Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Story Disclaimer and A/N: I don't own Deus Ex: Human Revolution. If I did, I wouldn't need to write fanfiction (and these two would have been a couple in the game). I have tried to keep everything canon compliant, so if I've gotten anything flat-out wrong and/or impossible, kindly inform me. This story has been altered since its original posting; I rewrote some parts to make them less confusing and tried to perfect the grammar. If you point out those mistakes (in a kind way, please), I will learn more and become a better writer. However, keep in mind that some breaks from grammatical rules were implemented purposely for artistic license. Thank you!
Adam sighed, leaning back in his chair. Here he was again, back at Sarif Industries as if nothing had happened during these last seven months. Visions of the events flashed behind his closed eyes, almost all of them unpleasant. Not wanting to depress himself, he instead thought Michelle Walthers, the woman who'd saved his life. The security chief had recently developed a habit of spending his nights there, from the time he got off work until seven or eight P.M. After everything that had happened, she was the one person in his life that he felt completely comfortable around, and she seemed to enjoy the company.
Jensen didn't hate Megan and had extended his forgiveness to her, but that didn't mean he would voluntarily spend time around her, wherever she'd gone since leaving Sarif Industries. That kind of betrayal just made it clear that it was right for them to have broken up in the first place. Sure, he'd probably always care about her, but at least he wasn't in love with her anymore. That was a relief.
Sarif hadn't changed. The CEO was immensely happy that his security dog had followed his orders on Panchea, and business was better than ever. Not that Adam had felt good about the choice. He'd only done it because the other three choices were even worse. Turn humanity off of technology that could save lives, especially now that the research on his DNA could make Neuropozyne unnecessary? Put augmentation regulations into the hands of corrupt legislators? Blow himself and everyone in the facility up for the sake of leaving behind a mystery? Yeah, right, those were solutions. The best he could hope for was creating a world where people used augmentation technology for healing people, not destroying them.
"Jensen," Pritchard's voice blared through his infolink, causing the cyborg to jump a little, "where are you? You're late."
Shit, Adam cursed to himself. In an effort to increase security after the incident seven months ago, Sarif had required him to meet with Pritchard daily. The two had protested the increased contact between them, but weren't given a choice. The boss insisted that had the two worked together more, the attack would have never taken place. That the two needed each other as a system of checks and balances. It usually came off more like two rivals trying to one-up each other and point out the other's flaws, but security had gotten better.
"I'm on my way, Francis," he responded, running out the door towards the other man's office. When he got within Pritchard's line of sight, he slowed, trying to give the impression that he hadn't needed the reminder and really had been heading over when the hacker called. "You sounded awfully concerned, Francis. Miss me?" the cyborg snarked as he stepped into the computer technician's office.
"Funny, Jensen. Let's get this over with. I'd like to get out of here, not sit around and wait for you to show." Frank pulled up the usual chair next to his own for his co-worker to use.
Sitting down, the security chief snorted. "What, do you have a date?"
To Adam's surprise, the man's cheeks turned a faint red. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"You do? You have a date? Did your mom set you up, or something?"
The tech ignored him, struggling to keep the interaction professional. "I really don't have anything to report for today. I saw no suspicious activity. Is there anything on your end?"
The cyborg bit his lip. There really wasn't anything, but... "Well, I don't know. It's probably nothing."
"Christ, Jensen. It's that kind of thinking, by me, too, I'll admit, that allowed the massacre to happen. We can't ignore any possibilities, no matter how small," the pony-tailed man leaned forward, eyes intent.
I'm an asshole. I'm an asshole. I'm an asshole. "I, uh, I noticed some Neuropozyne missing from the stores. It was probably just a miscalculation. Even if it weren't, it's not that big of a deal. I'll investigate it more myself."
Frank shook his head. "We'll investigate it now, together. No more security breaches. No one, not even Sarif, will pull one over on us again." Caustic as their relationship currently was, it was a far cry from being as bad as when Frank attempted to undermine the ex-cop's job, solving the Neuropozyne issue without him.
I'm sitting here lying to him, using his fear to make him stay at work and worry about our safety. I'm an asshole. "You have a date, Pritchard. I'll take care of it," Adam attempted to dissuade his coworker.
"Let me be clear: I don't trust you to be perfect, Jensen. That's why Sarif paired us- to check each other. We're going down there. Both of us. People's lives are more important than a date."
The cyborg didn't speak, feeling put to shame by the tech's dedication.
Two Hours Later
"It looks like you did just miscalculate, Jensen. There's nothing out of place. In fact, we have a little more Neuropozyne than we ought to. That's actually a little disconcerting, so I'm going to note it in the computer."
The security head still felt like crap. "Yeah. I'm sorry I made you come down here for nothing. Apologize to your date for me."
Frank gifted him with a rare smile. "Don't be worrying about my love life, Jensen."
Adam arrived at Michelle's around 6:00, glum that he'd missed out on valuable time with the woman. Knocking on the door, he let himself in to find her sitting in her usual spot on the couch.
"Oh, why hello, I was sure hoping my dinner would arrive soon! I'm starting to get a little tired." The woman smiled warmly, as if she were happy just to see the ex-cop and the meal was secondary.
"Hello, Miss Walthers. I'll have your dinner ready in a moment. What sounds good tonight?"
She crinkled her brow in concentration. "I think I'd like a nice salad. I've got to keep my girlish figure," the woman chuckled.
Adam nodded, then headed into the kitchen to start cooking. He'd just rinsed the lettuce when she came through the doorway.
"What's your name, honey?"
His facial muscles gently tugged his lips upward. "Adam."
She came a little closer, watching him slice a tomato and a pepper with seeming interest. "I knew an Adam, once. He was a sweet little boy. So smiley and interested in the world. I'm not sure what happened to him."
"He sounds like a good kid," the ex-SWAT answered, used to the awkwardness of the situation and focused more on dinner.
"I know he grew up to be a good man, too." Adam resisted the urge to hug her. "Adam," she said, changing the subject, "you look sad. What's wrong?"
He glanced over at her, surprised. "I'm fine, Miss Walthers." The security chief grated cheese over the meal.
She tut tutted. "Lying's a sin, hon. I can tell when somebody's sad. I can also tell that it's love troubles."
The cyborg almost spit out the water he'd just sipped. "Love troubles?"
Michelle's face contorted to a knowing look. "I know it's love troubles. Once you admit it to yourself, it's easy enough to deal with. Just tell her you're in love with her. I promise you, it'll all work out." The elderly woman exited the kitchen, salad in hand, leaving her dinner guest frozen in his tracks.