The next day continued in a similar vein to the last, although Reed was now much more himself. They actually left the precinct to interview a few witnesses that day since Reed's heat eased off. Nines enjoyed watching him work. He was very good with victims and witnesses, speaking with a softness and empathy that Nines lacked with his more aggressive alpha nature. People liked Reed. They opened up to him. He was also much more patient with witnesses than he was with other people. He allowed that inner softness to show, looking more like an omega than he ever did at the precinct. It made Nines want to stand just a little closer and, feeling vulnerable from his heat, Reed allowed it. He was actually surprised one time when he shifted his arm to feel Nines' firm chest against it. He was standing barely two inches away from him.

"Back the phck up," Reed grumbled, shoving his hands deeper in his jacket pockets. Despite his curt words and embarrassed behaviour, his omega's scent drew him nearer. The mixed signals were, frankly, confusing. Nines knew that Reed wanted him. His sickening cinnamon and coffee scent was constantly seeking him out and teasing him closer. It demanded his attention. His mouth, on the other hand, rejected any advances he made in response. He flinched at light contact, argued against reasonable suggestions, and refused various demands or requests, seemingly just for the sake of it. At the same time, his green eyes would almost undress him whenever they saw him. Reed's mouth would refuse even as his eyes lured him in. Even his body language conflicted with itself. He would lean into Nines' gentle touches before flinching away, forcing his hands into his pockets so that he couldn't let them wander. He knew part of it was the battle between Reed's conscious mind and his omega, but he was surprised to notice more and more that it was Reed himself who was watching and seeking him out.

He puts so much effort into defying me, yet whenever another alpha comes along...Nines' thought trailed off in frustration as he watched Reed sitting on the edge of Jones' desk. One of his legs was swinging idly as the young uniformed officer openly flirted with him. Nines felt his alpha rise aggressively. He couldn't help agreeing. Jones was inferior. It was insulting to watch Reed waste his omega's attention on him. Jones flinched slightly as the possessive scent of gunpowder washed over him. Sharp silver eyes sent a single, unmistakable message. Mine. The officer hastily ended their conversation and Reed returned to his own desk. Confusion marred his features, along with an underlying insecurity. An alpha had just rejected him. There was a certain level of hurt and uncertainty in that. Had he done something wrong? Was he no longer appealing? Why? He sighed in contentment as Nines' scent teased his senses, comforting him and easing his worries.

"Phck, how long is it going to take for this thing to go away?" Reed wondered out loud as he fell into his chair and examined his neck in the monitor, which was currently turned off. Reed sounded put out and more than a little frustrated as he glared at the red mark. It was even more frustrating that his omega kept making happy little chirping noises whenever it noticed him looking at it. Nines felt something hot in his chest at his words. That was Nines' mark. It let other alphas know that Reed was his, or had been close to being his at least. In some ways, he felt that the connection was still there. He swore he could sometimes smell himself on him. Other alphas didn't seem to notice, and Reed himself seemed completely unaware, but Nines was so sure it was there. He also felt more protective of him and found his eyes upon him almost constantly. Reed, on the other hand, seemed entirely oblivious to it. To him, it was just an ugly blemish on his skin. It hurt. Nines lowered his silvery gaze, doing his best to pretend it didn't bother him.

"Perhaps it won't," he replied teasingly, quietly pleased with the idea. The redness had faded a little, and he was sure the purple bruising would go down in a few weeks, but perhaps those smaller puncture wounds would remain. That would please his alpha. To see a reminder of his mark on Reed every day. The lingering possibility that one day it could be made permanent. Reed seemed less than enthused. There was something almost bitter in his green eyes as he continued to glare at his reflection, as if his words could chase it away.

"God, I hope not," he sighed, green eyes snapping up at the hint of hurt he picked up on Nines' metallic scent, but he'd already withdrawn before he could scent it again to confirm. Whatever Nines felt, he certainly wasn't giving it away outwardly. He looked the same as always. Resting bitch face and all. "Doesn't look good during interrogations," Reed excused with a grumble, though his success rate seemed just the same. The suspects' eyes would fall on the mark, but a little scenting later and they'd still end up singing. Reed prodded the mark resentfully, his nails digging in slightly as if he could scratch it away. At least it didn't sting anymore. He gasped as a strong hand gripped his wrist. His chair turned as Nines leaned down. Wide green eyes met sharpened silver as Nines brought his free hand up to stroke and soothe the area. Reed wasn't prepared for that. His whole body shivered with need as Nines' thumb traced the mark possessively. Reed's head tilted in offering as his omega reached out with a quiet plea. Mate me! Nines paused, his eyes widening a fraction as Reed stared back with a mortified expression.

"We have a call," Nines murmured regretfully as his internal phone line sounded. Had it not been for that, he may have taken Reed's omega up on the offer. He silently dealt with the callout and dropped Reed's wrist as he stepped back. He was quietly pleased at the thrumming in Reed's chest. He backed off, watching as Reed tightened his jaw in frustration and denial. Nines tried not to feel too hurt at the strength of his rejection.

