Summary:
Human! Shaw x The Grim Reaper! Root, what happens when Shaw bumps into Root the Grim Reaper.
Or
What if they met ten years earlier.
Notes:
(See the end of the work for notes.)
Work Text:
When they first met, Shaw lost her first patient.
Shaw performed the surgery perfectly, but the patient didn’t make it because of heart failure. Eventually, everyone left the OR, and Shaw looked at the body on the table, felt exactly like the time after her father’s death, or rather say the lack of feeling, she felt nothing. As she turned to leave, she saw a hooded person had somehow gotten into the OR without her noticing.
“Who the fuck are you?”
The woman tilted her head, took off her hood, and looked at the doctor. “You can see me?”
“You’re not supposed to come in here, “Shaw said, reaching to stop the brunette.
Her hand went right through the woman. “What…?”
The woman looked down. “You can’t stop me. You shouldn’t even be able to see me.”
The woman shook her head in confusion. “Anyway, my name is Root, and you are?”
Shaw thought she’d be crazy to talk to a woman she can’t touch. “I’m Shaw.”
She must have been devastated by the loss of her patient: she was clearly talking to an imaginary ghost.
That woman rolled her eyes gracefully. “Answer your question, I’m not a ghost. It’s a bit rude, I know, but I have to go. We’ll do this again soon.”
A giant scythe appeared out of nowhere in Root’s hand, and Shaw blinked. A glowing red orb emerged from the body on the operating table. Root swiped the orb with her scythe, and the red orb vanished with a sigh. Took one last glance at the human, Root was gone.
Shaw looked around and pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers. She didn’t want to know what that meant.
After that, Shaw kept bumping into Root every time she lost a patient. When Shaw was not alone, Root never showed up.
“Do you do this to everyone else?”Shaw said dryly, as Root appeared behind her. Shaw wouldn’t be intimidated, but she’s not used to people sneaking up on her.
Root smiles innocently, ignoring the body lying in the hospital bed. “Absolutely. Except you’re the only mortal who can see me.”
Before Root would only stay a few moments after reaping the soul but she began to stay longer and longer, intrigued by the mortal. Shaw’s attitude to death fascinated Root.
Shaw grew fond of the mysterious Reaper. The days in the hospital were busy and she never made friends, but it was nice to flirt with a Reaper, who had the same sense of humor.
“Why do you only ever appear after my patients die?”
“I am a Reaper, we only appear when there is a death substantial enough to warrant our interest.”
“What?”
Root smiled. “Everything around you is dying every day. Bugs, bacteria, your cells. Most of the time, they enter the after with no trouble. But sometimes they need a little push to get across. The souls summon us, anchor us to this realm. We, in turn, give the push they need.”
Shaw thought about it. “Are you sure I don’t have enough cells dying every day to let you show up whenever you want?”
“Aw sweetie,” Root chuckled, “Did you miss me?”
“I miss you like I miss an intestinal parasite.”
“I like your similes.”
“And why am I the only one who can see you? Or do you not really exist? Everything just goes through you like you’re made of air. “Shaw asked.
Root tilted her head and looked at the smaller woman. “Don’t move.”
Shaw watched as Root concentrated and leaned closer to her, leaving a kiss on her cheek.
Shaw finally could pin the materialized Root against the wall. She wanted to do this for a long time.
Root let Shaw pin her against the wall, and she looked down at Shaw, looked amused. “Is this real enough for you?”
Shaw stared at her for a moment, then kissed her.
Root kissed her back, feeling the warmth of the human soul in a wild way.
Shaw took a deep breath and left the hospital for the last time. She was fired from the hospital for eating a lollipop while notifying a patient’s family of his death. That’s not fair, Shaw thought indignantly. She had saved the patient three times, and it wasn’t her fault that she was exhausted and needed sugar.
Shaw kicked away a stone that was in the way. The stone stopped in front of a dead. Although Shaw didn’t think Root would appear for the death of a bird, she searched for Root for a moment.
Shaw sensed a presence.
“Root, come out, “Shaw yelled, annoyed. Root always did this at the hospital, even though Shaw was never intimidated.
Root materialized her body and approached Shaw to walk alongside her. “Can’t blame a girl for tryin’.”
“Heard you got kicked out of the hospital, “Root said.
“Mortals suck, “ Said Shaw, who was affected by Root these days. “Who cares if the doctor who can save their life has Axis II Personality Disorder? I mean, you don’t care, do you, Root?”
“I am not mortal,” Root said, giving Shaw a sympathetic look. “other mortals care.”
Shaw pursed his lips. “Like I said, mortals suck.”
“Then what are you gonna do now?”
Shaw gave serious thought. “So where has the most death?”
