Chapter 13/20: Trust
"She's from the State Department." - Jeffrey Fowler
...in which Nines gets protective, Gavin has some explaining to do, one of them falls in love, and the DPD gets a visit.
CHAPTER WARNING! Referenced suicide
NINES
~ DEC 23RD, 2038 * AM 03:34 ~
Of all the things Nines had expected to do in his deployment to the DPD, breaking into Richard Perkins' house wasn't one of them.
Perkins himself wasn't present during said trial, him being temporarily transferred and thus taking his family with him. Get in, get what they need, and get out. It was as simple as that. Although Nines was primarily designed for combat, he wasn't a stranger to infiltration. It came with the RK-series despite specializing in different branches.
Getting the door open, the house was in complete silence.
Perkins was a simple man and thus nothing stood out from the ordinary. They started their search downstairs and found his office. While Gavin was taking in the apartment and stood guard just to make sure, Nines placed himself before the present terminal and went to work. It was, naturally, one of the more complicated interfaces. Yet, it proved no match for him. He shortly had the terminal unlocked and got to the FBI database password screen. With a bit of effort, he hacked through the mainframe and got in.
Pressing a fist against the terminal keyboard and letting his artificial skin retract, information traversed in a millisecond. He found what he was looking for after some digging as it had been placed - no, hidden - under a folder on finished cases and thus was deemed unimportant for the current FBI employees. It was a draft written by none other than Carter Wells.
The notes must've been written moments before his death in 2006. As it turns out, Carter was innocent.
#
CLASSIFIED
* Encrypted (later proven to be espionage) documents found on homicide victim Jonathan Brinks' terminal. Reed was the detective investigating this case and tasked to have said documents decrypted. Being without a partner at the time, he and his captain were the only ones aware of said documents.
*The documents were to be sent via Reed to a Natasha Lyons in order to have it decrypted. Lyons is a childhood friend of Mr. Reed. At some point, an accomplice of Brinks had her home bugged, possibly seeing no need or want to dispose of her unless she managed to have it decrypted.
* Reed had set up a meeting with her when she finished, met up at exactly 11:12 p.m. at her home as it was confidential information and couldn't be handled via phone. The unknown accomplice - having bugged said home - found out about this meeting and intervened. He shot Lyons dead and had her homicide pinned on Reed as the murderer fled through a window. Reed was taken into BPD custody for the suspected murder of Lyons - his captain confirming his innocence by informing the FBI of said documents.
* Lyons, before succumbing to her wounds, managed to have the decrypted files transferred over to a floppy disk the BPD found at her crime scene. It was delivered to the FBI for analysis.
* Once Reed had it confirmed these documents were indeed from Brinks, there was a need for a cover-up, as espionage is a crime not legally shared with the public. Said cover was that Reed was having an affair with Mrs. Lyons as nothing else could explain why he would arrive at her home near midnight without mentioning said confidential documents.
#
"I believe you should see this."
Nines was given a confused look in return, but he simply gestured to the terminal so Gavin could see for himself. Gavin palmed his hands on the table and skimmed through the document.
Once finished, a wave of emotions washed over his face.
"Fucking hell. Over thirty years believing he was a piece of shit... fuck!"
"Your family were never informed of the cover?"
"If we were, things would've been pretty fucking different. For once, my mom wouldn't've put a bullet in her own head a few days later."
"Although this explains where the espionage documents originated from - enough to remove your father from death row - it doesn't explain who framed him. 'An accomplice of Brinks.' This man is most likely still out there as the entire case was put on hiatus after your father was proven innocent back in 06 and now it has reemerged. The accomplice must've accidentally brought attention to it or made a mistake that he had to clean up. Then again, it could all also be personal. An act of revenge as your father nearly caught Brinks."
"So, what, a setback prevented this guy for framing him earlier -?"
They heard a gun cock.
"Hands where I can see them," came a feminine voice, lightly shaking. Nines instinctively stepped between her and Gavin. "I've already called the cops. Who are you and what do you want?"
"Claire Wells," Nines told him.
She was apparently staying at Perkins' home until the trial was over. Nines should've known.
Gavin spoke up. "Detectives. We're investigating your father's case."
"Bullshit. I didn't agree to a meeting."
"Cops don't need permission. See my badge?" he asked, her eyes falling hesitantly to the golden metal on his belt. Gavin held her eye once they ascended. "I'll unhook it and throw it over."
