Chapter Six – Noticed and Understood

Reed barely had time to wrap his hand in a bandage before the next class. He'd really gone to town on that punching bag, and he hadn't used any protection on his fists. For one thing he hadn't had time to waste wrapping his hands, and for another he'd just wanted to whale on something as quickly as possible. He could never just sit still and focus when it counted. Tina was already waiting in their chosen spot when he returned. She gave him a tight-lipped frown of disapproval as she caught sight of the carelessly tied bandage.

"Don't say it." Reed grunted as he sat down, slightly annoyed that he'd fucked up his writing hand. He sighed out a long breath as his heel started to bounce. People were filing in and the speaker arrived to set up. It was a male this time, the lack of an LED suggesting he was human, but something about him struck Reed as odd. He couldn't say for sure, but he had the feeling he was an android with his LED removed. He was surprised as the man's eyes searched before falling on him with a piercing look, one that made him uncomfortable. He shifted his gaze to the door and watched Fowler enter, along with Connor. The android slowly walked toward the back of the room while the captain settled in the doorway. It would definitely be a quiet class. Unfortunately that made Reed's discomfort all the more obvious.

Reed fisted his hands in his lap, digging his fingernails into the torn knuckles of his injured hand. The burning pain was enough to keep him still for a while, but it didn't help him focus. His lack of focus made him nervous, especially as he felt Fowler's eyes on him, judging him. That was on top of the lecturer, who seemed to have singled him out. Gavin crossed and uncrossed his legs, eventually opting to close his eyes once again. He figured it was better to at least be still and listening a little rather than constantly drawing attention to himself. He opened his eyes as Tina's foot tapped his shoe, lifting his head to find Fowler giving him a pointed look. He pointed a finger at his ear. I am listening! He thought defensively, sighing as Fowler shook his head. Shit…

He remained sitting up for the rest of the lecture, restless as ever. The only difference was that at the end of it this time he didn't get to head to the gym to take it out on the punching bag. The moment he was close enough Fowler murmured to get to his office. Reed couldn't help the dull ache in his chest. It had always gotten to him, the way his teachers had looked at him with some form of disdain. They'd never believed him when he'd said he found it easier to just sit with his eyes closed. They'd always thought he was sleeping.

"I had hoped Miss Martin was exaggerating when she voiced her concerns to me earlier, but after watching for the past hour I." Fowler began in a slightly grave but disappointed tone. Reed lowered his head and tightened his jaw, already knowing what was coming. He was definitely getting a disciplinary, at the very least. Fowler cut off as a knock sounded and Connor barged in, not even waiting to be invited. "Connor, this better be damned good, you know I'm in a meeting." He added impatiently as he gestured to Reed.

"I'm aware, that's actually what I need to talk to you about…It's important." Connor stated as his LED span yellow, which led to the older man dismissing Reed, but telling him not to go too far. Reed stomped to his desk and threw himself down, kicking the metal frame frustration. Across the pen Hank looked up from his terminal and swivelled to face Reed. The younger man huffed out a sigh as he leaned forward on his elbows. It wasn't fair. He was doing everything right. He was going to the classes. He was trying his damn best. In the office he could see the lecturer and Connor arguing as Fowler watched. What's gotten into them? He wondered idly as he waited. It didn't take long, and moments later Connor was walking smartly across to Reed's desk. "Come with me Detective." He ordered, the human not bothering to question it for now as he followed the android into an empty interrogation room. He sat on the suspect's side of the table while Connor stood.

"What's going on?" Reed asked nervously, unsure exactly how much trouble he was in. Is he planning to interrogate me or something? He wondered, bewildered as Connor leaned on the wooden table and stared down at him. It was an analysing stare, level and cool. It made Reed a little nervous, and he crossed his arms in reflex. He certainly felt like he was in the suspect's chair. Connor's eyes dropped to his hand.

