“Everything checks out as usual.” Angela said, commenting on the results on her tablet. “Though I suggest you increase your electrolytes intake.”

“Alright Angela.” Brigitte said, showing off the faint scar just under her shoulder blade while grabbing her shirt.

“How’s your back?”

Brigitte turned around after putting her clothes on. “Perfectly fine. I haven’t felt any pain or soreness.”

“Glad to hear that. You were lucky that your armor took the brunt of the force.” Angela said. “I would have had a lot more to do.”

“Well, I’d trust you to do your best to get me back into fighting shape.” Brigitte said with a chuckle, flexing her arm.

“I still want you to be careful.”

“I will be.” Brigitte said, then furrowed her brow as her thigh had that annoying itch again, scratching at it though her overalls.

“Is your birthmark bothering you?” Angela asked.

“Yeah. It’s been on and off itchy for a couple of days. I thought it was a bug bite, but there was no rash or other sign.” Brigitte shrugged.

“Has it done this before?” 

“Not really.” Brigitte’s face scrunched up in thought. “I mean it happened rarely when I was younger but nothing came from it.”

“Hmm, if it shows any sign of getting worse, do come in. Is there anything else you wish to discuss before we finish your exam?”

Brigitte thought of talking to Angela about her dreams, though it wasn’t affecting her sleep or anything else. So she kept quiet. “No.” 

“Then you’re all finished. Now I have to force your father to come in for his appointment next.” Angela said, sighing. “He’s just as bad as he was previously.”

“I can always help if you need some incentive.” Brigitte said. “Mentioning mama does wonders.”

“I’ll have to consider that. Though for now you go and enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” Angela said, shooing Brigitte out gently.

“See you later, Angela!”

Angela watched the younger woman walk down the hall towards the outdoors before looking down at her tablet. She flipped over to the details of Brigitte’s latest mission two weeks ago. The fractures and broken ribs were the lucky part. Any lower and Brigitte would have had her spine nearly snapped when she got hit by the flying concrete. Thankfully, she just needed a few days of rest and not the alternative of weeks of surgery.

For now, Angela sighed, turning off the screen and went to prepare for her next exam.

-----------------

In the workshop's corner, sounds of tinkering echoed in the messy room as Torbjorn and Reinhardt near a table covered in parts. Torbjorn attached the last part to the turret before lifting his goggles.

“That should do it.” Torbjorn said, trying to wipe off the oil smeared on his face and stretching.

“Is that the prototype for Brigitte to integrate her shield idea?” Reinhardt said, sitting up to inspect the work.

“Yeah, we were discussing putting a shield generator on turrets and possible shield packs for allies on missions.”

Reinhardt let out a small whistle. “I’m glad to see she’s focusing on a new project. Her shield combination went brilliantly last mission.”

“I’m really proud of her advancement in mechanics.”

“And you thought she’d give it up to follow me as a squire.” Reinhardt said, nudging at his smaller friend. “All she wanted was to use all that you taught her for a bigger dream.” 

Torbjorn shrugged off the touch, knowing Reinhardt was correct, but he had another question on his mind. “Have you noticed anything different with Brigitte?” 

“Nothing too out of the ordinary.” Reinhardt said, returning to a small piece of woodwork that he had. “Why do you ask?”

“Just a few days ago, she asked a bit of an odd question. Something about knowing someone without meeting them.” Torbjorn commented, putting away his wrench. 

“She asked me the same question. Though I wouldn’t fret about it too much, papa bear.” Reinhardt said in a teasing tone. 

“She’s my baby girl, I’ll always worry.” Torbjorn said, turning to face his old friend.

“You and Ingrid raised a strong woman that can stand on her own two feet.” Reinhardt said,  patting Torbjorn on the shoulder. “Brigitte is probably just adapting. A lot of memories come along with this place.”

“More for us than her, but you’re probably right.” Torbjorn said. “It seems strange that it came up after that older Shimada arrived two weeks ago.”

“Maybe she just has a crush.”

Both men looked up at the door to see Angela standing at the doorway, fiddling with her glasses.

“Or possibly it’s her business and you should not gossip like old ladies.” Angela said, raising an eyebrow. “Plus, you had an appointment, Torbjorn.”

Torbjorn groaned. He had forgotten it was his checkup turn. “Do I have to, doc?”

“You’re the one complaining about headaches.” Angela said.

“Fine, fine.” Torbjorn sighed, turning to Reinhardt. “Speak with you later.”

“Take care friend.” Reinhardt said, chuckling at Torbjorn’s annoyance. 

“Don’t forget your exam is tomorrow morning as well.” Angela said.

“Wouldn’t miss it.” Reinhardt said, waving them both off.

Once he was alone, Reinhardt looked at his hand. Sitting there was a small owl he had carved and a sad smile formed under his white beard. It reminded him of how much he missed Ana and Reinhardt didn’t stop the sobs that wracked his body. All the years that passed never dampened the pain that came along with the news that he lost all three of them. If it weren’t for the Lindholm’s warm welcome into their family, he wouldn’t have known what to do with himself.

