Nines sighed as he fell back on the rounded sofa and looked up at Pipsqueak's walkways. Pipsqueak was currently elsewhere in the penthouse, likely nosing around and meowing for Gavin. It had been a month. A month of nothing. It was getting colder. Gavin's birthday had been and gone. His thirty-eighth birthday. They hadn't celebrated his last one. They'd been so caught up with work and the Hickory Killer that it had completely passed them by. Nines had been looking forward to reciprocating Gavin's kindness over his anniversary with the DPD. It was November now. He'd only just been allowed home.

Since his relationship with Gavin had been revealed, he'd been treated differently. Rather than being allowed to return to work right away and find Gavin, Fowler had decided he should take two weeks off. Obviously, he'd hoped they would somehow find Gavin within those two weeks, but the FBI hadn't managed it. He'd been in contact with Colin daily. Colin had shown great patience and kindness, and was always so apologetic when he told him how little progress they'd made. Unfortunately, with the few things they knew, they simply didn't have enough information to track him down. It was unlikely they'd get anything until the killer made a move of some sort. Or they find Gavin's body…Colin never voiced that thought.

Connor had insisted that Nines and Pipsqueak stay with him at Hank's house for a while. The experience had been less than pleasant. He hadn't hated it. He loved Connor. They were brothers, and he knew he'd had the best intentions. He'd asked him to take care of Niles and Sumo during the day for those first two weeks, hoping that the homely setting and domestic tasks would keep him distracted. They had not. He'd been patient with Niles. watched over him, helped him with his homework, and even played games with him, however it had been a wearing experience. Niles was still full of life, energy, and joy. Connor hadn't gone into the exact details with him about why Nines was there or what had happened to Gavin. Why would he? He was a child. It was better for him to remain oblivious until they resolved the case, but due to this lack of insight, Niles' cheer had simply soured Nines' mood further. How could people feel such joy when he was experiencing such pain? Gavin might be getting tortured. Mutilated. He could be dead already, and yet the world continued turning.

Sumo, at least, understood something was very wrong. He could scent the despair and unease they tried to hide around Niles, and was particularly sensitive to Nines' inner turmoil and showed what support he could. While the house was empty, with Hank and Connor at work and Niles at school, Sumo had sat faithfully at his side. They'd gone for long walks and spent hours on the living room floor. Pipsqueak had joined them in the living room, curling up on Sumo's large back or in the space between his front paws. Nines had spent those hours lost in his own head, running his fingers through Sumo's fur while looking back on each incident, replaying the case from start to finish. Each new body. Every time he'd seen the android. The times Gavin had been in danger.

He hadn't yet found any clues that could help, only ways he could have prevented this from happening. He should have listened to Gavin and closed the curtains. Perhaps if he hadn't charged that night or they'd slept in the living room. What if they'd gone to Elijah's home or left Detroit and returned to the cabin? If-if-if…If wouldn't bring Gavin back. He didn't know where to even start looking for him, but he knew that's what he wanted to do. Unfortunately, during those first two weeks, Connor had kept him busy with domestic duties and insisted he let the police and FBI handle it.

Even after those two weeks, when he'd finally been allowed to return to work and close cases with Miller as his temporary partner, he hadn't been allowed near Gavin's case. The FBI were working on it, with Connor and Hank on standby. Tina had been sympathetic and beside herself with grief. At least someone cared as much as he did. She'd promised to let him know personally if she found anything useful. Fuck the DPD and its rules! She knew Nines would track him down more seriously than anyone else, and without worrying about how it looked to the higher-ups or how many people he had to fight through. If someone had information on Gavin, Nines would get it. No questions asked. He was touched to know she had such faith in him.

Fowler had done his best to keep him busy. He'd processed more than twenty cases in the past two weeks. Many of them were minor incidents he usually wouldn't be tasked with, but due to his efficiency, Fowler needed to get work from other departments. He was also working on many of Hank and Connor's cases to keep them free to search for Gavin and liaise with the FBI. They'd been doing everything they could. The whole precinct was a hive of activity. Every officer was on high alert. Alongside their regular duties, they were volunteering for extra shifts, knocking on doors with Gavin's picture and asking for information. Fowler had news videos up on every channel. A decorated sergeant had been abducted, and they were desperately seeking information. He'd even put word out to the bounty hunters that occasionally brought them criminals. He was personally willing to fund a reward for Gavin's safe return.

