Sandy had gone along with a little coaxing. It seemed she'd calmed down after spending a few hours with Reed, and Dr Marr was a matronly and reassuring figure. Reed had been too busy staring at Nines to really notice, but the minute they left, he felt a pressing vulnerability. Before Nines could take more than a step towards him, Reed was already on his feet, dodging around Hank and Connor's desks to make a quick getaway to the breakroom. Since it was Christmas Day, they were on skeleton staff, so the small room was actually empty. Probably not the best place to hide, idiot! Reed chided himself with a sigh as he opened the cupboard and grabbed his mug. He hadn't had a coffee yet, so he technically wasn't breaking any rules. Though, those rules don't mean shit if we're not partners anymore…
"Good morning, Detective Reed." Nines' greeting seemed almost hesitant as he hovered in the empty doorway. Reed paused before he'd even pressed the button, something inside twisting at the formality. Were they really back to that? Detective Reed and what? Terminator? Nines? RK900? He didn't have an official name besides Connor. Like phck I'm going to call him that! Despite that, it felt odd to call him anything else at the moment. Nines was being formal. Did that mean that he was supposed to do the same? Something must have shown in his stress level. Gavin's eyes fluttered shut as a cool hand closed over the back of his neck. So they were close enough for that sort of contact?
"Hey…Are you…okay? Connor said you were a little stressed when you got back last night." Gavin sidestepped the name issue for now as he leaned into the touch on his neck. The fingers softened and slipped away. Gavin's jaw tightened slightly at the loss of contact. Fuck, he didn't know how to do this. Talking wasn't what he was good at. He was better at showing things physically. Lashing out. Scratching. Biting. Kissing. Anything that didn't force him to use words. He turned from his place by the coffee machine, still not touching it.
"I am fully energised," Nines replied simply as he reached across Gavin's body and rested a bare white hand against the sleek machine. Gavin watched, his green eyes tracing all the delicate joints of his long fingers and the gentle blue glow beneath his palm. The coffee machine whined to life, black liquid pouring out in a cloud of steam in a way it only did for Nines or Connor. Nines drew his hand back as the cycle finished, allowing Gavin to lift the hot cup and cradle it in his hands. He didn't drink it as he looked at the slightly bubbly black shimmer within the cup. He leaned closer and breathed in the rich scent. Nines' coffee…
"But how do you feel?" Gavin pressed, knowing full well that fully energised wasn't the same as okay or anywhere near it. Nines seemed to pause and contemplate the question, perhaps asking it in his own head. How did he feel? Was he angry? Hurt? Frustrated? Gavin watched his LED spin yellow and shifted his cup to one hand. He let go of his lingering hesitation from the night before as he rested his fingers against the spinning ring. He stroked the area in gentle circles, watching as the light flickered between yellow and blue. Nines' eyes closed briefly as his head leaned further into the warm touch, almost chasing Gavin's fingertips. Gavin felt his heart thud as those ethereal eyes opened to meet his own.
"I am…experiencing…" Nines trailed off, his tongue darting out to lick his lips nervously. His gaze dropped, darting around as if searching for the right word. He seemed frustrated as he pressed his lips together in a thin line. His LED blinked yellow briefly as he continued to puzzle. "I believe…I can show you," he added finally, stepping closer as Gavin nodded. He reached up and took Gavin's wrist in a gentle grip, sliding his fingers up to almost caress the hand that had been touching his temple. His thumb stroked across Gavin's palm in small circles as he tugged him against his chest and leaned his head down to rest on his shoulder as his other arm wrapped around his waist.
Gavin wasn't sure what to do for a few seconds. He tensed in Nines' embrace as he wondered what he would do. As he did nothing further, Gavin felt himself relax. His fingers curled around Nines' hand as he allowed his body to press up against him. Nines seemed strangely vulnerable as he tugged him closer and squeezed. It almost felt like Nines let out a breath he'd been holding. Warm air brushed Gavin's neck with the gentle press of lips. Gavin shivered, caught off guard by the sudden affection. It sent tingles darting up and down his arm and shoulder. He was surprised he'd managed to keep hold of his cup all this time without spilling.
"Yesterday I was…afraid…I was afraid that you wouldn't come back," Nines confessed quietly, remaining close and holding him tightly. That suited Gavin just fine. No way he wanted Nines to be looking at his face or analysing him at a time like this. Gavin nodded his understanding against the large shoulder. "And I was angry…Frustrated…I felt useless…Ashamed. The most advanced android ever created and there was nothing I could do…About the bomb, about the magnetic field, and even my own programming…I was trapped on a single spot, unable to move without permission. I wanted to disobey. I wanted to break it, but…I was too weak," he continued in an even softer voice. It was laced with a vulnerability that Gavin had never heard from Nines before. He was often stoic and aloof, particularly during work hours. It was a tone that didn't belong on Nines' lips. Nines was strong and powerful, sure of himself and his abilities.
