"Are they actually ready Madigan?"
"Yeah, it was decided to have the reveal at the office so we made sure to have everything and everyone in place early this morning"
"Good, what about you, are you ready for this?"
"More than sir, more than"
"I'm sure you are, what about those who were there that day?"
"They're here sir, just waiting for the reveal so that they can talk about being part of the incident"
"Got it...looks like it's about to happen"
"Yeah"
And so Media Break as usual started with news from the wider world before saying what Lisa had been waiting for
"In local news the chairman of OCP called a sudden press conference which we're going live right now"
And immediately after that the chairman was seen and then he starts talking
"Five years ago, Old Detroit lost a hero, Robocop went missing while on a case and was never given a proper memorial or funeral since there was no body, and thus I never authorized a funeral. During these past five years I've been asked to resume the Robocop program but have refused for personal reasons that I am not going to get into. As it turned out though an assumption made five years ago was proven wrong three days ago during an investigation that I can't talk about in detail since it is currently on going. However during the investigation a discovery was made that is currently sending shock waves throughout OCP, and as of today will send shock waves throughout the city. You see, Robocop was found alive three days ago, but we decided not to announce the discovery until we knew that he would be okay after an emergency shut down in the field. We're working on getting him legally recognized as alive again and back on the police force where he belongs, but in the meantime...Robocop you can come out now"
And so to the shock of everyone not part of the raid three days ago, or Parks, Robocop suddenly appeared on live TV, and while as usual Robocop didn't answer any questions, the chairman took a few for him in his stead and then stated that there was still much to do regarding getting Robocop declared alive again and back on the force. Mentioning that the repairs were finished but that Robocop was still integrating them to a degree and thus needed to get back to his mechanic, which meant Metro South. All of the officers there looked to Madigan who they knew was part of a raid recently
"Is...is it really him? I mean..."
"Yes, and yes my team and I were the ones who discovered Robo alive three days ago, and then kept quiet about it for these past two and a half days since Lippencott wasn't sure if Robo could be fixed or even if he was, if he could be brought back online and be...Robo, the Robo we know and remembered"
"Is Lippencott how he's going to get back to the station by the way?"
"Yeah, Lippencott was deliberately kept off screen since we don't want anyone to know who can fix Robo, I mean in regards to identifying the person who has that ability that is. In any case the other reason is because Charlie doesn't do go being interviewed for TV for any reason, remember two years ago?"
"Oh, that incident, yeah, best to keep him off the air if at all possible"
"When...when will Robo return to the station?"
"After the chairman can get him away from the camera, but guys he won't enter through the doors like normal, Charlie won't allow it quite yet, we're still doing our best not to overstimulate him considering how long his repairs took. And it seemed like he was a little noise sensitive this morning too which will make Charlie even more cautious until we discover the cause of that sensitivity"
"Oh, but we can see him again soon?"
"Yes, we can see him again soon guys"
"Madigan, my office please"
"Yes sir"
Once inside the office Parks spoke up
"Did you just lie to your fellow officers?"
"No sir, Murphy really did have a sensitivity issue to loud noises today, bright lights too now that I think about it, almost like a person who suffers from migraines but..."
"But he doesn't get migraines, understood, I'll let Charlie handle this then...wait if he's having issues how is he handling the conference?"
"He's practically deaf and blind right now, Charlie lowered his senses to an extreme level where he can barely hear or see, it's the only way he could function at the conference"
"How does he know where to go then?"
"Secret, but for now, everyone who was part of the raid that found him can speak up about this and explain what happened that day, everyone else, you need to give Charlie and Robo time to get everything fixed up and adjusted back to being around fellow officers. He's been through a lot during these past five years, and we don't even know the half of it, Charlie has deliberately avoided downloading his memories of these past five years so that Robo isn't traumatized even more"
"But those memories might finally give you answers as to what happened that day Madigan, don't you want to know how you survived that explosion?"
"I know enough Paxton, I know enough, and even if I never get complete answers for that day just having my partner back is good enough for me. Now then I have a phone call to make real quick before my partner gets back so that I can talk to him in private and figure out how we're going to update each other on the past five years"
Lisa called Robo's dad and said that it was better to wait until he came by for chess before being reunited with his son, and then went down herself just as Robo and Charlie got back from the press conference
"Hey partner, how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, been better but the program is working"
"Yeah, but now I have to get you back to normal senses, slowly, but I have to do it, and if you suffer a set back you'll be off the force longer than you want because I'll have to dial you back down again"
"I understand"
"However, I think I have something that might help, more like someone who might help, Diana, you available?"
