indigenousmccree

[indigenousmccree]

saving the world, one iced coffee at a time

a very long fic for a very wonderful friend, @bilbows

Regina didn’t really know what, exactly; she was walking into – literally and figuratively – as she opened the door to Sedona, a semi-formal eatery she was told to go to when she had been approached by Overwatch via phone call the morning before. Regina hadn’t expected to receive so much media attention for her most successful invention, and while it was definitely a great payoff after all the blood, sweat, and tears she had put into her technology, fame and fortune were not a top priority for her. She did what she did because it was right, not because she wanted to become a household name. Still, Regina was human, and every human being enjoyed praise, especially after working so hard on something that meant so much to her and the people around her who made it possible.

The call she received from Overwatch had been completely unexpected. The invitation to speak to Angela Ziegler the next day over lunch was even more unexpected. Regina had been raised to give everyone a chance. She wasn’t cynical like Sombra or rude like Sonny. She highly doubted this would be a ploy at recruiting her like the two insisted on their three-way call the previous night. Overwatch wasn’t really in the position to be taking in new members. Their reputation was still on the line with the public – Regina included – and while conflict and unrest were starting to rear their ugly heads again, it would take a lot for those government sanctions put against them so many years ago to be lifted and absolved. Regina assumed this would be about funding. Maybe Winston and Angela wanted to help Regina expand her research facility with grants. It had been something they did in the past, and Regina would be hard-pressed to turn them down if they offered her money to continue her work. Sure, she had done well for herself what with saving up her winnings from jingle dress competitions – she had been able to hire someone to help code her tech – and she knew that if she ever truly needed the help Sonoma was just a phone call away – but Overwatch had connections that the Varga family didn’t. Regina wouldn’t sellout, but she would absolutely accept a no-strings-attached loan if it meant being able to branch out, hire, and help more people from where she grew up, and continue to change lives.

So Regina ignored the voices of Sonny and Sombra in her head, the ones that told her they had ulterior motives, that they were going to try and bleed her dry for not only her work but for her tech, and that sure, Angela was well-known and well-respected in the medical community, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t a snake with a mile-long rap sheet of unethical behavior. Regina loved to gossip with her friends as much as any other person, but she was also slightly more trusting than those two seemed to be. Regina didn’t let her optimism blind her, but she also wasn’t jaded by all of the ugliness in the world. She was like her grandfather in that way – he was a man who fought hard to preserve his way of life and his culture not only during the Omnic Crisis but every damn day – and not once did he ever allow the world to make him bitter. Frank would want Regina to seize this opportunity. He raised Regina to be confident, well-spoken, and aware of her emotions. If this meeting wasn’t what she thought it would be, she could always say ‘no, but thank you’ and leave. There would be nothing gained and nothing lost, but at least she gave it a chance.

Regina focused more on the advice from her grandfather and less on the snark from Sombra and Sonny as she approached the hostess, smiled, and told her who she was meeting. She was led from the front of the minimally decorated and modestly sized eatery to a table for two near a window. Angela’s back was facing her as she approached, but she quickly stood from her seat when the hostess placed the extra menu on the table and turned to greet her. She extended one hand for a polite handshake and used the other to brush stray strands of blonde hair from her face and behind her ear.

“Regina, hi,” her accent was thick enough without nerves adding onto it, “it’s so nice to finally meet you,” Angela’s smile was genuine and warm. So far, her first impression on Regina was decent, albeit forgettable. “Please, have a seat. I’m so excited to get to know you,” she gestured to the chair in front of her and removed a large messenger bag from the table. Angela tucked it underneath her feet and scooted closer to the table, making sure that the bag and its contents were still within reach. This was her first time doing this, ever, and she hoped that she didn’t come off nearly as flustered and slightly disorganized as she truly was. Winston and Jack hadn’t given her much time to prepare. They had seen Regina on the news, contacted her, and set up this meeting all within the span of just a few hours. Angela was a perfectionist and this situation was less than ideal. She understood that time was a luxury these days, but one more day to practice lines in the mirror would have been nice. This was her first time on the other side of the table. She had only ever been in Regina’s seat before. It did make more sense for her – a doctor – to go speak to Regina than it did Winston or Lena or Jesse, she understood that, but maybe having Jack feeding her lines through a barely noticeable earpiece would have been a better plan of action.