“Maybe I should join the army.”
Root was amused, she smiled at Shaw. “So you’re gonna join the army for me?”
“No.” Shaw rolled his eyes. “I just figured I’d be better at killing people if I wasn’t good at fixing them.”
Root chuckled. “Sameen, I can’t stay long without an anchor. But if you say so.”
Root’s soft laugh vanished in the thin air just like herself. Shaw, who is used to Root’s coming and going without a trace, just rolled her eyes again.
The Marines proved that Shaw was indeed better at killing people than saving them. shaw has risen through the ranks quickly, and Root was definitely the best company in the battlefield. After all, not everyone can walk into crossfires like walking in a park.
But Shaw swore to God, she flirted at the most awkward times.
Once, Shaw broke out from the flank and realized that Root wasn’t following her.
“Don’t you have souls to harvest?”
“I do, “Root said slowly, “But I’m watching your six for you. Plus, it’s a great view here.”
Shaw was annoyingly noticed that the Reaper was staring at her ass.
“Seriously, Root? Let me remind you, I’m a mortal, so shut up and collect your damn souls. we’re getting out of here. It’s not safe.”
The Reaper summoned her scythe and cut the Orb in half as it emerged from the bodies Shaw left behind without hesitation.
Shaw made it back to the base, not that she didn’t appreciate the sanitary conditions in the base, but the lack of privacy drove her crazy. She didn’t want her teammates to see her talking to the air and questioning her mental health.
So she applied to join the ISA.
Candidates must pass an assessment and selection course, as well as a lengthy background check and psychological test. Once accepted, she had to train in a special further training program.
She hasn’t seen Root in a while because of her training; she believed Root was harvesting souls all over the world.
Luckily, Hersh was very pleased with her training. she was soon assigned to her first ISA mission.
Her partner in ISA was Cole, a tech guy. He has nothing better to do than sit in their van and watch through surveillance when Shaw was in the field. Communication’s a problem, but Shaw can always shut it down while she’s disposing of the bodies.
Shaw appeared behind a group of underground traders in a park, following their signals tracked by Cole. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it isn’t save to be in the park at night?”
The buyers and seller split up, but Shaw is the devil of the night, hunting down dangerous people like them.
“Ow, you missed one. “A leisurely voice came from her back.
Shaw looked back and saw Root leaning against a tree nearby.
“Root, “Shaw said with a smile on his face.
“I heard you got out of your hell-like training, “said Root, casually drew her scythe out of the air.
“I kind of enjoyed this sort of thing.”
“I am so glad that you say that, “Root’s smile now was completely evil. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Root harvested the souls of the dead smoothly, “Don’t you have a runaway need to hunt down?”
“New job, new rules, “ Shaw grinned, admiring Root brandishing her giant scythe, “I have to get my bullets out of these dead guys. By the way, how about ‘A hot Reaper flirted with Me so I missed my target’ in the report?”
Root laughed. She missed this soldier with her unique sense of humor. It’s agent now. She knew Shaw didn’t disappear to her so she could find her body in the middle of nowhere. She’s the kind of cat hard to kill.
“So you think I’m hot? “Root smiled, flirting.
“Shut up, Root, “Shaw kissed her.
They kissed in the dark, dead bodies scattered around them, there’s blood on Shaw’s hands, and Root’s got Reaper work to do, which shouldn’t feel so good, but Root felt so great.
Shaw didn’t mention her hot-ass Reaper friend in the report, of course, but her report was still very “colorful”. In short, ISA decided to entrust her with this job, so she traveled around the world, hunting terrorists. And Root was always there for her. The Grim Reaper and the assassin. Hell of a match.
Shaw never said it out loud, but she loved it. Far away from the marines’ red tapes and prying eyes, she was free to flirt with Root shamelessly. She also loved the support Root provided in the fights. Death always follows fighting, and having a Reaper girlfriend meant Shaw had all the advantages when she was outnumbered; not that Shaw really needed an extra hand. But the element of surprise was always fun.
A group of bomb-making terrorists brought Shaw to Berlin a few days ago. When control agreed to strike, she suggested using gas.
“You know who else is crazy enough to use gas besides you, “Cole said. “Russians. Crazy FSB Russians.”
“Where do you think I got the idea?”
“Oh, that’s my girl, “Root emerged from nowhere and whispered into Shaw’s ear.
“Root.”Shaw raised an eyebrow as greeting.
After three sounds of bodies hit the floor, Shaw broke the door and entered.
As she disarmed the enemies and removed the cesium, she noticed the paper on the table that was blown up by the wind. She picked up her gun and stood up. The man near the window was gone.
That man came at her with a knife, and she fought with him before she could shoot.
