. And if you're worried McCree and Tracer are on their way over here. So don't worry."

"What about you?" Angela asked.

The sniper didn't answer and was just fiddling with a coin. She flipped it. "I'll remain on guard until they arrive and when you leave. So don't worry."

"Right." Angela moved past Widowmaker and called down a cab.

In ten minutes she arrived in front of the workshop and found Fareeha outside with her hands gloved.

"Fareeha?"

"Hurry up and come inside. I think we need a second opinion on Efi's new work." Angela followed her in and saw Efi currently typing something on her tablet.

"Ms. Amari, I think we'll need to rewire the bundle inside. It isn't moving as fast as with the other components."

"I'll look at that." Angela said. Efi turned and smiled softly at the doctor. "Ms. Ziegler. I'm happy you got my message. We need a second opinion on this new invention. It's currently in the development stage and the prototype should be ready in the next five hours.

Angela looked at the piece of tech and had her fingertips barely graze the product when she found something. "Efi will I be able to give it functions test before we start."

"Yes. That's specifically the reason we wanted you here. I've had models at the ready when I help out the hospital, but this is my custom designed one. Shall we begin?"

The hours passed by as the night approached and the three were putting on the final touches.

At the hospital however, Noah stared at the ceiling with a dull pain on his side. He breathed hard as he tried to deal with an itch on his hand. His right hand. Which was currently smoldering black bits that was cleaned up from the street by now.

"Damn it." He muttered under his breath. "Huh, I bet Genji gets this. Or Torbjorn. Or...Symmetra. Wow, guess a lot of people lost their limbs."

He took a moment to ease his breathing before looking at the tape recorder on his bedside. "And listening to what I did in my former life is not what I want now. Just breathe. Just breathe. Don't think about it. Don't think about it."

He closed his eyes, but his mind couldn't help it. Another vision. The echoes of metal beams and the harsh sting of dust hitting him. The pain medication was wearing off so he could almost recreate every bit of pain within his body.

Clenching his teeth, Noah didn't have Angela's comforting presence. Lena was out patrolling, McCree was doing the same so neither could distract him. Fareeha...Noah prayed would come if anything to just be with him. He let out a strangled gasp when something touched him.

His body reacted on its own and he found his fist being held back from Widowmaker's face. The assassin looked at him blankly before gently putting it down. "I heard noises and assumed you were being attacked."

"N-No."

"Good. The last thing we want now is another attack on you." She pulled up a chair and sat next to him.

"When did you get here?"

"Almost a day now."

"A day?" Noah looked at the time and date. Améile let a ghost of a smile creep up her lips and munched softly on the granola bar she got from the vending machine. The two sat in silence when he turned to her.

"So what I'd miss?"

She shrugged. "Nothing much. I dropped off Burr's tapes about you and stopped an assassination attempt on your life." Noah looked at her in complete surprise as she continued to chew on her treat. "It turns out Indominus is a lot tougher than I thought."

"Yeah. I barely saw him move when we first met. And now I hear he can go toe to toe with you. I'm in deep shit."

"Perhaps, but from what I've seen you're nowhere near as strong as you were two years ago."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Talon kept footage from Egypt and we've had to study you before we captured you. I must admit I was a bit worried when I saw how skilled you became."

"Worried?"

Améile tossed her wrapper away. "Not worried per say, but intrigued. Even when weakened by Reaper, you attempted to escape. Even caught me off guard."

"I...remember some fuzzy details about that. It's honestly getting easier to remember my time in Overwatch than anything else. I sure did hate you. After all, you were the head of some my torture sessions."

She flinched at the cold tone at the end of that sentence and tried to continue this conversation. "You took on most of it with stride. It was after taking in our newest chemical weapon that you broke. I imagined the side effects extreme."

"Very...it's been on me since I escaped. Gotta admit, I never saw that coming. Still I gotta know why did you change? You turned against everyone in Talon around the time I was there and even helped in the rescue. Explain that."

"..." Améile didn't say anything before pulling up a picture of Burr. "You broke the straw on the camel's back. After I broke you, I...I finally felt guilt. True guilt. I had taken the most precious person my love holds and broke them. Everything I felt since I met Burr finally came through and I couldn't handle it anymore. It broke my programming. So I left. I wanted to change myself for the better and I thought it'd be no better than helping you escape."