"Yes Charlie what...Alex...you really are alive, I...I saw the reports but decided not to check and see if they were real after the last time I got that report"
"It is...good to see you Diana, even if I can barely see you right now"
"Barely...Charlie did you do something?"
"Over-stimulation, had to make him practically deaf and blind because of it, oh by the way the device we worked on for Robo, even knowing he was dead, worked"
"That's good to hear"
"So here's the plan, you keep talking Diana while the rest of us are quiet while I work on Robo's senses, slowly dialing them up back to normal. We'll see how you handle the station tomorrow and if you clear that hurdle I should be able to convince everyone to let you back to full active duty, but I'll be watching you carefully and if you have any issues while in the field you come straight back and we'll assess after I check you out understood?"
"Yes"
And so very, very slowly Robocop had his senses dialed up back to normal levels which ultimately went well enough, and by the time he was back to normal senses it was time for Charlie and Robo to both get sleep, and Murphy didn't argue about the sleep cycle because he definitely still needed it after the past five years he'd been through recently and he knew it. Lisa also didn't argue against it because she remembered how she'd found him in the first place
"We'll continue to catch up tomorrow Murphy"
The next day Alex would do basic work at the station, and while the officers all respected that Robocop would tell the story of the past five years in his own time, and most definitely to his partner first, unfortunately being around so many people at once after basically being isolated for five years, and sometimes being extremely close to them and not being harmed, caused him to suffer a setback and he had to retreat to his own private area only a few hours into working with fellow officers again
"What happened Alex?"
"I...panicked Diana, suddenly everyone was too close and it was too overwhelming to be around them"
"A panic attack isn't normal Robo, neither is claustrophobia"
"I don't think it was that, I was alone pretty much for five years and suddenly...I was not alone, even if they were respecting my own space as much as possible there were times when they were simply too close and...I thought I would be hurt"
"Flashback...you suffered a flashback to the point that you simply needed to get away from everyone, even knowing that you were safe and wouldn't be harmed you remembered the more recent times where you were hurt by someone in your own personal space"
"Yes"
(Sighs) "I guess we should have thought about that Robo, it also means that you're going to have to have a more systematic approach made to get you back on full duty"
"It appears so, can you explain what happened to my fellow officers and tell them that I am sorry for abruptly leaving?"
"Sure, though I think Sergeant Parks might have already done so since he knows at least a little bit of your story, the others that were part of the raid might have done it too now that I think about it"
And Charlie was right, as soon as Robocop has suddenly fled, one of the officers that had been part of the raid, and remembered what Robocop had looked like when he had been rescued spoke up
"Don't follow him!"
Once Robocop was definitely out of hearing distance they resumed speaking
"Listen guys, I don't know the full story myself but he's been through a lot these past five years, my guess is that he had a sudden flashback, we know that can happen thanks to Charlie and he had to leave suddenly. He panicked and felt trapped most likely, he knows that we're not going to hurt him but he remembers being hurt too many times recently whenever his personal space was invaded. he...he looked back when we rescued him guys, I think it's going to take a while before he's allowed back to full duty"
"Basically don't make a big deal of what just happened the next time we see him right?"
"Exactly, and if Charlie comes up to explain what happened tell him that I already gave a basic explanation, based on an educated guess so that he knows what he needs to explain and what he doesn't need to explain about the sudden episode"
"Maybe...maybe we can have a subtle hand signal that Robocop is in the area, at least until we know he's used to us again, maybe try and figure out if there are any signs that he's getting overwhelmed and have a hand signal for that too"
"Plus have less officers around at any given time, because I think some of you were simply there to see Robocop again right?"
"Sorry it's just...it's been so long we all wanted to see him as actual proof it was him, that and wanted to work with him again"
"I get it, but we have to be careful, we have no idea what exactly Robocop's been through, and like I said I think he's been isolated these past five years. Madigan might be right about him being tortured too, either physically or psychologically, perhaps even both"
"So we basically should treat him like we treated Madigan both during the initial period after we thought we lost him and on the one year anniversary of when we thought he'd been killed"
"Precisely, let's just give him some space and hopefully sooner than you think he'll be back on full duty and comfortable with us again"
A few minutes later Charlie came up
"Hey guys, Robo asked me to apologize to everyone for him for the way he just suddenly left, he also asked me to explain what happened"
"He got overwhelmed with the amount of people in what would be considered his personal space and suffered a flashback causing him to panic thinking he might be hurt didn't he?"