After Shaw punched the man hard and pushed him away from her, he got up and disappeared from her view.
Shaw got up, picked up her gun, and saw Root staring at her ass.
“I can’t see him, “Cole shouted anxiously over the channel.
“Calm down and give me something I can use, “she was saying this to both of them.
“Stop, “Root said.
“On your right, “Root said.
“Your Three o’clock, ”Cole said at the same time.
“Now! “Cole shouted.
“Now. “Root said seductively, deliberately leaning against Shaw’s ear.
Shaw fired four shots, killed the man who was not on her sight.
“Sam, you okay? “Cole worried.
Shaw looked up at Root, who was walking through the wall.
“Pull the fire alarm and head down to the street.”
“What are you doing? “Cole asked.
“Take my bullets back. We were never here, remember? “Shaw popped out her knife, her eyes following Root’s swing of the scythe.
Shaw went back to the table and reassembled the dirty bomb.
“What are you doing? “Root asked.
“Seem like the best way to cover our tracks, doesn’t it? “Shaw showed of her cellphone detonator. “We have five minutes.”
A wild smile appeared on Root’s face. Sameen is an agent full of surprises.
After Berlin, Shaw went back to New York, the beginning of everything, tracking down a sneaky ex-military.
She was loading her gun in the van when she noticed something was wrong with Cole. He looked pale.
“It’s something wrong with you?”
“You ever wonder where Research gets the number?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t work for the Research.”
…
Shaw’s getting impatient. She didn’t want to discuss it with Cole. She’s not interested in Research. “And the reason we don’t ask where Research gets its numbers from is because Research is never wrong.”
“Well, they were this time.”
Shaw’s face darkened. “You did something stupid, didn’t you?”
“I called on one of my friends from the agency, asked her to trace the money. Those transfers didn’t come from Hezbollah. They came from the U.S. Government—from the ISA itself. Aquino was doing something covert, but he was doing it for us,” Cole said. “I called Control—Wilson. I mean, I’ve requested an internal investigation. I’ll keep you out of it, I promise.”
“You talked to Wilson?”
“Yeah.” Cole nodded.
Cole nodded. “Yes.”
The number was on his move, so Shaw and Cole had to put this conversation aside.
Shaw and Cole broke into the apartment, and Cole hacked into the number’s computer very easily, but —
“This is not right.”
“Mercer’s got a bunch of emails from some contacts, ex-military.”
“Do you have the names of the contacts? “Shaw asked.
“Yes, “Cole replied, he looked confused. “They are us. Our names are all over these files.”
Shaw heard something. She checked through the window.
Root’s face suddenly appeared in the window, her expression was full of worry. “It’s a trap. Run. Now!”
Shaw reacted immediately and managed to tackle Cole before the first round of bullets.
She took down the first team and took out one of their comms.
“Stay behind me, “Shaw told Cole. “We have to clear a path.”
She took Cole and herself out of the room but trapped on this floor by another team of agents.
“Shaw, watch out! “Cole shouted, blocking himself between Shaw and another agent.
Shaw fired back right on sight. She was full of anger, for ISA hunt them down like some kind of problem that needed to be solved.
After fighting off another group of agents, she lifted Cole up. Cole was badly injured, so Shaw pressed her hand against his wound.
“No, no, no,”
“I’m sorry, “Cole said, put the bloody USB into Shaw’s hand and stopping breathing.
Shaw stared at Cole’s body.
Shaw felt Root’s hand on her shoulder. “You have to go, Shaw, “Root said apologetically, drawing the scythe from the air and harvesting Cole’s soul. Cole’s soul orb let out a final sigh and disappeared.
“Team three, move into position, “Shaw heard over the earpiece.
Shaw couldn’t get out from the front, so she grabbed one of the agents as a cushion and jump through the second-floor window.
She killed the agents that were surrounding the building, cleared a path, and then she ran into Wilson.
“All team, check-in. did you kill the woman or not-”
“Wilson？”
Their eyes locked and they both fired at the same time. Shaw barely got away.
She’s been shot.
Shaw needed a place to regroup.
So she kidnapped Lewis.
But she clearly pissed off the drug gangs.
“Sameen, wake up, “Root said as Shaw opened her eyes from her coma and saw a dark-skinned man standing behind Root holding her gun. Root looked half worried and half waiting to see what would happen.
“Who the hell you supposed to be, some kinda badass?”
“Well, he’s not wrong about that, “commented Root.
Shaw chuckled to herself.
“Not exactly. I have what’s called an Axis II personality disorder, “Shaw said, downplaying the situation.
“It’s hot, “said Root.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, of course, you don’t understand the beauty of Sameen, “Root said, found a good spot to sit and crossed her legs. Not that she needed the space.
