Chapter Thirty-Two – Talk It Out
Once he reached the door he was called in by a sweet feminine voice, a voice he was sure a lot of the male officers would swoon over. She had the same warm quality as the ST200 android had had. She actually shared a few aspects with the feminine android. A perfect figure, from the modest bust to the shapely calves. Flawless pale skin, just a few freckles over her nose in an eerily perfect but not quite pattern. Her eyes were a bright emerald green, far deeper and greener than his own dirtier shade. Her hair was a deep orangey red, shoulder length and curled.
"Please come in Detective Reed, I've been expecting you." She announced as he hovered in the doorway examining her edgily. He watched as she moved around her desk with a notepad, measuring her steps with his eyes. Each one looked perfectly even. He shut the door behind him and continued to watch as she crossed to one of the large armchairs and sat neatly, crossing her feet at the ankles. "Sit down, and we'll get started." She added in a welcoming tone.
"You're an android." He stated with certainty, watching her falter just a little. She took on a somewhat resigned expression as she looked up at him, still hovering in the doorway. She'd removed her LED, but Reed's trained eye picked up the signs easily.
"You're right. I'm a PR400, originally designed to work in medicine, but after the revolution I decided to retrain myself as a psychologist." Dr Sanders admitted, scanning Reed as he hesitated in the doorway. He was uneasy, and a little stressed, but no more than her other patients had been so far. A lot of them hadn't even realised she was an android since she'd removed her LED and changed a few of her cosmetics. "Does that bother you?" She asked curiously.
"I don't know…A little, I guess." He admitted awkwardly, unsure himself whether he really meant it or not. I mean, we did have a human psychologist before. What happened to him? Did he get cut and replaced with an android? Just like what happened pre-revolution? He wondered, knowing that the old psychologist had been an older man called Dr Greenwood. He'd hated the man, the way he'd pick you apart and analyse you with just a few words.
"And why is that Detective?" Sanders asked, already knowing the answer. It was the answer humans always gave.
"Well…the last doctor was a human. What happened to him?" Reed asked in a guarded tone, watching the redhead scribble on her pad. Yes, I'm an asshole, so sue me! He thought, unwilling to look at the pad on her lap. If he started trying to read her notes it would become an obsession.
"After the sensitivity training the DPD decided it would be best to…part ways with Dr Greenwood. He's retired and now spends most of his time these days on the AAL messaging boards." Sanders replied carelessly, though her words were anything but careless. Greenwood had tried to keep his internet activities on the downlow. He hadn't expected the DPD to be keeping such a close eye on their staff. For a while it had even been touch and go on whether Reed would remain after the revolution. Luckily the young man had turned his life around somewhat. The mere mention of the AAL had sent a shock through his vitals, but it wasn't a shock of fear.
"That old man was in the AAL?" He demanded, though she was surprised he didn't know. The older man had travelled in a lot of the same social circles as Reed at one point. It wasn't impossible that they could have missed each other at those meetups though, especially with Reed's heavy working schedule and unpredictable hours.
"He still is…How does that make you feel?" Sanders asked curiously as she motioned the seat opposite her. Reed finally peeled himself away from the door and slumped down in the large leather chair. It was big and comfortable, made to put people at east, and into a more willing mood. Sanders continued to track Reed's vitals as he crossed one foot over his knee and sat back.
"I guess…It's none of my business what the old man does, hell I didn't even like him…I'm surprised though." Reed replied hesitantly, still struggling as the redhead asked him to clarify. What had surprised him exactly? "The AAL has changed a lot…Before the revolution it was a group that was made to try and safeguard human jobs in the workplace. Too many good working folks were losing their jobs to androids, because they were so much fucking cheaper than looking after good human workers." He began, watching Sanders nod her understanding. She was used to it. The abuse humans spewed at androids, just because they were designed to be better. She didn't take Reed's words personally, they weren't aimed at her specifically, and this was something he needed to work through.