Noah let that answer in. "Couldn't you have helped me escape?"

"Wouldn't you have tried to kill me the second I tried?"

"Fair enough. Still what'd you expect would happen? I'm surprised the others work with you so closely."

"Death. No wanted me except for Burr and maybe Mercy. No, everyone else wanted me dead and those who weren't vocal about it were neutral or wanted to use my abilities for good use. Burr was the only one who truly believed in me. It's different now, but there will always be that tension between us. No matter how hard I try."

Noah didn't say a word before deciding on one thing. "Help me up." Améile raised an eyebrow before moving to sit him. She pushed him up and moved to face the edge of the bed. He grabbed the cane left on the side of his bed that she brought in and tried pushing himself up.

"We need to go home."

"Right."

0-0-0-0-0

Angela wiped her brow as she finished up the last few details on the material. Her communicator rang when she came up and answered. At the same time Fareeha's did the the same.

-I've taken a look at Genji and the purge seemed to have worked. He should be good to go in the next couple of days.-

"Thank you Mei. With all the craziness happening I'm happy to hear Genji will be with us again. Now you said Ana had something for us."

-Yes, she'd like for you all to return to Gibraltar as soon as the doctor's give the ok for Noah to leave. She's expecting everyone to return.-

"Efi and Orisa have agreed to come join our ranks with Efi being Winston's replacement on technical support. Can you have arrangements for Winston's second, unused lab to be ready to accommodate those two."

-I can work on it with Reinhardt and Zarya. The equipment there can be rather heavy.-

"Thank you Mei."

Meanwhile Fareeha was having another conversation with her mother. "Really?"

-I received the message from Widowmaker. Noah is strong enough to leave the hospital which means you must return home. Now begin packing things up.-

"Yes ma'am." Fareeha hung up and turned towards Efi and Angela. "Efi, you can finish up on our way over to Gibraltar."

The teen looked at Fareeha in complete shock and almost dropped her tablet on the floor. Angela managed to see it and catch it. "G-Gibraltar."

"Yes, I assume that Orisa is doing better." Efi nodded excitedly as she turned to her Omnic ally who was in stand by. Her eyes shined brightly as she ran around to grab the needed equipment. Angela watched with some mirth when Fareeha touched her shoulder.

"We should grab all our stuff from the hotel as well. Noah's strong enough to leave and we should get ready to move on to our next mission."

"Good to see you're doing better." Angela said with a bright smile. Fareeha lowered her arm and gave a weak smile in return.

"I am. I'll be even better more after we get back to base."

"Noah will love what you and Efi have done." Fareeha let out a nervous chuckle and turned to the door.

"Let's get ready to leave."

A few hours have passed and with McCree and Tracer with them, they converged at the hospital. Tracer was on her communicator with a contemplative look as McCree waved at Widowmaker just outside the door. She gave a small wave back and opened the door.

Noah looked at his friends when they entered. He held himself up with a cane as he greeted them.

"Treatments worked. I should be able to move now. Albeit limited, but baby steps."

McCree stepped forward. "Good, now come on. We're going home." Noah seemed almost relieved to hear that as they took a cab back to the airfield.

The ride to Overwatch seemed long. If only that Noah fell under due to the pain medications that was being pumped into him along with the nanobots repairing the majority of damage. Whenever he woke up, Noah would look around then lift up his shirt and feel the fresh scars now present on his torso. Slashes and healed holes decorated the skin and was always prodded with delicate care as if they could burst open at anytime.

Fareeha was in the pilot's seat with Lena, who seemed happy for a particular reason, and McCree was going through weapons maintenance for the armored suits of Mercy and Pharah. Angela sat alongside Efi who was adding some paint to a new product that Noah couldn't see. The only one next to him was Orisa, who was up for conversation.

"I am glad to see you recovering nicely Mr. Bastian."

"Thanks and to you as well." He noticed the new metal plating on her. Orisa had her scrapes from the fight, but Noah guessed that the repairs was from after she saved him from the rocket. Now the two were both recovering slowly from that fight.

"God I'm tired."

"Perhaps you should sleep."