"All right," she said after a pause.
Slowly, Gavin reached down. He did exactly what he said he would and chucked it her way at a respectable distance. Enough for her to have a large amount of distance between them. Let her know they weren't planning anything. Claire kept the gun directed their way when she crouched down. Rising back up, she took an experimental gaze on said badge.
"Gavin," he introduced himself, Nines unable to stop him before he pushed on. "Reed."
Claire froze. "Reed?" she said, with barely contained rage. "Your father took everything from me."
"It wasn't him. You've got it all wrong -"
"What do you mean, 'it wasn't him?' He confessed!"
"To protect me."
Everything fell into place.
Her eyes went wide. "Wh... what?"
"Gavin," Nines warned, for once wishing he could just keep his mouth shut.
"I was four," he said, ignoring Nines as Gavin made an attempt to move away from behind him. Nines didn't allow it in fear she'd put a bullet in him the moment he was in the open. She just stared. "I found my old man's gun. He'd forgotten to lock the case. Thing was jammed, or at least I thought, so I took it down to him. Your dad was there and shit just hit the fan." When she didn't answer, Gavin pushed on. "You've got every reason to be pissed at me, but he's innocent in this."
#
GAVIN FELT: GUILT
#
...for killing someone undeserving. Just like Nines did with those YK units.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
2 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
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"Innocent?" she spat, a light scowl on her face. "Oh, that's rich. He kept the truth hidden from my family all this time."
"...and he shouldn't have, all right? He fucked up," he said, before addressing what he knew of Claire's family. "You have a daughter, right? My bet is you'd do the same for her, but there's a lot more to all this. Someone planted false espionage charges on him and he's lined up for death row. These files would get him out and I'll take full responsibility for everything else."
There was a pause.
"Did you... did you know him?" she asked, voice shaking as well. "My dad."
"Not directly, but my old man spoke highly of him," he replied, her jaw clenching. "I'll spare you the apology because I know you don't wanna hear it. I know how it's like, growing up not knowing your dad. Mine might be alive, but he was a complete stranger, so he might as well be dead. A month prior to today, it'd been eight years since the old man and I last spoke. It'd hurt less growing up was he not there, but I can't walk away from this. It's been long overdue and I've gotta step up even if I know that means I'll have to spend the rest of my life behind bars. After the trial, you'll never hear from me again." Gavin fell into a brief pause "...but I'm not letting my dad suffer for what I did."
Her hands were shaking violently now, eyes brimming with unshed tears. Claire abruptly pushed the gun closer, finger on the trigger, and Nines again shielded Gavin with his body. On impulse, Gavin shut his eyes.
He didn't move any more than that as if accepting what was about to happen.
It never did.
With a choked sob, she lowered the firearm. Brown eyes fell to the floor before shutting tightly.
"Go. Just... fucking go," she forced out.
They didn't need to be told twice. Even if she'd lowered her guard, Nines yet made sure to keep Gavin behind him. She didn't even look at them when they headed for the door. In passing, Nines gently grabbed Gavin's badge from her extended arm. Off in the distance, police sirens were heard. Nevertheless, they managed to get away with the car.
~ DEC 23RD, 2038 * AM 04:00 ~
The road back was silent. Gavin was behind the wheel, a permanent crease to his brow. His jaw was locked tight.
32 years ago. Four years old. Gavin killed his first man and lost his mother the same week. By human standards, he was competing in the worst childhood trauma pendant and destined for the finale. Not only that, but it seemed as if what Nines had seen was just touching the surface. That there was something more that added to the unfair upbringing.
Now Nines understood why he didn't want to talk about it.
#
GAVIN FELT: FEAR
#
...for being found out. Like Nines did about his deviancy.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
2 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
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"Fuck!" Gavin cursed, stopping the vehicle.
He was already outside and had the door slammed back shut before Nines could say anything. Frankly, he didn't know how to. What had just happened was something he couldn't help but feel as if he shouldn't have seen.
Shouldn't've heard.
Before him, Gavin seated himself on the hood of his car. He'd pulled out a pack of cigarettes and started lighting the one he propped between his lips. It seemed as if he didn't mind the rain that was pouring down. Nines' arms were crossed, remaining seated, not sure whether to join him outside or stay where he was until he'd cooled down.
He wouldn't force Gavin to talk if he didn't want to. Yet, Nines couldn't help but feel that deep down, that was exactly what Gavin needed. He remembered how Gavin had reacted when he asked about his scar. How surprised he'd seemed. Appreciative, even.