"It sounds like you resent the business owners more than the androids themselves…" She suggested, watching Reed blink in surprise. Honestly he'd never thought about it. He'd hated the whole situation. He'd hated that these perfect machines existed. He'd hated that they were so cheap to buy. He'd hated that businesses had seen no problem in what they were doing. He'd hated that it was so easy, and legal, to do it. He'd hated that thousands of people, like his own mother, were tossed in the gutter with no warning.
"I don't know…When it all started I was just angry…I was a kid, my mum was out of work, she got sick, I tried drugs, almost ended up in a gang…It was easy to hate androids. They were an easy fucking target." He admitted, which Sanders understood. She didn't berate him for it, or hold it against him, she just listened and made a few notes. "I'd probably be dead now if I hadn't met Fowler and cleaned up my act." He admitted, knowing he'd been close. If anyone besides Fowler had turned up he would likely have been shot for having a gun in his hand, and at the very least he would have been arrested. He owed a lot to the old man.
"Did your feelings towards androids change once you were on the right path?" Sanders asked, noting Reed's discomfort as he shook his head. He was at least honest about his prejudices.
"No…If anything I got worse. I was always worried about it. Androids were being made for all sorts of jobs, so it was only a matter of time before someone like Connor showed up…I fucking hated him, you know? Uniformed officers were already being replaced, and then in walked an android detective. It was a fucking joke!" He bit out venomously, looking very much like his old self as he ground his teeth and looked at the floor. He certainly seemed to have a few issues he hadn't worked out, but she knew from his current record and Connor's own words that he hadn't let that affect his work. His relationship with Connor had even improved. The android considered Reed to be his friend, and she felt the feeling was mutual.
"What made you change your mind about the AAL?" Sanders probed.
"The whole thing just…changed. After the revolution it wasn't about protecting human workers anymore. There was always a lot of hate for androids, but the things they started saying, the things they want to do…" Reed didn't even want to go into it. He was sure Sanders was more than aware of the things AAL members would do if they got hold of her, or any other unsuspecting android. She nodded her agreement, quietly pleased with Reed's responses so far. He was honest. He wasn't afraid of admitting his faults, and he fully accepted the less savoury parts of his past. He didn't make excuses, and he didn't claim to have changed that much.
"With that in mind, and the knowledge of why Dr Greenwood was removed, do you still have a problem with my working here?" She asked curiously, watching Reed pause.
"No…I mean, as long as the hiring process was fair." He added hastily, though how any hiring process could be fair when dealing with humans versus androids was uncertain. An android would always score higher than a human. It was a fact. It was also a fact that the DPD didn't have many android employees, so they'd be looking to expand their employee base.
"Well, I'm glad I have your approval." The doctor teased lightly, noting that Reed suddenly seemed to feel bad. I wouldn't have questioned it if a human had gotten the job…"Shall we continue? Tell me about the ST200." Sanders instructed, listening patiently as Reed explained what happened outside. She walked him through the few minutes after and then delved into what happened once he got home. She pointed out that he wasn't alone.
"No…I don't have any family or a partner, so Nines volunteered to come home with me." He replied awkwardly, leaving out quite a few things. She noted that he'd avoided calling Nines his partner or his android. He was hesitant to put a label on their relationship. He also hadn't mentioned their living arrangements. It was on record that Nines was currently residing with the detective. It was listed as a temporary residence, but with Nines being an owned model it was likely that it would remain like that unless he deviated.
"Tell me about him…Your new work partner." She prompted, watching Reed flounder at the unexpected turn of the questioning. He was clearly nervous about something. He shifted in his chair, sitting up a little straighter as he rubbed his good hand on his knee and darted his gaze around the room evasively. A very strong reaction.
"Nines? Nines is…He's an android, looks a lot like Connor…He's an upgrade actually, an RK900." He supplied weakly, all of which Sanders knew just from looking at the android's employment file.
