A/N: Hello, Deus Ex fans! I come with a Christmas present! :) This is my second Deus Ex fan fiction. This is one-shot between Adam Jensen, and my character, Demitra Callaway! Now, I know I classified this as 'Romance', but this is more of 'Pre-Romance'. Still, I hope you like :)

Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Adam Jensen & Demitra Callaway – "Thanks for Caring"

Location: Adam Jensen's apartment
28th October, 2027
2 months after Panchea

"You should've stayed dead, Jensen!"
"She is coming for you, Adam."
"Come on, Adam. Stay with us."
"I love you…"
"You would've better served keeping your head down, Jensen!"
"I believe that, Son. And I believe… you'll make the right choices."
"Adam… run."
"I found it… in you. I used your DNA."
"I haven't seen Adam Jensen in such a long time. Such a happy baby."

Beep, beep, beep.

Adam Jensen buried his head under the safe zone of his pillow. He swore he could hear that damned alarm clock in his own head. Still having his head under his pillow, he reached out and tried to shut it off without looking at where his hand actually was. After multiple failed attempts, he managed to shut it off.

Morning already? He questioned. Sure I didn't just go to bed? These 4 months had been troubling for Adam. Megan's lies and betrayal, as well as Sarif's… the Hyron Project, Hugh Darrow… He just wanted things to get better, but they weren't going to. Every night, it was the same kind of nightmare, and they were not going to stop any time soon. According to him, everything had gone to shit.

Still, it was a brand new day. Time to get up and get ready for work.

Location: Sarif Industries (Detroit) – Adam Jensen's office

In these 2 months, Adam had noticed a change in his boss, David Sarif. The man had been speaking to Adam even more gently than before. Whenever he needed something, he would personally come down to Adam's office. Also, he had been constantly apologizing for putting Adam through so much pain.

"When Megan came to me with the discovery, I should've done the right thing, Adam. I should've told her to talk to you first. But I didn't. I failed you, Adam. I failed as your boss, and I failed as your friend. I'm sorry, Adam. If you want to quit working here at Sarif Industries, I understand completely."

"Boss, if I were to quit, where else can I go?"

Even though Sarif was being sincere about his beliefs about the future of Humanity, his own humanity went south for a bit. But the truth was, if Adam were to quit, he'd have nowhere else to go. SI was all he had left.

"Well, Adam, I can't say how sorry I am. But I want you to know this: whatever was left of Megan's research? I had it destroyed. We're going to start fresh."

"Whoa, boss! Really?"

"Yep. I don't want to use anyone anymore, Adam. That includes you. So I'm doing what I should've done a long time ago. Until we get a new head of research."

"That's… very noble of you, Boss."

So here Adam was now, 4 months later, still the Chief of Security, but still having trust issues. Plus, this headache of his would not go away. He patiently waited for the painkillers to kick in.

Knock knock.

Adam looked up to find David Sarif at his doorway. "Sorry to interrupt, Son, but do you have a few minutes? I need to talk to you about a job."

Of course. "Sure, Boss." He got up from his chair and followed his boss.

Location: David Sarif's Penthouse Office

Sarif motioned for Adam to take a seat opposite him. "I need you to do something for me, Son. I need my most trusted man on this: I need you to travel to Los Angeles, so to her Sarif Industries, and meet the head of research. She will give you a data storage and a data booklet. They contain her research. I need you to bring it back here."

"Okay. What's her name?" Adam asked.

Sarif handed him a profile eBook. "Her name is Demitra Callaway. A wonderful scientist she was. Too bad she wants to retire."

Adam was looking at her picture: slightly tanned with a fringe from her right temple and a scar on her right cheek. He looked up from the eBook. "Retire? Why? According to this, you're her inspiration! She's been in the company for 13 years."

He sighed, and leaned against his chair. "She's having second thoughts about being in the company. I don't blame her, what with everything that happened here. The last thing I want to do is force my people to do something they don't want. If this is want Demitra wants to do, let her."

"So what about LA's head of research? Someone else coming in?" Adam asked.

"No. Los Angeles SI is going to shut down soon. We're going to stick to Detroit and Chicago. I can keep better track with only two industries. It'll be easier." Sarif explained.

"Oh, I see." He sat down the eBook. "Okay. I'll leave right now. So it's a data storage and a data booklet, right?"

Sarif nodded. "Yes."

"I'll be back before you know it, Boss."

Location: En route to Los Angeles, California

"We're almost there, Jensen." Faridah Malik informed.

"Good enough, Malik." Adam massaged his forehead, still feeling the throbbing in his head. As soon as he answered, someone was calling him via Infolink. He answered it. "Jensen here."