So Nines made a decision.
Pulling up the car door and closing it back shut, he rounded the vehicle to approach.
Back hunched, elbows on his knees and feet atop the bumper, Gavin's face was buried in his hands with a notably tight expression even behind said hands. The cigarette was placed between his middle and index finger, tip burning lightly. At this stage, he'd obtain a cold. Shucking off his RK jacket without question, Nines draped it over his shoulders, Gavin appearing numb to the gesture.
He couldn't tell whether or not he noticed.
Nines took a half-standing, half-seated seat next to him, car pushing down ever so slightly thanks to the added weight. His hands were kept pocketed as he glanced Gavin's way.
#
| ANALYZING... |
.
REED, GAVIN
* Height: 5.9 ft. - Weight: 174 lbs | 2 lbs below usual weight
* Temperature: 97.2 F° | 1.0 F° below recommended level | Heating up...
* Malnourished
* Sleep-deprived
#
He waited. For Gavin to talk or to go back inside the car, he didn't know.
It wasn't too long before Gavin straightened his back. His expression was tight and lips were pressed into a thin line. He threw up his leg, foot now on the car hood to create a barrier between them. The hand holding the cigarette propped up on the elevated knee and closed around it. His free hand balled into a fist, head turned the opposite direction as if Nines wasn't even there, chin dipping as half-lidded grey eyes stared at the wet asphalt. It seemed as if the past few days without sleep was finally catching up to him.
Gavin's hair was wet and darkened from the rain, a lock lying flat against his forehead that Nines for some reason had an urge to push back. The clouded skies had the bags under his eyes seem even more prominent.
"You just gonna stand there staring at me all day, tin can?"
"I hadn't planned on it, no," he replied, Gavin still refusing to meet his eye as he took another draft of the cigarette. "Your body temperature is below the recommended level, you're malnourished, and suffering from sleep deprivation. Only two of three issues can be solved at this moment, so I advise you at the very least try to get some sleep. My jacket will ensure your temperature increase."
Frowning, only then did Gavin's eyes land on the RK900 logo.
"The fuck?"
So he hadn't registered Nines draping it over him.
"When you're done being dramatic, please get back inside the car."
"Weather's clearing up," he said, not being wrong. "Back at my apartment... that thing with your hand. Your skin pulled back or whatever as if you were trying to probe my memory. The fuck was that about?"
Gavin had turned his body to face him, his once elevated ankle squaring over his knee so it rested against the car hood. Feeling Gavin's fingers closing around his wrist and gently yanking it over to get a better look, Nines saw him frowning even deeper down at his palm. Gavin put the cigarette between his lips again and leaned forward, forearms dropping to his raised shin, pressing two fingers to the inside of said palm. Nines knew that Gavin was trying to skirt around the issue - like he always did - but decided to humor him anyway.
He let the skin pull back.
Nines didn't allow just about anyone to be in contact with the inside of his palm or his exoskeleton in general. He was well-aware that a human couldn't see his memories, but there was a significance in the concept.
"Not probe. Connect. There's a difference," he replied, Gavin watching as the skin shifted with the movements of his fingers. "In my damaged state, I was incapable of controlling all of my functions. Every time an android comes in contact with the inside of a palm, our programming expects us to connect. With control of said functions, I'm able to prevent the skin from retracting. By connecting, androids share memories. Probing is one-sided and forced. It's the most intimate form of contact between androids."
Gavin arched an amused brow up at him. "You're telling me we're fucking right now?"
"Intimacy is different for humans, so I suppose you can see it as an equivalent. It's a sign of trust."
For a moment, there was silence.
Gavin didn't seem to plan letting go of him. Clearly, he was considering something judging by the tight expression having returned to his face. Nines gave him whatever time he required.
When Gavin finally opened his mouth and spoke, he hadn't expected what came out of it.
"I grew up in Birmingham," he began, Nines' face falling ever so slightly in both confusion and intrigue. "My old man was a detective. Mom a lawyer. Naturally, both professions didn't leave much room for anything else. Didn't change when they had a kid. They thought it could work, and for a while, it did... but then mom got this prolonged case with a suspect off-shore - a three-week case - and I got a sitter just before she left. That was shortly after I'd turned two. Dad was still needed at the precinct.
