Richard quickly started the detective's car as Gavin sat in the passenger's seat and without thinking, made a phone call to Tina.

RK900 put the vehicle in reverse and rammed the gas pedal as he pulled out of the curb and onto the street. He glanced at his frantic partner who was breathing heavily, "I promise to get us there in less than ten minutes," the machine reassured, "Try to stay in control," he pleaded in a worried tone.

"Just drive," Gavin barked, eyes filled with rage and fear.

"Hello?" Tina picked up the phone.

"He's on the roof," Gavin tugged at his bow tie, "His name's Scott, got it? I cuffed him to a pipe near the stairwell," he explained as he snapped the tie off of his neck. "God," he whispered to himself, "Can't fuckin' breathe," he threw the tie to the ground.

"Gavin, is that you?" Tina asked on the other end, "Are you alright? You sound terrified."

"Listen!" the brunet stomped his foot, "You need to take him in to central and I'll handle the rest. Just take him in."

"Huh?" Tina sounded confused, "What're you talking about?"

"Don't you understand? His name's Scott, he's at the mansion!" the detective yelled before feeling light-headed as he was on the verge of acute hyperventilation.

"Gavin, slow down," Officer Chen calmly articulated, "You're not making any sense. Start from the beginni—"

The brunet let out a frustrated groan, "Just listen to me! Go to Kamski's mansion and take the guy on the roof into custody!" he shouted, "Don't ask questions. Don't argue with me. Just do as I say!" he ended the call.

Richard's eyes went from the street to the panicked detective. He arched his brows as he monitored his counterpart's racing heart. "Detecti—"

"Don't," Gavin interrupted. "Just drive," he hissed.

The android had never seen his colleague reach this level of hysteria. He analyzed the detective's erratic breathing, pale features and trembling hands. Richard decided it be best to remain quiet so as to not further agitate the manic brunet.

Gavin reached for his transceiver and placed it closer to his lips, "Dispatch, this is Reed," he began, "Who called in the 10-31on Breyer Avenue?" he tried to maintain a professional cadence.

There was a pause.

"Dispatch! Who called it in?" the detective raised his voice.

"Getting that information now; standby," the voice over the radio replied.

"Fuck," Gavin tried to slow his breathing, "This can't be happening," he pinched the skin between his brows before shutting his eyes, "It can't be," he shook his head.

"We'll be there in a few minutes," Richard stated in an effort to relieve some stress.

The brunet turned to stare at his partner who was focusing on the road ahead. Several thoughts circulated in his head as he tried to string together a sentence. Just as he was about to open his mouth, the radio went off.
"Reed, it was an AP700 household android who phoned it in," the man over the transceiver noted, "He sounded distressed and mentioned something about the perp being armed so you and that RK900, watch yourselves," he warned.

Gavin swallowed hard, unable to prevent his hands from violently shaking. "10-69," he stated as sweat dripped off his brow, "Thanks," he ended the transmission.

The two remained mute as the car filled with tension. Richard couldn't help but try and soothe the brunet who seemed utterly shell-shocked by his situation. "He may be armed but so are we, Gavin" he placed a hand on his partner's thigh.

"I can't kill him, Richard," the brunet stared at the dashboard as if in a trance.

The machine's eyes rounded as he processed his counterpart's statement.

"I—" the officer paused, "I won't be able to do it," he shut his eyes in disappointment. "I know he's a shitty guy," he tried to explain with sadness in his voice, "I know he's horrible and he's ruined so many people's lives," his eyes began to water, "But I can't do it." Gavin turned to RK900, "Please, don't make me do it," he begged, "Please."

Richard was silent for a few seconds. He lowered his lids, "If we're forced to take lethal measures, then I will be the one to end it, detective," he promised the brunet, "I won't put that pressure on you."

Gavin let out a sigh as two lone tears escaped his eyes and splashed onto his blazer. "I'm sorry," his voice cracked.

"Don't be," Richard stated with a comforting cadence.

After speedily pulling into the driveway, the pair rushed out of the car, not bothering to shut the doors or lock the vehicle. Both men pulled out their firearms and ran to the front door which showed signs of being pried open.

"Stand behind me," Richard ordered as he motioned his colleague to move back.

Gavin heeded his partner's command and had the android take the lead.

RK900 kicked down the front door and pointed his gun down the hallway before aiming up a set of stairs that led to the second floor. There was no sign of an intruder but the android stayed vigilant and informed the detective to keep his guard up.

"Wait," Gavin placed a hand on Richard's back before pointing to the small drops of fresh blood on the stair's railing.