"I slept too much. Besides I'm almost bored of sleeping these days." Orisa eyed the nanobot canister attached to his arm. "And this is the only thing keeping me from being bedridden."

Orisa blinked. "I see, perhaps we should play a game. Efi taught me I Spy."

Noah shrugged. "Sure, why not. I'll go first. I spy something blue."

"Agent Pharah's Raptora Mark VI Armor."

"I was going to say the sky." Orisa beeped confused before seeing the small remnants of the blue sky.

"Very well. I spy something metal."

"You."

"Ah, Mr. Bastian that is where you are wrong. It is in fact Agent McCree's Peacekeeper."

Noah blinked and faked pout. "Well next time why don't you be a bit more specific with your item."

"Why don't you?"

"...You got some sass on you know that right."

The game continued on until they finally arrived on base. Lena landed in the hangar where Ana was currently waiting for them. The doors opened and everyone walked out. Noah grabbed his cane and followed everyone out. Widowmaker was the first to leave as everyone else got ready to follow.

"Good to see everyone again. And our two new recruits." Efi and Orisa barely seemed to keep their excitement when Ana walked up to them with a kind smile. "Welcome to Overwatch."

"Yes of course! I mean it's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance for the first time Ms. Amari."

"You can call me Ana." She replied and held out her hand. Efi shook it excitingly as Orisa saluted.

"Greetings, Ms. Ana. I am OR-15."

"I like Orisa better." Ana said.

"Very well if that is what you desire."

Ana nodded at the omnic and turned to McCree and Lena. "Lena, up to my office. Jesse, take these two to the secondary lab Winston hasn't used. I believe the location would be suitable for someone of your needs."

Efi nodded and McCree picked up Efi's tools and luggage. The two followed him out when Ana turned back and the smile fell off her face when she saw Noah. She approached him and eyed him.

"Ana?" He asked.

"I was told of your injuries and I'm currently finalizing what I'm gonna do with you."

"Sorry, didn't mean to be such a burden."

"Nonsense. As long as you can stand on your two feet and be willing to fight you'll be just fine. However given what Angela has told me about your current state, we need to make some new adjustments for you."

Before Noah could ask what she meant, the bay doors opened and Sombra ran out as fast as she can. Symmetra was following after her with the current reports on display on her palm. Angela and Fareeha wisely moved to the side as Sombra came in and almost tackled Noah.

He found himself being barraged with questions in Spanish as she looked over him. "Oliv-Sombra I'm fine!"

She gave him a somber look that shut him up. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I heard it was Akande you went up against! I imagined a damn body bag."

Fareeha squeezed her hand tightly around her bicep as her pupils dilated. Angela noticed and put a hand on her shoulder. Sombra turned to them and scowled. "And I have a few words for the both of you. But I'm not in the mood to make this headache worse."

"Sombra enough. He's safe and that's all you need to worry about." Ana stated before Noah could step up.

Symmetra looked on at how Sombra held onto Noah and saw how the joking hacker has transformed so fast into this worrying figure. Sombra rolled her eyes and stepped away from Noah. "Right, you're right. I suppose you looked at my plan."

"I have. Now Sombra, I need you back to work. Like you promised." Sombra huffed and turned to Noah.

"I'm only staying to watch your back."

Noah sighed. "Thanks. I appreciate that."

Symmetra approached. "I've found some new intel on the Vishkar employees that match our new assassin's description. This would be easier with some help."

"Course Satya, I'll be right there." Noah noticed Satya's eyes drift away from her along with her face darkening. "Look if things go my way I'll give you a call."

"O-K. Why?"

Sombra's teasing nature came back as she turned around. "I dunno, you'll just have to find out."

Fareeha turned to her mother, "What does she mean?"

"I'm sending Noah away." Everyone in the hangar froze as Ana crossed her arms. "Let me explain in the office. I left my tea up there and I'd like to drink it while it's still hot."

They made their way with Angela and Fareeha confused on the situation and Noah unable to pinpoint his feelings. They made it up and saw Lena carefully poking around the office. She saw them and blinked towards her seat.

Ana began, "Currently speaking, Noah, the injuries you sustained would require physical therapy for at least two months."

"Two months? I can't stay away for two months."

Ana stood up. "You will. Angela is our only medically licensed healer in the group, but what you need requires more. Therefore it has come to having you be moved off base and into London Bridge hospital near King's Row."