“Thank you, Angela,” she assumed it was fine to call her Angela and not ‘Doctor’, this was a casual setting after all, “it’s nice to meet you, too,” Regina was a little surprised at how cold Angela’s hands were, but she returned the polite smile as she sat down and decided not to focus on such little, petty things. She really, really should not have called Sombra and Sonny. They were terrible influences. “So,” Regina cleared her throat and shifted, crossing her legs as she unraveled the silverware in front of her from its napkin and placed it neatly in her lap, “is it impolite of me to ask what this is about?” Her polite smile turned into something slightly awkward. Regina wasn’t intimidated by Angela’s presence in the least, but she definitely wanted to know what this was all about.

Angela laughed a little bit and took a sip from her glass of water, “no, not impolite at all,” there was a pause as a waitress came by. Orders were placed quickly (sliders and fries for Regina, a chicken caesar salad wrap for Angela) and as soon as the brief interruption was gone Angela continued, “we – Winston and Jack and I – asked you to come here because we were so impressed by what we saw during your interview with Meghin Martin,” Angela knew that Regina knew that interview and what news program she was talking about. She was there, after all, so she felt like rehashing all of that was redundant especially since it had been mentioned in the initial phone call they had made to Regina to set up this meeting in the first place. “I have to say, it’s been a long time since I have seen anything quite like what you’ve done. It’s very impressive.”

“That’s very kind of you to say,” Regina offered up another polite/awkward smile hybrid, “I had been working on the baton for a very long time. Seeing it go from a sketch, to a blueprint, to a code and to an actual tangible product was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life,” she had never been much of a braggart, but she was also allowed to be proud of herself. Modesty was one of her best qualities – and one that Sonoma often lovingly teased her for – but just because she was humble didn’t mean she wasn’t allowed to let people know how much her invention meant to her. “It took a lot of work and required a lot of help from so many talented people. Knowing that my invention will help improve and save lives is a feeling I can’t even describe,” she ended her sentence with a bite of a french-fry. The service at Sedona was fast and the food was good. She would have to make a note of that for future lunch dates with her friends. “I know that feeling very well,” Angela spoke as she cut her wrap up into bite-sized pieces, “my caduceus staff was the culmination of years of school, work, failure, and success. Without a doubt it is my greatest career achievement,” she paused to chew and swallow, “but what you have done is truly remarkable,” Angela was being sincere. Regina was a young, brilliant woman full of potential. Her baton was only the beginning. “Using your traditional medicine in such a modern way is so fascinating to me. You know, it’s quite amazing that such a thing is still relevant,” she shrugged and took another bite of her food, nonverbally signaling that it was Regina’s turn to speak.

Angela’s ‘relevant’ comment struck her as strange. What did she mean by that? Did she think that just because the world had changed so much, so fast, that her culture and way of life was deemed null and void? It was such an odd thing to say and Regina didn’t know how to respond, so she filed it under ‘things to tell Sombra and Sonny’ and let it go for the time being. Angela was not only a white woman, but a white European woman who had lived a very sheltered life. It wasn’t an excuse for saying something so downright ignorant and weird, but it definitely explained her way of thinking. Should she say ‘thank you’ again? Should she give Angela a history lesson? She wasn’t entirely sure how to respond. “Well, my background as a biochemist certainly helped,” Regina shrugged and paused on the fry-eating, the three sliders on her plate were practically screaming her name. “Making traditional medicine modern isn’t as difficult as you think when you have the right team,” and her team was full of people from the Poundmaker Reserve. If her team had been full of white men it definitely would have taken more time. “The hardest part of it all was saving up the funds to make my dream a reality. I was very lucky to have the support of my community,” she was also very lucky to be one of the best jingle dress dancers she knew. Never mind that. Regina was going to take some advice from Sonny. Regina was the best jingle dress dancer she knew. Collecting the winnings was child’s play. Sure, it took years, but those years spent undefeated were much easier than the time spent making her eagle feather baton more than just a sketch on paper.