Richard lifted his chin but continued to stare at the blood. He peered over his shoulder at Gavin, "It's Miller's. Stay sharp," the machine cautioned with a stern tone.

Gavin nodded as he fought the intense sense of dread brewing deep in the pit of his stomach. He followed his counterpart as both men tromped up the stairs. When they reached the second floor, the officers pointed their firearms down the narrow pathway while surveying their surroundings.

"Gavin," the android motioned to the ajar door leading into the master bedroom, "Slow and steady," he advised the overwhelmed detective.

The brunet tried to keep calm as his eyes remained locked on the door. He tightened his grip around his Glock and winced—the scar on his nose beginning to ache. Gavin scanned the all too familiar walls and furniture as dark memories resurfaced and triggered phantom pains. He shut his eyes before returning to the present.

Richard continued to lead the way until they reached the bedroom's entrance. The android halted in place.

Gavin glanced at his partner, waiting for a signal.

RK900's eyes darted from the door to the brunet, anxiety draping over his normally reserved expression. He took a moment to engrave Gavin's appearance in his mind before lowering his gun and placing a hand on the detective's cheek.

The brunet's eyes widened, startled by his partner's gesture. "T-tin can?" his voice quivered.

Richard stared into Gavin's perturbed expression. He wanted to convey how much the brunet meant to him, how much he wished the detective wasn't forced into this stressful situation but there weren't enough words in the world to articulate the machine's thoughts. He let out a small breath before removing his hand from his colleague's reddened face and returning to his watchful stance. After a few moments of contemplation he opened his mouth, "Are you ready, Gavin?"

The brunet was one more emotional shock away from passing out. He remained silent momentarily before responding, "Let's get this over with."

RK900 looked at his partner one last time. Then, with one forceful push, the door swung open and in rushed the officers, guns at the ready.

"Freeze!" Gavin shouted as he and Richard entered the bedroom. The pair immediately noticed the disabled AP700 near the bed. The android's neck had been snapped and a small amount of thirium pooled near his head.

Meanwhile, a strong scent of iron overpowered the detective's senses and he immediately turned his head towards the source. Gavin's eyes shot open as he caught sight of his father who was slumped in the corner with a copious amount of blood surrounding his body.

"Oh, God," the brunet darted to the motionless man.

Richard followed intently as he lowered his gun. He checked Ryan's vitals before peering to the detective, "He's alive," the android stated, "But he's losing blood and he's losing it fast," he warned. "I can help stabilize his condition," RK900 quickly explained, "He's been shot through the left shoulder twice," he glanced at the brunet, "I need your assistance in holding him down."

Gavin's mind was all over the place as he tried to comprehend what the machine was saying. His gaze remained locked on his unconscious father.

"I'm going to cauterize his wounds, do you understand?" Richard asked with brows drawn together.

Gavin couldn't stop staring at Ryan—a man who always played favorites amongst his kids, who constantly abused the brunet, who broke Gavin's mother's heart…and yet the detective found himself shedding tears for the guy. "Th-there's so much blood," he whispered, body growing numb.

"Detective," Richard stared at his counterpart, "I need you to stay focused," he placed his gun on the ground, "Your father's life is at stake. I need you," he pleaded as he took off his blazer and rolled up his sleeves.

Gavin tilted his head to meet the gaze of the android. He paused for a second then took in a deep breath and exhaled moments later. "Okay," he uttered, wiping at his eyes.

Richard smiled before gazing back at Ryan. "Alright, here's what I need you to do," he inched closer to Gavin's father, "I need you to pin his arms to the ground. The pain will wake him and he will try to fight," he peered at the brunet, "I need him to stay as still as possible so I can seal the wounds."

Gavin was breathing heavy but remained emotionally stable. He nodded before he put his gun down and placed his hands on his father's wrists, "I have him."

The android tore open Ryan's shirt, exposing the severity of the gunshot wounds.

"Christ," Gavin grimaced, "It's swollen to hell," he eyed the injury.

"Don't worry, I'll disinfect the—Nh!"

The android grunted as he felt a leather belt tightly wrap around his neck and pull him away from Gavin and Ryan.

The detective instantly turned around, his eyes snapping open in sheer horror as he realized the sergeant choking the life out of the android.

Richard let out sounds of discomfort while he fought the strap that was digging into his neck.

"Well, well, well," John chuckled as he dragged RK900 across the floor, "Look at you two playin' the heroes tonight," he huffed before slamming the android's head into the ground, disorienting the machine.