"When mom returned, one would've thought our lives got back to normal, but she'd taken this job offer and I saw her even less. It continued for two years, me having probably a dozen sitters - both good and bad ones - at four ending up with this chick in her early twenties only caring about the paycheck, so she did the bare minimum. She'd just left for the day when all this shit went down. I had no paternal or maternal figure to go to - the sitter always on her phone, mom's, 'go ask your dad' and dad's 'sorry, kiddo, I've gotta take this call.'
"For mom during all this believing dad cheated on her, it became too much for her to handle. Put a bullet in her own head because of it. I found her in the bathroom a couple days after Wells died. My 5th birthday.
"I was sent off to kindergarten, took out my frustration on the other kids and teachers - my hatred for my mom for leaving us like that, my useless sitter, my dad for not being there... The Birmingham precinct had seen some bad times and dad struggled to see the ends meet as the same sitter had stolen a shitload of money from him before she booked it. Dad took to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain and I several times found him passed out believing he was dead.
"Elementary school came up and I've lost count of how many calls dad got from the principal. Fights, bullying, disobedient behavior... you name it. Meanwhile, he tried to get back into the dating scene and met some nice lady same year. A nurse. Closest thing I ever had to a mom. She'd recently gone through a divorce and always wanted a kid," he added, smiling lightly at the thought. "She got me a cat. You know, one of these Snowshoe breeds? I called her Socks. Anyway... the lady helped me get my grades up."
The small smile faded. "She, uh... she had a heart disease that took her. 2009. After she died, dad and I moved to Detroit where he got a job at the DPD. Being from Birmingham, I faced issues at school where people couldn't understand what the fuck I was saying. Too thick of an accent. Had to entirely change it and that took a lot out of me.
"I grew up quicker than the common kid, so I got rid of the sitter in 2010. Eight years of age. Dad trusted me enough to take care of myself and you can imagine how fucking proud I was. It got to my head and I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps. He was still a busy guy, though. A lot of the fights I initiated in school were in order for him to tear his eyes from work for just a moment of his attention. Over the years, nothing changed. Dad tried his best, I was the worst fucking son ever, and it's been the two of us ever since.
"Moved out at 16 when I didn't wanna deal with his drug addiction anymore. I got into the DPD myself when I came of age in 2020 and worked with the old man for two years. I already told you he was kicked out for substance abuse - red ice this time - in 2022. I was determined to make a name for myself no matter the consequences and that ended quite a lot of relationships, both platonic and romantic. Fuck, I tried everything to become like my dad only to realize I'm more like the bitch who birthed me.
"When things get tough, you don't just fucking leave. You stick it out for the people that care 'bout you. What she did sent my old man over the edge. It was fucking egoistic and I'll never forgive her for that," he finished, making it clear that Gavin didn't know how a depressed person's mind worked. "So there you have it, toaster. My entire sob story. Why Gavin Reed is a total dick that doesn't know what good he has before it's gone."
Nines analyzed the situation.
#
GAVIN FELT: ENVIOUS
#
...for not getting the attention he craved and other kids got. So he took to violence and made himself visible by any means necessary. Just like Nines did when he saw how kind Gavin was to that human lady at the bar.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
2 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
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#
GAVIN FELT: BETRAYED
#
...for trusting someone who let him down. So he stopped trusting altogether. Just like Nines did when he had his heart regulator removed after Gavin promised he wouldn't do it.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
2 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
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#
GAVIN FELT: LONELY
#
...for having no one to go to. So he grew distant. Just like Nines had been his entire life.
SOFTWARE INSTABILITY ^^
EMPATHY EXPRESSED
2 RED WALL(S) REMOVED
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It made Nines realize just how amazing Gavin Reed was. For the first time in his life, he was speechless. He didn't take for granted just how much he knew it took out of him to share all that.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Gavin looked up to meet his eye. "'Cause you're the only one I trust enough to hear it."
"By saying this, you're implying Tina doesn't qualify."
"She's one of the few good things in my life and no fucking way I'm gonna risk losing that," he admitted, the brief surprise on his face revealing that he thought he'd said too much. Gavin put up his metaphorical barrier again. "Besides - as opposed to your pretentious ass who wouldn't stop pushing before you had your answers - Ti actually respects my privacy enough to let me keep a lid on it. Might as well get it outta the way."
"In that case, I wish to address something."
Gavin rolled his eyes. "Here goes..."
