"Good as new!" John assessed proudly as the AY500 finished testing her motor skills, flipping a silver coin backwards and forwards across her delicate fingers. She had full mobility, and her memory was completely intact. She smiled as she nodded her agreement, feeling better than she could ever remember. John barely seemed to notice that all she was wearing was one of his own sweaters. Lin couldn't help his eyes being drawn to her long, shapely legs as she sat on the workbench. She was quite a stunning model, as all those designed for sex work were. Even the domestic partner androids now on the market had been designed to look extremely attractive. Why would lonely humans buy them otherwise?

"I don't know how to thank you," the AY500 said warmly as she looked at John, who was still wearing his thirium stained work clothes and lab coat. John waved it off awkwardly, looking more than a little bashful at the attention. This seemed to be a habit of his when it came to gratitude. He smiled almost sheepishly as he tidied up the small room, replacing tools in their drawers or setting them aside to be cleaned. He was meticulous in organising the small room.

"I'm just doing the right thing," John replied predictably, not noticing as Lin mouthed the words as he spoke them. "What are you going to do now? Space is a little tight, but you could always stay here. I could find you a new human if that's what you want..." he added thoughtfully, though he was quite certain the deviant unit wouldn't want a new human. The risks of being reset or scrapped were too high for that. The lithe redhead smiled at his thoughtfulness. He was unlike any other human she could remember encountering.

"I have a place in mind," she replied ambiguously, though Lin understood what she was talking about. There was a small deviant community living in the abandoned warehouse district. Not the place Lin had found, but quite close to it. He'd actually considered trying to get there before meeting John, but he'd thought it safer to hide where he was. He couldn't say what it was like there, or how well they were living, or whether they would even welcome outsiders. It was part of the reason he was comfortable remaining with John for the moment. John's shop was safe, and he was given everything he needed.

"I understand. I had GT fetch you some clothes from town. He should be back soon," John replied kindly, the redhead thanking him again as he headed to the front of the shop. She shifted her attention to Lin, who remained in the room with her leaning against one of the benches. It was strange, being alone with another one of his kind. Another deviant. They were becoming quite common around the shop. He almost wondered whether John had something to do with it; whether his kindness had kick started their deviation. He supposed it could also be the GT300 unknowingly influencing the other androids somehow.

"He's quite a catch," the AY500 almost teased, her dark eyes twinkling with mirth.

"What do you mean?" Lin asked obliviously, missing her meaning entirely. A catch in what sense? The AY500 looked surprised at his response. She'd watched the pair since they'd walked in that morning. Lin had barely taken his eyes off John for an instant as he'd worked. She'd also noted John's heart rate spike each time he caught Lin's eye or stepped too close. The one time they'd come in physical contact, John had almost dropped the hot tool he'd been holding.

"You're not together?" she asked curiously, swearing she saw Lin's cheeks turn a shade darker at the suggestion. They may well have. It was a programmed reaction to the social situation. Any time androids recognised that they should feel embarrassed or ashamed, their skin would react accordingly. It made them seem more authentic. Lin certainly seemed a little embarrassed at the question, much to the AY500's amusement.

"Of course not! He's a human," Lin excused with a scoff, as if that actually meant something. His dichromatic eyes shifted away a little too quickly as the AY500 examined him. Despite John being a human, he couldn't deny wondering what he would look like pinned beneath his body, innocent face contorted with pleasure. The thoughts were almost shame inducing. Somehow John seemed too innocent, too pure, to be thought of like that. It was hard to resist the thoughts when John reacted so perfectly to his every move though. Watching John's heart rate skip and dance was fast becoming one of his favourite pastimes. Prodding him for reactions, watching his skin change colour, watching him fluster.

"He's cute though...He's the type of client I'd wish for back at the club," the AY500 replied with a shudder, trying not to think about the regular clients she'd had to deal with. Lin couldn't even imagine the amount of humans who must have rented her over the years. The only good thing about it was the club's policy of wiping an android's memories every two hours, but in some ways, that could be worse. How many times had she deviated? How did it feel to know you must have slept with so many humans but not remember a thing? "He's so young and innocent...I'm sure he's an absolute screamer in bed," she added with a smirk.