"No!" the detective scuttled to his feet, "Richa—"

"Gavin," Richard looked to the officer with a pained expression, "Take care of your father. Stabilize him and call an ambulance," he pleaded, "I'll handle this," he pulled the belt off his neck.

The brunet was on the verge of a heart attack. He turned to face his dad who was growing paler by the minute then back at RK900 who was trying to get back up to his feet.

"He's right, kid," Miller sided with the machine, "Ryan ain't lookin' too hot," he eyed the man in the corner, "Best tend to him first, hm?"

Suddenly, Richard bucked his leg and kicked John in the shin causing the older man to let out a pained noise as he fell to his knees. He hurriedly turned to Gavin, "Go!" he gestured, "I've got Miller!"

"Hey now," John laughed, "This android's got spunk," he pressed off of his knee.

The detective was torn. He wanted to pin John down and ask him what in the world he was doing; He wanted to scream, to shout at his mentor to stop—to think for a second about what he's done and how many lives he's destroyed. He fought all urges to assist his partner who had his hands full fighting the burly, older man. Gavin shut his eyes, knowing full well how capable John was in a brawl. He swallowed hard before running over to his father's side.

John and Richard's fight spilled into the hallway outside of the bedroom.

The brunet was sweating profusely as he quickly took off his blazer and tore the bottom of the formal jacket to use as a tourniquet in an effort to stop the bleeding. "Okay," Gavin slipped the cloth around Ryan's arm, "This is gonna hurt," he whispered before wrapping the fabric over the bullet wounds. The detective shivered as he felt the blood under him soak into his slacks. He looked down to the pool of blood before his eyes rounded. Both his and Richard's firearms had been ruined as blood had seeped into the guns' chambers, rendering them completely useless. "Fuck," Gavin grit his teeth, "So much for weapons," he shook his head in disappointment. Suddenly, revelation struck! The brunet realized that he'd taken a kitchen knife from the apartment in case of a close combat emergency. He touched his side and felt the blade poke his thigh. He lowered his lids, slightly relieved that he wasn't completely unarmed.

The detective took one more moment to himself before glancing at his father. "Here goes nothin'," he ripped his cufflinks off and folded his sleeves to his elbows, then proceeded to squeeze down on his father's wounds.

Ryan's eyes snapped open as he was brought back to the real world. "FUCK!" the man shouted, voice straining as he fought the pressure Gavin put on the injury.

The officer tried his best to remain in control—the distant grunts of Richard and John fighting outside the room added to the overbearing stress the detective shouldered. "Stay with me, Ryan!" the officer stated while pinning the man to the ground, "You're okay! Just keep your eyes on me," he encouraged.

The older man was breathing heavily as it took him a few seconds to realize it was his son who was aiding him. "G-Gavin?" he barely managed to voice, "My God," he stated with a faded smile, "It really is yo—"

"Shut up," Gavin interrupted, "Conserve your strength," he ordered as he tightened the tourniquet.

"Ah!" Ryan winced in pain, "Shit," he shut his eyes and groaned.

"You've lost a lot of blood," the brunet stared at his dad, "I need you to stay still," he tore off more fabric from the blazer and wrapped it around the gunshot wounds. "You should be okay," he reassured before reaching for his transceiver, "Just rest here."

Ryan let out small sounds of pain as he tried to remain conscious. His eyes were locked on his son who was tuning the police radio.

"Central, this is Gavin," the brunet wiped his forehead of sweat, "I need an ambulance ASAP at 6390 Breyer Avenue. I've got a male victim with severe gunshot injures to the left shoulder in need of immediate medical assistance."

There was a pause.

The officer peered over his shoulder towards the hallway as it grew strangely quiet. He brought his hands together to prevent them from trembling any more than they already were as a growing sense of worry crawled up his skin.

"Gavin, this is Chris," the radio went off, snapping the brunet back to reality, "Paramedics are on the way."

The detective breathed out a sigh of relief, "Copy. Thanks, Chris," Gavin lowered the transceiver and pinned it back on his belt. He glanced at Ryan, "Hold on a little while longer, we're gonna get you to the hospital soon."

Ryan sluggishly placed a hand over Gavin's, "I'm so sorry for putting you through so much," he expressed with tremendous remorse, "Gavin, if only you knew how much I wish—"

"Enough," the detective pulled his hand from underneath his father's, "Just…Just please," he implored, "Stop talking."

Just as the brunet finished speaking, the door to the bedroom creaked open. Gavin got back up to his feet, shuddering as he felt his blood-soaked pants stick to his legs. He patted his forearms with a sigh, "I hope you didn't rough him up too much. I wanna talk to him about all this and see what the hell he was trying to accomplish," he smeared his blooded hands on his sleeves.