"What? Mother, Noah is a targeted agent."

"Who hasn't been targeted?" Ana laughed. "Fareeha, I'm not sending him alone. I said King's Row."

A blue zip came in with Lena at the ready. "That's where I come in, right? Shoot I got the news while we were in Numbani and wanted to spill the beans there, but I didn't know if Ana would go all the way. Don't luv, I'll keep Noah nice and safe there. Besides I think we can get some serious training down there."

Ana nodded. "Yes. I saw the footage of them against Doomfist and was quite impressed especially considering that they barely trained together on that maneuver."

"That's cause I work with the best." Noah said.

"Aw Noah, you're making me blush." Lena said and quickly felt the stares of his two girlfriends bearing down on her. "Next time we'll do even cooler moves!"

"Having said that, Noah, you are under Tracer's orders until you return to active duty here. The only one who can tell you otherwise is me." Ana said. "Now I believe for the time being King's Row will be where you reside. I suggest you begin packing. You will leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"I like to say we run on a tight schedule especially if you want to get better and find the rest of our team."

Noah nodded and stood up on his feet and limped out with his cane. Angela and Fareeha were about to follow, but Efi, waiting outside, stopped them real quick. She pulled out the box from underneath her seat and smiled brightly.

Meanwhile Down The Hall

"Noah." He turned around and saw Genji walking up to him. "It is good to see you my friend."

"Genji, you look better." Noah replied. He pushed himself up with his cane. The two shook hands. "Given the last time I saw you, you were trying to kill me."

"I apologize." Noah saw the cyborg carried a sense of guilt, but was trying to respond to the jovial tone of his comment. "Though I see it has finally gotten my brother to finally join Overwatch."

The two turned and saw McCree talking to Hanzo from a distance. The archer didn't seem to care so much, but snuck a few glances at them.

Noah chuckled and faced Genji. "Well things are going well." Genji looked at Noah's missing limb and took a moment to stare at it.

"Do you feel ok?"

Noah looked at his nub and could almost feel him clenching his right fist. "It tingles. Sometimes...it hurts especially when I wake up."

"The phantom pain. I understand that sensation more than anyone else. It still lingers to this day." Genji flexed his fingers. "But still…"

He outstretched his fingers and placed them on the wall. With a small grunt, he clenched his fist and hit the metal. It bent to his will. Noah looked in awe as Genji drew his fist back.

"With every bit of pain you receive, the relief is even greater and even more strength. I can see that you readily accept your burden."

"Honestly, after slowly trying to relearn my life I'm surprised I'm not dead."

"Will I ever get to hear about your life?" Noah shook his head and held up the tape recorder in his pocket.

"No, I listen first. Maybe soon, but for now it's just me." The two shared one more laugh before seeing Angela enter the room with Efi and Fareeha. Genji saw the brightness in Noah's eyes light up when it landed on Angela.

The cyborg patted him on the back. "I hope you two work things out well." Noah nodded. "She is one of my oldest friends, so please do be careful."

"I'm sure you'd be more than happy to know I'll let you kick my ass if I ruin things."

"I won't lie." Genji responded. "I would."

They heard footsteps rapidly approach them and saw Efi walking up. "Hey Noah!"

"Hey kid. What's up?"

"Nothing much, but I managed to make your request in record time."

Noah didn't say a word and looked at the box in her hand. It was a good sized box with a ribbon on top. He snickered at it when Efi pulled it off. He opened the box to see a new arm. It was black with red adorned on it. He picked it up and felt its weight.

"Now it's composed of carbon fiber with metallic plating on the back of the hands and knuckles. So you can strike harder."

"Um, how should I-you know?" Efi looked confused before realizing. She reached into the box and pulled out a socket.

"I took some measurements of your arm for the socket. Your...arm will change occasionally, so when it does come to me and we can create a new one." Noah nodded and saw Fareeha staring. He put on the socket then attached the new arm.

"Thanks to Omnics we were able to produce far more prosthetics now then in the past. I hope you are pleased with this."

With a final click, Noah looked at his new right hand. He urged it to move right, it moved right. He clenched his fist, the fingers curled together. Noah turned to the wall and gave a light punch. The echo could be felt.