Angela’s eyebrow rose in interest. Regina had made the next part of this very easy for her after mentioning money unprompted. Maybe she didn’t need that earpiece after all. “It’s interesting you mention that. I remember what I had to go through to get the funding I needed for my medical research,” it hadn’t been easy for her. Going to medical school without the support and encouragement of her parents was something she didn’t think she was going to have to do, and the fact that she made it happen was a miracle all in itself. “If it hadn’t been for Overwatch, I wouldn’t have what I have now,” sure, she would still be a doctor – an accomplished one for her age, too – but she wouldn’t have the Valkyrie suit, the ability to bring back people from the brink of death – Angela was a miracle worker, a literal angel in the eyes of many, and none of that would be on her resume if it hadn’t been for Overwatch. “They really helped me discover my potential and pushed me to always do better. I never needed for anything once I became an agent. I feel the same way about my staff and technology and my career with Overwatch as you do with your baton,” she took a sip of water before continuing, “it’s so very fulfilling.”

Regina was starting to relax ever so slightly. She had a feeling that her initial assumption about this meeting was correct and that for once Sonny was wrong. Angela was making it seem like Overwatch was interested in funding her research – in helping her continue to make a difference in the world – and it that was the case, Regina wasn’t going to turn it down. There was nothing wrong with taking money from people who genuinely wanted to help. While Regina didn’t agree with the methods Overwatch had used in the past to keep the peace (or whatever it was they pretended to do), it wasn’t like she had to be affiliated with them in any way if she took their cash. She didn’t have to answer to them; she didn’t have to wear their logo. It was a donation and nothing more. No strings attached like every check she had cashed at the bank after taking home another win after a dance competition. She almost wanted to let out a sigh of relief, but opted to finish off her second slider instead and let Angela continue.

“I’ve taken up enough of your time. I know you’re busy,” Angela pushed her empty plate to the side and reached under her seat to place her messenger bag in her lap. As she spoke, she pulled out a manila folder stuffed full of loose papers and a pen, “and I know you’re probably wondering why we really called you here. It definitely wasn’t just for a fast, free lunch,” Angela laughed, happy that Regina had done the same (though out of obligation, not because she found Angela to be even remotely amusing). “Anyway, enough beating around the bush,” she waved her hand in the air and sucked up her nerves. No wonder she had never been sent on any recruitment missions. This was much more intimidating and anxiety-inducing than she could ever imagine. “We need you, Regina,” Angela decided to be as straightforward as possible. She didn’t want to come off as desperate, but the reality was that Overwatch needed people. They were still trying to pick up the pieces, but the threats that were making themselves known were bigger than their organization was at the moment. “Your baton could be game changing on the battlefield,” Angela didn’t want history to repeat itself, but there was no denying that another war was on the horizon if something wasn’t done about Talon and whoever it was pulling the strings of the terrorist organization. Angela had no clue that she was talking to someone who happened to have one of Talon’s members in her address book, her name decorated with emoji’s in her phone. “We could help you make it even better than it is now, and even more efficient. We can give you a bigger research facility; we can give you more employees. Anything you need, we can provide it.

“We could also use your perspective, Regina. Your cultural background, well, it’s unique. Diversity has always been important to us,” and important for tax breaks and other government guidelines and requirements, “and you bringing your heritage into your work is such an out-of-the-box way of thinking, I can’t imagine what you would be capable of if you had the resources we could give you at your finger tips,” as she gave Regina the sales pitch, she opened the manila folder and started to organize the papers as she spread them out across the table. “And again, your baton could save the lives of thousands of people should it ever come to that. I’m only one person with one staff – but with you beside me on the field and in the lab, we could really change the world, Regina,” Angela placed her hands in her lap once all the papers – contracts, forms, personal information sheets, and mission statements – were in the correct order and laid out neatly. “On top of everything I have mentioned, we can even offer housing if you need it. I know that to most people, Overwatch is this huge, faceless organization. Maybe it was like that before, but now, it’s a family. We all take care of each other as we try to take care of the rest of the world. We do what you do, but with us you could do what you do on an even bigger scale,” Angela felt like she did well. Her sales pitch was sincere and heartfelt with the right amount of begging. It was her first time, but she felt confident. She didn’t stumble over her words or spill water all over the table or got on her knees and begged Regina. She felt like she related to the woman sitting in front of her and appealed to her interests, to her morals. She couldn’t wait to hear the good news.

