[Time of shutdown: 23:43]
Jeremy flatlined at this time, his L.E.D. going out completely and the death grip he had had on Gavin finally releasing.
The Detective's eyes fluttered open at the sudden lack of contact and he panicked upon seeing all the loss of light at Jeremy's temple.
"J-Jem...?" he faltered upon standing, reaching out to touch him, "Jeremy...?"
The Android did not respond to his hand grabbing onto his shoulder, nor did his eyes open when he was shaken. Gavin was hyperventilating now, looking around for anyone who could help him.
"H-help! I need help!" he shouted upon running out of the room, "Somebody!"
Gavin found Markus and Elizabeth chatting softly away from everyone, their expressions somber.
"You... murdered my partner..." Gavin gasped, panting from the run.
Elizabeth paled, hiding behind the deviant leader, "His software suddenly destabilized when I was working on him...I couldn't stop it..."
"That just means that you have no fuckin' idea what you're doing!"
Markus frowned, "This was the risk of reactivating a previously shutdown Android."
"So you're just going to leave him like that?! He doesn't deserve this!"
Markus and Elizabeth exchanged looks while Gavin fumed. He took notice of the pain now throbbing in his hand and looked down.
The blood was the first thing he saw, the rest just looked like he had shoved his hand into a hydraulic press.
Gavin's vision developed spots right before he collapsed, unable to take seeing the mangled limb...
It was worse waking up in that hospital room. Gavin's body felt numb and he was unaware of how he had gotten there.
The first thing he noticed was a familiar face sitting by his bed.
"Jem...?"
The Android blinked, his brown eyes full of sympathy, "Detective Reed."
"Connor?"
He reached out and pat Gavin's arm, "Yes. I was asked to stay with you until you woke up."
Gavin looked around, "Why am I here...?"
"You suffered a traumatic injury," Connor began, "The doctors had to...um..." he trailed off, looking down.
Gavin followed his gaze to his arm where it was wrapped in bandages. His eyes widened as he lifted his arm, "My hand...?"
Connor nodded.
The Detective let his arm drop, looking away, "I...Did you hear about Jem...?"
"I did. It is a shame."
"He didn't deserve to go like that..."
Gavin looked back as warm fingers intertwined with his own, and he saw unshed tears in Connor's eyes.
"Hey... don't do that."
The Android wiped his eyes, "Forgive me...It is just hard for me to comprehend..."
Gavin sighed softly before he pulled the Android closer. He was not sure if it was the pain meds, or that Connor was the spitting image of his partner, but he felt the need to hold him...
Connor's arms went around him, and his head rested on Gavin's chest. Subtle trembling were felt as the Detective rubbed his back, his hand finding itself combing through his hair not long after.
"It's okay Jem... I'm here..." he murmured into the Android's jacket, "Shh..."
Behind the Android's back Hank entered the room with someone he never thought would come in contact with again.
A smug smirk graced the man's face and a small bun bounced with his steps, but it all faded when he saw the two of them together.
"What odd behavior..." Kamski murmured to himself, eying Connor.
"He's Deviant, you shouldn't be surprised." Hank replied.
Connor shuddered at the sound of Kamski's voice, his thoughts going from comforting the Detective to aiming a gun at that Chloe's head. His eyes screwed shut and he nestled closer to Gavin.
Gavin squinted a little to see them, "Hank...?"
The Lieutenant waved, "It's good to see you up. How do you feel?"
"Shitty..." he sighed, petting the Android's hair, "You?"
"Not much better." Hank pointed to Kamski, "Had to talk to this slimeball again."
Kamski stepped forward, and Gavin's eyes widened, "It's been awhile."
The Detective looked away, "Yeah..."
Connor looked over, his L.E.D. going red. His creator waved a little, "Please step aside Connor, I need to speak with Gavin."
The Android almost flinched back when Kamski's hand touched his shoulder, and he went to Hank.
Gavin watched him go and found himself looking up at Kamski. He just smiled as he stepped into the space Connor had been before, "Good morning, how're you feeling?"
The Detective raised his bandaged arm to flip him the bird on reflex, but nothing happened beyond that, "Fuck off... Why're you here...?"
