Something was different. He didn't know what, but he could feel it. Connor had been distant these past few weeks; distant to the point he'd skipped their regular bi-monthly interface. Usually, they interfaced so he could share the current status of Gavin's case and any progress. That he hadn't was concerning. Had he finally forgotten? Impossible. Had they set Gavin's case aside in lieu of newer work? Perhaps...He hadn't checked the file himself since the whole thing unfolded. It wasn't assigned to him, so he had no business looking. Thus far, there had been no need. He'd trusted Connor and Hank to keep him updated with any progress. Their silence likely meant there had been no significant developments.

Nines' silvery eyes slipped across to examine Connor, who was sitting at his own desk. His LED was pale blue as he typed away at his terminal. He did that sometimes. It slowed his progress and gave Hank more time to finish his own work without feeling like he was breathing down his neck. He never did, of course, but that's what it felt like to Hank when he was working and Connor was quietly idling and killing time. Gavin had never expressed such feelings. Whenever Nines finished his own work, he would bring him a coffee or snack and watch quietly as his partner worked. Gavin would sometimes notice the fresh coffee or snack and grumble his thanks while staring at his terminal, green eyes occasionally squinting on those late nights. Sometimes he'd sense eyes upon him and his lips would soften, tired eyes glancing up to meet his own. His pupils would dilate as they locked eyes, and his heart rate would spike before he grudgingly returned to work.

Nines' LED span red as he forced the thought back into the box it had jumped out of. Memories were like that sometimes. They crept up on him unbidden, replaying perfectly in his head. His lips thinned as an ache filled his chest, only to be lost in the growing numbness soon after. Returning his attention to Connor, he picked up his previous musings. Something felt different. It wasn't that they didn't communicate. They did. Connor still reminded him to drink thirium and take care of himself, but for the past few weeks, he'd stopped actively trying to spend time with him. It was like he was trying to avoid him.

Connor seemed to feel his gaze. Soft hazel eyes looked up curiously to meet his own with a cautious air, LED swapping from blue to yellow. There was something almost guilty in his manner as he pushed to his feet and headed to the break room. Nines wasn't sure if it was an invitation to follow or if he was getting Hank a fresh cup of tea, but he decided to take the opportunity anyway. He wasn't sure what to say at first, so he settled for watching Connor's back as he reached into the cupboard and grabbed the decaf tea he stored there. It wasn't Hank's favourite. Much like Gavin, he could always taste the difference, but he drank it to make Connor happy.

"You have not interfaced with me this month." His tone sounded cold and level, almost accusing as he stood rigid with his hands behind his back. Connor stiffened a little at the reminder, though a human wouldn't notice. It was the slightest twitch in his shoulders, the minute straightening of his spine, that gave it away. His LED continued to spin yellow as he pressed for hot water from the coffee machine and waited. "Did you forget?" They both knew that was impossible. Connor finally heaved a regretful sigh and looked over his shoulder, lips thinning with guilt. His LED blinked red as he avoided Nines' eye and waved a hand at the tall table, leaving Hank's tea to brew on the counter.

"It's not that I forgot, it's...difficult." His hazel eyes flitted around, searching for the right words. How did one tell their brother that their secret lover had been put on the cold case pile with so many others? He felt like he'd let him down so badly, even though it was out of his control. Nines knew something was wrong. His silvery eyes sharpened as Connor let out a worried sigh, unable to avoid putting it off any longer. "I-I've been trying to find the right words for weeks now, and I was hoping the FBI would have a breakthrough before it came up, but..." His gaze softened, almost pleading for understanding before he even confessed.

"Before what came up?" A sick, almost icy feeling swelled in Nines' stomach as he waited.

"Gavin's case..." Nines' jawline hardened. What about Gavin's case? Why hadn't he been kept informed? He'd promised, as his older brother, to keep him informed. "I wanted to tell you, but I just...haven't found the right words. There probably aren't any words that would ever be enough, so...Approximately three weeks ago, Hank and I were called in to speak to Captain Fowler." Connor leaned on the table, folding his arms for comfort as he looked down at the sticky surface and spoke. His lack of eye contact, the inability to meet his eyes from guilt, gave Nines a hint of what was to come. He remained rigid, standing at the table with his hands locked behind his back. "He told us he'd been ordered to move Gavin's case from the active files to the cold files." Nines' LED burned red at the news.

"He's in the cold cases?" His expression twisted into a snarl at the news. It hadn't even been a year! Cold cases were where old files went to die. It was where long-term murder victims went to be forgotten, where missing people were left when it was clear they wouldn't be found. He'd worked those cases. He knew how little hope there was after the first year passed, and how that hope decreased as time wore on. A lot of those cases would never be solved unless the body was found by chance in another state.