Saying that Regina was in a state of shock was the understatement of the century. She was so thankful that she had finished her last slider and had moved onto something smaller, softer, and easier to chew by the time Angela asked her to join Overwatch. A french-fry was not as difficult to swallow in surprise as a mini-hamburger topped with bacon, onion rings, and lettuce. “I, uh,” she stumbled over her words for a second and finished off her glass of water, “I’m shocked, I’m sorry,” Regina let out a nervous chuckle, wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin, and shoved her empty plate to the side as she avoided eye contact with Angela and skimmed over the ocean of paperwork in front of her. “I’m flattered, I truly am. Overwatch taking such an interest in my work is not something I ever expected to happen. I didn’t even expect to have an interview with Meghin Martin,” Regina forced out an awkward chuckle as she looked back up at Angela’s hopeful face, “I don’t do what I do for recognition. Everything I have done – going to school, studying nursing and biochemistry, making the eagle feather – I did it because it was the right thing to do. I have the means to go out and make a difference in people’s lives, just like you, but we aren’t the same,” Regina knew that sounded harsh, but the truth wasn’t always nice. “I don’t mean to be rude, Angela, but Overwatch has never done much for me or mine. My grandfather fought hard to not only protect me during the Omnic Crisis, but everyone on my reserve,” and it didn’t stop there. Frank was an advocate or all indigenous people. Even before the Omnic Crisis he did what he had to do to protect their culture and their way of life from everything that threatened it. “The Omnic Crisis hit us hard, too. But Overwatch didn’t send agents to our reservation to help rebuild, or to help look for those who went missing, or to offer medical care,” Regina shrugged and sucked her teeth, “that’s why I do what I do.

To be quite honest with you, Angela, I’m very uncomfortable with aligning myself with an agency that has been the total opposite of transparent with the communities who put their safety and trust in your hands,” she was also very uncomfortable being affiliated with an agency that forced their presence into countries that didn’t want them there. Regina had seen the effects of colonization firsthand. Angela was delusional if she thought Regina would want to take part in that sort of behavior at all. “I appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to come see me. I appreciate you showing an interest in me and what I do. But I’m going to have to respectfully decline your offer,” Regina couldn’t believe that she had given this woman the benefit of the doubt. At least she got free food out of the deal. She was an optimist after all.

“Oh, wow,” Angela couldn’t help but look defeated. Rejection was not something she was used to at all. She hadn’t been handed much in life – most of what she had she worked hard for – but she was used to getting whatever it was she wanted. Being told ‘no’ was not something she was accustomed to. She didn’t like it too much. “This was not how I was expecting this lunch to go, I’m a little surprised,” she tried to laugh to ease the awkwardness but it didn’t help, it just made her look pitiful. She was painfully aware of that. “Would you like some time to think about it? I know it’s a lot so quick. I don’t think that rejecting the offer so soon is the smartest option. Maybe sleep on it? Give it a few days and give us a call? Like I said Regina, we can give you everything you need and then some. But I feel like saying ‘no’ and not looking back is a decision you will regret,” Angela began to stack the papers spread across the table neatly in a pile and place them back into the manila folder. She didn’t tuck it into her bag though, hoping that Regina would reconsider and take all of the information home with her to look over and think on for a few days.

Regina, though, would not be doing that. Angela making assumptions on how she would feel after turning Overwatch down was an unsolicited opinion she did not ask for or want. “I don’t think so,” the smile she had forced herself to wear throughout this entire conversation was fading. Fast. “You’ve only known me for about an hour, Angela. With all due respect, I know myself better than you do, and I know when something isn’t a right fit. Frankly, my goals and my motivations do not line up with those of Overwatch at all,” she sounded so nonchalant as she shrugged. Regina was very in tune with her emotions and had no qualms with making them known to others, but in this particular situation it was a good idea for her to remain stoic. Regina knew she was a warm, compassionate, and welcoming person. Too often people tried to take advantage of that and push her politeness to its limits. Just because Regina was nice and personable did not mean she was a doormat. She wanted to make sure Angela knew that. She also wanted Angela know that despite her being young, she wasn’t stupid, and she didn’t appreciate being treated like she was. “I have an obligation to give to the community that always encouraged me, and uplifted me, and kept me safe. Last time I checked those people were not Overwatch.