Elijah had also gone to the media. Nines wasn't sure how Gavin would feel about having his secret identity as Elijah's half-brother outed on live TV, but he'd gone public. He was offering hundreds of thousands of dollars for information, and a million for Gavin's safe return. That was a lot of the money he had available in cash form. Most of his wealth was still tied up in Cyberlife and android production. Such outrageous offers had obviously led to many false leads, but Chloe was extremely adept at sorting the wheat from the chaff. Unfortunately, genuine offers had been few and far between.

Nines felt helpless. While everyone else was doing what they could, he'd been side-lined, unable to help in his free time because he was considered too close to the case. Connor had also kept a constant watch over him. After languishing at Hank's house for a full month, Nines had insisted he be allowed to return to the penthouse. Connor didn't think it was a good idea, but Nines was adamant. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the concern. He loved his brother. They'd interfaced so Connor could calm him every night as they lay on his bed and assure him he wasn't useless. It didn't matter that he didn't have Elijah's wealth or Hank's street smarts; he was doing everything he could by taking on extra case work to keep others on the case.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing he probably wouldn't be the one to find Gavin. Gavin…A well of fear filled his chest cavity at the thought of what may be happening to him. He'd seen the state of Edward Morgan's body earlier that year. Is that the fate that awaited him? He turned and curled up on his side, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to spill. Gavin…His throat ached as he thought about how it had been his fault. Gavin never would have given himself up if not for him. He failed to hold back his tears as he heard a sad mewl and felt cold paws padding up his leg.

Pipsqueak climbed down and nuzzled his way into the space between his arms and chest. Nines did his best to be gentle as he looped his arms around his smaller body and stroked his fur. Tears spilled as he felt Pipsqueak nosing his pecs and purring in comfort. He clutched the small animal closer and buried his face in his fur, sniffling and quivering with guilt. It's my fault! It's my fault Gavin is gone! His thoughts continued to spin and spiral, LED blinking from yellow to red, burning in a solid ring. Pipsqueak pawed and purred, doing his best to calm his stressed systems. Nines' silvery eyes blinked open as a call sounded in his head.

Nines! Are you alright? I received an alert. Connor sounded worried. Nines took a shaky breath and sniffled as he ran an internal diagnostic. During one of their earlier interfaces, shortly after Colin had been injured, Connor had created a welfare program. It was set to automatically send an alert between them if anything unusual happened. Abnormally high stress, a sudden shut down, a virus breaching their firewalls. Any of these events would trigger an alert to tell the others they needed help.

I am undamaged. Connor's call had distracted him enough to lower his stress levels. He was still hovering in the high eighties, but it was low enough that he wouldn't self-destruct. The relief in Connor's sigh was palpable.

I shouldn't have let you leave. You're not ready to be alone with your thoughts. Nines considered that to be human nonsense. He was absolutely fine. Connor was fretting over nothing. He could cope by himself for a few hours. He didn't need to be coddled like a child. Nines, I'm worried…You just lost Gavin and-

Don't say that! Connor fell silent at his outburst, feeling bad that he'd worded it that way. It had only been a month. He was giving up or resigning himself to the inevitable, but the more time that passed, the more they had to come to terms with the possibility that-He didn't even want to complete the thought himself. Don't talk about him like he's-Nines couldn't finish the thought either. It hurt. His whole chest ached. Small paws kneaded his pecs as he curled up even more. He sobbed quietly, relieved that Connor couldn't hear his outward turmoil in their call.

I'm sorry…I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that without Gavin, you're all alone up there, and I don't like the thought of you being by yourself…Nines held back from snapping that he wasn't a child. Connor knew he wasn't a child, but he was also aware of his high stress level. He'd barely been deviant for three months! Nines opened his eyes and blinked out fresh saline, taking a few deep breaths to cool his stressed systems. The penthouse was cold and unwelcoming without Gavin. It was hard to face their warm home and know that Gavin may never set foot in it again.

I must adapt. If Gavin didn't come home, then this would be his life. Standing in his charging station, dressing in his room, walking by Gavin's open door to see the remnants of the man he loved mocking him with their permanence. Taking care of Pipsqueak because that's what Gavin would have wanted and drinking thirium alone in the kitchen. Seeing the evidence of their shared existence scattered throughout the house and guiltily passing Mr Hughes every morning, knowing he'd let him down in allowing Gavin to be taken.