"That's not what I asked Detective…Tell me about his personality. His quirks, his likes and dislikes." She added in a guiding tone. Giving him simple things to think about that would help him form a picture in his mind. He rubbed his chin and looked thoughtful, if a little uncertain.
"Well, he's only been out of Cyberlife a few weeks, so his personality is still forming…So far I'd say he's…uncertain, a little socially awkward, but kind. He's not like Connor. His social programming is a lot less developed, but he's quite expressive if you know what to look for. He has a lot of programmed quirks like Connor, the way he stands, the way he tilts his head sometimes…If he doesn't want you to know what he's thinking then his expression goes a little blank, but his eyes will always give him away. We're still pretty new to each other, but I guess he likes leather and turtlenecks, bold colours, and he enjoys cooking. I know he doesn't like Cyberlife, no surprise there…Other than that I'm not sure." He admitted, surprised by how little he could say about the android. They'd been together constantly for the past few days, and yet he'd found out so little. I guess I'm just content being around him. We've never talked about anything besides work and random stuff…I don't even know if he's figured out many likes and dislikes, because he spends all of his time with me, working.
"You look like you have something on your mind." Sanders observed as she sat back, watching his green eyes take on an almost guilty edge.
"I guess I don't know him as well as I should." Reed admitted reluctantly, though he could always learn. Sanders nodded her understanding as she made a few notes, the glide of her pen filling the empty silence.
"How did you feel while you were blind, being alone with your new partner like that?" The doctor asked curiously, watching Reed's expression soften slightly. It was an interesting reaction.
"Safe…I know I can trust Nines…I don't know, we just get each other." He replied somewhat awkwardly. She moved on, not wanting to press him too much in one session. They still needed to go through the second incident. This one was a lot fresher in his mind, and he could give her a lot of details about the event physically. "It was the first time I heard Nines speak, when he shouted at me." He added, a detail that wasn't necessarily relevant to the trauma. It surprised her that Reed felt it important enough to mention, or even remember.
"He was non-verbal before that?" She asked.
"Yeah, while he was at Cyberlife they-uh-they ripped out his voice box." The human replied, not knowing the technical term for it, but he knew the android would understand just the same. "We were communicating with sign language before that." He added in explanation, before she asked the obvious question. It was an interesting detail in the story. Reed continued, explaining how he didn't actually remember much after being shot, but he did remember Nines jumping in and protecting him.
"What about afterwards?" She prompted.
"I woke up in the hospital, stayed there for a day, then went home and came back to work today." He replied simply, not really seeing anything special about it. She hummed lightly as she made a few notes. That wasn't normal protocol for gunshot wounds. He'd usually be expected to stay home until the wound was healed enough to allow him to work normally.
"Would you say you're ready for active duty?" Sanders checked.
"Fuck no, I can't even lift my arm right now." Reed replied as he motioned towards the large sling his arm was resting in. The wound was tightly bandaged and didn't bleed at all, but it was still pretty fresh. Pulling it or moving it too much could easily open up the thin layer of scab that had formed over the hole.
"Then why have you returned to work? Most officers would rest at home to allow their bodies time to heal." Sanders pointed out, watching Reed almost scoff at the idea of resting. As if he had the time or patience for that.
"Look, lying at home would be a waste of my time. I'm part way through an important case right now, and I already had to waste a day while my eyes healed." He replied in a snippier tone than he'd originally intended. "I just don't like sitting on my ass when there's work to be done." He added, as if that solved everything. She could tell the human certainly had some issues. Like many officers he was a shameless workaholic, and he let that affect his physical health.
"You work a lot Detective Reed…Would you say that affects your physical health at all?" She asked curiously.
"No, of course not…Unless you mean physical injuries. I get a few of those on the job, but who doesn't?" He replied defensively. So, he clearly knew he allowed himself to be overworked and he didn't look after himself as he should. He was agitated, likely at the idea that she could have him signed off work. Sanders didn't think he was a real danger to himself or his co-workers, and he would likely be more distressed at being forced to stay home.
