"The taxi's here," Lin murmured as he approached John from behind. John stiffened at the words, silent pleas stuck in his throat as he looked at the dirty floor. The RG600 remained hopeful and positive as he got to his feet and hovered beside him anxiously. He'd done that most of the night so far. He'd joined John and helped with every repair. Holding tools, reassuring the injured androids, doing what limited scans he could. He'd also taken it upon himself to take care of John, constantly trying to cheer him up and somehow make him warmer.

"Taxi, yes! Taxi is good! Taxi will be warm and keep you safe," he insisted with forced cheer. He flicked his anxious gaze between John's stiffened form and Lin, who stood rigid behind him, staring at his back. He didn't want these last few moments to end. The next time he spoke, John would leave. The RG600 tottered awkwardly for a few moments before he remembered, "The little one! Yes! I will find the little one!" He excused himself and teetered off into the crowd to look for Katie. John twitched as a large hand finally rested on his shoulder and squeezed.

"I don't want to go," he whispered, his lower lip trembling as he felt tears pricked his vision. He didn't want to blink. He knew that as soon as he blinked, they'd fall free to spill down his cheeks. He swallowed as his throat tried to choke on a sob. It felt like such a childish thing to say. He didn't know what Lin was thinking. He didn't want to risk looking over his shoulder. He'd start bawling like a child if he did. Lin was gentle as he slowly pressed himself up behind and looped his arms around him. That was worse. John bit his lip hard as tears finally trickled down his cheeks and silent sobs wracked his shoulders.

"John..." Lin murmured in response as he slowly turned him and held him against his chest. John couldn't help it as he reached up to grip Lin's shirt and pull him closer. "You know you can't stay...You need to take care of Katie. A war-zone is no place for a child...Maybe you can help get the word out somehow," Lin continued in soothing tones. John nodded silently. These were the same points he'd raised earlier. John knew he was right. He may be a mechanic, but he was far too delicate to take part in the actual fighting, and there was unlikely to be a safe place for him to fix up any injured androids. Lin also wouldn't be able to focus on the fight if he was constantly worrying about his safety. He's right. The best thing I can do for him is get the media involved. They're unlikely to go all-out with cameras watching.

"I know. I know you're right, but I still..." John trailed off as he raised his head, desperate for some form of reciprocation. His blue eyes closed as Lin's hands cupped his cold cheeks and gentle thumbs wiped his tears away. "I don't want this to be the last time," John sniffled, tilting his cheek into Lin's comforting hand. Lin's mismatched eyes seemed just as vulnerable. His jaw tightened as he regarded the soft flesh in his hands. John was so delicate. His body temperature was currently well below optimal. He hadn't stopped shivering for the past few hours.

"I can't promise..." Lin replied regretfully, his chest aching as John's expression pinched in distress. He closed the distance. John's lips were cold and dry now from working so hard. Androids didn't need food and water, so he was likely hungry and a little dehydrated at this point. John kissed him back almost desperately, hands fisting tighter and pulling him lower. A small sound escaped his throat as a hand moved to support the back of his head and tilt his chin up higher. There was so much in that kiss. I love you. Don't leave me. Come back to me. "You have to go," Lin gasped finally as he drew back, remaining close for a few final moments as he rested his forehead against John's. John nodded miserably.

"I know." There was nothing more that needed to be said. No reassurances would be honest. No exchanged wishes would make a difference. No goodbye would be enough. It was too cold. Too final. John almost whimpered as Lin finally drew back. There was no point in drawing it out. It would hurt either way. He held John's hand as he guided him through the small service corridor to the front of the warehouse. The taxi was waiting at the main road on the edge of the closed off warehouses. They walked slowly. They weren't ready to say goodbye. Lin could see the RG600 and Katie were already waiting.

"Goodbye, stay safe!" Katie said sweetly as she looked up at Lin and the RG600. They both assured her they would do their best as she climbed into the taxi. The RG600 surprised John the most as he pulled him into a quivering hug. He wasn't used to initiating contact. Particularly not with humans, but it seemed the best way to get his feelings across. John stepped back stunned as he was released, the RG600 looking at him earnestly.

"Human must be careful! Human must take care!" he insisted, his LED spinning yellow with stress. John took his hand and squeezed it assuringly.

"I will." That seemed to put the tottering android at ease as he stepped back to allow Lin a final farewell. John hesitated, something pained in his expression as he looked up at him. It almost felt like they'd come full circle. The warehouse where they'd first met wasn't too far away. He wasn't ready to lose Lin. He'd never be ready. They didn't speak. Lin gave him one final hug, the skin of his hand retreating as he caressed John's cheek. John blinked out more tears as that familiar static sparked across his skin. A final interface. It seemed like an eternity before Lin finally stepped back and John ducked into the taxi with a sniffle. Watching Lin getting smaller and smaller as the taxi pulled away was the worst part. He wasn't even sure where Lin had told it to go.