"Adam Jensen?" A little profile photo popped up. He recognized the woman.

"Speaking."

"Great! I'm Demitra Callaway." She chirped in a sweet voice, happy to meet Adam. "Your pilot can sit you down at our helipad. My assistant and head of security will be there to meet you."

"Acknowledged, Miss Callaway." He said.

"Great. Callaway out." She said.

"We're here, Jensen." Malik informed. She landed perfectly on the helipad. "I'll be waiting."

Los Angeles SI was slightly smaller than its headquarters. "This won't take long, Malik." Adam alighted from the helicopter, and found two men waiting for him.

"Mr. Jensen, I presume?" The platinum-blonde man had a British accent.

"That's me." Adam confirmed.

"Perfect! I'm Mr. Harris, Doctor Callaway's assistant. This is Mr. Callaway." He pointed to the medium-built man next to him. "The head of security."

He held out his hand. "Adam Jensen, pleasure to meet you. Call me Daniel." He held out his hand.

Adam shook it. "Pleasure."

"Come on. We''ll take you to the Doc." Daniel smiled.

Inside, the design was relatively the same as Detroit SI: huge cuboid displays of David Sarif and Hugh Darrow. The coloring was yellow and gold. Harris and Daniel led Adam to a lone elevator guarded by two security officers. Their vests had the word 'SECUIRTY' in upper case and the Sarif Industries logo on it.

"I never knew SI had its own security team." Adam admitted.

The elevator door opened up and the three men walked in.

"But of course! Doctor Callaway insisted on it. Security is very important, Mr. Jensen." Harris said.

"This place was nearly destroyed by anti-aug protestors the first few months after we were sat up. So, my sister decided to put together a security team. She's very concerned about the safety of this company." Daniel included.

"Smart move." Adam said.

The elevator doors opened up and revealed a narrow pathway. To the right was a large laboratory that took up the entire stretch. Directly in front of the men was an office. Doctor Callaway's office, that is.

"I can take it from here, Benjamin. Thanks." Daniel said.

"Of course, Sir."

"Come on. I'll take you to her." Daniel offered.

"Much appreciated, Daniel." Adam thanked.

Daniel pushed open on of the glass doors and let Adam in first. "Sis! He's here."

She was sitting on her desk and reading a profile eBook when she heard her brother's voice. "Oh, thanks, Danny!" She got off the table.

"Not a problem, Sis. Take care, Mr. Jensen." Daniel turned to leave.

"Thanks again, Daniel." Adam saw that her office was blue in colour. She had a sofa and a bookshelf with books neatly places. Stars hung from the ceiling as a form of decoration. Demitra wore a dark purple outfit consisting of a long-sleeve blouse and pants. She had a pair of 3-inched black boot on.

"So," Demitra Callaway started out. "You must be Adam Jensen." She walked up to him and held out her hand. "I'm Demitra Callaway. It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Jensen." She smiled.

He shook her hand. "Pleasure is all mine, Miss Callaway. I've heard a lot about you."

Adam Jensen
Personality Type: Beta
Personality Traits: Calm, Curious, Persuasive, Solitary
Personality Profile: Jumps straight to the point, not wanting to waste time. Asks more questions to get what he wants. Somewhat of a loner; living in solitary.

Demitra noted the information. "And of you. Detroit SI wouldn't still be standing it if wasn't for you and your top-notch security team." She said, holding her smile.

Demitra Callaway
Personality Type: Beta
Personality Traits: Tranquil, Inquisitive, Joyful, Confident
Personality Profile: Presents herself with a smile to seem confident, especially when she is confident. Tends to ask questions and even persuade others to get them to open up, but only to help them. Very sociable, enjoys talking to others.

"That's sweet of you to say, Miss Callaway." He thanked. "I'm here for your research?"

"Yes." She walked back to her desk. "The data is still transferring to my data storage. It'll be done in a few minutes."

"I'll wait." He said, and walked to her fireplace. Above it were all her certificates. He also saw a gigantic portrait of her before she was augmented. He wondered if she had chosen to get augmented, or something had happened. She probably chose to get augmented, given her job.

"I forgot what it's like to be just human." He turned to the direction of her voice. "I mean, these augments helped, but sometimes I wish I was back to looking like that again."

"You… didn't choose to get augmented?" He asked.

"No." She assured. "I didn't. You think I-?"

"I was wrong. I apologise." He said.

She smiled once again. "It's okay. It's normal to think that. I don't blame you."

He decided to fuel his curiosity. "Is it okay if I ask…?"