Perhaps, but you don't have to do it so soon…Connor was earnest, his voice tinged with worry and sadness. Nines almost sighed. It was exhausting. Would he really have to return to Hank's house and pretend he was fine? To put on a front and ease Connor's fears? Keep Gavin's disappearance from Niles? Silvery eyes flicked to the door as a knock sounded. He wasn't expecting company. Had Connor driven all the way there to take him home? He sighed in annoyance as he got to his feet, cradling Pipsqueak in one arm as he went.

"Connor, I told you I am perfectly capable of-" He stopped dead as he opened the door to find Colin standing there with a paper bag. Colin smiled sheepishly as he waited for him to correct his mistake. "Colin…What are you doing here?" He opened the door wider in invitation, eyes falling on the bag he held up in explanation. He could smell the grease already. It was from the little diner they'd visited with Gavin the year before. The realisation sent a heavy feeling coiling through his stomach as he led the way to the bar so they could sit.

"I was on my way home, and I thought you might be hungry." It was a poor excuse. It didn't take Nines long to realise that this was Colin's response to the alert. Connor had a family at home, so leaving was impractical, but Colin had nothing but free time. He'd come to keep him company. "You didn't contact me today…It's true that I have nothing new to say, but I felt anxious when I didn't receive a call…" Nines' thirium pump stuttered at the realisation. Colin was right. He hadn't called. Was that a sign that he was losing hope? Losing faith? Giving up on Gavin? He blinked as a warm weight landed against his chest and gentle arms wrapped around him. Colin didn't say a word. Nines sagged into the comforting embrace and crushed him against his chest, knowing Colin could take a lot more physical strain than Pipsqueak.

He didn't need to look to know his LED was dancing between red and yellow. Red because he was stressed, and yellow because Colin was working to reduce his stress level with physical comfort. Colin squeezed him tighter, stroking his hair and encouraging him to cry on his shoulder. His free hand rubbed circles on his back, hushing and soothing in gentle tones. He didn't reassure him; he was just there, accepting his pain without a word and letting him weep until he was cried out. Nines could only assume that he'd told Connor he'd arrived, because his internal line fell silent.

"Come and eat. I got my favourite." Nines was still sniffling as he wiped his eyes and looked at the bag where it sat on the bar waiting for them.

"Is it not customary to buy my favourite in this situation?" Colin looked a little sheepish as he unpacked the two tall cups, carefully wrapped cheeseburgers, and crispy fries. It looked good to Nines' empty stomach component, so he certainly had no complaints as they took up their seats at the bar.

"I didn't know your favourite." The timid response brought a small smile to Nines' face as he sniffled and opened his burger. It was good. Fresh red onions, strong cheddar cheese, sliced tomatoes, leafy lettuce, and a generous helping of gherkins. The bread was fresh, and the burger was rich beef with a combination of burger sauce, ketchup, and French mustard. The fries were thick, crisp, and adequately salted, still warm from the packaging. It was a fine meal; one he knew Gavin would have enjoyed. He took the paper cup that Colin nudged towards him and felt his eyes tearing up again as he sipped. Strawberry milkshake…It was the first thing Connor and Colin had ever tasted and had remained Colin's favourite flavour ever since. "I'm going to spend the night…if that's alright?" Nines nodded as he bit into a French fry and tried to ignore the streams of saline staining his cheeks.

"Certainly." He wasn't even sure how he got the word out without sobbing. Colin nodded in thanks as he wordlessly held out a napkin. Nines cried harder as he wiped his cheeks. This silent care was a new experience. It wasn't the same coddling that Connor offered, nor the same insistent comfort. Colin allowed him to wail and wallow to his heart's content and never did anything more that offer silent support. It was refreshing.

"You should recharge tonight," Colin added as he ate his burger and fries. He said it simply and conversationally. It wasn't an order. It was a suggestion that he could listen to or discard. Nines nodded meekly as he ate. Colin didn't even look at him, though he caught the movement from the corner of his eye. The lack of attention made Nines feel freer. It didn't matter if he continued to cry, because Colin wasn't looking at him. He wasn't judging him. "I'm glad…You'll need full energy reserves to continue searching for Gavin." It was an argument that Connor hadn't thought of.

"I'm not allowed to search for Gavin…"

"We both know you'll do it anyway." Nines smiled a little at that. He was sure that Connor was aware of his intentions, too. Where Connor wanted to distract and keep him away from the case, Colin seemed to think it more sensible to keep him updated and involved. It was better that they knew what he was doing in order and offered support than him working alone, in secret.

"Thank you." Colin gave a small nod of acknowledgement as he sipped his milkshake and settled in for the next few hours.