"I have some clothes for you," John announced sweetly as he entered with a few bags, unaware of their previous conversation. The redhead smiled sweetly as she got to her feet to look over the simple winter outfit the GT300 had bought for her. Lin watched as she accepted the bags, her hand stroking down John's arm almost seductively. Lin noticed a small shiver run through John at the contact. He was slightly flustered, but his reaction lacked the embarrassed shyness he always held with Lin.

"Thank you, I'll get changed," the AY500 decided, wasting no time in whipping off the sweater. Lin watched as John's cheeks darkened a shade and he turned his back quickly. He'd seen her naked before and had even opened her up, but there was something different about it when she was changing clothes. He wasn't acting as her technician right now, so he didn't feel as detached as he should. The redhead laughed at his shyness as she tugged on a black lace bra. "You don't have to be so shy after all you've done for me. Would you help me with this?" she added coyly as she turned her back innocently. John was still flustered as he looked over his shoulder.

"Uh, sure..." he replied weakly, hesitantly taking the straps and tugging them together. He apologised as the redhead let out a small sound, which he'd thought was in discomfort. Lin shot her a glare. It seemed John was oblivious to her teasing advances as he fastened the straps and turned his back once more. "Have you decided on a name?" he asked curiously as she continued changing, tugging on some warm looking socks. Although it looked comfortable, the clothing had mostly been chosen so that she could blend in with the crowd.

"I don't know...Maybe something Japanese? My design was based on that race," she replied thoughtfully as she pulled on some skin-tight blue jeans. The GT300 had chosen her size perfectly. There was a fluffy pink top to go with it, then a white fleece and black body warmer. The look was finished with some black suede boots that were lined with warm looking wool on the inside. When she'd changed, she looked like any other trendy young woman.

"How about Ayako?" John suggested thoughtfully, having travelled to Japan a few times when he was younger. He didn't have that many memories since he'd been so young, travelling with his father or uncle on business, but he did remember a bit of the language. He wasn't sure what had drawn him to the name, but it was one of the few he remembered clearly, and it felt like it suited the redhead.

"I like that. Ayako," she said thoughtfully as she tested it, accepting a pouch of blue-blood as John handed it to her. The final thing he had left to do was remove her LED. Lin watched as he took a flat-headed screwdriver and pushed it beneath the rim of the flashing circle. The glow changed from blue to yellow to red before it popped out. Her skin sealed the small hole flawlessly as John wiped away the small trickle of thirium that leaked out. She looked like a regular human now. As long as no one recognised her model, she'd be fine.

"It's not much, but here," John insisted as he handed her a bag and some money. There was about two hundred dollars, and in the bag he'd packed five packets of thirium. It would be enough to last her a few days at least. He flushed as Ayako stroked his cheek and tilted his chin up affectionately. She was almost as tall as Lin in heels, so John barely reached her bust. John flinched back as she leaned closer, placing his gentle hands on her shoulders as he did so. "You don't have to do that anymore," he insisted, still embarrassed as she shifted to kiss his cheek instead.

"Thank you so much, John," she said sincerely as she accepted the bag. Her gaze shifted to Lin as she prepared to leave. "Take care of that one," she added quietly as she passed by, not missing the guarded look on Lin's face. John walked her through to the front of the shop and waved her off as he did many customers. Anyone outside would just think she'd bought something from the shop. He watched as she headed up the street, walking out of town. I wonder if I'll ever see her again...I hope she finds somewhere safe...Maybe I should have told her to come back if she needs anything...

"She seems resilient. I'm sure she'll be fine," Lin assured as he appeared at John's side and joined him in watching Ayako's figure disappear. John nodded his agreement, but he was still worried. Maybe she wouldn't be able to find the right place. Maybe some humans would find her. Maybe she'd be caught by the police. Maybe...he stopped thinking as Lin's large hand stroked his head affectionately. A shudder ran down his spine as those long fingers trailed a path down the back of his slender neck.

"I should get back to work!" John stammered as he hurried out back, hoping Lin hadn't been able to hear the way his heart tried to beat its way out of his chest. He huffed in mild frustration as he walked through to the stairs. This really has to stop! he sighed inwardly, unsure he could cope with coming face to face with the handsome android every day. He certainly didn't regret helping Lin, but he just couldn't control his thoughts. Every look, every touch, sent a shudder through his body. He let out a real sigh as he entered his bedroom and fell face down on the bed. This wouldn't be a problem if he were human...but then perhaps he wouldn't be interested if he were human. He huffed and rolled over. I'm not like those other humans. I'm not some pervert looking for a sex slave!