She held her smile. "Well, since we're so deep in this conversation." She walked back to her desk and sat on her leather chair. "It was 2024. I had worked 10 years in this company. There was this lab experiment we were conducting but something went wrong and the whole lab blew up. My scientists weren't badly injured but…"

"But you were." He finished her sentence for her.

She nodded. "2nd and 3rd degree burns and pieces of glass were embedded in my skin on my leg, arm, face and eyes…."

Ouch. "I'm sorry, Miss Callaway." He walked up to her.

Her smile returned. "Thank you for listening."

"Not a problem." He felt punches to his head. The headaches returned and he was out of painkillers. "How long more?" He asked, wanting to leave as soon as he could.

Heart rate: Increased.
Skin Moisture: Increased.

She noted this and looked at her computer. "It's 70% done." She informed. "Why don't you take a seat at the sofa, Mr. Jensen?" She offered.

That'll help. "Thank you." He walked over to the sofa and almost slumped on it. He sighed heavily.

"Are you… feeling well, Mr. Jensen?" She asked, on to him.

Aw crap. She's on to me. "I'm fine, Miss Callaway. Why do you ask?"

She sighed. "Your heart rate and skin moisture has increased. Are you having a headache?"

End of the line. "Yes. A big one." He admitted. "But I've been taking painkillers so it's no biggy."

She sighed once again and took a notebook and pen and began writing. "I'm prescribing you some proper medication. Go to your local medical clinic and get them." She tore off the paper and handed it to him.

He took it. "You don't really have to do this, Miss Callaway. We barely know each other."

"But now you know me." She said. "Besides, we're both Sarif Industries employees. Can't I help a colleague in need?"

He faked a smile. "Is this were the CASIE mod comes in?"

Her smile disappeared. "Oh… sorry. I didn't mean to…"

He shook his head. "I kid. It's okay. You were just trying to help. Thank you."

She smiled and turned to her desk.

"And…. Thanks for caring." He added.

She turned back. "Not a problem, Mr. Jensen."

"You know what? Call me Adam. After all, we're Sarif colleagues, right?"

She grinned. "Indeed we are, Mr. Jen- Adam." She corrected herself. "Oh, and I'm Demitra."

He smiled for real this time. "Glad to know." All that bitterness he was feeling was slowly melting away.

Beep!

Demitra, who had been massaging her augmented arm, walked back to her computer. "Alright, it's done." She handed him the blue data storage and an eBook. "I'm sure it'll be in safe hands."

"The safest." He assured and put them both in the inner pockets of his black maxi coat. "I'll give you a call and let you know when Sarif…" He looked up and found her massaging her arm once again. "Are you okay?"

She looked up. "What? Oh! Yeah, I'm fine." She smiled once again.

Heart rate: Increased.
Skin moisture: Increased.

Adam noted this and decided to try again. "When was the last time you had a Neurophrozyne injection, Demitra?"

She was speechless. "Uh… I…"

"When?" He wanted to know.

She paused before answering. "About… 6 weeks."

"Holy Christ, Demitra!" Adam exclaimed. "6 weeks? How are you still standing?"

"Look, it's nothing, okay? I'm fine. I really am!" She assured.

"Your heart rate's up and your skin moisture is increasing." He informed. "Don't try to play superman here. You need to take a shot before you collapse!"

"I can't, Adam."

"Why not?" He asked.

"Because I'm going to end up nauseous and having serious headaches! I'm not going to go through that again! I still have so much work to finish before I leave this place. I can't have this slowing me down." She explained.

"But this will stop the pain. Besides, you can't risk this. What if you start rejecting the implants? Take a shot while you still can." He advised.

"That's easy for you to say." She mumbled.

Adam did not really quite catch that, but he pretty much did. "What?"

"You have a special DNA. You can bond with implants. You don't have to worry about implant rejection." She said.

"You… know? Did Sarif tell you?" He asked.

She held the edge of her desk for support. "Yeah. He shared it with me when he was talking about you. Not that I wanted to know, but he told me." She sighed. "I couldn't believe it myself. Is it true, though?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"Um…" She wanted to ask. "Can I ask… are your headaches frequent? Are you stressed out because this whole thing?"

He walked back to the sofa and sat down. "Can I trust you?"

She nodded. "Yes. You can. I am the one who is prescribing you medication in order to save your life and prevent you from becoming a train-wreck."

He couldn't help but smile. "Too late." He sighed. "But yes, I'm having headaches and nightmares. I'm sure you've heard about everything that happened in Detroit, Hengsha, Picus and Panchea?"

"Everybody had their own version. I've heard what I heard." She folded her arms across her chest. "Not really pleasant, I must say. You've been through a lot."