"Perhaps that's something we can work on." Sanders suggested meaningfully, watching as Reed held a finger up and shook his head.
"No, absolutely not. I'm not a victim, I'm not suffering any residual trauma, and I don't need to waste my time talking about unresolved issues. Thanks but no thanks." He insisted, the redhead smiling at him. Reed didn't like that smile. He'd seen women smile like that all over, and it never ended well. He levelled his best glower at her in response.
"I was asked to assess your mental state Detective Reed, and it's my belief as your doctor that you would benefit from a series of sessions." She decided, watching his vitals spike. He was a little angry, but mostly he seemed afraid. He didn't want to be taken apart piece by piece and put back together again. The problem was he also knew he didn't have a choice if he wanted to continue working. As a doctor Sanders had the power to have him signed off. She's worse that Dr Greenwood. "So, I'll speak to Captain Fowler and work out some session times that will work around your regular hours." She added dismissively.
"Do we really have to do this? You've seen my case rates, I'm clearly managing fine." He insisted, the redhead looking up sternly from beneath her long lashes.
"Just because you have an exemplary work ethic doesn't mean you have exemplary physical and mental health. It's my job to ensure you're fit for duty." She insisted, watching Reed's jaw tighten in annoyance. Dr Greenwood had always let his sessions slide, or eventually ended up forgetting them. He was under the distinct impression that this android doctor wouldn't do such a thing. Phck! "I'll see you again soon Detective Reed." She added in her annoyingly sweet voice. Reed grunted out a response before leaving, definitely not slamming the door in his wake.
His annoyance still hadn't gone away when Nines and the others returned. Their three suspects were led to separate interrogation rooms while the detectives got ready to begin the interviews. Nines noticed Reed's mental state right away. It was impossible not to pick up on it, though Connor and Hank seemed to have decided to ignore it. Nines was not so tactful.
Why are you distressed? He asked, thinking Reed would prefer keeping their conversation relatively private. The shorter man ignored it as he got to his feet and headed towards the interrogation rooms after Hand and Connor. He only stopped when Nines' hand caught his upper arm and stopped him, turning him back so that they were eye to eye. Tell me. The android insisted.
"It's nothing Nines, fuck, you're not my fucking nurse maid!" Reed snapped, far more sharply than he'd intended. Thinking he'd likely upset the android Reed decided to continue following the others, but found himself unable to move as the hand on his good arm tightened.
"But I am your partner." Nines insisted firmly, his thumb stroking small circles on Reed's upper arm that were really far too intimate. You seemed fine earlier, what happened? He added with a tilt of his head and the best puppy eyed look he could muster. He wasn't sure if Connor had been teaching him, but he'd definitely improved. The shorter human sighed as he kicked the floor idly.
Fowler made me see the psychologist. He replied with a certain amount of vulnerability. Nines wouldn't care, he knew that. He didn't know the stigma that was attached to it. If you saw the psychologist that meant you had problems. Mental problems. Emotional problems. Problems you couldn't sort out on your own.
Is that not a good thing? Many humans are reported to have a positive reaction to therapy. Nines replied, quietly pleased that his human was now being encouraged to improve his mental and physical condition. Gavin seemed upset at Nines' answer, taking it as a personal slight that his partner agreed that he needed therapy.
I don't need fixing, ergo I don't need a fucking therapist! Gavin replied, his hands making loud and sharp movements. He was clearly agitated, and Nines wasn't the most experienced in dealing with agitation. If anything it made him feel nervous. If he ended up upsetting him too badly the human may decide to throw him away. Despite this, he did think it was a good idea. The problem was finding a way to tell Gavin without upsetting him further.
Perhaps not, but it wouldn't hurt to take advantage of the situation. I'm sure you will have a positive experience. Nines insisted, doing his best to sidestep Gavin's earlier words. Obviously Reed didn't need a therapist as a matter of urgency. He could go from day to day and function well at work. It was his attitude around work that could use some guidance. Perhaps these sessions would make him feel more positive and he'd take better care of himself.