"Phck, I'm sorry," Gavin sighed as he rubbed almost comforting circles on Nines' larger back. He was sorry that Nines had felt that way because of him. He was sorry they'd been put in that situation in the first place. "I just…I wanted to keep you safe! I didn't want the field to knock you out, and telling you to wait there seemed like the best thing to do at the time." Gavin felt Nines nod his understanding against his shoulder. Did his good intentions ease the sting of taking away his autonomy? Probably not, but he had no idea how to make up for that. He also didn't know if he could promise not to do it again. If telling Nines to wait would keep him safe, then he'd do it every fucking time. But does that mean I don't trust him? That I don't think he has what it takes?
"I also want to keep you safe…It isn't…It isn't fair that you have this power over me and yet you can do as you please," Nines replied in a sightly stiffer tone. Gavin winced against his shoulder. He was right. It wasn't fair, but that's just the way it was. Nines wasn't a deviant. That meant he was at the mercy of his programming, and he would be until he managed to break his coding. "I was upset that you didn't understand, and I was angry that you didn't regret giving me that order." Nines fell silent after that. I guess it's my turn to talk…Gavin drew back with a sigh, immediately missing Nines' warmth as he stepped away and cradled his mug once more.
"I know you're probably still mad about it, but my opinion hasn't changed. I still…I'd still do it again to keep you safe. You don't need my protection. I get it. I don't think you're incompetent or that you can't do the job, but phck, Nines…I've lost a partner before! I know what that shit feels like and I…I don't think I could handle that shit a second time," Gavin confessed quietly as he stared down at his coffee and bit his lip. He knew it was a shitty and selfish reason, but fuck it. He was a shitty and selfish person. The thought of looking across and finding Nines' desk empty, of clearing off the little cactus, packing up his books, and folding away his jacket. It left a gaping pit in his chest. Phck, this is why I didn't want another partner in the first place!
"I understand…" Nines replied stiffly, his blue eyes darting away evasively. Gavin knew what that meant. He understood, but he didn't like or agree with it. He also knew he couldn't change it, but does that mean that he can't work with it? Gavin wondered warily. The question stuck in his throat. He was worried about Nines' answer. Did Nines want to leave him? Did he want to work with someone else? Nines looked up with the same hesitancy. "Last night…I questioned our partnership, and you agreed…" He almost looked like he regretted bringing it up the moment he'd said it, but he's right. We can't just ignore what we said.
"I thought you were looking for an out…and I get it! I'm not easy to work with. I have a temper. I'm always giving you orders when I don't mean to, and I've leaned on you way more than I should have. I get it if you want to ask Fowler for a new partner," Gavin said earnestly, his green eyes betraying his worry and insecurity about the answer. Nines almost looked relieved, his fingers twitching as he tucked his hands behind his back smartly. Gavin would almost say that he looked hopeful.
"Does that mean that you wish to continue our partnership?" Nines asked finally. Gavin's whole body seemed to light up with hope.
"Yeah-yes-of course!" Relief flooding his chest as Nines gave him one of those little smiles. Gavin sipped his coffee, unsure whether it tasted so good because Nines had made it or because he was in a good mood. Probably a combination of both. It was only as he sipped the coffee that he remembered he was still wearing Nines' jacket like a cloak. The jacket was surprisingly light, despite being on the larger side. It was somewhat comforting. Nines' LED blinked yellow, his brow furrowing slightly as he reached out a hand and trailed his fingers across Gavin's forehead.
"Your core temperature is rising…" he murmured in a troubled tone, as if he hadn't noticed before. Maybe he hadn't. Things had been pretty intense for a while. Gavin knew he was probably getting sicker as time wore on. He smirked at Nines' wording. It was such an android thing to say. Gavin didn't have a core, but he got what he meant. The touch on his skin was cool, just a little more noticeable than a human. It was one of the things that made Nines' android status obvious.
"It's just a cold…It'll probably only last a couple days," he excused, noting the way Nines' brow furrowed as his LED span yellow. "Don't be such a nanny-bot! I'll be fine as long as I stay warm and sleep it off," Gavin insisted, though that didn't seem to placate him. He paused as Nines stepped closer and tugged the lapels of his jacket, pulling it a little more snugly over his smaller shoulders. It was a caring gesture, his fingers smoothing down the loose material. Gavin almost rolled his eyes. He could feel Nines scanning him, silvery eyes staring down unblinking.
"You haven't eaten since yesterday," Nines noted in a disapproving tone. Gavin shrugged his agreement. It wasn't like he could help it. They'd driven at top speed to reach Detroit in time to save Sandy. Then he'd been stuck in the basement disarming the bomb, and after stumbling through snowy Detroit to reach the station, food had been the last thing on his mind. It wasn't like he'd been awake that long, either. "Most establishments are closed today…" Nines murmured, almost troubled as he looked through the order options.
"It's fine, I'm not even hungry!" Gavin insisted, trying to ignore the way his stomach protested that notion. It didn't growl, but he could feel the hunger coiling through his insides. Nines' LED flickered yellow as he picked up on the lie and continued to weigh his options. He was firm as he took Gavin's arm and steered him back into the bullpen. Gavin was tired and still riding the high of Nines agreeing to remain his partner, so he didn't even grumble as he was returned to his chair like a lost child. He was planning on doing some paperwork anyway. May as well be useful if I'm stuck here anyway.
