Another chapter in 2 days? I'm giving you guys standards aren't I? Yet another setup chapter of sorts...i know i promised connor in the tags, and he'll get here eventually, but i want to set up Cassian before i throw her into the game. Oh and i will be drawing out the game...i read somewhere that it takes place over 4 days and just no….in my world it takes longer, how long i don't know yet...we'll find out together!

Still putting this here for now:

"Talking"

Emphasis

Thinking

"Android brain talking"

.:internal workings like mission updates, scanning, and android googling:.

Chap 2

Things calmed down after the the Android and Commander Miller's man were brought in but, for Cassian, everything changed. Being in control was very different than hitching a ride in her own head. After backseat driving her own body for so long, it was as if she was learning how to walk (is this how human children feel?) with the added threat of decommissioning and termination should she show she was having trouble. She was focused on appearing as robotic as she could while still being within her human emulating algorithm; too little and they would find out, too much and they might deem it necessary to look in her code to see why she wasn't working as intended. It was a delicate balance, one which she would become adept at in time. She no longer had time to read or listen to get music; She spent all of her downtime going through her own coding, making sure she knew absolutely everything about herself. Her hands seen to know what to do, following preprogrammed motions and procedures, but she wants to *know* what she's doing; both so she would be able to explain should she be asked and she just likes knowing. It was exhausting but gratifying, like she had found what she was meant to do; sure she may have been programmed to do it but she actually wanted to do it now.

Nancy was different as well. She was always respectful, much more than she needed to be to an android, but now she seemed to go out of her way to lighten scrutiny on Cassian. Whenever Cassian would stumble, Nancy would call attention across the room, if she couldn't find a word that she should know, Nancy would cut in as if she had meant to say that the whole time. Whether it was intentional, Cassian didn't know but she wished she could thank her. Everyday she debated the pros and cons of opening up to Nancy, but considering the biggest con is that she could be killed, she never takes that step.

Over time though, she pushed the limits, to see what she could get away with; more human slang in her vocabulary, more facial expressions when talking to people, all with the pleasant tone expected from her. Even when Francis .:Miller. No relation to the Commander. 33. Transportation expert. Glorified delivery boy:. came in with a delivery of androids for her to fix or scrap. The man was a creep, to both her and Nancy, but she didn't threaten to punch him, so his chosen target in the office was Cassian. His hair was a greasy brown mess pulled up into, what her research called, a man bun and not a very good one either..., his eyes always trained on some very non-professional parts of Cassian, and his twisted smile made her feel like she needed a decontamination shower. He would spend entirely more time than was needed at the Android workstation, leering at her, and Nancy would eventually throw him out (once even literally. That was a sight to see) It didn't seem to phase him, he would be back at it again every time he came by.

For the next year, she did what she was meant to do: work out the kinks in her programming, just by living and doing her job. About 5 month in, Nancy had Cassian move into her side of the room as well, having shown that her programming worked well enough to have her operate on humans. They had to consent to be test subjects guinea pigs, as Nancy called them and many didn't but she did her job, and she did it well, as well as her continuing duties in the workshop. The people who made her came to the conclusion that her programming was flawless not sure they would think so if they knew about me... but she wasn't strong enough; they had made her small and unassuming to be as calming and unobtrusive as possible to help patients but she didn't have the strength to lift patients or hold them down should they struggle; it wasn't her fault, she just wasn't built strong enough. This would be a problem in frontline positions, where she would have to be able to evacuate the injured under fire. Her model's frame would have to change to compensate for the added power; Her replacing was inevitable and she started making plans to run.

But when they came to replace Cassian at the end of her 2nd year of existence, Nancy vetoed the move. "Send me the new models if you must but this RX600 already has all my settings and I know what to expect from it, I would rather not have to set up a new one." she said, which led to a shouting match between Nancy, the programmers, and the engineers; Cassian stood to the side and ignored her instinct can an android have instincts? to run, as if these humans weren't debating killing her...she wouldn't make it to the elevator.

With a final "I will not sign off on the replacing of this android and you will have to fire me to change my mind!" and glare from Nancy, the others finally shuffled out of the room.

"the new models will be sent to you in a week and, I assure you, they are superior to this model. You can always send this one back to us at anytime." The head programmer .:Jackline Corsus. 39. Head of Programming at Cyberlife and a kinda scary little woman:. said over her shoulder as she left.

"if I ever change my mind, I'll make sure you're the last to know." Nancy mumbled at the closing door and sighed. Her large frame sank onto the table that Cassian used for her work, finally showing just how tired she was, her light blonde hair falling out of its precise bun, her lined eyes closed as she collected herself. Once she was sure they were alone, she turned to Cassian, who was still diligently standing against the wall. "Don't worry, Cass...I won't let anyone take you." Looking into her eyes, Cassian saw that Nancy knew, and probably had known for a long time. She took a chance, one that could very well kill her should she be wrong, and whispered what she had been wanting to say all along to this woman: "Thank you…"

"Anytime. Now can you help me clean this up?"

"Of course, Nancy." For the first time, a genuine smile flashes across Cassian's face, not one of the robotic ones that have become 2nd nature to her. Nancy grins tiredly back in response, nods, and begins picking up the mess that she was clearing away before the crowd interrupted her, Cassian only a beat behind her. After approximately 20 minutes of work, the office was as clean as it was that morning, ready to be messed up when they're next case comes rushing in.

"That should do it. I'm going to head home. You can do whatever it is that you do when i'm gone…" Nancy trails off as she grabs her bag, puzzled, "if you don't mind me asking...what do you do when we're all gone? Do you just go into standby or..." she trails off again.

Cassian is so used to holding back what's on her mind that she once again doesn't realise she isn't talking for almost 10 seconds. After an internal debate, in which she decides that she can trust Nancy, she mutters "I mostly read…"

"Sounds about right...let me know if you want me to get you any reading material…" rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly, Nancy says goodbye to Cassian and makes her way to the door, "oh and Cass?"

"Yes, Nancy?"

"Happy Birthday, kid…"

Authors note: lol Cassian's basically going through medical school in her head…

awww the RX family is growing! I wonder how that'll go...and honestly? I love Nancy! I made her as a throw away character to make a joke about work drama and she's become my fave character so far (besides Cassian of course) funny how writing can surprise you like that…

Anyway, drop me a review if ya liked it! and ill see ya when i see ya...