There was a sudden influx of footsteps as both paramedics and police officers flooded the foyer. Richard lifted his head and peered over his shoulder to see a small group of cops and EMTs coming up the stairs. He relaxed his features as he saw a familiar face—the team was led by Chris Miller. The android attempted to stand up but felt Gavin's fingers cling to his dress shirt.
Chris glanced at the pair who looked like they'd been through Hell and back. His eyes darted to the brunet who was sobbing and shaking in RK900's arms. The officer lowered his gun before approaching the two with a concerned expression; "Gavin?" he gently placed a hand on the detective's shoulder.
The brunet flinched before further sinking into his counterpart. He was in shock and all he could think about was Richard—all he wanted was to feel Richard.
Before Chris had the chance to ask what happened, three EMTs rushed out of the bedroom with Ryan on a stretcher. "There's another guy in the room," one of the paramedics told the officer, "But he'd lost too much blood," she shook her head, "There was nothing we could do for him."
A PC200 android officer walked out of the room while accompanying a few human policemen, "I've identified the deceased as retired DPD Sergeant, Johnathan Miller," the machine stated with drawn brows, "There's an expired AP700 model in there as well."
"Jesus," Chris looked to the ground with pensive features before sighing and wiping the corners of his mouth. "Okay," he began, "Y'all know what to do," he gestured, "Set up the scene and call Central. We've got a long night ahead of us."
The officers nodded then quickly dispersed. The paramedics cautiously carried Ryan down the stairs and into the foyer while human and android cops alike closed off the bedroom to begin the investigation.
Chris turned to Richard for an explanation, "You wanna tell me what's going on?"
RK900 stroked the back of Gavin's head, "He's been through a lot tonight," his eyes drifted from the detective to Officer Miller, "I think it'd be best to have this conversation later."
"Hey, Chris!" one of the EMTs shouted from the first floor, "This guy's in bad shape!" he pointed to a groaning Ryan, "He needs a transfusion and the closest hospital is Providence," he quickly explained.
Gavin slowly lifted his head.
"Alright!" Chris got up from his knelt position, "Don't waste any more time here," he advised, "Get going."
"Wait," Gavin faintly interjected, "I'm going with him."
Richard lowered his lids," Detective, you've already gone through so much," he arched his brows, "Plea—"
"No," the brunet relaxed his grip on the android, "I need to make sure he's alright," he let his arms fall to his sides before shakily getting up to his feet. "He's an asshole but I need to be sure he'll make it."
Chris glanced at the pair with a cocked brow, "You know I'm not supposed to let you two leave, right? Besides, it's Ryan Kamski," the officer shrugged, "They'll give him the royal treatment at Provi—"
"He's my dad," Gavin interrupted, "I'm going on that ambulance," his voice was stern, "And I'm taking Richard with me," he firmly grabbed the android's hand.
RK900's eyes widened at the detective's blatant confession. His internal components began heating up as he felt the detective's fingers intertwine with his.
Chris' expression changed to one of complete shock. "Wait what?" his mouth was slightly ajar. He blinked several times, "Did you just say what I think you just said?"
Gavin nodded, "You heard me," he shot a determined look at the officer, "I'll explain everything later at Central, I promise," he reassured before heading down the stairs with the android.
"Wait!" Chris shouted while following the pair, "I can't just let you leave! As much as I hate to say this," he expressed with deep regret, "Y'all are suspects in this case," he arched his brows, "I'm sorry but I have to—"
The brunet placed a hand on Chris' shoulder. There was a pause and no words were exchanged.
After a few seconds, Chris exhaled, feeling defeated. The look in Gavin's eyes was enough to convince the officer to let the pair go.
The ambulance ride was quiet and awkward with only the sound of the sirens filling the uncomfortable void. Tense glances were exchanged between some of the EMTs but no one felt inclined to break the silence.
Gavin remained mute as he continued to watch over an unconscious Ryan who had an IV catheter inserted in his left arm.
"He's going to be alright," Richard whispered as he placed a hand on the brunet's thigh, "He needs a blood transfusion and a bit of surgery," the android went on, "Nothing he can't handle."
The detective stared at the floor as he continued to stay silent.
RK900 drew the corners of his mouth into a distressed frown before trying to change the subject, "It was nice of Officer Miller to let us go like that," he began, "He's a good man and a great friend."
Again, no response from his partner.
Richard's LED spun red as he analyzed Gavin's hollow eyes and emotionless face. He watched as the crimson hue of the siren lights occasionally tinted the detective's features. The android arched his brows, "I'm so sorry, Gavin," his heart ached for the numb brunet.