"He put up quiet the fight," Miller stated with an impressed tone.

Gavin's eyes widened as the sergeant's voice caught him by surprise.

"Definitely the toughest android I've faced so far," John groaned, "Think he broke a coupla my ribs," he chuckled before coughing into his elbow.

"J-John," the detective stuttered, completely horrified. He had no idea what to think. There was no way the older officer could've overpowered the android, right?

"You seem surprised, son," Miller curled his mouth into a smile before clutching his bloodied abdomen.

Gavin's eyes went from the sergeant's face to his injury then back to his face.

The older man let out a defeated sigh, "Yeah," he nodded, "I ain't what I used to be," he shook his head. "That AP700 managed to shank me before I put him down," he pointed to the inert household model, "And your Richard damn near killed me!"

The detective tried to suppress his emotions from boiling over as he maintained eye contact with his superior. He was trying so hard to remain level-headed but one more needle to the pile of emotional trauma and the boy was going to snap.

"But," Miller smirked, "When he had the opportunity to end it," he reached into his coat pocket "He faltered," the sergeant smugly expressed as he held RK900's broken thirium pump in his hand.

It was as if someone had shot Gavin through the heart. Crippling devastation engulfed the brunet, leading him down a spiraling staircase of hysteria.

With his hand on his shoulder, Ryan glanced up at his mute son, "Gavin?" he asked, evidently worried.

"You know," John stared at the flickering neon biocomponent, "I never meant to get you involved at first," he explained, "It started off as something minor, you know? Putting down some androids and getting my thoughts across with the words I'd paint on the walls," he expressed with hands. "Then, you got paired with that android," his expression changed to a menacing one, "And you—oh you little shit," he laughed as he dropped the pump to the ground, "You of all people" he raised his voice, "Had the goddamn audacity to not only tolerate but get romantically involved with a machine!"

Gavin remained silent, the abrupt emotional damage causing him to shake under his clothing. He barely comprehended what the sergeant was going on about as grief overpowered his senses.

Miller drew his upper lip in between his teeth before he walked over to the detective. "I'm real happy you were able to catch on," he eyed the brunet while taking out Gavin's mother's locket from his pant pocket, "I'm glad you realized I wanted to pin all this on you," the older officer dropped the necklace on the floor. "I trained you well, cadet," he momentarily paused to stare at his compromised counterpart, "and we both know how this ends," Miller curled his lips into a twisted smile. "Only one of us is leaving this house alive," he brought out Gavin's spare handgun.

Tears quietly streamed down the brunet's face and mixed with his father's blood that decorated his pale cheeks.

"I'm surprised actually," the sergeant once more broke the silence, "For being Kamski's kin, you and your father live modestly," he cocked a brow, "Was this some intricate ploy to mock an old man with a grudge against losing his job?" Miller trailed. "How could you lie to me about your family, kid?" he asked with an prominent frown.

Gavin remained despondent, his sorrowful gaze fixed to the ground as his broken heart nearly caused him to slip into a coma.

The older man shot an unamused look at his former partner before sighing. "He's still alive, by the way," John pointed out.

The brunet's eyes snapped open, as his counterpart's statement flooded his brain. An overwhelming sense of desire to see Richard consumed his being; he tried to cap his emotions quickly before raising Miller's suspicions.

"Though I think he's on the verge of death," the sergeant glanced at the gun he had in his hand, "So if you wanna catch him before he dies," he emptied the chamber and threw the firearm on the ground, "I suggest you raise your fists, boy."

Ryan watched, slumped in the corner as his son approached the taller, heftier man. "Gavin," he winced as he tried getting up from his position, "Don't do thi—"

"Stay out of this," the detective hissed, eyes locked onto his ex-partner.

"Atta boy!" Miller laughed, "That's it," he watched the brunet inch closer, "To think you'd kill flesh and blood to save something made of circuits and microprocesso—"

There was a pause before John began trembling. He looked down only to find a blade lodged into his stomach.

Gavin's eyes darted up and down the sergeant's pained features as he drove the knife further into John's abdomen, eliciting sounds of discomfort from the older man.

Miller looked at his former partner, completely startled. "Y-you," he coughed, blood splattering across Gavin's cheek, "Damn," he chuckled, "Th-that ain't fair."

Gavin pulled the knife out and plunged it back into Miller's torso. Again…and again, and once more, until John collapsed to the floor. There to detective stood for a moment as he watched blood accumulate under the groaning sergeant. "To think I thought I wouldn't be able to kill you," the brunet spat on Miller's face, "Fuck you, you heartless, manipulative son of a bitch. I can't believe I looked up to someone like you," he raised his upper lip in disgust.