"From what I've gathered, your mother developed depression," he said, the expression before him morphing into confusion. "The thing about depression is, that in the one committing suicide's eyes, such an action isn't egoistic. The people who suffer from depression are convinced that no one would care if they killed themselves and that's why they don't think twice about who they leave behind."
With that, Gavin's face fell ever so slightly.
He looked down again as if ashamed while his lips pressed into a thin line.
"Never looked at it that way," he admitted, before falling into a pause. Gavin puffed a laugh. "Shit, I guess I'm the only bad guy here."
Nines shook his head. "Far from it. You were simply so focused on your own pain - albeit valid - that you forgot everyone else's. Hank did the exact same thing in regards to the pain of losing Cole that he disregarded yours."
Snapping attention, Gavin stared at him wide-eyed. The grip around his hand tightened.
"The fuck do you know 'bout that?"
"Connor told me you were close before the accident. From there, and after what you've just told me, it didn't take much effort for me to read you," he replied, Gavin remaining quiet as he seemed unable to look away. "That Hank pushed you away when Cole died - and because he turned to substance abuse like your father as well as gained suicidal tendencies just like your mother - is why you're so hostile towards him. He was a paternal figure to you and you were once again forced to see a good man you cared for destroy himself. I don't blame you for a second."
For a moment, Gavin just looked at him.
Then his heart synced up with Nines'.
Eventually, Gavin managed to tear his eyes away. His jaw locked tight without argument.
Nines pushed on. "I was specifically designed to observe as well as analyze situations from a tactical and commonsensical standpoint, but empathy was something I lacked until I first deviated. I experienced many of the emotions you went through during that time. As for you trusting me with this concerning your past dislike for androids... I can't say I'm not surprised."
"You and me both, tin can," he muttered, somewhat hesitantly letting go of Nines' hand and rising to his feet. Skin returned at the loss of contact. "Now let's find out who the fuck framed my dad."
Without a second thought, Nines pushed from the car bonnet.
"After you get some sleep and food into your system, gladly. I have a few things I'd want to tell them."
"Oh, shit. Easy there, Rambo. Save some for me," he teased, look fond as he hopped into the passenger seat. "I ride shotgun. You're buying."
Nines smirked. "Whatever you say, sergeant."
GAVIN
~ DEC 28TH, 2038 * PM 07:05 ~
Six more days had passed since that RK900 nearly killed Nines. Christmas was over, thank god for that, Gavin never having been a fan of the holidays. Frankly, he hadn't celebrated Christmas since he was maybe four. A day when you're basically forced to buy presents to your loved ones when gifts shouldn't be attached to a specific date. If you wanted to give a gift, it should be because you want to, not because you're obligated to. Not to mention how expensive it got dependent on how many loved ones you had.
Tina was a bit more Christmas-y, much to his chagrin, resulting in him being at the mercy of it when he was around. Connor did seem to enjoy the holidays after he understood the concept and that gave Gavin another reason to scowl at him.
Nines, being the reasonable kind, had the same mindset as Gavin.
New Year's Eve was up next and he usually went out for drinks with Tina. Gavin wasn't the partying kind, but he couldn't say he minded it as long as he ended up in bed with some hot guy before the clock pinged 12 a.m. the next year. He hasn't had sex in forever. At least it felt like it. With Nines breathing down his neck - figuratively - at every given moment, and these cases just popping out of nowhere at headache-inducing speeds, it wasn't as easy anymore to just dip out. He really needed to get laid soon.
As for the case, they'd run into a brick wall. It turned out that the one who killed Lyons and framed his dad for the murder was Jonathan's brother, Quinten, who had died years prior. That meant that whoever had the case reemerge 32 years later wasn't Quinten. There was a third accomplice. Again, Gavin had started overworking himself, but this time Nines had decided to put his foot down. At least to some extent. Nines pried more, but if said tactic didn't work, he let him be. Do what he wanted. So Gavin tried to do better on his own terms to put him at ease.
He had a feeling Nines wouldn't stand for it much longer, though. The glares he was given was proof enough.
"One of Perkins' friends?" he asked Fowler, gazing through the glass window at the new face in dialogue with Nines and Hank. "Thought those assholes were finally off our backs. The fuck she doing here?"
"She's from the State Department."
Nines.
She was there for Nines.
"State Department? Nines doesn't answer to those pricks at CyberLife anymore. Tell her to go fuck herself."
"It's not my call, Reed. Nines made the decision to follow through with it."