"I was called in to aid one of Detroit's finest detectives, nothing more." he replied with full sincerity.
"Ha! Right."
Kamski sighed a little, "I know we've not been on the best—"
"—We've never been on good terms!" Gavin blurted.
"I'm well aware, which is why I want to propose a deal with you."
"Fuck you."
Kamski just pursed his lips, exhaling through his nose, "Right. Look. I know that under these circumstances you aren't willing to hear me out, but I wish to bring happiness back to you."
Gavin did not look over, but he was listening as he continued.
"Which is why I need you to hear me out."
"I'm listening."
Kamski blinked, briefly taking his phone out to read something, "Right. I just got an update on it from Chloe. We'll meet again soon."
"Uh huh...right."
Kamski sighed to himself as he turned to leave, "Come with me Lieutenant, I need to speak with you."
"Right."
Hank stepped out with Kamski, "What do you need?"
Kamski sighed as he took out his phone, showing Hank the screen. The older man squinted a little at the pale thing on the screen, "What is that?"
"Chloe, please zoom out a bit." Kamski said gently.
The view began to zoom out, and now Hank could see the pale form of an Android lying in bed with a Thirium pouch hooked to him with an IV. His L.E.D. was red, but occasionally cycled yellow with little twitches in his fingers.
A Chloe was sitting by the bed, gently petting his head while another came forward to replace the Thirium pouch.
"Is that...?"
"Yes. I managed to get the RK800 from that amature technician. His coding is completely scattered, but I'm having the standard RK800 coding reinstalled."
"Will that wipe his memory?"
Kamski shook his head, "I backed up his memory before I started this."
"You thought of everything..." Hank thought aloud, watching the screen, "How long will this take to finish?"
"At least another week. I need to be sure that his programming will remain stable."
"Right. Should I tell Gavin?"
Kamski shook his head while he put his phone away, "Not yet. I will have Jeremy tell him in person. It feels better that way."
Hank was not sure he agreed with that logic, as he knew how torn Gavin was about losing his partner.
"How long will it take to get the prosthetic to him?" Hank asked as they began walking, his voice low.
"Also a week. Though I don't know how he will react to it."
Hank nodded, "Anything to make his life easier I suppose."
A familiar face came into view as Henry stepped into the hallway with a therapist Android. The RK900 paled upon seeing them, "H-Hank? What're you doing here?"
"I was checking on Gavin. How do you feel?"
The Android hesitated, "Edward has calmed down a bit...I feel normal for once."
"That's great news."
Kamski cocked a brow as he looked the Android over, "You're the RK900, aren't you?"
He nodded, "You're my creator, correct?"
Kamski put his hand out, "I am happy to finally meet you like this."
Henry hesitated before shaking hands with him, "It's an honor."
They parted ways soon after, with Kamski stepping outside with the Lieutenant, "I am still in awe of what I have created."
"And there's that famous ego of yours..."
He smirked, his eyes crinkling not unlike Gavin's when he smiled, "It serves me well."
Hank just rolled his eyes, sighing heavily, "Right... I'll see you in a week."
"Yes. I will call you."
"Right."
Three months, eighteen days, seven hours, twelve minutes, and two seconds ticked by on Jeremy's chronometer while he remained in deep stasis. It had been too long since he had seen the outside world. Too long since he had seen everyone...
Too long since he had seen Gavin...
The Android's eyes snapped open as his processors came online. His body felt incredibly stiff and he could not move well. A blonde woman stood by his side, a kind smile gracing her face as she gently pet his head, "Welcome back to life, Jeremy."
Jeremy slowly sat up, running a self-diagnostic. His body was fully functional, with the exception of his hand, which had been replaced entirely. This fact confused him, as it had been fine before he fell under...
"Why am I here?"
"Your software destabilized and you died. Mister Kamski put you back together again." she explained while helping him up, "I am Chloe. Mister Kamski's assistant."
Jeremy nodded as he looked her over, feeling a light fluttering in his chest. It was pleasant, but he did not act on it, "Do you know where Gavin Reed is...?"
Chloe stepped back, offering him a hand, "It is quite a long story for that...but Mister Kamski would like to speak with you first."