“It means when I kill you and your friends, I’m not really gonna feel anything.”
“Like I said, HOT AS FUCK.”
“OH, “the man laughed doubtfully. “You gonna kill me? You weight what, hundred pounds?”
“Ooh, you’re gonna pay for that, “Root gleefully remarked.
“Nine millimeter round weighs about a quarter of an ounce. It gets the job done. “Shaw said it as a matter of fact.
“Though she be but little, She is fierce! “Root said cheerfully.
Shaw rolled her eyes secretly.
“But your gun’s a . 45, little girl, “the man said sarcastically.
“Not THAT gun she was talkin’ about, foolish mortal, “Root exclaimed.
“I was talking about my backup piece. “Shaw said, looked directly at the man in the eyes. Part of her enjoyed his expression.
After a burst of gunfire, Shaw was the only human standing in the room.
“That’s my girl, “Root said with a laugh.
“Lewis, go, “Shaw exhaled, looking at the panicked black kid. “If you tell anybody about me… I WILL find you.”
“Well,” Root shrugged, “looks like it’s not his time yet.”
After harvesting the souls, Root pushed the dead body off the couch and sat next to Shaw, who was drinking a beer.
“What are you going to do next?”
The conversation with Veronica Sinclair was not very pleasant but illuminating. Shaw killed the three ISA agents who were after her and Veronica, and told Veronica to leave the town as far away from here as possible.
“You know even if you turn yourself in, ISA will still come after you right, “said Root, as she gathered the souls that Shaw left behind.
Of course Root overheard Shaw’s phone call on the way here.
“I know, “Shaw said, patting the dead agent down.
“Aconitine, the dose we use, you’ve got about four minutes, “she remarked casually.
“Well, “Root said, kissing Shaw, “It’s a good luck kiss.”
“What is this? “After the kiss, Shaw looked at the syringe that Root had put into her hand.
“Atropine and some Demerol,” Root said, grinning. “I went to the hospital while you were talking to Veronica.”
Shaw is a multi-tasker. She met with the not-control-but-as-close-as-she’s-gonna-get, gave Cole’s research to him personally, and revenged for Cole.
“Hersh,” Root said as she appeared beside Wilson’s body.
Shaw’s ready.
Shaw woke up in the morgue.
Root leaned over the cooler, looking at her with a big ass smile on her face.
Root spoke up. “Do you know how much energy it took me to materialize to move your ass in an ambulance-”
Shaw rolled her eyes hard but smiled, and pulled Root into a kiss.
As they gasped for air, Shaw saw Root’s body was shimmering.
“You know, I can’t stay without an anchor, “said Root.
Shaw looked around and looked at herself and let out a laugh, “I thought there were enough anchors in a place like this.”
Root poked Shaw. “You’re alive, not an anchor.”
“What if you anchored to me?”
Root looks stunned. Or at least as close to stunned as this Reaper could get.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Once I do that, your soul will never be the same again.”
“I literally died once. What difference does it make?”
“I thought you said souls summon you. You see, Here I am, the soul you want.”
“Do you really want to do this? “Root asks curiously.
“Why not?”Shaw said. “I’ve already died once. Must be fun.”
Root couldn’t deny the very soul was calling out to her. It took everything of her to ignore the summons after she said goodbye to Shaw the first time. A Reaper couldn’t resist what was so freely given, such a bright soul.
“Once given, one’s soul cannot be returned as it was. You will be forever marked.”
“Absolutely.”
Root summoned her Scythe from thin air. She handed it to Shaw. “Hold it.”
Shaw gripped part of the handle, and she cried out for feeling a part of herself absorbed by the scythe and changed forever. A forgotten memory floated to the surface.
Shaw was dazed by the car accident. She could hear the flames burning outside, hot fire carried ominous omens. As she felt lightheaded from the concussion, she saw a small shadow appear next to her.
Root looked at her and shook her head. “It’s not your time.”
“ Don’t leave me here alone,” Little Sameen drowsily.
Root stopped and nodded. She lies down in the same position next to Sameen. “I’ll stay until they come.”
Shaw looks up at current Root in surprise. “You were there. My therapist told me you were a hallucination.”
Root herself was shocked too. “I forgot. I’m sorry -”
Shaw pulled Root closer and kissed her.
For the first time in her life, Root felt like a completely solid, a human being, instead of constantly shifting. The Reaper kissed Shaw back passionately. For the first time she connected with a living soul, Root could still feel the summons of other souls, but all of them dulled in comparison to the fiery soul beside her.
“So where do you want to go next?”
“With your sorry ass? ANYWHERE.”
Notes:
Sorry Cole, I wanted to save you but ISA wanted you dead…
R. H. Felidae Athena 