"I have requested assistance," Nines reported a few moments later. Gavin raised an eyebrow at that. What did he mean by requested assistance? It certainly didn't seem like he'd ordered in. He would have just said something like I've placed an order if that were the case. Gavin shrugged it off as Nines circled to his own desk and sat down, right where he should be. It was pretty cosy. The bullpen was virtually empty with most officers out on patrol, and only Nines and Gavin were sitting in the detectives' area. There was no sound besides the occasional squeak of Nines' chair, Gavin's fingers on the keys of his terminal, and the sporadic tap of ceramic on glass as he drank his coffee. He was beginning to think it would be a quiet day. Then his phone rang.
"Hi, Chloe," he greeted with a little more warmth than usual, pleasantly surprised by the call. He hadn't been expecting to hear from her. As far as she and Elijah knew, he was supposed to be in witness protection with Nines. Nines! He quickly realised what he'd meant as he looked across at him. He had a small smirk on his lips as he worked. "Nines called you," Gavin added with a small huff as Chloe returned his greeting with one of her own. He sat back in his chair, sighing as the muscles in his back loosened with the movement. He'd been leaning over his terminal for quite a while, getting down everything about the previous night for Colin's records.
"He did, and I'm almost there. Nines said you haven't eaten since yesterday! Gavin Alexander Reed, you need to take better care of yourself!" she chided, though imagining the pinched look of displeasure on her face just made him smirk. Chloe hadn't been designed with an intimidating plate in her body. She was all softness and light. It was a little like when Nines tried to smile. Her face just hadn't been designed to move in the way required to spark fear or intimidation. Her concern sent warmth swirling in the pit of his stomach. It wasn't something he felt often, though he'd found it a lot more common recently.
"I'm working on it…" he replied evasively, knowing that he probably wouldn't. From the look on Nines' face, he knew it too. Nines had quirked an eyebrow at him in a knowing manner, almost as if laughing at him. Beneath his amusement was a softer expression, one filled with affection. "What are you coming in for anyway?" Reed added as he turned his chair a little and looked towards the entrance. He had a feeling she must have been pretty close by if she'd called. She probably wanted to be met at the entrance.
"I brought you some food. Nines is right that there are limited options today, so I made you something," she added brightly. Reed got to his feet as he noticed her step through the entrance. She couldn't actually come into the bullpen unless she was authorised or given a key card. Chloe looked around a moment, her LED still blinking yellow as she saw him, and waved. The light swiftly returned to blue as she hung up. Reed hurried over, calling through to Stacey that she could open the barrier. The secretary didn't argue, simply pressing the button and letting the plastic doors slide open with a clack.
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble, seriously! Something store bought would have been fine!" Reed insisted as Chloe pushed a plastic tub into his hands. She waved it off as she took the lead and headed to where Nines was still seated at his desk. He instantly stood, both to greet her and to invite her to take his chair. She accepted sweetly, her toes barely touching the floor since Nines was so much taller. She immediately opened her small handbag and rummaged inside for a few moments before pulling out a packet of cold and flu medication, likely from Elijah's supply.
"It was no trouble. It barely took two minutes to put it together," she insisted, which Reed found hard to believe as he opened the Tupperware box. It looked like the sort of baguette you'd get from a proper deli. The bread was crisp and fresh with rows of folded ham and slices of cheese tucked inside with tomato, lettuce, cucumber and a strip of mayo. Alongside that was a small bundle of carrot sticks and a tub of white dipping sauce. "When does your shift finish? Now that you're back, you should definitely come and stay with us for a while. There's plenty of room! You could even use one of the spare studies as a home office!" Chloe continued brightly as Reed sank his teeth into the crispy bread and held back a moan. It was like it had been freshly baked that morning. Maybe it was…He wouldn't put it past Elijah to have a bakery hidden in the mansion somewhere. Chloe quietly pushed the unopened box of medication across to him. Nines really thought of everything, jeez…
"That would be wise. Elijah's home has a lot more security than your apartment," Nines added in agreement, though Reed was loath to put Elijah out. It may have been a massive mansion, but he was pretty sure he wouldn't want him there mooching for however long it took to catch the killer. "As a temporary measure. Until you can find somewhere more permanent," Nines suggested amicably, likely able to read the trail of his negative thoughts. Nines had an uncanny habit of picking up on what he was thinking.
"Come for a few days at least! Elijah's been asking about you every day!" Chloe replied fondly, watching Reed scoff around his baguette at the news. "It's true! He asks me every morning if I've heard any news about you or the case. He was thrilled to hear you'd come back last night and insisted that you come for dinner at the very least. It's Christmas!" she added as a reminder, though with how quiet it was in the bullpen it was hard to forget. I guess dinner wouldn't hurt…and if they won't let me go back to my apartment, it wouldn't hurt to crash at Eli's place for a while if he's okay with it…