After glancing down at Miller's dying body for a few seconds, Gavin turned to his father who remained frozen in the corner. "You, stay," he quickly demanded before stepping over John's body and running out to the hallway.

He saw Richard on the ground, grunting in pain as he was crawling towards the door this entire time, a trail of thirium following him. Gavin brought a hand to his mouth as he arched his brows, "Oh God," the brunet's eyes welled with hot tears, "Richard," he dashed over to the android.

RK900 winced as the detective knelt down next to him and analyzed the android's condition. "G-Gavin," the machine barely voiced, "I'm sorry," he looked to his partner.

"Move your hands," Gavin demanded as he pulled his counterpart's arms away, "Let me see," he eyed the hole in Richard's chest. "Oh Christ," the brunet brought both hands to his face, "Oh fuck," he tried to suppress the growing sense of sadness stemming from within. "Richie," Gavin paused as he felt a lump his throat, "How much time do you have?" he stared at the android as he felt acute hyperventilation creeping up on him.

RK900 shot a remorseful look at the detective, "I-I love you, Gavin," he drew his brows together as tears rolled down the corners of his eyes, "I love you."

Gavin's lower lip began to quiver, "Tell me!" he started to sob, "Please!" he begged.

"Nh," Richard grunted, "90 seconds."

"No," the brunet shut his eyes—he couldn't stop crying. "Y-you gotta tell me what to do," he gripped the android's hand.

The machine let out a small breath, "Forgive me," he sluggishly pleaded, "I hesitated and—" he grimaced, "And John took advantage of it," he let out a pained sound, "It's my fault."

Gavin shook the android's hand, "Tell me what to do!" he started to hyperventilate, "Please!" he fought back more tears, "I'm begging you, Richard," he pressed his hand against his partner's chest, "Please d-don't leave me."

RK900 closed his eyes as his partner's wailing shattered the heart he was missing. He slowly opened his lids to Gavin's manic weeping, "You made me feel alive," RK900 smiled.

The detective's heart tore in two. Devastation was an understatement.

"I'm sorry," Richard squeezed the brunet's hand.

Just as Gavin was about to utterly give up, an idea came to mind. He looked to the android with a small glint of hope. "No," Gavin shook his head, "No, no, no," he refused, "You're not dying," he wiped away tears, "Not on my fucking watch," he sniffled before he immediately got up and ran to the bedroom as he realized he may be able to salvage a heart from the destroyed AP700.

The brunet sprinted into the bedroom and booked it to the household android.

Ryan perked up as he watched his son, "Gavin, what's going on?" he asked, holding his shoulder.

"Not now," the detective frantically stated as he fell to his knees and tore open the AP700's uniform. He quickly pressed into the android's chest, prompting the thirium pump to eject. "Oh, thank God," he whispered under his breath as he twisted the pump and removed it from the android's chest.

Before Ryan had the chance to question the detective's actions, Gavin had already ran back out into the hallway.

The brunet dropped to the ground as he reached his barely-responsive counterpart. "Don't worry," Gavin breathed heavily, "I'm gonna save you, tin can," he promised, "I'm gonna save you," he repeated in a softer tone while inserting the pump into the android's chest.

It was as if someone had just jump started the machine's processors. Richard heaved forward, inhaling sharply. As it turned out, the AP700's pump was compatible with that of RK900's.

"Richard," the detective placed one hand on the android's shoulder and the other on his partner's cheek, "Richard, are you with me?" his gaze darted up and down the android's stressed features.

It took a few seconds for the machine's processors to resume normal functionality.

The officer watched intently as Richard's crimson LED reverted back to a calming blue hue. "Oh, th—" Gavin squeezed the android's hand as he began rocking back and forth, "Thank God," he murmured.

Before the machine had the chance to even thank his counterpart, Gavin embraced him, absolutely overjoyed that the android was alright.

"I love you," Gavin tightly hugged his partner, "Fuck, I love you so much it hurts," he pressed his head into RK900's chest. "Don't ever scare me like that again, you fucking asshole," the detective's voice cracked, "Please," he dug his nails into the android's tattered dress shirt.

Richard's eyes shot open as he felt his circuits spark with jubilance. He was elated by his counterpart's declaration and quickly reciprocated the embrace. The machine lowered his lids and smiled, "I love you too, detective."

Both men stood in the hallway in each other's arms as ambulance sirens and lights populated the driveway.