"Yes, he suffered a flashback to his time in captivity, it looks like I don't have much to explain after all, but I will explain what our next step is"
"Less officers at any given time, allow him to approach us, look out for any sign that he's getting overwhelmed and thus we need to back off, we're already thinking about different hand signals to not only alert us to the fact that Robo is coming into the area but also signals for if we think he's getting overwhelmed and needs a break from everyone"
"That's a start, but we're going to have to be systematic in regards to getting Robo used to everyone again"
"Understood"
"But for emergency, or sudden situations your ideas will be helpful, also I don't know when but...I think Robo is going to be willing to share his past five years with everyone, but Madigan and Sergeant Parks will naturally be first"
"Right, it's their right as the partner and boss to learn things first, plus...I think Robo needs to know about Madigan too"
"Yeah, he doesn't know that she's now married with a kid"
"No, he doesn't, though he might suspect something if she hasn't said anything yet"
"We'll let those two handle things the way they wish to handle them, for now though everyone needs to give Robocop space whenever he comes out from his maintenance room once more, though that might take a little bit of time until I'm sure that he can handle stimulation again"
"Right, we'll give him what he needs Charlie, promise"
"Good"
"Though we're also going to have to be careful because he might act like Madigan did when we acted the same around her"
"Oh...didn't think of that, but then again he might not mind considering his programming, but...still there always has been something about Robo that has me thinking of treating him like an actual officer than like a robot, you know, treat him like Madigan and sergeant Parks does"
"Yeah"
That night Robocop and his father had a secret reunion with Charlie losing to Russel and Alex winning against his father in chess. Alex also told his dad about how he'd reacted to being around fellow officers again for the first time in five years
"They understand Robo, and have already come up with ideas on how to help you readjust to being a police officer, from having hand signals to alert them that you're on your way so that there aren't as many officers in the same area initially, to hand signals alerting everyone else that you're getting overwhelmed and close to a panic attack, if they can notice the signs of such a thing happening so that they can know to back off and give you some space"
"Thank you Charlie, where's Madigan?"
"She had something personal she had to do, something that she's going to talk to you about tomorrow, but she wanted today to just be about you and Captain Murphy here being reunited and you also working with your fellow officers again after five years"
The next day Robocop would learn that Lisa had married Adam Roland, the magician that had helped in a case once, three years ago and had given birth to twins a year and a half ago
"We both wish you had been there on our wedding day Murphy, and you were named the twins godfather even though you were presumed dead, no one outside of the force and of course your father understood why we did what we did, but they had no choice but to respect it"
"I see, I also want you to know what happened to me these past five years, and share it with the other officers, I myself cannot talk to them about these five years, not yet, but I will allow you to show them my memories though be warned that some of them are...disturbing to most people who might watch my memories"
"So you're going to download your memories of the last five years and allow me to see it in my own time"
"Yes"
"Okay partner it's your choice, oh...should I find a way to let your father, and only your father see these?"
"No, unless he asks I don't want him to see my memories of these past five years"
"I understand"
And so Alex has Charlie upload all of his memories of the past five years onto the computer and more specifically a disk that everyone could access and watch whenever they were ready and had the time to access it so that his fellow officers could see his memories of the past five years. Once that was done Lisa spoke up
"So, what do you think about meeting my family partner? I'm off now and I think you need to get away from here too and spend time with someone you can trust and since you can't actually be around your family without lying to all of them but your father I think it's best you spend time with my family"
"Parks and I are taking you off duty anyways Robo, you need it after yesterday and the fact that your systems are telling me you're still off balance emotionally somehow is also a sign you need time off still"
"Then I shall go with Madigan to meet her family"
"Great partner, let me grab my things and then we'll go"
And so Lisa takes Murphy to her home and found her husband was actually home (he had been out of town for a few days for a show and she hadn't expected him back for another day at minimum)
"Let me go in first partner, after all, while the news is out about you being alive I don't know if he's seen it or not since he's been out of town for work"
"Understood"
When she enters the house she's greeted by her husband with a kiss before he speaks up
"Hey honey, I know I wasn't supposed to be home yet but due to weather the last part of the tour got canceled and I was able to come home early. I haven't watched the news though since I can't think about learning about anything happening to you except in person. Which I know you've already arranged but still..."
"You're in remote enough places that police informing you about my condition could happen conceivably after the news reports anything"
"Exactly, I was about to call the station to speak with sergeant Parks but now I don't have to since you're home, now then has anything happened that I should really know about?"
"Yes actually, and you need to sit down for this one"
Once Adam had sat down Lisa also sat down
"A few days ago something...happened in regards to a new case I'm working on"
"Is it bad?"
"No, it's actually a good thing that happened but also very, very shocking for everyone, you remember my partner Robocop right?"
