A few days later found Nines sitting at his desk, LED spinning yellow as he regarded Reed's empty seat. He hadn't spoken about it since that day. He'd refused to speak about it, changing the subject each time Nines gently broached it. He wouldn't even give him a straight answer on how he felt, perhaps because he didn't know himself. The only small comfort Nines had was the gentle assurances from Dr Marr that he had spoken about it, albeit reluctantly, under the condition that he wasn't referred to as a victim. Conditions she had respected. Since meetings were confidential, she couldn't give him any further details, but she did give him some advice.

Keep to his current wellbeing schedule. Don't let him slip. No extra coffee or cigarettes as a coping mechanism. Regular healthy meals as often as possible, with the occasional treat of course. Physical activity was important, so Nines had arranged with Connor to make sure Reed had plenty of opportunities to use the gymnasium. He insisted a minimum of four times a week, and both of them offered multiple times a day. Reed would often take them up on it, finding himself with excess energy that he needed to get out, especially with the unexpected direction their case had taken.

On the second of January, Connor had received the unwelcome news from Colin and Perkins. The bullet used to shoot the PC200 had an ornate G engraved in the casing. It had been delicate work, partially destroyed with the warping of the bullet, but still clearly visible to Colin's eyes. The gun model had been a standard Glock. Mass produced, difficult to trace, likely unregistered. The model's handle matched the shape of the bruising on Reed's temple, suggesting the shooter had incapacitated him after saving him. Nines had attempted to put off Colin and Perkins' attempts to set up an interview with Reed. He had stated on numerous occasions that Reed had been under the influence of Rohypnol and had no memory of the attack or later events. He didn't even remember him taking him home afterwards.

"Detective Reed." Nines' head snapped up the moment he saw Perkins approaching the barriers and Reed just returning from therapy. Nines' LED was spinning red as he pushed himself to his feet, intimidation protocols activating as he stalked across the bullpen. He was already aware of his brother's approach. Colin's hand on his arm didn't even slow him down as his towering form marched right over to Perkins and placed he himself directly between the two humans. Reed had barely given a surprised greeting himself before Nines was in front of him like a steel wall, hands clenched behind his back as he likely glared down at Perkins. "Detective Nines," Perkins greeted politely, apparently unperturbed.

"My apologies, I was unable to prevent his intervention," Colin apologised somewhat timidly, unsure which side he really wanted to be on at this point. He agreed with Perkins that they needed to speak to Reed and at least attempt to get some details, but he also quietly agreed with Nines. Humans were fragile, Detective Reed included. The situation needed to be handled delicately, and Reed's mental stability should be put above the case. Perkins reluctantly disagreed with that last part. The Hickory Killer was actively killing people. Detective Reed's peace of mind was of less importance than the continued loss of life. Colin knew Richard Perkins better now, and he could tell the words had left a bitter taste in his mouth, even as he'd said them the day before.

"It's alright. The detective's concern is…understandable," Perkins relented as he waved a dismissive hand in Colin's direction. Nines remained firm as he shielded Reed from view, his silvery gaze almost menacing as he stared down at Perkins. His concern may have been understandable, but it hardly mattered now that Reed had come face to face with him. Nines had no doubt that Reed would voluntarily speak to the agents despite whatever reservations he had. It was why Perkins had timed his entrance to coincide with the end of Reed's therapy session. He'd likely hoped to catch Reed somewhere away from his desk before he could stop him. "However, I'm sure that he understands that this is an active serial killer case and any information could be invaluable." Perkins was clearly trying to lure Reed in while making Nines feel bad. It was a dirty move. Nines did not feel bad. His LED blipped red again before settling on yellow.

"Detective Reed has suffered substantial trauma over the past few days. Your interview could hinder his recovery." Nines' tone made it clear that he wouldn't be moved aside. Colin looked between the two warily. Neither was to back down. Nines was doing what he had to in order to protect his partner, while Perkins had the weight of future victims weighing him down. The problem was that they could both understand and respect the other's perspective. Colin felt similarly conflicted. He didn't want to cause any undue stress to Detective Reed, but he also didn't want to risk missing valuable evidence or insights into the Hickory Killer's psyche.

"Nines…It's alright, I'll talk to them," Gavin finally piped up, gripping Nines' sleeve and tugging gently to encourage him to shift over. Nines didn't move at first, looking over his shoulder with sharp eyes that were clearly unconvinced. He didn't like it. Gavin was already sagging and tired from his session with Dr Marr. He hadn't even had his recovery coffee yet. He said he would talk to them, but he couldn't even meet his gaze. He was looking at the floor almost timidly. He knew he was in no fit state to be questioned. "Just…get me a coffee, yeah?" Gavin added hopefully as he looked up with almost soft green eyes.