"Where are we going?" Katie asked nervously, though John couldn't do much to reassure her. He had no idea. I need help...There was only one person he could think of. He wasn't even sure if the old number he had would work. It had been over a year. He looked around the back of the taxi searchingly. There was usually a phone installed, just in case. You never knew when you might break down on the side of the road somewhere. They were rarely used now, but they were an old precaution left over from the early days of automation.

"I'm not sure just yet," John replied distractedly as he found the small box fixed into the door. It popped free and there was a small wireless phone inside. He took a breath as he dialled. There was an insistent, buzzing tone as the phone rang. The number was still active. He bit his lip as he rocked back and forth, trying not to think about his last few moments with Lin. He almost regretted not saying anything, but he hadn't had the words to express himself. Lin hadn't either.

"Hello?" the familiar feminine voice answered politely, obviously not recognising the public number. John felt his chest tighten with need. He hadn't heard her reassuring tone for over a year, but he needed it. He didn't realise how much he'd missed her until that moment. His voice stuck in his throat, causing the woman to question him again. He felt lucky she remained on the line. She was probably curious. Who would call at a time like this?

"Help...I-need-help!" John whimpered, bending over to hold his head in his hands as tears pricked his eyes once more. Everything was compressing in his skull. Everything he wanted to say. Everything he needed to say. He felt like a child again. Lost. Confused. Hurt. He needed the warmth and comfort she'd given when he was a child, when he'd first called his uncle after his mother's death and begged him to let him stay. He couldn't stand one more day in his father's house. His father had always been working, and it hadn't helped as he'd introduced his secretary into the mix.

"Little John?" the voice said gently, filled with uncertainty. He could almost picture the pinch of her gentle brow. John nodded, but remembered she wouldn't be able to see him. On the seat beside him, Katie looked across worriedly, a small hand reaching out to rest on his thigh. Reassurance. He spared her a glance and touched her small hand thankfully. Strangely enough, that small touched was enough to help him focus.

"I-it's me. Please, I-need help. I don't know what-to-do!" John stammered, his whole body shaking with adrenaline he had no way to release. His legs bounced restlessly as he waited, hoping that he hadn't been forgotten somehow this past year. He heard hurried steps and muffled voices before the phone was taken by a new person.

"Calm down, John...Just breathe..." the male voice said firmly. John breathed, his chest hitching a few times as he sobbed. His whole body shuddered and almost melted in relief. He hadn't been forgotten. His uncle was there. He'd help. "That's it...Now, where are you exactly?" The voice was like calming silk to John's terrified ears. John looked out the window, listing off the street and area name. There were voices and then the man was back. "Come to The Grand. Executive suite, 2203. We'll be there." John took a few breaths before inputting the data into the taxi's touch interface. The electronic car changed direction at the next intersection.

"Alright," John replied obediently as he continued to practice his breathing and rub his reddened eyes. Everything would be fine. His uncle would help. It was like a comforting mantra as he clutched the phone to his ear. He could hear movement on the other end. It was quiet, but his uncle was clearly rushing around. John wasn't sure whether they were inside the hotel or if they'd just arrived.

"Good boy, see you soon," his uncle replied before hanging up. John tried to look reassuring as he took Katie's hand and clasped it. The only person he knew he could turn to at a time like this was his uncle. He may not be in charge anymore, but he knew more about androids and Cyberlife than anyone else. He had to be able to help. John's breath was shaky as he finally stumbled out of the taxi and hurried inside the towering building with Katie at his side.

The hotel was huge. Even the lobby lived up to its name. The ceiling of the ground floor towered above their heads with a huge crystal chandelier. Everything was pristine white, warm cream, and pale wood. Their feet squeaked on the expensive marble as they hurried across to the tall desk. He noticed the security guard eyeing them cautiously. It wasn't often that such young and poorly dressed people came here, and it didn't escape his notice that Katie seemed more dressed for bed than wandering the streets. John tried not to feel self-conscious as he stood at the counter patiently.

"Good evening?" the uniformed lady behind the counter greeted curiously. A human of course. Dressed in a smart looking black pant-suit. She seemed a little wary as she took in John's state of dress, and the blue splattered across his clothing. He wasn't their usual type of clientele. This was a high-class hotel. Her gaze dropped to Katie as she clutched John's worn coat nervously. She seemed to soften a little as she took in Katie's mostly hidden pyjamas. "Are you...lost?" she guessed, and she could see in John's tired eyes she was right in some sense.

