Chapter Eight – A Favour Owed
The two weeks passed. Gavin continued his nightly ritual of listening to lecture recordings, looking over Power Points and writing up assignments. His mornings would then consist of sending those to Connor, waiting an hour or so to get them back, and then spending another thirty minutes to an hour correcting them for the android to grade. Thankfully the android spared him any more embarrassing compliments, up until the final reports. He'd originally expected to just get an email back to confirm whether he'd passed the training or not. What he didn't expect was to be called to Fowler's office.
"Reed! My office!" The man had hollered. Gavin's head snapped up from his files, green eyes creased in apprehension. He couldn't think of anything he'd done wrong. He'd been keeping his head down over the past couple of weeks, focusing on his work. They'd had a third smashed android turn up, in another new location. Am I taking too long to get results? He wondered as he got to his feet. It was hard to tell whether Fowler was angry or just tired. Either way didn't usually bode well for him. "Have a seat." The man ordered as Reed entered.
Reed did as he was told and strode across the small office. It was quite intimidating in some ways. There was a huge holographic screen showing different news feeds and station information on cruiser locations and on duty officers. The office was like a glass box with a clear view out into the bustling bullpen. The only warmth in the room came from the small spider plant on the man's desk and a taller plant in the corner. The man's desk was a dark grey metal with a glass top. That would drive Gavin mad. He couldn't stand fingerprint smudges.
"I've been talking to Connor about your recent work." He began, the younger man sitting a little straighter in his chair. Did I not do the assignments right? But the tin can would have told me…He added inwardly, barely able to stop his eyes drifting over towards Hank's desk, where the older man and his mechanical partner were clearly visible. They were deep in discussion about something, the old man waving one arm across at the android as the machine himself leaned forward on his elbows. "It's damn fine work Reed. Connor is thinking of using some of your pieces in future presentations and class examples." He said with a gruff undertone of pride. Reed's head snapped back towards him in surprise.
"Captain?" He stammered, his tone suggesting he needed to be told again. The older man sat back with a small chuckle as he waved a hand at the glass. At the older man's wave Reed turned to watch Connor heading up towards the office with a small black folder tucked under his arm. The brunette smiled pleasantly as he entered, noting Reed's already uncomfortable and awkward state as he sat in the stiff leather chair.
"Captain, Detective." The android greeted politely as he approached the desk and smartly handed the folder to Fowler. The older man took it and opened it up. There were stiff, smart certificates inside, enough for all the officers who'd completed training. The one at the top had Gavin's name and rank neatly printed in elegant cursive script. At the bottom the certificate had been signed by both Fowler and Connor, whose signature was far more elegant and flourished than Reed had expected from a machine.
"It is my pleasure to present to you this certification to prove that you have passed the new Android Sensitivity and Integration Training Program for the Detroit Police Department, to the highest standard. Your work has been exemplary Detective. Keep it up." The older man encouraged as he stood and held out the thick card to Reed. Gavin accepted it with one hand and received a firm handshake with the other. Once he had the paper he just sat back for a few moments and stared at it. The elegant black script, the embossed golden seal, the short red ribbons. It was the best certificate he'd ever gotten. Sure, he had a degree and other papers from the academy, but none of them were this fine. So this is how it feels to be Head Boy…
"Congratulations Detective, you truly did a fine job." Connor added sincerely as he stood with his hands behind his back and a small proud smile on his face. He was dressed differently today. He was wearing his usual smart white shirt and grey tie, but he had a black woollen vest pulled over his chest, the tie disappearing beneath the V-neck. It was smart, almost school boyish. It suited the soft looking android.
"Sure…" Reed stammered finally, noticing that he hadn't actually said anything. The other two men seemed to understand something of his feelings. They allowed him to process the moment before he finally got to his feet, the certificate held loosely in both hands. "Thanks, thank you Sir." He managed before heading for the door and walking quietly to his seat, feeling strangely subdued. It was strange scoring so high when he hated androids. But…do I? He wondered as he stared at the paper.
"Good job kid. I looked over some of your work." Hank piped up as he seemed to appear out of nowhere, right at Reed's shoulder. He wasn't even apologetic as the younger man almost jumped out of his skin. He joined Reed in looking down at the paper before clapping him on the back and taking it. Reed watched as the old man held it up against Reed's notice board teasingly. "Looks like a good place to display it." He said gruffly.
"Are you nuts? As if I'd advertise that!" The younger man objected in his usual curt tone as he took the paper back. He would have snatched it roughly, but he was quietly quite attached to it. Hank didn't say anything if he noticed, he also didn't mention it as Reed opened his top drawer and slipped it inside a stiff folder to keep it nice. That certificate was the best paper he owned. No way was he going to put pin holes in it. It was going home, to go into a folder with the rest of his certifications, right on the front page. The old man chuckled as he returned to his desk, leaving the detective to return to his files.
"Detective Reed." Connor's voice interrupted before he could really sink back into it. The brunette human looked up curiously. Since the course had now ended he'd assumed the android would finally stick to their original agreement not to interact. "I've been asked to join Markus and some others at Cyberlife Tower tomorrow. It's our intention to explore the building and begin restoration." He announced, which was news to Reed. Sure, he hadn't heard anything about Cyberlife for a few months, but he'd expected things to be quiet. He hadn't realised the whole main office had been abandoned. Though I guess it makes sense considering the thousands of androids that Connor and Hank activated there…
"Okay…" Reed replied with a raised eyebrow, one that clearly said and what does this have to do with me? Connor knew Reed wasn't one for beating around the bush, so he just had to come out and say it. He was still a little hesitant though. He knew he and Reed weren't exactly on friendly terms, but he was probably the best person to ask.