“Again, I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me,” Regina knew that sounded a little snide. She didn’t care. “But I’m not interested. I already have a great team, I have my research facility. I also have a place to live,” she made a face, because the mention of housing was such an odd thing to hear during what was basically a job offer, like Angela assumed that because Regina had funded everything herself meant that she was dirt poor and sleeping on the couch of a very generous friends house, “there’s nothing you can offer that I don’t already have. I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I could without Overwatch, and I will continue to do so.”

“I understand all of that. I really do. And I’m sorry that Overwatch wasn’t there for you when you needed us the most. But having you join us could ensure that that never happens again. That we don’t leave people by the wayside. Like I said, you could give us a fresh perspective – you could show us what we are missing, or doing wrong. And what you’ve built could really, really revolutionize medicine as we know it. I know I sound redundant, but you could save so many lives with us, Regina. Isn’t that what you wanted to do when you decided to go to school? When you dreamed up the initial concept of the baton?” If Angela didn’t sound desperate before, she sure as hell did now. She didn’t know what she would tell Jack and Winston if she went back to them empty-handed. They had put so much faith into Angela being able to pull this off. Having Regina on the payroll would do so much to improve their image. After everything Overwatch had been through, they needed someone like her. She was well-liked, she was respected, and she was new. They needed the trust of the public again. Getting someone who was once part of that untrusting public to work with and for them was something they needed more than Angela could even begin to explain. Regina was essential, and the people Regina could introduce them to were essential, too.

“It’s not my responsibility to tell you who needs help. That’s yours,” Regina was baffled by Angela’s statement, “the entire point of Overwatch was to protect vulnerable communities that other agencies couldn’t protect without being asked. We asked, but we got nothing in response,” she ignored the manila folder and also ignored the check the waitress had sat on the table. Angela was delusional, Regina had already established that fact, but she would be completely out of her mind if she thought Regina would contribute at all to the check. “And I heard you the first time. I don’t want my technology to be weaponized like yours was,” hopefully Angela wouldn’t ask how she knew that. She didn’t even want to think about what would happen if Angela knew that Sombra was one of her closest friends. Or if she had the Varga family on speed dial. Maybe telling her all of that would make her go away. She couldn’t believe she was considering that to get out of Sedona. “I want my technology to continue to do what it’s been doing so far: saving lives when no one else is around to do it,” Regina knew that Angela lived in some strange, privileged bubble that was so far removed from reality it was terrifying – but Regina lived in the real world. Law enforcement – local or federal – couldn’t be trusted and emergency services were inconsistent at best and nonexistent at worst. “Like I said, I’m not interested,” she didn’t let Angela get another word out before she stood from her chair and pushed it back into the table, “I’m not one to change my mind, either. Please, Doctor Ziegler,” she made ‘Doctor Ziegler’ sound like a slur, “don’t contact me again. I wish you and Overwatch the best. Good luck finding someone to help do you the bare minimum of your job. You’ll need it,” she was quite proud of herself for that quip as she quickly exited the restaurant and reached into her bag to retrieve her phone. She didn’t even look back to see Angela’s face. Her gut told her that whatever expression she was making was pathetic and did nothing to hide her age, and typically Regina’s intuition was on point.

‘You guys are not going to believe the afternoon I just had,’ Regina let out a deep sigh once she was out of eyesight of Sedona as she typed a text to Sombra and Sonoma. ‘Meet me tomorrow at Firefly for brunch. I’ll give you all the details then,’ she was far too exhausted after that experience for a phone call, nonetheless dinner with her two friends. The rest of the afternoon and night to unwind and unpack what had just happened was what she needed – preferably with a glass of wine in her hand to help. A small part of her wanted to feel bad for being so direct and cold to Angela, but the large part of her knew it was the only way to get her message across. She knew people like Angela: entitled, ignorant to the problems of anyone else or how the real world worked, they couldn’t take no for an answer and were shocked whenever someone criticized with them or didn’t agree with their very narrow world view. People like her wouldn’t quit until they got what they wanted /unless/ they were met with just the right amount of disdain. Sure, Regina could have explained herself better. She could have spelled everything out for Angela, but she didn’t owe her any of that. Regina was tired – mentally, physically, emotionally – of constantly having to educate people who should absolutely know better. Angela was a well-educated, well-spoken, well-respected woman. She could figure out why Regina felt the way she did towards Overwatch on her own. Maybe Regina’s swift, direct rejection of Angela’s offer would help, in Angela’s own words, give her a new perspective. Regardless of what Angela took away from their lunch, at least it gave Regina something to talk about at brunch with Sonny and Sombra. The high blood pressure she received was only temporary, being able to make fun of people’s ignorance with the two women she considered her sisters was forever. Maybe the meeting with Angela hadn’t been a total waste of time after all. Regina was an optimist.