"I'm here to see my uncle. Executive suite, room 2203," John recited quietly in an attempt to keep others from noticing them. The woman looked up the details before her eyes widened slightly. She was tempted to call security over to check this out, but John seemed so worn and tired. He didn't look like he was up to no good, and he had a young child with him. Not only that, but he knew the room he was looking for. Her maternal instincts took over as she handed him the key. He nodded thankfully and hurried to the elevator. The ride up was silent. John's teeth bit his lip the entire way until he tasted blood. Lin wasn't there to press a finger to his lips. The thought sent an ache through his chest. Lin wasn't there. John didn't stop as the doors opened. He hurried down the hall with Katie at his side and opened the door with the metal key. The locks were old, but it stopped any android hacking.

"Little John! Look at you...You're exhausted!" the young woman's voice greeted sympathetically as she closed the door and immediately fussed over him. She was wearing her usual blue dress, the material soft and familiar as she tugged him against her chest. He smiled softly as he took in the blue LED spinning at her temple. "I told you to stop doing that!" she added reproachfully as she tugged his lip away from his teeth with her thumb. John couldn't stop himself as he fell into her chest and buried his face in her shoulder.

"I don't want them to die!" he cried, shaking as the blonde android held him. Her LED flashed yellow as she took in his distress. She couldn't imagine what had happened. He was covered in thirium, wearing a worn coat that clearly wasn't his, and the girl he'd brought with him was clearly terrified. She laced a hand in John's hair and stroked circles on his back soothingly. John was still sniffling as he heard a heavier set of steps approaching.

"And so you came to me," his uncle's voice observed almost smugly. John's blurry gaze shifted to the living area of the large room where his uncle stood. He was dressed smartly, as usual, in designer charcoal jeans and a pinstriped shirt that matched. His longer brunette locks were tied up in a small bun. He had more stubble than John remembered him keeping before. "Hello, Little John," he greeted warmly as he opened his arms. His expression softened as John exchanged the android's embrace for his own. John felt safe as the large arms closed around him firmly.

"Uncle Eli!" John sniffled pathetically, basking in the familiar smell of expensive aftershave. It was the same one he'd always worn, always mixed with the scent of thirium. "What are you doing here?" he asked curiously, knowing Elijah usually stayed in a secluded mansion in Detroit. Elijah chuckled humourlessly as they approached the sofa and sat. John was grateful as the blonde android shifted her attention to Katie. She smiled warmly and spoke in reassuring tones as she took her under her wing as she had John all those years ago.

"With the executive order to turn over all androids, I had to make some...arrangements. Everyone knows I keep a stock of RT600s in my home after all. It wouldn't be safe for Chloe to remain there," he replied in a grim tone as he glanced towards the hallway she'd disappeared down. John nodded. Even Elijah Kamski didn't get to ignore the law. The President had said to hand over all androids, and that meant all androids. He was taking a risk by hiding Chloe as he was. "I lost a few androids, but many of them are in hiding or on missions," he added ambiguously before returning his emerald gaze to John. "But that's not why you called," he added knowingly, with a quirk of his lips.

"No...I just...I don't know what to do...He-just...he's..."

"You need to start at the beginning. Tell me...who is he?" Elijah asked with genuine curiosity. He hadn't seen John for over a year. He had no idea who was in his current friend circle, or whether he had someone more important in his life.

"His name is Lin..." John began, settling in for a long story. He held nothing back, besides the more graphic details of their intimacy. Elijah didn't seem surprised. He understood John better than most. A lot of John's love of androids had come for their creator, after all. Elijah sat with crossed legs and sipped an amber liquid, listening without judgement or reproach. John's hands were shaking by the time he finished.

"I see...Well, what is it you want to do? Forget what you should do, what you're expected to do...What do you want?" Elijah asked with genuine curiosity, quietly running calculations behind his eyes. John clenched his teeth tightly. He knew what would happen when the androids marched. They'd be shot down without a second thought. Unless there was media coverage allowing people to see what was going on, they'd be exterminated like rats. John wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to be at Lin's side. No, more than that...I want to protect him!

"I need to be there! I need to do something!" Elijah looked surprised by the outburst, but he understood. He already knew where the deviants were heading. There was only one android recycling centre in the immediate area. SWAT and the local police had already set up outside the gates in preparation. He had multiple eyes on it, as he did on all things. He breathed out a small sigh as he regarded John.

"You understand I can't protect you if you do this...I have people there, of course, but one stray bullet..." he trailed off meaningfully. John's resolved nod was his only response. Elijah's expression softened in acceptance and understanding as he sat forward. "In that case, there are a few things we should do." He pushed to his feet moments later. He'd already delivered multiple tipoffs to the media, and a growing amount of news drones and helicopters were already circling the area. A live feed flashed up on the large television. The march had started. Lin was at the head of the group, with the two RG600s, Charlie, and Ayako just behind. They were setting up a barrier for protection. "The first thing we need to do is make you a little more...inconspicuous," Elijah added gently as he lifted the LED pendant at John's throat.