"Too much…" He hung his head. "I thought a drink before I go to sleep with help ease this, but nope. I still feel like crap."

"Obviously it didn't." She said. "Just take the medication I prescribed to you and try to lay off the alcohol. It'll work. And might I suggest talking to a therapist? I mean, if you're comfortable."

"I'll think about it." He got up. "I should go. Thanks again, though. For caring."

She smiled. "I love caring."

"Are you going to be okay? You're not looking too good now." He said, concerned.

She took a breath. "I'll be good. My brother will be driving me back. The 3 of us, me, him and my little sister, we live together. It'll be okay, Adam. I'll be okay. I just want you to take care of yourself."

"I will. Be seeing you, Demitra." He nodded and turned to exit her office.

"Oh and um, Adam?"

"Yes?" He turned.

Her sweet smile returned to her pained face. "Thank you… for caring."

He smiled. "I love caring."

She giggled. "I bet you do."

He kept his smile. "You know… you're a brilliant doctor. Don't quit because of the things had happened in Detroit. The world needs a person like you. Everyone can start over again, you know."

Demitra was confused. "Adam-"

"Just think about it, Demitra. Talk to you soon." With that, he finally left her office and also left Demitra with her thoughts.

Location: Sarif Industries (Detroit) – David Sarif's penthouse office
2 weeks later

After meeting Demitra Callaway, the both of them talked at least 3 times during these 2 weeks. Adam had been smiling more after every talk with her. She was sociable, easy to talk to. It felt good to smile after a long time. It felt good.

Now, Sarif had wanted to see Adam in his office, said he had a 'surprise' for Adam. He was a little intimidated, wondering what the man had in stored for him this time. He opened the glass door and walked into his office.

"Ah, Adam! You're here! I want you to meet someone." So saying, there had been someone else in his office. She got up from the chair facing Sarif and turned to Adam.

His jaw dropped to the ground. "No way…"

"Yes way!" Demitra giggled. "How are you, Adam?"

"I'm… good! What are you doing here?" He walked up to her.

"Adam, you are looking at the new head of research for Sarif Industries." Sarif announced.

"Get outta here." Adam looked at Demitra.

"Nope." She smiled.

"What made you change your mind about working in SI?" He asked.

"Well," She started out. "I thought about the last thing you said when we last saw each other. You said that I could start all over again if I wanted too. I thought about it a lot, and decided to stay. I've got nothing else except for this, Adam. This is my life. I can't run away from it nor do I want too. So I heard about David needing a new head of research and I stepped in."

"What about LA? And your brother?"

"Daniel was given a position in the Los Angeles Police Department. I told him to go for it."

"Awesome." He couldn't help but say.

"Yep. So I guess we'll be working together from now on."

He smiled. "I'm glad we are." He held out his hand. "I looked forward, Doctor Callaway."

She took his hand and shook it. "It'll be a pleasure, Mr. Jensen."

Location: Demitra Callaway's office

An hour later, Adam escorted Demitra to her new office. She began to unpack all of her personal items and Adam helped her with it. Demitra picked up a picture of her and David Sarif, taken on the first day of her job. She smiled at the picture. "It's kinda hard, you know. To leave." She sat down the picture at her new desk. "I had my doubts at first, whether or not I could actually leave."

"Guess you couldn't." He stacked books on her new shelf.

"Yeah…" She smiled and gave a big sigh. "I couldn't… She turned to him. "What about you?"

He turned to her as well. "What do you mean?"

"Don't get me wrong, but after the shit David pulled… You're still staying?" She asked.

He smirked. "Just like you, I can't leave, even if I want to. This is all I have left. I can't go back to SWAT, you know why…"

She gave a little smile. "I understand." She looked outside the window. Stars twinkled in the night sky. The city was peaceful once again. "Hey, you free tonight? Why don't you come over for dinner? I'll cook."

He chuckled. "I don't know, Demitra."

"Come on. I bet you haven't had a decent meal in months." She folded her arms across her chest with a smile.

He sighed. "You're right. Okay. I will." He put the last books on the shelf. "I'll drive. Let's get out of here." Testing his luck, he held out his arm to her.

She grinned, grabbed her handbag from the desk and slipped her arm through his. "Lead the way, Mr. Jensen."

In these few months, things were terrible for Adam. Everything had gone to hell, but just when he thought they were not going to get better, he met Demitra. This woman was charming and was jam-packed with grace and elegance. She was a listener, loved to help… loved to care. That's what he needed: someone to just care about him for once.

And he was glad it was Demitra.

A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! :D