"You hurt yourself." He stated, Reed dropping his hand out of sight. Jeez, way to make it sound weird.

"Got a little carried away training is all…" He replied evasively. It was a half-truth, and Connor recognised it as such. He was well aware of Reed's temper, so he supposed he should be grateful the man was taking it out on the gym equipment rather than another person. "What's all this about?" Reed asked finally, watching as Connor pushed a small mini player and headphones across the desk. He took them, since it was clearly expected, and pressed play. His eyes widened as he recognised the female android's voice. It was the morning lecture, recorded from start to finish.

"I have a theory about you Detective…I'd like you to listen to this recording and take notes however you choose. At the end, I would like you to complete the written assignment. Right here and now." He added for clarification. Reed was about to argue, to remind Connor of the pile of case files sitting on his desk, ask which was more important. Connor's hazel eyes were firm though. Whatever the plan was he'd clearly run it by Fowler already and cleared it. Reed was speechless for a moment. Is he seriously telling me to do this however I want?

"Can I grab my notebook? And a pen?" He added, the android stating that he would get them. Reed was worried at first, that Connor would grab the wrong book, but the android had been observant. He'd looked at each cover and seen the class names scrawled on each one. Upon his return Reed took the book and flipped it open to a new page, uncapping his pen before pushing it away. Connor sat comfortably and watched patiently as Reed folded his arms and laid his head down, eyes closed peacefully. His vitals were still ticking away. He was awake and alert.

He spent the next hour or so like that. Every few minutes he would lift his head and lean over the paper, pausing the lecture as he jotted down a few notes. Sometimes he would rewind and pause, looking at the ceiling as he reviewed the data. Connor watched curiously, figuring out how Reed's mind worked. His notes were neat bullet points, broken down into titled sections. It was very neat, very orderly. Once the hour ended Reed pushed the notes away and accepted the assignment sheet. It was to write a 1000 word essay where he had to detail an instance of android abuse he was aware of and how it should have been handled.

For Reed it was easy. He chose his own interactions with Connor, although he didn't mention names specifically. He treated it like an event he had been witness to, and what he would do now as an officer. Connor was quietly impressed. The general point of his essay was exactly what Connor would want from an officer, aside from the littered spelling and grammatical errors. That aside, Connor was more than satisfied. His hazel eyes shifted to the glass almost smugly before he left the room with the paper. Reed shifted in his seat awkwardly, unsure what he was supposed to do now.

"Reed, I apologise." Fowler sighed in an apologetic tone as he entered the room, the detective unsure what he should do with that. He had no idea what the older man was sorry for. "I thought you were slacking off and not taking these new classes seriously, but Connor came to me with a different theory…Why the hell didn't you say something?" The older man chided as he rested his hands on his hips, still holding Reed's rough essay in his hand. Reed looked back and forth between the two men before him, speechless.

"Had someone looked into his records it would have been evident. Detective Reed constantly proved his abilities in the field and examinations, but suffered severely in a classroom setting." Connor piped up, and the captain knew he was right. He could have looked into it sooner if he'd just put two and two together. "Detective Reed, you definitely have focus issues within crowded environments. It's no surprise that classroom settings are difficult. As a result it is my suggestion that we make an exception. Your presence within these classes is no longer mandatory. I will provide you with sound files and any presentation materials so that you can complete the work in a setting more appropriate to your needs." The android stated, something in Reed's chest tightening a little.

"Sure." He managed, dropping his green eyes to the table as he felt something in his throat. He coughed lightly as he felt his eyes stinging. Fucking nope! He thought as he took a breath, tightening his jaw stubbornly. It felt good. He'd been noticed. Validated. Someone had seen him struggling and actually got it. "Thanks." Reed murmured, the three of them parting ways quickly after that. Almost as soon as Reed sat down he got an email containing sound files and power points for both of the day's lectures. He quickly downloaded them to his phone so that he could take them home later. For now he had a pile of files to drag his way through.