Even so, Reinhardt wanted to see her smile again. Tell him he was a brash idiot. Anything.

Anything at all.

-----------------

Brigitte stretched, talking a walk out along the outside portion of the base to get some fresh air. The cooler weather felt nice, even if the humidity hit her a little harder than she liked. It was still pretty quiet around the base, since Winston was still working on whatever responses came from the recall. Sometimes Brigitte felt it was too quiet, but there wasn’t much she could do about it.

She sat on the edge of the rocks, watching the waves and water. If anything, the atmosphere was like a calm oasis. 

In honesty, Brigitte never really thought she’d end up back here. Well, it was more like she didn’t want to, but she knew it was coming with Reinhardt’s demands to return. After all that the previous organization did to her mentor, he wanted to come back. Even her father returned without a second thought. 

“I guess, here’s hoping Winston’s leadership is better.” Brigitte said, whispering to the wind. Only thing she could do was continue helping who she could.

She frowned a bit, slightly annoyed, as the itch came back. It was weird that it didn’t start until the strange dreams began. Which also started around the time…Hanzo arrived at the base. That had to be a coincidence. 

Though the dreams confused her the most. One was her falling in love with a long-haired merman. Even with all the fantasy stories she grew up with, that scenario never would have come to her mind. 

Another was watching a man that briefly looked like what she could assume was a younger Hanzo, playing the piano. At least she thought it was Hanzo. Except why would he be there?

Then finally last night it was about a white-haired man with grey eyes and strange yellow markings wearing medieval clothing that was accompanied by two white wolves. She remembered a sense of happiness washed over her before waking up, like nothing she’d ever experienced.

All of them felt so real.

Brigitte wanted to talk about her dreams, but it felt strange to say anything to her papa or even to Reinhardt. She partially wished that Fareeha was here, since it was always easy to talk to her about things like this. Though it had been quite a while since they last saw each other in person, and as far as Brigitte knew, Fareeha hadn’t answered the recall.

“Penny for your thoughts?” A calm, melodic omnic voice said from behind Brigitte. When Brigitte gave a little jump, the voice also let out a chuckle. “Sorry to startle you, young squire. If you wish to be alone, I will leave you. Though you seemed troubled.”

Looking up, Brigitte saw one of their newest members. Zenyatta, the omnic monk and Genji’s master, hovering where he ‘stood’. 

“No harm done and I don’t mind some company.” Brigitte said with a smile, and patted the ground next to her. “Plus, it’s good to get to know your comrades better.”

Zenyatta hovered over and actually sat down on the rocks. “Thank you. I’m glad you are more open to speaking to me.”

Brigitte figured the last comment was mainly focused towards her father, since mostly everyone else was more toned down. “Papa will warm up to you eventually or at least tolerate it.” She replied with a joking tone.

“Maybe my charming personality will win him over.” 

If Zenyatta had eyebrows, Brigitte knew one would have been raised, and it made her laugh a little.

“Worth a shot.” Brigitte said, then looked out to the ocean, wondering if she should take his offer. Especially since Genji always said he’s a great listener. “Also, I’m not really troubled but confused.”

“Confused about what, young squire?” Zenyatta said, handing over one orb from around his neck for Brigitte to hold. “If you wish to have someone to discuss it with, I have an ear to listen.”

“It’s strange. For the past few weeks I’ve been having dreams that felt almost real.” Brigitte said, taking the orb curiously and fiddling it between her hands. 

“Real how?” Zenyatta said, tilting his head.

“Like reliving a memory that I know I’ve never experienced.” Brigitte whispered while moving her thumb over the cold metal surface. “Don’t really know how to explain it otherwise.”

“Quite curious.” Zenyatta hummed. “What do you think it could be?”

“It’s probably nothing and I’m overthinking it.” Brigitte said, even though she thought otherwise.

“One shouldn’t dismiss dreams so easily. For they might have something more important to say.” Zenyatta said. “Every one of them has a meaning.”

“What would it mean then when those dreams started around the time someone joined.” 

“Who may I ask?”

Brigitte paused before opening her mouth. “Genji’s brother, Hanzo.”

“Quite curious.” Zenyatta pondered while tilting his head. 

“So I don’t know exactly how to deal with this.” Brigitte said with a snort, then scratched the back of her head. “It’s not exactly like I can go up to someone and say ‘you feel familiar even though I don’t know you beyond this’. Part of me thinks it was weird to discuss it in general.”

“I never judge harshly when someone wishes to speak their mind. So never let that stop you if you need to speak.” Zenyatta said. “Also, it is not like you have to go up to him and say it in such a manner. If they cause you no discomfort, then mayhaps just let yourself go with the flow. See what happens of it.”

“I suppose you are right. I’ll see how it goes.” Brigitte said, handing back the orb. That she could get some of this off her mind helped some. Though she still wanted to know where all this came from.