"This...this is amazing Efi. Thank you." He was in complete awe. The teen smiled happily at the news.

"That's not all. I found some missing pieces from the battle of those gauntlets you had. I took off your left one for repairs."

"You didn't."

"We did." Efi gestured toward Fareeha. "It was her idea. As a way of this arm doing more than just the normal bits. It needs a certain amount of pressure to activate though as we would want you accidently firing when you open your hand. But I'd wait till you-"

Noah opened his palm and heard the energy hum. Efi yelped in surprise as a strong beam of light erupted from his hand and hit the rocks from a distance. The initial contact melted the rocks down while the rest on top fell to the sea below.

Everyone else in the area gasped at its power as Efi looked the most stunned. "I guess it had more power than I initially thought."

He clenched his fist and the light died down. "It's amazing Efi. I should really give credit where credits due."

"Well it wasn't just me. Ms. Amari and Dr. Ziegler helped out. They're knowledge in robotics and prosthetics is what really made me do a good job on this. You should thank them as well."

Noah patted her on the head. "Of course I will. Though some should still go to you. You didn't have to make this arm. It would've been perfectly fine if I got a hospital standard."

"No way! I mean sure you could have, but you defended our city from Doomfist! You may not have won, but you repelled him and I think that deserves a reward as well."

He scratched the back of his head meekly. "It wasn't just me."

Efi nodded. "We know, but still. Doomfist is one of the powerful terrorists out there and you took him on one on one. You're definitely growing to become one of the best heroes Overwatch has!"

Everyone looked and saw Noah's eyes shine for a second. Efi looked a little confused when Noah covered his mouth. "That's...something."

Noah was actually blushing at the compliment. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Efi."

"Sure." Noah patted her on the head when they heard a new set of footsteps approach.

"And here I thought we were under attack." Ana said with Reinhardt right behind her. She eyed his new arm. "Never recalled the new arm."

"It's new." He clenched his fists to show, but felt a twinge of pain for some reason. "I-I better go back."

He turned to the small teen next him. "Thank you again Efi." He grabbed his cane again and pushed himself forward. Fareeha saw him eye his arm with some concern. She watched him leave and waited for a few minutes before following slowly.

Angela was about to follow when she saw Ana shake her head. She stopped right there and sighed. Ana patted her on the shoulder. "Fareeha needs this."

"I know."

Noah flexed his new arm around. Sleek, functional, and moved with better reaction speed than he ever did with his natural arm. Just what he requested. In most areas it was perfect, an attachment he would never take off.

He then took it off and tossed it onto his bed.

It felt so unnatural. Despite asking for it, Noah couldn't help but be bothered by it. The small amount of phantom pain he feels always reminded him that it wasn't his arm. He could lose it, but he wouldn't feel pain. The arm he lost was nothing more than decaying dust or scraps of meat scrubbed off the floor yet he could still feel it. It was almost surreal to feel he clench his fingers into a fist despite no hand to respond to that command.

It felt so off. Years of running, gunning, and bombs and now it seems to have taken a toll. Part of him wants to throw the arm into the black sea and sink to the murky depths below, the other wants to hold onto it and make use of it. Efi, Fareeha, they've spent so much time trying to make it perfect and ran it through Angela for its approval.

A sharp knock was heard and Noah slapped himself back into the situation. He opened it to see Fareeha standing at the doorway. "Noah! I mean, Noah, how are you?"

"Fine. You?"

Fareeha nervously tapped her fingers against her side before answering. "I was just, you know, wondering how the new arm is. I, uh, understand if it needs some extra work and that-"

Noah chuckled at her nervous stance. "It's perfectly fine. The arm is a marvel and I'm glad you took time to help make it."

"Actually it was mostly Efi, I just used a bit of..." He stared at her, "You're welcome."

She peeked in and found it on the bed. "You're not wearing it?"

"Eh I thought I'd try it out later. Besides I-" He stopped when she saw her look fall. "Fareeha, it's wonderful. I mean truly."

"You don't like an artificial arm." Fareeha stated cooly. Noah froze at her tone as she seemed to breathe harder. "I'm sorry, maybe if I did something I could've...you wouldn't need that."

Noah felt uneasy. "Fareeha."

