( There's a nod, an understanding of his intentions. It will be alright, and if he thinks it would be temporary then Ana may even hope for that. If not she would learn and adjust. She could, somehow )
They just got what they wanted.
( He'd been a success, and Gabriel too. They'd stood against the Omnics, had brought hope and peace. That was all that they'd cared about, but not what Ana did. She wanted to know the rest -- the things only he could know )
[So they got what they wanted, sure, but not without human cost. Jack was one of the lucky (and alive) ones. Even if they made it through the program, graduates got mowed down by Omnics just the same. Overwatch had been the only way to win that war.
And now here he is, thirty years later, trying to make sense of it all. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.]
I don’t know what I expected. They wanted to make us better soldiers, and I wasn’t going to say no, not given what we were up against.
( And if it was more than what she'd seen in the field, something other than saving a life, then it might feel different.
Jack had gone through this before she'd ever met him, and then it had just been a fact -- accepted without these personal questions. Some she'd later asked, found out more, but nothing this deep )
[Jack has to think about that, and it's evident on his face, because the only thing his enhancements are really good for is making him an absolute nightmare on the battlefield or in hand-to-hand. He supposes the fact that he's incredibly difficult to kill is also good, but he knows that's not what Ana is looking for.
He takes a moment to relocate, releasing her hands and sitting down at the kitchen table.]
I know you don't need to be like me to protect people, but. It's nice. Knowing that I can.
[That's an even trickier question, because Jack's choice had been entirely rooted in circumstance--and at the time, it had seemed like something he had to do. His patriotic duty, or something like it. Thinking about it now feels like something he didn't even live, like the person who signed his body away to the US government at twenty years old isn't even him. In many ways, he wasn't.]
I wouldn't have met Gabriel.
[Which, of course brought its own measure of strife, but he doesn't regret their friendship. Jack wouldn't be the same without him, in a large variety of ways.]
Wouldn't have been tapped for Overwatch. Wouldn't have met you.
[He meets her eyes when he says that--it's the most important thing, as far as he's concerned.]
( Though Ana had been looking for honesty that wasn't what she'd expected. There's a noise, a sort of reflex chuckle, but she knows he means it. Unquestionably )
Then I can weather it. As long as I stop breaking all of the cups.
( Because that's her temporary goal. She's not going to dream of getthim to make all of the tea -- Ana has too much pride for that.
She gives him a nod, a silent thanks. It'll all work out )
[More joking, but that much is true at least. Another thing he wouldn't have experienced if he never met--Ana. He'd have garbage tea-making skills. It doesn't take long for him to take care of it, and soon he's setting two steaming mugs down on the table. No teacups, this time. Something a little sturdier.]
( There's a nod, and a few secpnds of hesitation that he'll be able to notice. Picking it up is no issue, and a few seconds after she tastes it there's a smile )
It passes.
( It more than passes -- it's good. Even after all of this time he remembered exactly how to make it.
The mug stays in her hands, risking the pressure of holding it rather than trying to put it back down )
[If he had a touch in the first place. Jack is watching the way she handles the mug, seemingly ready to reach out and correct her if it looks like she’s about to shatter it. But these mugs are sturdier, and her grip is more careful. Obviously, the situation is less than ideal, but they’re both adaptable.]
Maybe when we’re finished I can show you how to jump out a second-story window.
( But she's amused, her first real sign of starting to relax since this thing started.
Though Ana supposes she can see the useful skill in it, if this stuck around. He had had to jump them both, and another passenger, out of a window not all too long ago )
How many floors is it before it isn't recommended to do?
[The most recent instance had been an emergency, of course, and it's not something he's likely to repeat unless there's a need for it. Hopefully, there won't be further need for it.]
[Just, you know, getting old. Secret government juice isn't going to keep him at his prime forever. He already breaks a sweat on things that used to be effortless, knows that he won't be able to push himself forever.]
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They just got what they wanted.
( He'd been a success, and Gabriel too. They'd stood against the Omnics, had brought hope and peace. That was all that they'd cared about, but not what Ana did. She wanted to know the rest -- the things only he could know )
What did you expect would happen?
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[So they got what they wanted, sure, but not without human cost. Jack was one of the lucky (and alive) ones. Even if they made it through the program, graduates got mowed down by Omnics just the same. Overwatch had been the only way to win that war.
And now here he is, thirty years later, trying to make sense of it all. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time.]