"Ordinarily Hank would accompany me on police business, but he is required here for a meeting. I had hoped you might take his place for the day." He continued, his hazel eyes widening just a fraction and his head tilting in just the right way. Are you fucking serious? What are you? A puppy? Reed thought, quietly feeling scandalised. The android hadn't given him a look like that since they'd crossed paths in the break room for the first time. Reed still remembered the way Connor had winced, and the small pained sound he'd made as his fist sank into the softness of his diaphragm. He wasn't human, but something had made him crumple like one. He'd fallen to one knee holding his ribs, an almost sad and wounded look on his face as Reed had roughly prodded his yellow LED like a gun barrel.
"Why would you want that? There's a tonne of other people you could ask!" Reed replied, more bewildered than offended. He tilted back in his chair and rolled back just enough to get a clear view of Hank. The older man had discarded his leather coat for now, leaning over his keyboard wearing his favourite caramel striped shirt. "Hey Hank! There's something wrong with your robot." He called as he pointed accusingly at Connor, who wasn't sure whether to look hurt or amused. He wasn't even sure if he felt hurt or amused.
"Why do you say that?" Hank replied gruffly as he looked back at Reed with a measured squint. Reed wasn't sure whether it was supposed to be an annoyed half-glare or whether he was squinting because his eyes were tired from the monitor. It could easily be both.
"He wants to spend time with me." Reed retorted with his usual curt front.
"I do not belong to anyone Detective, and that isn't the correct way to phrase it. I requested your assistance for work purposes." Connor objected defensively, trying to ignore Hank's snickering as he leaned back in his own chair to watch the pair. Connor had clearly been unprepared for Reed's response in getting Hank involved, still unsure how to deal with the usually hot-headed human. Though perhaps 'once hot-headed' would be more accurate these days…Hank thought as he looked at Reed's relaxed posture. He was no longer on edge around Connor, which was something of a relief.
"See? There's no way he'd want to spend time with you voluntarily." Hank confirmed teasingly.
"Well, thank phck for that." Reed agreed, though his voice had no bite in it. It was around that time that it hit Connor. This was office banter. It was the behaviour Gavin displayed around key figures in his life. Hank, Miller, Collins, Chen, and even Fowler to an extent. Whether he was conscious of it or not it was a sign that Reed had added Connor to this small inner circle. Something clicked into place.
"Lieutenant, you know I've always held a high regard for Detective Reed and our bromance." The android stated with his custom wink, the playful one that he would often use when sharing a joke or being slightly flirtatious. The sight of it knocked Reed for six. Connor had used that term before when speaking about their relationship, but it had been much less playful that time. Reed still remembered the feel of the gun in his hand as he'd aimed it at Connor's forehead. He shivered as he remembered how tempted he'd been to pull the trigger at that point, spurred on by a moment of heated annoyance. He was just a machine, it didn't matter back then…At least it didn't matter to me, or the law.
"Are you trying to replace me with a younger model?" Anderson teased lightly, looking just a little wounded by the prospect. Connor held one elbow while resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully in mock consideration as he appraised the younger human. Reed's lip quirked in amusement as those hazel eyes probed him insincerely before shifted to Hank, who was trying hard not to smile.
"I'll admit, he is pleasing to the eye. His muscle mass is above average. He has a high record of arrests, stemming from successful street chases. He's also currently the best shot in the precinct." Connor praised, as if he were a customer at auction about to make a bid for a highly prized item. Despite the playfulness of his tone the older man was clearly a little put out by the flattering comments. He knew it was to be expected, what with Reed being his junior by over a decade, but it still stung a little.
"He's also got a foul mouth and a bad attitude." Hank pointed out gruffly, Connor and Reed both sending him their own smirks at the assessment.
"Learned it from the best, old man." Reed prodded, quietly meaning it as a compliment. Hank huffed out a grunt of agreement, a small smile appearing within his now neatly trimmed beard. Connor's expression softened as he sent Hank a look laced with warmth and affection.
"Unfortunately for the good Detective I've an eye for the more…seasoned officer. Someone rough around the edges, with wisdom and experience to draw from. I would never replace you Lieutenant." The android admitted with sweet sincerity, both Reed and Hank suddenly busying themselves looking elsewhere. That almost sounded like a confession of sorts. He wasn't sure what to say, or whether it was even his turn to speak.
"Well that's good to know." Hank replied gruffly as he returned to his own work, burying his face in his mug.
"So? Will you accompany me? It will likely take the entire day to scour the building, but most other officers are working on cases or partnered already. You're actually one of the few available." Connor confessed as he turned back to the human hopefully. Of course they both knew that Gavin had his own cases to complete, but they also knew he was still waiting on forensics and working through theories. He could afford to take one day to help the android out. Shit…This is only because I owe him for all the shit he's been doing for me.
"Alright, fine, but only because I owe you…" Reed replied almost defensively. The android graciously accepted his reasoning before setting up a meeting place and time. They'd meet at the front of the station at eight thirty, and Gavin would drive them to the tower.