The next morning, Regina was shocked to see Sonoma and Sombra sitting at their usual outside table before her. Typically, Sombra arrived five minutes after the established time. Sonoma followed second, usually getting dropped off in a large, black, tinted Navigator if she hadn’t walked. This was a pleasant surprise. Regina made a mental note to manufacture fake drama the next time she wanted them to show up to something on time.

Sonny stood as Regina approached, and looked down at her with a very out of character smile. “I’m glad you made it out alive,” Sonny’s gravelly voice was laced with a laugh as she embraced Regina and kissed her cheek. As usual, she smelled of menthol cigarettes and Bvlgari cologne. Regina really wished she would stop smoking, but they both knew that wouldn’t happen. If med school hadn’t encouraged Sonny to break the habit, nothing would. Regina also wished she would stop wearing heels. It was hard enough to hug her and return the kiss to the cheek when the six-foot-two woman wasn’t in heels, but again, she knew that would never change. “Sombra and I have been waiting very impatiently for you to get here,” Sonny winked at Regina as she adjusted the blazer of her Armani pantsuit and sat back down.

“We both thought the white devil dragged you down to hell with her,” Sombra copied the same motion as Sonoma – a quick hug and peck on the cheek – but the act was slightly more simple with Sombra only being five-foot-four. “We already put in your drink order. Vanilla. Iced. With extra whipped cream, extra caramel, extra sugar,” Sombra sat in unison with Regina and leaned back in her chair, “we figured you deserved an extra treat after al you went through yesterday,” the three of them shared an under-the-breath chuckle and picked up their menus. None of them really knew why they even bothered looking at them. Sonny always got the everything bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, Sombra always got the chilaquiles, and Regina always got the crab louie. Regina would sip an extra sweet, cold coffee throughout, Sonoma would sneak a little bit of whiskey into her dark roast, and Sombra always enjoyed a red eye with her chorizo. There was something comfortable about the strict routine when their lives were so unpredictable.

“You two are so thoughtful,” Regina gently teased Sonny and Sombra as she adjusted in her seat, “I can’t believe you both beat me here,” she nodded a ‘thank you’ to their waiter as he dropped of their drinks, and there was a quick pause in the conversation as they listed off their typical orders, handed the menus over, and took gracious sips from their caffeine-filled glasses. “I wanted to do dinner last night to tell you two everything, but honestly? I needed the rest after what I had gone through. I think Sedona is permanently ruined for me,” there was another shared laugh, and Regina could tell that they were dying for the details. They were both so quiet for once in their lives, it was kind of creepy. Sombra and Sonny both were staring her down, eyes wide with intrigue, totally focused on whatever it was she had to say. Regina wanted to take their temperatures to make sure they weren’t ill. “It was really a surreal experience,” she figured she would just dive right into it. She had already made the two most impatient people on the planet wait long enough. She didn’t want to know what they would do if she didn’t deliver on her promise of good gossip, and deliver quick. “I walked in not really knowing what to expect. I figured that she just wanted to meet. We’re both scientists, you know? We both have that medical background. I guess maybe I thought she wanted to compare notes?” Regina laughed at how ridiculous that sounded.

“I went to med school, too,” Sonoma interjected, “but I’m not getting phone calls from the actual angel on earth herself to ‘compare notes’. And I went to fucking Georgetown and Howard,” Sonny rolled her eyes, but her attitude wasn’t directed towards Regina’s adorable trait of trusting people and always seeing the best in them. “You should have known she wanted something. She’s a white woman, Regina.”

