[Jack knows he's pressing his luck--he risks his life with every entry into the arena, but this is the mission and fighting is what he knows. Angela's here to patch him up as always, though it's not without some guilt on his part.]
It's the mission, Angela.
[What he doesn't say is that fighting is the only thing he feels he can do. He's aware it isn't a real answer, and his eyes are a little downcast as he lets her look him over.]
( she says it every time, at least something to that effect. this time he's okay, leaving unsaid the query about next time.
her hand reaches to his face, pausing her examination to get his attention in full )
It might be part of the mission-- ( which was perhaps the worst of it but she couldn't argue the point ) --but you've done plenty. Surely there's a limit to how much you should do.
[This time. There's no guarantee that next time won't end badly, and each fight is more unnecessary risk. Does he really want to keep putting his people through this? The answer is simply that Jack doesn't know how to stop, even though he knows Angela is right.]
( angela sighs but she doesn't bother to argue it. jack was always stubborn and with the years lost she felt that that had only increased somewhat. her hand falls from his face, pushing up his sleeve to examine where a bruise was already starting to form )
I almost didn't bring my staff.
( it was important to her, and though it wouldn't stick out in the wrong ways here she wasn't certain that she wanted it known about. angela had brought it eventually, and now with the arenas she was glad that she had )
[It's a miracle of science, but the unfortunate thing about it is that it allows him to get back in the stadium that much faster. Combined with COST's technology, his recovery time is almost nonexistent.
He imagines she knows that, and he feels badly for continuing to worry her like this.]
( she'll end up wishing she didn't. though angela doesn't wish to see him hurt or in pain but there would have been the chance to prevent him, or at least slow him, from continuing to go into the arena )
You should be more careful. You've seen enough of them by now, you know what they can do.
( there's a small part of angela that wasn't to argue, to get him to stop if he really is sorry, but it's the mission. it's also a conversation that they've had more than once over the years, though the ones at overwatch were a little different )
[He gives her shoulder a squeeze, trying to offer her a reassuring smile. It’s not good enough—won’t ever be good enough for her, but it’s all he has.]
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It's the mission, Angela.
[What he doesn't say is that fighting is the only thing he feels he can do. He's aware it isn't a real answer, and his eyes are a little downcast as he lets her look him over.]
I'm okay.
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( she says it every time, at least something to that effect. this time he's okay, leaving unsaid the query about next time.
her hand reaches to his face, pausing her examination to get his attention in full )
It might be part of the mission-- ( which was perhaps the worst of it but she couldn't argue the point ) --but you've done plenty. Surely there's a limit to how much you should do.
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[This time. There's no guarantee that next time won't end badly, and each fight is more unnecessary risk. Does he really want to keep putting his people through this? The answer is simply that Jack doesn't know how to stop, even though he knows Angela is right.]
I know. Just another fight or two.
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I almost didn't bring my staff.
( it was important to her, and though it wouldn't stick out in the wrong ways here she wasn't certain that she wanted it known about. angela had brought it eventually, and now with the arenas she was glad that she had )
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[It's a miracle of science, but the unfortunate thing about it is that it allows him to get back in the stadium that much faster. Combined with COST's technology, his recovery time is almost nonexistent.
He imagines she knows that, and he feels badly for continuing to worry her like this.]
Thank you, Angela.
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You should be more careful. You've seen enough of them by now, you know what they can do.
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[Jack is informed, at the very least.]
I guess it’s no use to tell you to stop worrying about me?
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( but there's a smile as she says it. if a brief one )
But you know that answer.
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[Jack puts a hand on her shoulder. It's meant to be reassuring, but they both know they're at an impasse.]
I'm sorry to put you through this.
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Just come back safe. We can't afford to lose you.
( and she couldn't bear to. not again )
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[He gives her shoulder a squeeze, trying to offer her a reassuring smile. It’s not good enough—won’t ever be good enough for her, but it’s all he has.]