"Yes, I also know that it's been hard for you and I'm sorry I wasn't here for the anniversary this year"
"It's okay, I understand but...it turns out our assumptions were wrong, Adam...we found Robocop about four days ago, on the fifth year anniversary of his disappearance, he wasn't in good shape, and we probably almost actually lost him, but he's alive, he's not quite back on the force yet but everyone knows that he's alive. He's also waiting outside in the car since he's been taken off duty and I wanted him to meet you and the kids, or well, re-meet you while meeting our twins, he is there godfather after all, even if it was originally posthumously because he was believed dead"
"I think that's a wonderful idea, and maybe we can show him the video of our wedding since he couldn't be there in person"
"Yeah"
"But Lisa, I do need to know if it's safe for him to be away from Charlie right now, if he's still having issues..."
"It's more flashbacks from memories of the past five years, he can't be around too many people at once quite yet, but physically he's safe to be away from the office for a few hours"
"Okay, then go get him while I get the twins, it'll be nice for them to meet their godfather after believing it would never happen"
"Yes, it will indeed be nice, though I hope he doesn't scare them considering his helmet"
As it turned out though Alex had also thought about that and had decided to ask Lisa if she trusted Adam enough to reveal the truth
"Madigan, should we explain that I am actually officer Alex Murphy and have my helmet off around your twins?"
"I don't know Murph, after all even your own family doesn't know the truth about you except your father, and that's only because he figured it out during a case"
"They will find out soon, I have decided it is time, my father will let me know when everyone can be gathered for the meeting"
"That's...that's good to hear, in any case though I think for the moment you should keep the helmet on and my family unaware of your identity, not because I don't trust Adam with the truth but because quite frankly my twins are going to grow up with the story of two different partners that I had and some of the photos will be you, in your helmet and I don't want to confuse them on your identity from such a young age"
"Your call Madigan"
With that Robo/Alex Murphy made sure that the helmet was secure (he had already undone the bolts that kept the helmet secure, but hadn't actually taken it off in case Lisa decided he should keep the helmet on) before stepping out of the car. And once inside Robocop was reintroduced to Adam first and then introduced to Lisa's twins. The next few hours were then spent with Robocop and Lisa simply relaxing (as much as Robocop could relax anyways) with Lisa's family, but eventually Robocop did have to return to the station to have a sleep cycle
"Hey partner, time to go back to the department"
"Understood Madigan, however first there is something I need to take care of here"
"What is it?"
"Private"
"Okay then"
A few minutes later and Robocop came up from the basement and then Lisa made sure to get Robocop back to the station for a sleep cycle. The next day he was interrupted by Madigan and Parks
"You two have a guard duty assignment, Madigan has the information you'll need, but she isn't going to present it until you're at your location, sorry Robo but I need to keep this as secret as possible and the station has too many ears to be able to safely do so"
"Understood sir"
And so the two leave and Murphy was ultimately shocked to go to his parents home
"Why are we here Madigan?"
"Inside"
And so the two knock on the door and it's Russell who answers it
"What brings you two here?"
"Can we come in Mr. Murphy?, we need to talk about something urgent"
"Sure"
And so the two head in and see the entire family there
"Good, this actually makes things easier, sergeant Parks got a message this morning that I need to inform everyone about"
"What is it?"
"Felix Webber has escaped prison once again, and this time he's directly threatened Captain Murphy's life and the life of Robocop, plus he's threatened your family Captain, including your grandson and daughter-in-law. The sarge wants everyone in protective custody, and yes Robo that includes you this time around considering you were directly threatened, and protective custody includes a safe house, no way around it this time I'm afraid"
"I see, Robo we need to talk about something real quick and then I guess all of us need to go to a hideout"
"Right"
And so once alone Russell speaks up
"Listen I haven't actually called a family meeting yet so that you can reveal yourself to your wife and child, do you want to do that while we're in hiding?"
"No, now would not be a good time to reveal the truth, if anything should happen while Felix Webber is loose..."
"Right, understood Alex, though I do have another concern, can you be away from the station for so long? I was told that your chair was replicated where you were being kept prisoner, at least to a degree for you to have survived for so long, but a safe house won't have that"
"The sergeant would have known and will make arrangements for me"
"Okay then, guess we should pack and head to the safe house, hopefully it won't be too long before Felix is caught and we can go on with our lives"
Suddenly they hear Madigan speak up
"Indeed, especially since my partner still has to adjust to being around fellow officers again and also the outside world"
"Madigan, I did not hear you come in"
"Yeah, Charlie gave me a thing that helps with that, forgot that I was wearing it so sorry about that, in any case though we need to go, soon"
And so the group was soon as the safe house that they would ultimately be staying in for a week and a half before Felix Webber was confirmed dead, suicide by cop ultimately