He felt a bit heavy as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, swaying a bit as a wave of dizziness hit him. Chloe held him up as he staggered, "Hey...don't move so fast…"
The Android took a moment as his body refused to stay upright, "Why do I feel like this…?"
Chloe sat him down again, pressing a hand against his stomach. This produced a pained gasp as Jeremy wrapped his arms around his abdomen protectively. His artificial skin retracted before he could stop it and she opened up his chest panel. Jeremy's eyes widened as she reached into him, grabbing onto his gyroscope.
His eyes slipped shut and he stifled soft noises as she began to manually recalibrate him. It was a feeling not unlike interfacing, but his body was responding in an unexpected way.
"Th-there…" Chloe said as she removed her hands.
Jeremy opened his eyes, looking up at her face as they shared a vibrant blush, "I...thank you…"
She gave a kind smile, "I guess it's been a while for you…?"
"A while for what?" he asked with a confused look.
Chloe's mouth opened and closed a couple times, but she did not explain herself as the blush returned. Jeremy just watched her, wondering what she could mean by that.
The two of them stayed there in silence, and Jeremy suddenly realized how vulnerable he currently was. His previous clothing had been stripped away, leaving him only in a pair of CyberLife issue boxers that all Androids had.
He found himself glancing down at his pale form, seeing blue rise across his chest as he flushed. The Android then covered himself with a sheet, looking embarrassed, "Ah geez...I didn't realize that I was naked!"
Chloe just laughed at this, the noise incredibly delightful to his senses. She then stepped back, "Let's get going. I'm sure Mister Kamski will be delighted to see your current progress."
"But I'm…" he gestured to himself.
"Don't worry. Mister Kamski has the solution for that." she replied while offering him her hand, "Come along now. We don't want to keep him waiting."
He took her hand, and they walked out into the rest of the home. Jeremy was taken aback by the luxury, looking around in awe, "Wow…"
"Mister Kamski enjoys the finer things in life...so he had this home built for him." Chloe explained while Jeremy found himself staring up at a portrait of a man with the striking resemblance to Gavin!
"G-Gavin...?"
"That is Mister Kamski."
Jeremy was amazed, wondering how someone could look so much like another without sharing the same name. He looked over as the man himself stepped out. He wore a deep maroon robe and had a box in his hands, "Good morning Jeremy. I'm so happy to see that you're finally awake."
"I feel better. Thank you." Jeremy said while giving a friendly smile.
Kamski held out the box to him, "Here. I need you to put these on."
The Android took the box and opened it, seeing an outfit inside. He dressed slowly, his hands drifting over the soft fabrics and luxurious materials that made it up. Black slacks were paired with black dress socks held up with garters that he needed Chloe's help with.
"Why do I need the garters...?"
"Aesthetics." was all Kamski had said.
Jeremy frowned before he stepped into the shiny black shoes, carefully lacing them to fit. Next came a pastel mint button up that felt like silk, though he was not sure. A fitted vest with vertical black and white stripes went on last, hugging his body in an oddly comforting way.
The thin stripes appeared charcoal gray from a distance, suiting him well. Jeremy stood tall once he was dressed, smoothing his hands down his chest and fluffing his hair.
"This is a bit luxurious for me..." the Android began, meeting Kamski's gaze, "Why do I need these?"
"Oh, I wanted to make you presentable for my cousin when you deliver something to him." Kamski replied, "And I must say...You look much better than I anticipated."
Jeremy blushed, touching the outfit, "Thanks..."
Chloe stood by his side, grabbing a smaller black box from Kamski, "Here's what my cousin needs from you. It's been due for a long time, but I think he will be happy to see you."
"Will I see Gavin after I do this?" Jeremy asked taking the box.
"You're delivering this to Gavin."
A fluttering feeling filled the Android as he held the box close, "Just tell me where to go...and I'll go."
Kamski smiled, "He should be at work now...if not. I'm sure Lieutenant Anderson can point you in the right direction."
Jeremy nodded and stepped out into the weather, hugging the box close. It was cold out, with snow flurries buffeting him as he walked. He felt none of it, instead focusing on the hopes of seeing his partner again. It had been far too long...