A blonde nurse escorted the detective and android to the secluded hospital room Ryan would be rolled into after surgery. "Alright," she patted down her scrubs, "He'll be a few hours, gentlemen," she expressed in a gentle tone, "Transfusions take a while and we expect to prep him for his operation immediately afterwards." Her gaze went from Gavin to Richard, "Do let me know if you need anything in the meantime," she smiled warmly before exiting the room.
RK900 observed the door close behind the nurse, then turned his head to examine his counterpart who hadn't spoken a word since leaving Ryan's home.
Though Gavin was verbally unresponsive, he wouldn't let go of the android's hand. All this time, he's had his fingers interlaced with his partner's.
"How're you feeling?" the machine asked in a hushed tone.
Gavin shook his head.
The android's expression changed to one of sorrow. He wanted to scoop the brunet up and escape to a place where both could live peacefully, away from such trauma and pain. "Please," Richard tightened his grip on the brunet's hand, "Please talk to me."
Gavin was still suffering from emotional shock. He was showing avid symptoms of withdrawal and dissociation, as if he was on another plane of existence.
"Say something," RK900's voice cracked as his LED stabilized at a blood red hue.
Gavin swallowed hard. He took another minute to collect his barely competent thoughts before opening his mouth. "They're gonna bring me in for questioning any time now," he finally spoke.
Richard's eyes shot open before scanning his monotone partner from head to toe.
"I'm a fucking murderer," Gavin stated with a detached expression, "A goddamn killer."
The machine lowered his lids before extending his arms behind the undone brunet. Without speaking a single word, RK900 drew the officer in for a tight embrace. Concern dominated his features as he grazed Gavin's cold skin. "You're not a murderer," Richard corrected sternly, "You're anything but that," he shut his eyes while reheating his partner's core.
The detective wanted to cry but no tears would come. "I'm so tired, Richard," Gavin confessed, "I'm so fucking tired that I just want to keel over and stop existing," his body began to tremble. "I want to sleep," he went on, "I want all this to end."
"I know, Gavin," the android tried to comfort his tormented colleague, "It's almost over," he promised with a small, hopeful smile, "All we need to do is check on your father after his operation then explain ourselves to Fowler. Everything will be just fine," he expressed in a soft tone.
"What am I gonna do?" the detective pulled away from his counterpart in worry, "I'm their only suspect…the only one who could've killed John," he arched his brows as fear engulfed him, "I fucking killed him."
"You had no choice," RK900 tucked hair behind his partner's ear, "He gave you an ultimatum, Gavin."
"I don't know what to think anymore," the officer looked to the floor, face draped in despair.
"The footage captured by the AP700 and myself is more than enough evidence to justify what you did. In addition, we have Ryan as an eyewitness," the android tried to reassure. "You have nothing to fear," RK900's voice resonated with empathy, "I promi—"
"I feel empty," Gavin abruptly expressed as he fought his conflicting feelings, "But so fucking broken and…" he paused to piece together his emotions, "…I think I'm losing my mind."
The android's fingers naturally trailed down to the detective's jawline, "It was my fault you had to face such a devastating situation," he lowered his head, "Forgive me." The machine shut his eyes, "Oh, God," he crinkled his nose, "Please, forgive me," he begged.
The brunet remained quiet for a second before opening his mouth, "I'd do it a hundred times over if it meant keeping you safe."
Richard's eyes snapped open.
"No one can take you away from me," Gavin declared with a guttural cadence. "If you die," he pulled away to stare at the android, "I die, tin can."
RK900 was speechless. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined Gavin Reed utter a line like that.
"Huh," the detective tilted his head to the side, "Haven't seen it do that before," he pointed to the android's LED.
The brunet's statement snapped the machine out of his trance. "Hm?" he traced the ring near his temple with his index finger.
"It's pink," Gavin smirked. "I didn't know you could change it to anything other than blue, yellow or red."
Richard drew his brows together out of confusion before catching a glimpse of his reflection in the detective's eyes. "Strange," the android curled his mouth into a smile, "I didn't know it could change to that hue."
About two hours had passed and Gavin was sitting across his counterpart, his legs extending over the android's lap. To prevent dark thoughts from seeping into his mind once more, the detective reached into his pocket to check his phone. He was greeted by various missed calls and urgent texts from Tina. "Shit," the brunet sighed before repositioning himself. He quickly redialed Chen and brought the phone to his ear.
Richard observed his partner through lidded eyes, his LED now fixed at a soothing blue color.
"Tina? Yeah, yeah, we're fine. Everything's fine," Gavin tried to comfort his worried friend.
"What the hell, Gavin?!" Tina yelled from the other end, "I tried reaching you through your cell and through coms! Why weren't you picking up?"
Gavin's eyes rounded before he looked at his transceiver which had apparently ran out of battery some time ago. "Crap," he pinched the skin between his brows, "I'm sorry, Tina. My mind's kinda been all over the place in the last coupla hours."