"…Decaf?" Nines compromised softly, remembering what Dr Marr had said about their schedule. Gavin hadn't touched caffeine for four days at this point. A small smile tugged Gavin's lips at the stiff, almost hopeful tone. He knew Nines would be helpless if he actually ordered a normal coffee, but the idea of upsetting Nines was just unappealing. He wanted to please him. He wanted to earn that softness in his eyes and the hint of a smile on his lips.

"Sure." He tried not to let the fluttery feeling in his stomach show on the outside as Nines' lips softened into a small smile. Nines nodded his agreement reluctantly, levelling a look of warning at the FBI agents before striding across to the break room. Making the decaf took a little longer since he made it himself by hand. The machine's decaf wasn't as rich as the one he'd taken to buying for Gavin. Nines had stowed a small press coffeemaker with a pack of decaf granules. He spooned in a measure of the black powder before filling it with boiling water.

"You've got a good partner there," Perkins complimented as he approached Reed and took his hand in greeting. Reed nodded his agreement as he accepted the shake. There was a time he'd never thought he'd ever be able to work with another partner, let alone a fucking android. Hank's words returned to him. A time he'd said he wouldn't want anyone else watching his back out there. Reed had scoffed at the time, thinking it would never happen to him, that he'd never want an android looking out for him the way Connor did for Hank. They all knew he was eating his fucking words now.

"Where would you be most comfortable speaking?" Colin asked considerately, unsurprised as Reed opted for their usual interrogation room. Honestly, he didn't think he'd be comfortable doing this shit anywhere, but at least the interrogation room offered guaranteed privacy and familiarity. They always had these little meetups in there. Reed took his usual seat on the detectives' side while Perkins and Colin sat opposite. The agents shared a look, silently working out who would be better at asking the questions. Perkins was human and familiar, but Colin was soothing and kind. Nines entered a few moments later, setting a steaming mug down at Reed's elbow as he sat.

"Perhaps we should start at the beginning of your evening," Colin suggested gently as he took the lead, likely using his victim interaction software. Reed tried not to think about that too much as Colin's whole demeanour became soft and open. His hazel eyes were gentle and inviting, and the way he spoke was like Connor when he talked to Niles. "What time did you arrive at Dukes?" Reed felt his mouth go dry as he thought about his answer, sipping his coffee to give himself a few seconds. It was hot. He savoured the light burn on his lips.

"It was around seven fifteen?" He looked to Nines for confirmation. Nines nodded. That had been the approximate time. The event was supposed to begin at seven, though the club had opened at six for New Year. "Officers Chen and Miller were already there when we arrived. We pretty much stayed as a group for a couple of hours. Lieutenant Anderson and Connor were with us for a while. The lieutenant left at around nine…Nines and Connor went to hang out with some of the other android staff and I stayed with Chen and Miller…I…I-think…I-think-I-" Gavin cut off with a frustrated hiss as he fisted a hand in his hair and leaned an elbow on the table.

"Take your time," Perkins encouraged in an uncharacteristically gentle tone. Gavin was surprised he could manage it, but he nodded anyway. He took another sip of the coffee, sort of missing the caffeine buzz. "You were with Officer Chen and Officer Miller. Nines and Connor had moved off…Close your eyes and think about your immediate surroundings…The smell, the sound of the music…Look around…Who can you see?" Perkins asked in a leading tone. Gavin sighed as he closed his eyes and did as he was told. He could almost feel the pulse of the music in his chest. He opened his eyes inwardly, looking around at the group he remembered being with.

"Officers Pearson and Jackson…We were talking about the best backstreets to cut through to get across the city…Jackson had his first car chase a few days ago and it didn't go so well." Gavin frowned as someone else approached. It wasn't someone he knew. A uniform. They were wearing a uniform. It was a woman. Petite. Brunette. She was a member of the bar team. She smiled brightly as she stopped beside them and handed him a drink. He took it. He was already pretty drunk at that point, so he didn't even think about it. "One of the bar staff brought me a drink…Said some guy at the bar had ordered it for me…The guy she pointed out was…He was an android, but…I couldn't get a good look. It was too dark, too many people." He kept his eyes closed as he walked through the memory.

