Chapter Text
12 Days. It’s the first thing that crossed your mind when you woke up. It repeated over and over in your head as you got out of bed, brushed your teeth, and washed your face.
Less than two weeks. Soon it’ll only be one.
You slipped on your clothes and ambled over to the calendar on your wall. The photo on the upper portion was of two chocolate labrador puppies cuddled up beside one another. It was a gift from your little sister, something to keep you happy while you were away. A light in your world of darkness.
Uncapping the marker in hand, you put a big red “X” over the current date. Then, with a deep breath, you left your room, preparing for what was ahead.
—
The medical wing was eerily quiet. Most of the base was empty with teams split up during multiple missions. You tapped your fingers against the table, watching as the clock slowly ticked. You always liked the busy days better. There was more excitement, and it made everything go by faster.
Just as the big hand hit eleven, there was a knock at the door. You smiled to yourself softly as you went to answer it. You couldn’t keep your favorite patient waiting after all.
“Punctual as always, Siebren.” You stepped aside, letting the older man enter. He took a seat on the edge of the bed, peering over at you. “Well, I shouldn’t keep my favorite doctor waiting, should I?”
“Not at all.” Today was one of his good days. He was smiling and happy, but not too happy, and relatively lucid.
“Are you experiencing any more headaches or sensitivity to light?” You asked as you typed up his daily report on your holopad.
“Hmm..No, not that I can recall.” He was just having severe headaches less than a week ago and he couldn’t remember. Unfortunately, it wasn’t surprising.
He wasn’t normal, none of Moira’s patients were. But he had experienced the worst of it, with his symptoms changing constantly. Just when you thought he was getting better, he would fall apart. It wasn’t his fault. There was only one person you could blame, but you knew better than to bite the hand that feeds you.
You put some gloves on and grabbed the syringe, filling it up with his “medicine.” Then, you rounded to the opposite side of his bed. “Can you sit back and give me your arm? There you go.”
“You know, we should go to lunch sometime. We can discuss the infinite universe and all its possibilities.” He leaned back and watched you flick the needle. “I’d like that. I’m sure we’ll do it soon. Now, you’re going to feel a slight pinch, and then you might feel dizzy and sleepy but everything’s going to be okay.”
He tensed slightly as you injected him with the serum, his soft blue eyes going misty. You let him squeeze your hand as the sedatives kicked in, his body going limp.
With a sigh, you sent for the scientists, letting them take him down to the lab for testing. As he was moved out of the room you reminded yourself yet again.
Just 12 more days. 12 more days and I can go home. 12 more days and I can see them again.
—
The last thing you had expected was to be called in for a meeting, especially with the head of Talon and your boss. You felt like you were getting called down to the principal's office, but worse since you knew how powerful they were and every horrible thing they were capable of.
You managed to keep yourself calm and composed, taking deep, steady breaths. You were never allowed to be afraid here. You couldn’t even look it. The slightest whiff of fear, and they’ll eat you alive. Even though you felt like you were going to be fed to the wolves, you put on your best poker face and knocked on the door.
“You wanted to see me?” Doomfist and Moira sat on opposite sides of the rounded table, another chair open for you. He spoke first, motioning to it. “Yes, have a seat.”
“We are very impressed with your work. It has been more than satisfactory. Not only have you taken good care of our agents, but you’ve made my patients much more manageable too.” Moira remarked.
Your eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. It was rare to be commended by a superior. Especially in this line of work. You didn’t know how to feel. “Thank you.”
“You’re becoming more and more valuable to us, and while you’ve done great work on base, we’d like to have you in the field as well.” Doomfist remarked. You felt your heart sink. You didn’t want to be more involved in this than you had to.
“I just need to spend more time staying at the laboratory and working on my experiments while you take my place on missions. It’ll be temporary. A year or two at most.” Moira added.
“I’m honored, but I have ties to my home, and I can only be away so often.” You replied.
“We’re aware of that. So, we’ll only have you on base to take care of some patients here and there and prepare for missions. It’ll be the same amount of time you spend here, if not less. We also know that the field is more dangerous, so we’re willing to give a generous pay increase.”
They had you there. You’d be crazy to say no to more money, especially since you needed it so badly.
“And you’re sure I’m qualified enough for the field?” You remarked. “Well, everything your employer said about you and your skills so far has been true. It would be foolish to start doubting him now, no?”
Judging from his expression and serious tone of voice, you could tell that Doomfist wouldn’t budge. There was no point in arguing with him. So, you plastered on a small smile and shook their hands, thanking them for the opportunity.
“You’ll have missions assigned starting next week. We appreciate your cooperation.” Moira told you, right as you were about to reach for the door, causing you to freeze.
“But what about my leave? I’m supposed to have time off around then.” You watched as they traded looks. “We’ll give you an extra week off next time.”
So much for getting out of here.