Chapter Text
The medical bay, a hub of bustling activity, was moderately occupied - but in a room tucked away at the back, Genji and Angela found relative peace and solitude. Nestled in the heart of this busy health centre, Genji was lying comfortably in a bed perfectly centred within the room. High above, the afternoon sun held court in the expansive sky, its brilliant rays penetrating the room through multiple windows. The sun's warm touch made the snow on the mountain range glisten invitingly, the cold blanket threatening to surrender to the heat and melt away.
Genji, his voice carrying a formal tone, broke the silence, "Reyes and Cole have gone to Rome." His eyes followed Angela's movements as she busied herself preparing the medical equipment.
"Mmh," she replied, her attention divided between Genji's words and her tasks.
"Only speak to Gerard," Genji continued, reclining further against the soft pillows. "Reyes is likely planning a retaliation against Talon."
"Right," Angela responded, unwilling to get drawn into a deep conversation about Reyes' approach to handling situations. Despite the urge to voice her opinions on the matter, she held herself back. "So, Rome... isn't that where the new Blackwatch facility is under construction?" She turned around to meet Genji's gaze, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Yeah," Genji affirmed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh, I assume you'd be spending most of your time there once it’s complete?" The tinge of sadness in Angela's voice was barely noticeable, but it was there. She tried to hide it behind a weak smile.
"Most likely," he replied. Angela could sense a certain reluctance creeping back into his voice as his eyes darkened slightly. "I shouldn’t even be telling you this," he added after a pause.
Angela’s lips pressed into a thin line before she shook her head, "Even if you didn’t, there would be nothing I could do about what Blackwatch does. Jack doesn’t heed my complaints anymore." She moved to his bedside. "Alright, you mentioned you were having some trouble with your pointer finger?"
"Yes," Genji confirmed.
"Let me see," Angela requested, her tone turning professional.
Angela gently placed his finger under the small microscope adjacent to his bed. She removed her glasses and peered down, her eyes meticulously analysing the delicate cybernetics underneath. "The Neurone that I’ve linked to your finger..." Her brow furrowed in confusion, "The axon’s been severed... How did you manage that?"
Genji shrugged nonchalantly, his gaze once again lost in the view outside the window.
With a sigh, Angela straightened. "I’ll need to re-replicate the neurone from your left pointer finger again. It shouldn’t take too long."
She started making her way to the medicine cabinet. "I have the capability to administer Tramadol to you, ensuring that you won't experience any discomfort during the procedure."
"But wouldn't diamorphine be a more effective choice? I'm afraid that the pain will still be excruciating." He sat more upright in his bed.
"Genji," the she interjected, firm in her decision, "I'm not going to give you diamorphine. Trust me, the pain won't be as severe as you're imagining."
Genji responded with a roll of his eyes, skepticism etched on his face. "How can you be so certain about that? We are talking about nerves and neurones here, aren't we? It's not like I was awake and aware the first time you performed this procedure. As you might recall, I was unconscious."
Angela was taken aback by his sudden bitterness. She was a skilled doctor and had full confidence in her abilities. Why was he questioning her? Did he really underestimate her expertise that much?
“Genji i’m a doctor, of course I know what’s best for what I do.” She stepped back a little, her feet heavy against the floor.
"Can't you just administer some diamorphine?" His arms folded defiantly across his chest, his body language displaying his impatience. He let out a sigh, heavy with exasperation, as he watched her reaction closely.
"Are you a drug addict?" The question slipped from her lips, carried by a wave of genuine concern that etched lines into her usually composed face.
"No, I am not, Dr. Ziegler." His voice rang out, incredulous and a notch higher in volume, the surprise evident in his tone. "Obviously, I've had my fair share of experiences back in Japan-"
"Obviously?" She cut him off, her brow furrowing at his casual use of the word. "You say 'obviously' as if drug use is a universal experience. I won't hesitate to escalate this to Morrison if I suspect you of entangling yourself with any sort of illegal substances." Her voice escalated in tandem with her rising indignation, the shock of his cavalier attitude towards drug use clear in her tone.
"Of course you would run to Morrison. It seems that's all you ever do these days." The room fell into a thick, tense silence following his biting words.
A bitter stare-off ensued, their eyes locked in an unspoken battle for dominance. Eventually, their determined gazes lost their intensity and wavered, breaking off the silent confrontation.
“I’m- I’m sorry Angela, that’s not true. I shouldn’t have said that,” Genji began, remorse tinging his voice. The tension in his body, which had been as taut as a bowstring, began to ease with each word he spoke.
Angela’s eyes, a clear and bright blue, gleamed with unshed tears that threatened to spill over. “No, it is true, Genji-“
“No, it’s not at all, Angela," he disputed, his voice firm with conviction. "All you've ever wanted is the best for people, for the world, and you've never been afraid to use your voice and try your hardest to achieve that. Your dedication to your work, your unwavering belief in humanity's potential is beyond inspiring. It's brilliant, and so many people in this place fail to give you the recognition and credit you really deserve for it. Instead, they undermine and underestimate you. You have every right to complain-" Genji cut himself off, stopping himself before he could continue. He cussed under his breath, tearing his eyes away from Angela, his face marring into a scowl once again. “I didn’t mean to underestimate you or be rude to you,” he confessed, his words were a little more rough and quiet, maybe because he’d turned away again.
A single tear rolled down Angela’s cheek, its journey painstakingly slow as she stared at him, her heart aching with a silent wish that he’d look at her again. “Thank you, Genji,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He simply nodded in response and tilted his head back against the plush pillows, his gaze focused on the sterile white ceiling as he replayed his words back in his head. Normally, he would wish to take them back, but this time he didn’t regret it. He knew she needed to know just how much recognition she truly deserves. He’d owed her every word.
Angela turned to the medical cabinet, her fingers wrapped around the cold silver key, opening the doors to reveal a rainbow of coloured bottles and bags. She pulled out the Tramadol and Diamorphine, familiar tools of her trade, and made her way back to his bedside once more, in an attempt to alleviate the remaining tension that still lingered in the room.
“Tramadol, or Diamorphine?” She quipped, holding the drugs in either hand like a scale of relief. Genji turned his head towards her and smiled.
He mock-hesitated for a moment, his left arm reaching up to rest on his chin, and Angela let out a breathy chuckle at the playful gesture.
“I think I’ll take your advice, doctor.” He motioned to the Tramadol with a small smirk. “I’d never underestimate you.”