"That's good…Do you remember a PC200?" Perkins prompted, unsure how close he was coming to leading too much at this point. Gavin frowned a little. That seemed familiar. He'd gone to the bathroom, leaving Pearson and Jackson as he did so. It was as he'd been coming back that the brunette android had stopped him. He'd looked friendly. Unassuming. He was a PC200! He was designed to look approachable! He remembered the android slipping an arm around his shoulders and pulling him closer. He hadn't felt too good at that point. Sort of foggy and lightheaded. Confused…

"Yeah…He-he caught me on the way back from the bathroom. He put his arm around me…I didn't…I didn't feel right." Gavin remembered being dragged along through the crowd. Things were getting blurry. His thoughts were cutting out like a signal was being lost. He sighed as he opened his eyes, sipping his coffee again as he felt Nines' leg rest against his beneath the table. "The last thing I remember is being pulled through the club…Everything after that is just…gone," Gavin added with a frustrated sigh. Colin nodded his understanding. That was an unfortunate side-effect of the drug. It was unlikely he'd ever recover those memories. They likely hadn't been recorded in the first place.

"Very well. Go forward. What's the first thing you remember after the blank?" Gavin sighed softly as he closed his eyes and searched his muddled memories for the answer Colin wanted. He sort of remembered…something…He remembered a loud noise. Cold on his skin. Bare skin. His ass. His ass was cold. He shifted in his seat, frowning slightly. He was scared. Why was he scared? He was unfocused. There was someone beside him. Someone was right beside him. Fingers were touching him, parting his shirt a little to examine his bare skin. Who the fuck was it?

"I was lying on the ground…I couldn't really make it out, but someone was there…He touched me…right here." Gavin ran a gentle finger down his torso. Colin asked whether it was the PC200, but Gavin shook his head. The person looked wrong, but it was too hazy. There was something wrong with them. Could it be another android? He didn't know. "He had a gun…He hit me…The gun-he hit me with the gun. I blacked out after that, and then Nines was there…The memories after that are a little hazy too, but…" His brain had held onto that figure in the alley. It was important. Important. Important and wrong.

"Do you remember anything else about it? Clothes? Hair?" Perkins prompted, trying not to push too hard or seem too eager. Gavin sipped his coffee before trying again. He replayed what he had of the memory, brow furrowing as he tried to focus. Denim. He'd been wearing denim. He was sure he remembered the faded blue. He tried to focus on the face, but it was too hazy…Short hair…blonde? Brown? Something like that…

"I think he was wearing denim…maybe brown hair? Like a light brown…I just…I can't remember his face." Gavin was clearly frustrated, but Perkins understood. He'd tried, and that was the main thing. Colin and Perkins had other leads to chase, so they needed to get going. Gavin was going to head out, too. Nines' hand on his shoulder stopped him. He waited curiously as Nines walked the agents to the door before shutting it behind them.

"How are you feeling?" Nines asked softly as he returned to lean on the table. Gavin shrugged evasively as he drank his coffee. Nines seemed content to wait. Despite their lack of communication over the past few days, he had the feeling that Gavin would open up a little now. He was already worn from both his session and the interview. He seemed hesitant as his eyes darted up anxiously. Nines' steady gaze promised security. He wouldn't laugh or disregard his feelings.

"I guess…I'm phcking sick of being the victim in all this…I'm being phcking stalked by a serial killer, I've been chased out of my home, raped at a phcking work gathering! I'm phcking sick of it!" Resentment and bitterness were heavy in his tone. Nines nodded his understanding as he reached for his neck. Gavin sighed into the contact as he lowered his head, a silent request for more. Nines gripped again, teasing the area with gentle fingertips. He watched his vitals even out a little as he wiped his eyes on his sleeve.

"I'm proud of you…for speaking to me honestly," Nines added as he moved his hand up to thread through his soft brunette hair. Gavin kept his eyes down and his jaw tight, apparently expecting some form of reproach at the admission. "You feelings are understandable, Gavin…We just need to persevere. To continue assisting the FBI and doing our own work." The words somehow reassured him as he nodded his quiet agreement. What else could they do? Hiding away in witness protection hadn't worked, and fucked if he was going to just leave Detroit and ignore the chaos left behind. At this point I'd half expect that sick phck to follow me anyway…

"Detective Reed! Nines! Zachary Thomas is ready for interview!" Connor's voice called from the hall, accompanied by a polite knock. Gavin steeled himself as he sat up a little straighter. He knew his eyes were probably still a little red, and he was still a shaky from the lingering stress. He looked at Nines, who nodded his agreement. He would conduct the interview. This is set to be a pretty fucked up show…

"Understood, Connor. Bring him in and I'll conduct the interrogation."