I don’t know what I expected. They wanted to make us better soldiers, and I wasn’t going to say no, not given what we were up against.
[When the alternative was extinction.]
It’s not all bad.
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( And if it was more than what she'd seen in the field, something other than saving a life, then it might feel different.
Jack had gone through this before she'd ever met him, and then it had just been a fact -- accepted without these personal questions. Some she'd later asked, found out more, but nothing this deep )
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He takes a moment to relocate, releasing her hands and sitting down at the kitchen table.]
I know you don't need to be like me to protect people, but. It's nice. Knowing that I can.
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( And that isn't really about his abilities or what he's done with them, how its entirely him. His strength helps, but she's glad its him there )
Would you have ever changed it? Looking back now, I mean. After everything that happened with the SEP.
( Not everything since, just his strengt, and the rest of his enhancements )
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I wouldn't have met Gabriel.
[Which, of course brought its own measure of strife, but he doesn't regret their friendship. Jack wouldn't be the same without him, in a large variety of ways.]
Wouldn't have been tapped for Overwatch. Wouldn't have met you.
[He meets her eyes when he says that--it's the most important thing, as far as he's concerned.]
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Then I can weather it. As long as I stop breaking all of the cups.
( Because that's her temporary goal. She's not going to dream of getthim to make all of the tea -- Ana has too much pride for that.
She gives him a nod, a silent thanks. It'll all work out )
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[But he will, if he has to, make the tea. In fact, he's going to get up and do that RIGHT NOW.]
Let me make the tea.
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( But, polite refusal aside, it is appreciated. And maybe she does need one. Help the conversation )
It's just one step at a time.
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[IT'S TOO LATE HE'S GOING. He's getting a new cup. It's happening.]
Unless you don't trust me.
[He says that with a wry smile. A joke, of course, but he's messed up her tea more than once. Jack likes to think he's learned by now. ]
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I trust you.
( There's not many she does trust with her tea, which should say enough )
Tea might be welcome.
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[More joking, but that much is true at least. Another thing he wouldn't have experienced if he never met--Ana. He'd have garbage tea-making skills. It doesn't take long for him to take care of it, and soon he's setting two steaming mugs down on the table. No teacups, this time. Something a little sturdier.]
Just be careful.
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It passes.
( It more than passes -- it's good. Even after all of this time he remembered exactly how to make it.
The mug stays in her hands, risking the pressure of holding it rather than trying to put it back down )
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[If he had a touch in the first place. Jack is watching the way she handles the mug, seemingly ready to reach out and correct her if it looks like she’s about to shatter it. But these mugs are sturdier, and her grip is more careful. Obviously, the situation is less than ideal, but they’re both adaptable.]
Maybe when we’re finished I can show you how to jump out a second-story window.
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( But she's amused, her first real sign of starting to relax since this thing started.
Though Ana supposes she can see the useful skill in it, if this stuck around. He had had to jump them both, and another passenger, out of a window not all too long ago )
How many floors is it before it isn't recommended to do?
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[The most recent instance had been an emergency, of course, and it's not something he's likely to repeat unless there's a need for it. Hopefully, there won't be further need for it.]
Not at our age.
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( There's a smile that she hides behind drinking some more tea, because she wasn't planning on learning )
For now I think handling the strength I have might be better.
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[To leaping out of windows, even if this is very clearly a joke.]
You might be able to beat me in a race, now.
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( He'd barely beaten his time estimate of getting to her on arrival. She remembers, you slacker.
And the race definitely has to happen )
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[Just, you know, getting old. Secret government juice isn't going to keep him at his prime forever. He already breaks a sweat on things that used to be effortless, knows that he won't be able to push himself forever.]
Not as young as I used to be, that's all.
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She's also older. Back in her day-- )
And yet I would place my bet on you any day.
( Any day she's not super Ana, maybe. Let her have this one )
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[He's still joking, but the smile on his face is genuine. Jack tries to hide it with a sip from his mug, but Ana will pick up on it. She always does.]
I'll let you know when it's time to start betting against me.
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( Between his help, anything that Angela could do and whether she reverted back. If this was permanent... )
Maybe I won't need to.
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[Something he hasn't actually told her before, but now seems like an appropriate time to bring it up.]
It was temporary. [A small offer of reassurance.] Realized I'd forgotten what it was like not to have them.
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How long were they gone?
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