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[jinglejangle]

[It's not exactly the introduction McCree was expecting to make - not that this whole thing is anything he would've expected to begin with - but after hassling people over poetry, it's time to get down to business.

And he definitely has the time to spare.]

So does this kind of shit happen here often? [He gestures with the lit cigar he's holding.] Just casual news posts about serial killers, rounded off with fancyass coffees?

[He pauses to take a drag, mulling it over. Maybe it's not his place, but something needs to be done.]

Is anyone else gonna hunt that bastard down, or am I gonna have to do it myself?

Comments

[jinglejangle]

[He's not at all surprised that Mercy is one of the first to reply to him - it's exactly what he would've expected. The good doctor's not fond of letting people fuck up royally, and, well, announcing he's going to take down a serial killer isn't one of the brightest thing he's done recently.]

Well if it ain't me, who's gonna do it? Maybe someone else'll step up, but for the time being I don't see anyone else who's got the time.

[He makes a face at her nagging. Gosh, why can't he just slowly kill himself in peace? He does at least extend the courtesy of stubbing out his cigar, but he doesn't look particularly pleased.

And then-]

What? Why? The arm works fine! [He raises it and points at the camera, as if to say "see? it's perfect!".]

[caduceusoncall]

[She sighs and her expression lightens. He's a unique brand of Hero.]

I'm sure the police have the situation under control. Maybe you could approach them and ask to assist on the case. I believe you could count as an "independent investigator".

[The cold mask returns as her attention falls back to the arm. Why does he have to be such a stubborn man? Why won't he just let her help?]

Do not gloss over the part where I asked you to tell me what happened to the arm. And I can see it works but it is clunky and primitive compared to what we both know can be done.

[She turns back to her nearly forgotten patient. She's just stitching a gash and setting a broken bone, but she shouldn't leave him sitting there. And she doesn't want McCree to see the tears welling in her eyes. How did he get hurt? Why wasn't she there? Why didn't he come to her?]

Besides, I'm sure you've strained the mechanisms and probably have micro-tears near the joint. Is that your firing arm?

[jinglejangle]

If it were under control, wouldn't they have caught this joker already? [You certainly can't defeat that logic.]

What's there to tell? I lost it. The hows and whys of it don't matter much. [He crosses his arms over his chest, frowning. He doesn't want to relive that day - and he doesn't think it should be Mercy's business, either.

After a moment, he sighs.]

Naw, it's not my firing arm. That's why it don't matter too much whether it stays primitive or not.

[caduceusoncall]

Justice is a process, Jesse, you know that. [A long and clunky process that costs lives at the whim of whoever has the heaviest wallet. She doesn't mention that. She'd still rather he not try to deal with it alone.]

As for your arm, if you won't tell me what you've done to it to need an entirely new replacement, I will respect that. I will not like it, but I will respect it. As your doctor and friend, I will not retract my demand that you come to me to have it looked at properly.

[A small pause, a head tilt. Considering.]

Or would you rather I come to you?

[jinglejangle]

No harm in helping the process along. [Lord knows official channels just love sitting on their asses instead of doing anything good.]

I haven't done nothin' that'd warrant it needin' to be replaced, is all. It still works, and why fix somethin' that ain't broken? [It's a valuable lesson it seems Mercy hasn't learned just yet. Sometimes it's best to just...let things happen as they will.]

Nah, don't worry about it. Just tell me where you've set up shot and I'll swing by real soon.

[caduceusoncall]

[Ouch, McCree. She may not be able to hear your inner thoughts, but that's still damn cold.]

What makes you think there isn't any harm in "helping the process along"? Will someone who thinks so little of human life willingly face the consequences? Will they apologize? Promise to change their ways? Would you believe them?

[She turns her full focus to the camera and gives him an almost familial smile.]

The "process" may be slow but it ensures the criminal pays the due price. Confronting him - or her - suddenly and aggressively will almost certainly result in a scuffle. I've seen you shoot in the practice range, your aim is devastatingly impeccable. [She was never on missions with him - he was always on private assignments or different assignments than her. But she's seen everyone shoot in the range. She was required to practice with a pistol, though she never used it and was an awful shot anyway.] You know I'm not one for gambling but I wouldn't place my bet on anyone else's gun in a scuffle with you.

When I said replacement I meant a replacement for the flesh and bone it SHOULD be, Jesse. I'm usually in the Outpost, in Adventure. I can't promise I won't be on a call elsewhere but I'll try to only leave for emergencies until I can see you.