“Sonny’s right,” Sombra had to butt-in before Regina could continue her story, “there’s always an ulterior motive with people like her. They want and they want and they take and they take. I hope you didn’t tell her anything,” Sombra took the stirring straw out of her drink and playfully pointed it at Regina with a grin, “before you know it, you’ll see Angela in an editorial in a health and science magazine holding your baton, except it’s an alphorn instead of an eagle feather.” Regina couldn’t help but to laugh – seriously, sincerely laugh – at her two friends. Both of them had such different types of humor, it was always interesting to see them work together to form a joke. “I know, I know. I should have known better. But unlike you two, I believe most people are fundamentally good,” Regina snorted at the exaggerated faces of disgust Sombra and Sonny gave her, “and don’t worry. I didn’t tell her anything about my technology. As soon as she mentioned something about ‘revolutionizing the battlefield’, I knew better than to give her any details,” Regina shuddered, but was instantly comforted by the plate of food placed in front of her. “Oh, wow. She actually said that?” Sonny’s exaggerated expression of disgust became very, very genuine, “nothing good can come from a woman like her using the word ‘revolution’. That’s, uh, pretty terrifying,” she stifled a gag with a large bite from her bagel, and shut up long enough for Regina to continue.

“It gets worse,” Regina sighed as she spoke, “she thought I would be a good addition to Overwatch because, basically, I’m not white and I would be able to offer a ‘different perspective’,” she used finger quotes to highlight just how ridiculous that was, “and that I would be able to help them make sure that they didn’t leave anyone behind when it came to who they protect and stuff like that,” Regina knew it was outrageous when it came out of Angela’s mouth the first time, but reiterating it only cemented just how ludicrous that expectation was. “It’s like they wanted me on their team to make sure they didn’t do anything racist?” Regina tilted her head to the side, “I’m not too sure what she meant by that, actually. I know somehow that it’s a very messed up, entitled way of thinking but I don’t know exactly how.”

Sombra laughed, but she understood what Regina was trying to say. “I get it,” her fork clinked loudly against her plate as she set it down, the chilaquiles that were once there totally demolished. Sombra didn’t do anything slow, and that involved eating her food. “That’s just such an odd thing to ask from someone. And you know full well they weren’t going to pay you enough for that, either,” sure, Sombra knew Overwatch could make Regina very, very rich, but no amount of money in the world would make playing babysitter to two white people and an actual talking gorilla when it came to race relations and social justice worth it. “What did you say to her?”

“I didn’t tell her what I was thinking, that’s for sure,” Regina was the second to finish her food so she could focus on finishing her delicious, sickeningly sweet coffee drink her friends so lovingly customized for her, “I didn’t know what to say, honestly. I was caught so off guard. She also offered me a place to live. I’m surprised she didn’t offer to provide me a full wardrobe and my own company car, too.”

“Oh, hála Istennek you didn’t take her up on that offer. Have you seen the uniforms the nameless grunts are forced to wear? Have you seen that terrible ensemble she chooses to wear? I could forgive you for selling your soul to Overwatch for the extra cash. I wouldn’t be able to forgive you for wearing clothes like that in public,” it was no mystery that Sonny took appearances very seriously. She was poking fun at Regina, of course, she would love her no matter what terrible outfit she wore, but Sonoma always looked her best even if she felt her worst. She knew her materialism was a flaw, but her father had made it very clear to her from a young age that appearances were everything. In her family, it was a defense mechanism. They did it to avoid suspicion and so far it had worked for them. Sonny came off as egotistical and narcissistic and shallow because of it, but Regina understood why she was the way she was. “They have all of this money but they can’t hire a decent costume designer? Use quality fabrics? That’s definitely not a group of people you want to associate with, Regina.”

“They take things too literal,” Sombra carefully observed her perfectly manicured nails for any flaws. She wasn’t as vain as Sonoma, but she still liked to look good, “Angela literally dresses up as an angel. Jack is wearing,” she paused and thought for a second, “whatever the hell that is he wears. They’d want you to dress up as their token Indian Princess. And you just know they would act offended on your behalf if you tried to explain why that isn’t such a good idea.”