"I better go." She walked backwards before trying to bolt. Noah reacted quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Fareeha stiffened and tried fighting against it, but found herself in his room with the door closed against her back.

A hand slammed next to her head as Noah looked right into her eye. "Don't. Don't go, don't talk, just listen."

"But-" She started before Noah punched the wall and silenced her. She wasn't accustomed to this side of Noah. He was different. Firm and with an aura of command. The soldier stood still.

Noah made sure she wouldn't talk and started. "I heard you talked to others on this. Angela, Jesse, and Ana. So I'm not going to beat this dead horse with you. I know who's fault it is."

Fareeha rolled her eyes. "Obviously you're going to say it's not my-"

"It is your fault." He replied simply. Fareeha froze at that and saw the dead serious look he had on his face. Her brain began to short circuit as her mind was trying to comprehend what he just said. Her breathing picked up as the one comfort she always believed was proven to be wrong.

Yet he refuted that when he woke up. Maybe he finally realized what he got wrong.

"I-I...Noah, I thought-"

"I'm not finished. You don't talk." He replied back. She felt tears well up as she assumed now the worse was going to come. It was over between them.

"You fired the rocket at Doomfist to incapacitate him and it hit me instead." He started. Fareeha could barely contain her sobs as tears began to stream down her cheeks. "I lost my arm because of that. Because I was in its path."

"Please, Noah!" She started, but he stopped her again.

"And that is my fault." He finished.

Now the world stopped as Fareeha looked at him confused before downright pissed. She pushed him back and Noah hit the wall as Fareeha looked even more angry at him. "Are...Are you serious?!"

"Completely. I failed to get out of the way when I decided to charge at Doomfist. His fault for dodging, Lena's for no proper reaction, and Indominus fault for stopping Jesse and Angela from reaching us in time."

Fareeha felt her tears well up as she laughed sarcastically. "Oh my god, you ASS! Are you trying to say everyone is at fault? That I shouldn't kick myself over what was my mistake."

"It's not just yours Fareeha. It is everyone's in one way or another. And while it's true your rocket did the damage, the explosion was caused from my attack as well. I could've dodged it or at least brace for cover." Noah started.

She put her foot down. "Or you would've been blown to pieces! Noah, you can't-you can't just brush this off as everyone's fault."

"I can and I am. Fareeha, this is my mistake as much as it is yours. If I was smarter then I wouldn't have lost my arm."

"If I took a moment to examine the situation then-"

"You were doing your duty as a soldier and hero. You didn't hesitate, your mother has given you that advice before, am I wrong?"

"No, but-"

Noah continued. "You were only doing your job. Fareeha, I knew the second I joined I would probably lose something here. Honestly I'm quite surprised with my past that now I lost a limb."

Fareeha didn't say a word as Noah stopped talking and looked at her. Her breathing calmed down slightly as she covered her eyes with hand. Choking down one last sob, the soldier uncovered her eyes and looked at Noah.

"I...was thinking about this conversation for awhile. And despite all the outcomes you still surprise me."

Noah gave a small bow.

"You're still an ass you know. I thought for a second you were going to blame only me and that it was going to be the end of...us." Noah chuckled and grabbed his new arm. He attached it with a small snap and grabbed Fareeha's hands.

"If there is an end, it's going to be to take a lot more than an arm to do that."

Fareeha glanced away from him and did her best not to look at him.

"And no more of this blaming yourself. I know you've been kicking yourself since the mission. Jesse told me and I want you to stop that. Partially it was my fault too. You know it's a bit hard to be at fault if everyone keeps taking it from me."

Fareeha sniffled at that before snorting in laughter. That was the rarest thing Noah's ever seen. "Fine, if you insist."

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Good, now maybe I can have you not looking at me with sad eyes. Personally I liked those bedroom eyes." Fareeha instantly blushed as Noah held her close. She felt his lean muscle through the t-shirt and remembered their shared moment.

Noah snickered and kissed her cheek. "You know why? Because I was your boyfriend in those eyes, not some pity case."

"I would never-" He turned her over and had her back pressed against his front.

"You wouldn't. Not on purpose, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened." Noah whispered before trailing down. "And sometimes that pisses me off. Maybe I should punish you for that."