"We didn't want his file to be moved across so soon, but we didn't have a choice." Connor's eyes were soft and imploring as he finally looked up with a silent plea for forgiveness. Nines' chest swelled with heat as he stepped away from the table and headed in the only direction that made sense. "Nines?" Connor's worried call was left unanswered as Nines stormed through the bullpen, passing Hank's desk and ignoring the way his head bolted upright at Connor's shout. Nines walked up the stairs with measured steps and pushed Fowler's door open so hard it almost flew off its hinges.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Nines demanded as he slapped his hands on the desk so hard the whole thing shook. Considering his strength, Fowler considered himself lucky it was still standing. The force of the impact made his terminal shake and the potted plant on the edge topple over. Without even looking, Nines' hand snapped out and grabbed the pot before it fell, returning it to its rightful place with his usual precision. It was a familiar show of care. Something Gavin might do. No matter how angry he got or what he broke, it would never be anything important. Terminals, plain cups, and paperwork would fly, but family photos, precious trinkets, keepsakes, and plants would never feel his wrath. He was an asshole, but not that much of an asshole.

As a seasoned captain, Fowler didn't cower from anyone. He'd remained firm when Hank and Gavin went off and stood his ground with the FBI. Nines was no different. He may have pushed himself a little further back in his seat as he stared up at him, but any fear he might have felt was pushed down and buried underneath his usual gruff facade. If he gripped the arms of his chair a little tighter to stop his hands from shaking, that was his secret. He pursed his lips and swallowed as he pushed down the lingering shock from the interruption. This was something he'd thought might happen eventually. How could it not?

"Because this is the exact reaction I expected, and I didn't want to have to relieve you of duty." The threat at the end of that sentence lingered between them and Nines' eyes thinned. Fowler had that right if he felt he overstepped. He had a precinct to run and needed to take the safety of his men into account. Nines was a valuable resource, but also the most dangerous weapon in their arsenal. He'd originally been built with warfare in mind, along with many other dangerous jobs. Though Fowler noticed Connor's hurried entry, he didn't take his dark eyes off Nines for a second. Connor immediately gripped Nines' upper arm and tried to pull him away from the desk, where he remained leaning low like a tiger ready to pounce. Fowler could feel the intensity, though he'd never admit his heart raced at the sight.

"How could you do it?" There was something sour in Fowler's expression as he waved Connor off and sat up straighter. This was an unfortunate side effect of his job, always being the bearer of bad news. The mouthpiece for those higher up the chain.

"It wasn't easy, believe me. I argued for as long as I could, but with so little progress made, it was decided that our resources would be better directed elsewhere." Even Hank had appeared, the only human brave enough to lay a hand on his tense shoulder. Nines felt the touch, of course. It warmed him somewhat to be offered such comfort. "It wasn't easy for any of us." He couldn't include those higher in that. For them, Gavin was a nameless statistic, someone whose only use was garnering the fleeting sympathy and support of the masses. Since time had moved on, he was no longer important. "The FBI are still working the case, and Hank and Connor have been doing what they can in their downtime with what limited resources they're allowed. I've also done what I can to stay on top of the cold case division and see that Gavin's case gets the attention it deserves, but you know how it is down there."

"Hopeless." None of them wanted to agree with Nines' assessment, but it was true. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of cases down there that got cycled through. They looked into the newer ones more often, but even those that had been down there for fifty years got glanced over now and then. It was easy for files to slip through the cracks.

"Gavin's one of ours, so he's at the top of their list." For now...Nines straightened up with a slow breath, LED spinning between red and yellow. He couldn't help feeling betrayed by those around him. Connor was his brother, and Hank was his father. They'd both kept this from him. If he hadn't confronted Connor, they would have continued keeping it from him. How long would he have remained unaware? Weeks? Months? The one-year anniversary was inching closer every day, and they had nothing to show for it. I should have been more involved! I might have made a difference! That was likely an egotistical assessment. Colin and Connor were less advanced, but not by much. He also knew they'd been taking the case seriously. It wasn't just about getting Gavin back, it was about stopping a dangerous killer and saving lives. Android and human alike.

"Here, sit down, son..." Hank's hand was firm but gentle as he pushed him to sit in one of the chairs and took the seat beside him. Fowler was grateful for his intervention. He wasn't exactly known for his fatherly demeanour at work. He was more of the hardass who made sure you got the job done. Despite leaning into that reputation, Fowler did soften as he sat forward and folded his arms on the desk. It may have been unprofessional, but with Hank being his lifelong friend, it would be a lie to say he didn't have a soft spot for Connor and Nines, and Gavin had been something of an adopted son himself. He'd known him as a teen and set him on the right path in life. It hurt that this was where it ended. "Being a cold case isn't so bad...It's still fresh, so it's getting the right attention, and you know Perkins. That asshole is relentless when he's got a tough case to chew on."