"I talked to Chris. You're at Providence?" she asked, evidently stressed.
"Yeah," the detective confirmed.
"Oh God," Chen seemed upset, "I swear to Christ if you're hurt—" she was on the verge of tears.
"I'm okay," the brunet tried to calm his counterpart down, "Richard is here with me."
"Chris and I…we're so confused, Gav," she explained, "What the hell is going on?"
The brunet stayed quiet for a moment before opening his mouth, "I don't even know where to start."
"You don't sound like yourself," Tina pointed out. Chen was met with more silence on the detective's end. "I arrested Scott, by the way," she tried changing the subject in an attempt to get a response from the detective.
Gavin perked up, "Did he give you any trouble?"
"No," Tina promptly responded, "On the contrary, he was really docile," she sounded perplexed.
"Good."
Again, another awkward pause.
"Look, Gav," Chen was curt, "I don't know what the fuck's happening but Fowler's been trying to reach you through coms," she let out a small sigh, "Him and Hank are pretty shaken up by the news."
Gavin chuckled, half-tempted to hang up the phone. He opened his mouth but nothing came out; he had so much to say and yet, he found himself unable to string together sentences. Without changing expression or glancing in the android's direction, the detective brought the phone down and handed it to RK900.
Richard's gaze darted to the emotionally drained detective; he then slowly took hold of the phone. He lowered his lids before bringing the phone to his ear.
"Gavin? Hello?"
"Hello, Officer Chen," RK900 greeted.
"Richard? Where's Gavin? Is he alright?" she asked with obvious worry.
"He's just a bit overwhelmed, Tina," the android clarified with arched brows, "It's been a very stressful evening for him."
"Could you please tell me what's happening? Fowler's freaking out and frankly, we all kind of are. Did Gavin really—"
"Yes."
There was an excruciatingly long pause followed by a shaky sigh from Chen's end. "RK900, you tell me what the fuck is going on or I swear I'll…I'll…" she groaned, "Just tell me, please! Who's the man I arrested on the roof, why in God's name is John Miller dead and what were you two doing at the Kamski mansion?"
Richard shut his eyes to think for a moment before proceeding to answer all of Tina's questions. The call took over forty minutes as the android unfolded the entire evening from A to Z. The officer patiently listened to everything the machine had to say.
Gavin sat there mute, biting at his lower lip during the duration of the call.
"Then, Chris and his team of officers and EMTs arrived at the scene," Richard finally concluded, "And that's when we left in the ambulance to make sure Ryan was alright," he cleared his throat, "We're currently waiting for him to be rolled into this room."
"Jesus Christ," Tina's tone had shifted, "Oh, God, you two," she now seemed more empathetic than before, "What on earth possessed you to take on this bust by yourselves? Are you both insane?"
"Gavin didn't want to get anyone else tangled up in this mess," RK900 exchanged glances with the detective, "There was a high probability that those involved would have gotten injured."
"When I get my hands on you two, I'm going to slap you both silly—especially you, Richard!"
"My apologies, Officer Chen," the machine was remorseful.
Tina let out a long sigh before mumbling something under her breath. "Now you're making me feel bad," she stated with sympathy.
There was a momentary pause.
"Please just…just try and continue to comfort Gav as much as possible," she implored, "I can't even imagine what he's going through."
"You have my word."
"I'm going to chat with Fowler and the others to try and calm them down a bit until you two arrive," the officer stated in an effort to show her support, "For the record, they know Gavin wouldn't do something like this unless absolutely necessary."
Richard's eyes rounded as he listened to Chen.
"Gavin may be short-tempered and pigheaded," Tina paused, "But we all know he did what he did because he had to," she reassured with determination in her voice. "I'm gonna go explain to the others what you told me to the best of my ability," the officer stated, "You go take care of Gavin in the meantime."
Richard curled his mouth into a humbled smile. "Thank you, Tina," he expressed before ending the call.
RK900 looked to the detective who was silent. "She was upset but understanding," the android attempted to summarize the long call. "She said she'll explain what happened to the Captain and the rest of the department."
Gavin remained frozen for a few seconds before unwinding from his seated position. He slowly made his way to his counterpart; his heals dragging against the floor in the process.
RK900's LED spun yellow, "How are you doing?" his eyes followed his colleague, "Is there anything I can d—"
The brunet placed a finger on his partner's lips, startling the machine. Gavin then pushed Richard's knees apart before sliding between the android's legs and curling up against RK900.
The android felt the detective's face press into his chest.
"Still beats the same," Gavin smiled.
Richard's eyes shot open at the brunet's declaration. He then looked to his partner who seemed more at ease than before. He lowered his lids then placed a hand on Gavin's back. "Yes, detective," he stated warmly, "It still beats the same."