“Ugh,” Regina visibly cringed at the thought, “please, both of you, stop making these hypotheticals so terrible. I can’t handle it. It’s too early,” she knew their teasing came from a place of love, but had she not been through enough in the past twenty-four hours? “You should have seen her face when I turned her down, though. I think that she really thought that I needed her help. It was just such a strange experience,” Regina was struggling to properly explain the vibes she had been given by Angela, but her not being able to verbalize helped Sombra and Sonoma realize just how outlandish the encounter had been. “I walked in thinking that she just wanted to meet me, you know, as a fellow woman in STEM, or maybe thinking that Overwatch wanted to help fund more of my research. It exceeded all of my expectations, that’s for sure, and not in a good way. She looked so defeated when I told her I wasn’t interested. That is a woman who is not used to being told ‘no’. Even after I politely declined the first time she still tried to win me over. If I hadn’t gotten out when I did I’m sure she would have tried to guilt trip me. It was just so unprofessional – her behavior – I don’t know if she was just nervous or what, but I was not expecting her to act the way that she did. It was really unbecoming, you know? My opinion of her was already pretty low. Her first impression was terrible. She is not someone I would be thrilled to run into ever again,” which was a bit of a shame. She and Angela were two very smart women in a field that typically let women fend for themselves. It was unfortunate that they couldn’t work together somehow, someday, but the chances of that happening had been reduced from a ‘maybe’ to a ‘not now, not ever’.

“You wouldn’t want to be affiliated with Overwatch or with Angela Ziegler anyway,” Sonoma dismissively waved her hand in the air as she finished her bagel, “sure, the money would have been nice, but you know if you ever need help I’m here for you, and Sombra is too,” Sombra nodded in silent agreement. “Besides, partnering with Angela would do nothing for your reputation. She obviously isn’t as good at her job as she thinks she is. I know this because I’m still in business,” maybe joking about the amount of bodies she cut into on a daily basis to examine was a little dark, but she was right. Being a medical examiner was still a career despite Overwatch being able to questionably resurrect people or blackmail them into being resurrected. Sonoma would start to respect Angela’s accomplishments as a doctor and as a scientist when her job was no longer needed and she didn’t have to edit the occasional autopsy report to make sure her father and his associates stayed out of prison for the rest of their lives. Business was still a-boomin’; Sonoma could still afford red bottoms and Fendi bags. She would eat her words when the morgue was shut down, but she didn’t think that was going to happen any time soon.

“Jesus, Sonny,” Sombra and Regina had learned long ago to not be surprised by anything that came out of her lipstick clad mouth, but sometimes her delivery was so dry it still felt like the first time they all met and were trying to adjust to each other and their strong personalities. It wasn’t an easy task, but the pay-off was totally worth it. “I hate that I agree with you,” Sombra shot Sonoma a look and shook her head, reaching across the table to lightly squeeze Regina’s hand, “you did the right thing, hermosa,” Sombra knew more about Angela than she liked to admit, and while she wanted so badly to share the incriminating evidence with her friends, she needed to confirm that the rumors were more than just rumors before she could. Everyone had heard the whispers of what she had done to Genji Shimada and Gabriel Reyes – but Sombra had more details than most, and she was relieved that Regina hadn’t agreed to get herself caught up in the web of a woman like that. “There is nothing they could offer you that you don’t already have. With people like that there are always ulterior motives. Being a member of Overwatch doesn’t mean the same thing it does today as it used to. You don’t need them to change the world.”

Regina offered Sombra a warm smile and squeezed her hand in return. She knew she had done the right thing even if she had been a little harsh in the process, but having that validation from the two people that mattered most in her life meant more to her than she could ever explain. “Have I told you two today that I love you?” Regina laughed and sighed at the same time, reaching to pat Sonoma’s knee once she freed her hand from Sombra’s grip. This was what Regina worked so hard for: brunch with her friends at their favorite spot, shit-talking the members of Overwatch like they were the rival clique in high school and not members of a very powerful, global peace-keeping organization. Nothing could get in the way of that, and no one could offer her anything better than crab louie and a sugar-laden iced coffee the morning after a very stressful day. Sure, Overwatch could give her the promise of a consistent income, it could give her and the few employees she valued so much at her modest, yet efficient research facility stability and security, but it couldn’t give her this. Brunch with Sonoma and Sombra was just as fulfilling as her tech going from a dream to a reality, it was just as fulfilling as her being on the frontlines and saving the lives of innocent people, and she wouldn’t trade any of those things for a spot on Overwatch’s roster.

Regina didn’t need to wear the Overwatch logo to be something, to do something. All Regina needed were her friends, her baton, and a large iced coffee, and she could change the world.

#bilbows