"Hank's right. Of all the agents in the FBI, the Hickory Killer is best left in the hands of Agent Perkins. There have been few failures in his career, and he is known to thrive on tough cases," Connor added. Nines knew that much from looking into his career when they'd first met. He was widely known throughout the agency as The Jackal for his tenacious attitude and attention to detail. Unfortunately, he was also known to be quite cutthroat, even with those in his own department. Having met him in person and seen him working up close, Nines wasn't sure he quite agreed with that assessment. He'd shown fondness and care for those directly beneath him, and for Gavin. "He has Colin, too. Colin wants Gavin back just as much as we do." That much was true. Despite only being in their circle for almost two years, Colin had come to treasure their brotherly bond. If he could help Nines by finding Gavin, he'd do his best.

"I'll keep on top of the cold case division and make sure Gavin's case gets the attention it deserves, and I'll let Hank and Connor use what resources I can reasonably afford...No one's giving up." The yet hanging between them was palpable. Now that the case was officially cold, it was inevitable that it would be quietly forgotten in time. Fowler was likely trying to placate him until such time that he, too, gave up hope. His LED span yellow at the thought. He wouldn't give up. He couldn't. Gavin was still out there somewhere. He has to be..."Why don't you head home for the day? You have no pending cases or reports due...Take the afternoon off." That was about the worst thing Nines could think of.

"Captain Fowler is correct...I'm sure Pipsqueak would appreciate the company." That was a low blow. He didn't need to be reminded he'd been neglecting him recently. Pipsqueak was always fed and watered, by Roland if not by him, but it had been a long time since he'd purposefully spent time with him. He wasn't ignored, but he didn't receive the affection he should. Gavin would be disappointed...He'd left Pipsqueak in his care. What would he think to return and find him so neglected? Nines' LED span red as he nodded and got to his feet.

Upon reaching the penthouse, Pipsqueak was about where he expected. He was curled up in the top corner of the walkways by the glass. With the sun streaming in, it was a cosy spot for him to sleep. At the sound of his entry, the silvery cat raised his head, trilling curiously at the unexpected intrusion. There was a time he would have gleefully hopped down, meowing and crying, thinking it was Gavin returning. He hadn't done that in months. Seeing it was Nines, he pushed to his paws, stretching lazily, and hopped onto the sofa to wait for him.

"Hello, Pipsqueak..." Nines' voice was soft as he gathered him in his arms and sank onto the sofa. He didn't sit. Instead, he lay on his back, turning his head to stare out at the sprawling city. It churned his artificial stomach to think that Gavin was out there somewhere. Perhaps somewhere within sight of that very building. What if he could see it? What if he stared out every day, begging and screaming for help, and he couldn't hear it? He could be anywhere. In a loft or a basement, a house, a tower, a warehouse, an abandoned district or a newer part of town. What if he's not in Detroit at all? The very thought sent a chill through him.

Pipsqueak purred softly, butting his chest and flicking his tail. He could sense his distress, warning him of his rising stress levels. Nines' LED blinked from red to yellow at the attention. He teased Pipsqueak's silken fur, accepting his request for an interface. His worry was palpable. He was still sad and missed Gavin, but also wary of being left alone should anything happen to Nines. Nines shared his own pain in return, quietly assuring him he wouldn't be abandoned. A sense of peace settled over him as gentle paws pressed and clawed his pecs, kneading his synthetic flesh. He barely looked up as the front door opened.

"Nines? Connor told me you had the afternoon off, so I thought I'd come over." Chloe. Of course, Connor would send her. He managed a wan smile as she appeared leaning over the back of the sofa, giving him a warm smile. "Well, don't you two look cosy." Pipsqueak flopped on his side, flicking his tail and squirming on Nines' chest until he was comfortable. Chloe laughed softly. It seemed Nines wouldn't be moving for the foreseeable future. That was fine by her. Slipping off her shoes, she climbed over the back of the sofa and crawled until she could claim the other side of his chest. A strong arm settled round her waist, stopping her from falling. "Room for one more?"

"It seems I have little choice in the matter." Though a little stiff, his voice was warmer than it had been with Connor earlier. Chloe didn't take it personally as she settled her head on his shoulder and looped an arm across his chest. He'd always been a little stiff with things like this, besides when he was with Gavin. Her fingers traced small circles on his pecs, idly analysing the scratchy material of his Cyberlife shirt. He'd taken to wearing that old uniform months ago, giving up his softer nature. She missed his playful streak, the one she'd seen Gavin bring out in the pool all those months ago. The Nines who held Gavin close and carried him to bed, looking at him like he was his whole world. The loss was palpable.

"You'll find him." Nines wasn't so sure these days, but he appreciated the sentiment. He held her a little closer, pressing a gentle kiss in her hair as he teased Pipsqueak's fur and looked out the window. I hope so...