"Whatever. We have work to do." Reed huffed in response, clearly not pleased with Nines siding with Fowler. Nines suppressed a wince, hoping that his partner would calm down during the interrogation. Nines followed his partner as he headed into the observation room, and hesitated at the door to the interrogation room itself. He felt something. Scared? Nervous? Worried? Uncertain? He paused and looked to the observation room door, biting his lower lip. He had the sudden need to see his partner.
"What's the holdup kid?" Hank asked as he stepped out of the small room and shut the door. Something in Nines' chest dropped a little as the older man stepped out. It wasn't this human he'd wanted to see, but the old man still offered him some little comfort. He seemed to understand a little of what Nines was feeling before he even spoke. His blue eyes softened as he approached and laid a strong hand on Nines' shoulder. "Feeling nervous?" He prompted gently.
"Perhaps…I have not done this before." Nines replied in a slightly more robotic tone than usual. Hank would have thought he'd turned off his feelings altogether if not for the uncertainty in his usually sharp eyes and the way he nipped his lower lip. Nines didn't want to voice his uncertainty to his superior, but he was worried about messing up. What if he asked the wrong question? What if he missed something? What if Gavin was displeased with his performance?
"You've got nothing to worry about kid. You have the right programming, you know all of the case details, you just need to ask him what we want to know. If you get in trouble, or we think you need support, me or Connor will be in before you know it." The old man assured in an encouraging tone, one that suggested he'd had this talk before. It would make sense. As a lieutenant the old man had probably helped to train up a lot of rookies in his time. Nines nodded timidly. Hank was right. He knew what to do, and the first suspect wasn't even their main suspect. This would be a practice run, a way for him to get started. "Go on Son, get in there." Hank added, giving him a tap on the shoulder. There was a slight clatter as the observation room door opened, a scruffy brunette head poking out.
"Nines, you good?" Reed asked in a serious tone, his green eyes searching the android's warily. Nines felt his chest tighten at his human's appearance. He'd probably come because he was taking so long, likely impatient to start. He was pleased he got to look at Reed again before he started anyway. He nodded quietly as Hank retreated and headed into the smaller room. "Well then, get the fuck in there." His human added in an almost encouraging tone. Nines took an artificial breath and nodded as he turned to the door.
"Gary Palmer." Nines greeted simply as he opened the door. The young man at the table looked up. "My name is Nines. I am a Detective for the DPD." He added in the same level tone, sounding very much like an android as he approached the table. He examined the human before him. As expected he was in his early twenties. They seemed to have caught him at work. He was wearing oil stained overalls that belonged to a mechanic workshop. That explains why he'd go there for car parts…
"Am I in trouble? I had a feeling I missed a red light the other day, but I swear it was an accident! I always turn right on that road, but the road sign is." The young man stammered nervously. Curious, he seems genuinely concerned about a speeding ticket, but didn't mention the parts he illegally removed from the yard…Nines thought as he held a hand up. The young man had scruffy brunette hair that he constantly shook out of his brown eyes. He was clean shaven, with a lip ring. He clammed up as Nines signalled for silence.
"Mr Palmer, do you truly believe you would be seeing a homicide detective over a speeding offense? Or that you would even be brought to the station?" Nines asked curiously, watching the young man's jaw drop. He's not the one. The android thought with certainty. His vitals were screaming surprise, in a manner that would take years for a human to fake. Many humans wouldn't even consider the fact that they needed to fake their vitals. The DPD only had two androids that could scan for that.
"Homicide? Like, as in killing someone? Look man, I swear, I don't know anything about any murder!" Gary replied earnestly, his big eyes pleading with Nines to believe him. Nines absolutely did, but that didn't mean their interaction had to be completely useless. Nines nodded his agreement as he sat straight in his chair, resting his hands on the table.
"I believe you are telling the truth, but you may have information that will assist us." Nines continued, the young man easily agreeing to help in any way he could.