His body froze solid.
"He fucking what now?"
Fowler clasped his hands together on his desk. "It's been nearly two months now and that's enough for his initial evaluation. They're also gonna need your report on how he's performed in the field. I thought he'd informed you."
If he did, I wouldn't've fucking asked, he was ready to snap, but scrapped it. Shouting at his boss wouldn't benefit anyone.
Gavin just stared. "How long?"
"Deadline for the evaluation is in two weeks, sergeant. Get it done."
Deciding not to comment - or even deny it - Gavin pulled up from the chair and headed for the office door in a reasonable pace. Pushing it open, he didn't look back as he stepped down the stairs. Not having the patience for the snobby-looking female currently in dialogue with his partner, Gavin didn't bother to approach and called him over. Two weeks. Two weeks and Nines was gone.
He'd entirely forgotten that Nines' stay was only temporary and convinced himself he was in for the long haul. A month and a half ago, he would've been ecstatic. What irked him the most was how Nines hadn't told him. Just when he'd genuinely started to like Plastic Prick 2.0 and saw him as a constant in his life, something like this had to happen. It was the same story as always. Grow attached and then they leave. If there was a god, fuck him. He didn't know why he thought this time would be different.
They found themselves in the car on their way to the crime scene soon after. He didn't turn on the radio, silence filling the thick air, him aware the conversation was inevitable.
"Judging by your tight expression and how that wheel might break if you apply any more pressure, I get the assumption you're upset."
There it was.
Gavin took a moment before answering. "When the fuck were you gonna tell me 'bout the State Department?"
"I'm... sorry?" he said, frowning.
"That's not an answer."
"I didn't see it relevant," he replied, crossing his arms. "You're not opposed to working alone, so if I wasn't there one day, I know you'd be capable of putting two-and-two together. Besides, it's very likely you'd be assigned another partner. Human or android."
"If you hadn't noticed, you're the only android I tolerate."
That wasn't entirely true. Eleanor - Tina's girlfriend being an ST300 - was another. Yet mentioning that would mar his argument.
"We didn't exactly start off on the right foot, either. I have no doubt you'd grow accustomed to someone different."
Gavin pressed his lips together. "Why leave?"
"I was primarily designed for combat and leading capabilities, not detective work. I won't be able to fully optimize my functions here and Connor is the only assistance the precinct needs. Frankly, me being here serves no purpose. Being CyberLife's most advanced model, the State Department took note, and they believe it beneficial if I was to lead my own unit. Be a front-line fighter."
"...and this is what you want? It's not just your program talking?"
Nines' answer wasn't immediate. "I don't know. I think so. What I wanted to be when I was deviant was to feel useful, and despite Connor caring for me, I know he feels obsolete in my presence. It wouldn't be right to stay."
"Connor is gonna be fine. This is about you, dipshit. What you want right now."
"I don't know what I want and it suits me just fine."
Because he wasn't deviant.
"So, that it? No second thoughts?"
"None," he replied, marking the end of said conversation. "Why, exactly, are you asking me this?"
"Just a debrief on consequences. Life's complicated. Damn thing keeps throwing curveballs, and before you know it, it's too late to go back. Sometimes walking out that door is all it takes for it to permanently close back shut behind you. Take it from the guy who left at 16 because he didn't wanna deal with a drug addict and look where that got him."
"It's never too late to reconcile with your father, Gavin. It's about being willing to fix something and not giving up before accomplishing it."
"Some things can't be fixed. Accidents happen and time works against you. Say, if my old man died from that heart attack that sent him to the hospital, I never would've had the option. Kill a guy and you could never bring him back."
...and if you left like everyone else, fuck, I don't think I'd ever forgive you for it.
It was egoistic of him, he knew that, and that was why he presented him with a choice. Yet he also knew that there were people at the precinct who'd miss him - Hank, Connor, Tina, Chris... and fuck if Gavin would, too, maybe more than all of them. It was the undeniable truth. The last thing he wanted was for Nines to lose something important to him that he could never get back.
Gavin's friendship and trust, for once. He knew Nines cared about those things.
Nines spoke up again. "I suppose you're right. In that case, I'm going to have to take a chance."
He had his answer.
A/N: The reason why I chose specifically Birmingham is all thanks to Neil Newbon (Gav's voice and mo-cap actor) being from Birmingham. Neil also had to change his accent in order for people to understand him.