"S-Sorry." Fareeha groaned when he pressed against a sensitive spot. "I-I didn't mean to!" Noah saw her rubbing her thighs together with her eyes closed. He pressed the tip of his tongue against her skin and she gasped.

He smirked to himself and arched his natural hand onto her thigh. She opened her eyes and almost melted at it. Noah could almost see all her inhibitions break down when he continued. "Fareeha."

"Yes?" She moaned back.

"I know the suitable punishment." He inched closer to her core. Fareeha swallowed nervously as Noah teased her further. "It's perfect."

"Perfect." She purred back. Noah loved that small undertone her voice took when she wanted something. Put that with the particular glint she has only for him and he knows that this woman was his. Rather a possessive part of him that claimed her, one rarely appearing.

He pushed a little further and drew little circles with his fingertip. "You know why?"

"Why?" She whispered back. Her lust was starting to get back to her and with Noah's teasing it was growing back to when she was her early years as an adult.

"Because I can't strain myself with such activities." He stopped and moved from under her. Her butt hit the bed as she felt the crushing tease leave her with no payoff. Noah leaned against his desk and grabbed his cane. "Angela herself said I shouldn't do anything drastic until I recover."

"Y-You're such a jackass today."

"Still feel better."

"For some reason." She said spitefully. Her pants were very uncomfortable now and Fareeha knew they weren't going to be taken off by her lover. Noah chuckled and walked back to her. "I made up my mind. We're over."

"No we're not." Noah said as he approached her again.

"Yes we are and I hate you." She replied and crossed her arms. Noah chuckled and kissed her on the lips. She replied stiffly before slowly giving away. Time passed and soon Noah found Fareeha's arms around him as they were playing a movie on the TV.

Fareeha held Noah close as he tried his best not fall asleep in her strong arms. It took a good amount of strength but he finally decided to move out.

"You okay?"

"Well I do have to get ready to move. Or just grab enough clothes and necessities for Lena's apartment."

She looked at Noah almost sadly. "You know I'm going to miss you."

"It's only for a few months besides I'll call you. Given you're not on mission." Fareeha didn't say a word and just rested her chin on the top of his head. The movie became just white noise to her ears as they continued to enjoy each other's company.

"What're going to do?"

"Hm?"

"What're going to do after all this is over. When Gideon and Vishkar are gone, when Burr is saved? Would you...leave?"

Noah let that question slowly sink in and sighed. He looked at his body with the multiple bandages and the spikes of pain. Temporary as they may be, Noah knew his body wouldn't recover all the way. There was too much damage. He can hold it off, but eventually the decay would get to him.

"Maybe. As much as I would love to stay and even with the great benefits here I don't think I can go on forever."

Fareeha nodded at the answer. "I fear that answer as well. I can't imagine what I'd do if I was in your position."

"Yes, you would." She looked down at him. "You would get back up, pick up your launcher, and kick ass."

She laughed. "That's nice to hear, but you know what I'm not like that. It's...too difficult to do something like when I…"

"I didn't say you did it alone. You have Overwatch and I'll make sure to be here for you as well. As I know you will for me."

Fareeha felt Noah shift around and face her. The light hit his back while the shadows hit his face. He leaned in and kissed her. She sighed contently when he pushed for more. The next few minutes were slow as they made out.

"Mmm." Noah gave out as he kissed her collarbone. "I want you."

"Didn't Angela say no to see this?" Fareeha said. "And didn't you tease me earlier for wanting this?"

He tugged at her pants and slowly slid them off her legs. "No to what I want. It'll be gentle tonight. And consider this my apology."

Fareeha pulled off her shirt along with his and held his hand. "Of course."

0-0-0-0-0

Aryt and Moonlark fell onto the floor as Indominus walked up and tsked. They both got up and prepared their next strike. It took a bit of time, but their new operative was already up on his feet and testing his abilities on their top agents.

"Hah!" Aryt shouted and tried to throw a fast jab. Moonlark slid behind Indominus and attempted a tackle. The assassin caught Aryt's blow and swung him around. He hit Moonlark with his new hostage and sent them both flying.

"Not bad, but you still attack like you're alone."

Moonlark got up and rolled her shoulder. "And?"

"And that's why I'm not surprised you weren't able to take on Noah when it was the two of you. Do you have any idea on how pathetic that is? How you two are?"

Aryt got up and growled. His sister was endanger, his ticket to saving her was still alive, and this douche was calling them pathetic. He got up and charged. Indominus got into a tall stance and waited patiently.

"Aryt, wait!" He didn't listen and swung wildly. Indominus ducked and weaved each strike as if they were nothing. He gave a small grunt and struck Aryt in the chest. The guy let out some spit before Indominus landed a heavy blow to his stomach.

Moonlark watched her companion fall to the ground with his body twitching. Indominus turned around and beckoned her. She took a moment to breath and got into a stance. The two stayed still for the longest moment before she charged.

The armored assassin raised his arm and blocked the first punch. He pulled her in and punched back. She flew back and landed just off the mat and onto the floor. "You seem to have a better head on you than your partner. So tell me, why can't you stop your one target?"

She got up and rubbed her chin. "I don't know. I suppose you could tell us." Aryt was slowly getting up and clutching his stomach. He faced Indominus and slowly went to a stance. His body was shaking.

Indominus kept his relaxed stance and egged them. Moonlark and Aryt looked at each other before charging again. The two charged and Moonlark threw the first punch. He caught it along with her second fist. Holding her down, he swung Moonlark around and saw Aryt duck.

Moonlark went flying off as Aryt landed a strong uppercut to the gut. Indominus felt still as the blow was landed.

"Got you." Aryt said. The mask reflected the cocky smirk when Aryt found himself on the ground.

"No you didn't." Indominus watched the two struggle to get up. "You need to work together. Not attack together. If you keep doing this then you'll just repeat your shortcomings."

The two struggled to move when Indominus kicked them up. They panted hard as he got into his stance. "Now stand up and fight. Fight as one."

"You sure took the role of the teacher."

"That's only because Gideon requested it. And I do see the reason why. Now shut up and get to work." Aryt and Moonlark took a breath and began their new assault. Indominus duck and weaved through each of their strikes.

"HAH!" They yelled when they found an opening. Moonlark caught one of his arms and locked it in. Aryt smirked and sent a high kick. It connected and knocked Indominus onto the floor.

The two were taking in deep gulps of air when Indominus got up and chuckled. "Not bad, not bad at all. Keep it up and you'd be exceptional. For now, you're pretty good."

"Yeah, don't you ever underestimate us." Moonlark said between breaths. Aryt looked her surprised before turning back to Indominus.

"Then next time I'll let you kill your target." He dropped his stance and hopped off the mat. They could feel him smirking when he turned around. "Don't let me down and keep up the good work."

With that he disappeared into one of the teleporters on the wall. Aryt and Moonlark watched the teleporter for another second before relaxing.

"Never underestimate us?" Aryt said.

Moonlark turned to him with her stoic expression. "Yeah. He did and we proved him wrong. Besides I know how much Bastian means for your family. I'll help in any way you need me to be."

Aryt looked surprised as she lifted her lips to something of a...smile. She never smiles. "Thanks, but unless you can cure her then don't try too hard."

It fell off. Aryt hopped off the mat and rubbed his tender stomach. "But appreciate the gesture. I'll try to be more level headed when we go out on mission again and we'll try to be coordinate better."

"Good. Now rest up." She walked away and Aryt's eyes lingered on her for a second longer.

*Next Time

"Welcome to King's Row and to my apartment." Lena said as she opened the door.

The rooftop was quiet as Noah faced Lena. The time traveler took a stance and smirked. "We can take basic training here."

Noah looked at his scouter and texted Sombra. -I think it's time for an upgrade.-

0-0-0-0-0

I'm not dead! Honestly I'm glad I managed to get this chapter out when I did. I feel like I missed out on a lot of stuff. I got kind of burned out of Overwatch for awhile, but feedback from you guys is what I need to keep moving forward. I haven't given up on this story yet and I intend to keep it that.

Though let's be honest. School and college are going to get in the way in the near future so I want you all to expect less chapters coming out per month. As much as I would like to focus on Among Heroes and ending it, I have my own life that needs my attention. I hope everyone can understand that.

But that does mean that every chapter I put out now will have to have even more meaning. I promise to do my best to see this through. Now remember to leave a review as those are the most important parts in helping this story continue.