**********

The scene ended up being more complicated than expected. It was a red ice deal gone wrong. The problem wasn't the deal itself. It was the multiple gang members in the area. A fight had broken out, and Nines and Reed were right in the middle of it. A normal omega would have stayed close to his alpha. A normal omega would have run away or sought protection. Gavin Reed was not a normal omega. Nines was horrified as he watched Reed dig his knee into the largest alpha's abdomen. The lumbering man doubled over before trying to grab Reed's smaller form. Nines growled as he caught the scent of arousal. He watched Reed dancing around the disorientated gang member. Being only recently off his heat, Reed's scent was stronger and more alluring than usual. Unfortunately, Nines was painfully aware that this also meant his usually quick reflexes would be weakened and compromised. Nines would have stepped in if he hadn't been busy dealing with his own problems. Namely, two alphas that seemed to think they could get the upper hand. One dislocated shoulder and broken nose later taught them otherwise.

"Gavin!" Nines cried in alarm, leaving his crippled suspects on the ground as the large alpha finally caught Reed with a firm strike. Reed had known he'd go down hard if he got caught. He couldn't even move as he curled up on the ground from the rough kick to his stomach. The alpha had sent him flying three feet across hard concrete before he'd landed hard and rolled to a stop. It didn't help that the alpha was now flooding him with dominance. He felt a rough hand in his hair, dragging his head up. He felt dazed as he looked up with a flood of desire. His omega preened and lowered itself in submission, willing to accept the alpha's dominance in return for its own safety. Reed fell to the ground as the alpha was knocked away. A protective presence was standing over him. Nines...Reed realised as he breathed in gunpowder, shuddering in relief as his omega purred its thanks.

They arrested the perps, largely thanks to Nines, and headed back in a tense silence. Reed could feel the heat rolling off Nines and his alpha in waves. Nines was furious. His alpha was furious. He said nothing the whole way back, but before Reed could enter the bullpen, he found a rough hand on his arm, dragging him up the stairs. He objected, confused, as he was taken to the rooftop. It was where they often held their smaller arguments. Reed would sometimes take cigarette breaks here, too. Fuck, he could use a cigarette if he was going to deal with Nines' superior alpha attitude.

"What were you thinking, taking on an alpha like that?" Nines demanded angrily, not for the first time during their partnership. Nines had made his thoughts on omegas on the force well known. Here we phcking go again, Reed thought with a huff as he searched his inside jacket pocket. He always kept a box tucked away for such occasions. He'd thought perhaps he'd proven himself to Nines by now. He was a competent officer. It wasn't the first time they'd been caught out like that, and it was only the second or third time he'd ever needed Nines' protection.

"I've been doing this shit for a long time, Tin Can! I don't need you to baby me!" Reed retorted in frustration as he pulled out a cigarette. If he was going to get chewed out, he may as well get something out of it. He stepped back a little as Nines stalked towards him. It crossed his mind for a moment that Nines was about to toss him off the fucking roof. He looked that angry. He was clearly holding himself back from getting physical. He'd never been so aggressive before. Maybe it was because it was so close to his heat. Maybe it was the partial bond. Whatever the cause, Nines and his alpha were furious.

"You are an omega! You know you are physically outmatched when it comes to combat! You need to be more careful!" Nines accused in a rising tone that pissed Reed off. This glorified toaster oven had been online for less than a year. How dare he lecture him! Nines wouldn't treat him like this if he wasn't an omega. It pissed him off more that his omega sided with Nines. Nines was right. He was weaker than an alpha, and he needed to accept that. He should rely on Nines more for protection. Nines was a good, strong alpha. Nines would take care of him. Reed winced. He'd only just come out of his heat. He was still feeling everything so strongly. The stress. The fear. The need. The desire. The hurt. He was overstimulated. His sense of smell was more sensitive than usual, and the strength of Nines' anger and hurt made him feel dizzy. His head was throbbing.

"Phck off! I train hard specifically so that I'm capable in the field! You phcking know that!" he argued defensively as he pressed a hand against his pounding temple. Gunpowder was drowning him. Sticking in his throat. He'd always trained hard, even before Nines came along. He'd never wanted to be dependent on anyone else at work. Alpha or beta. He lifted weights, did cardio, and constantly worked on his speed and dexterity. He'd never be as strong as an alpha, but he was in top physical condition. It was demeaning to have Nines lecturing him with his alpha superiority like all that work was for nothing. Like it didn't matter.

"And what would you have done today if I hadn't been there?" Nines demanded in a lower tone. They both knew it could have been nasty. Nines' alpha was distressed at the thought. Another alpha had almost harmed his omega. His omega had been on his knees. Bowing in submission for self-preservation. Willing to take another alpha's cock. It made rage coil in Nines' chest. Reed could definitely have been killed. The alpha had literally held his head in his hand, easily able to twist and snap his neck. Reed was more than aware of that. But that's a risk of the job, and I know what I signed up for! It wasn't the first time he'd been that close. He couldn't even count the times he'd had guns pointed at him, or knives thrust towards him. Some had even connected. His skin was littered with small scars.

"I don't know! Yes, I could have been killed, but this is my job and my life! You're not my phcking alpha, so back the phck off!" Reed shouted defensively, panting as his own hurt slipped out. A deathly silence fell between. Something twisted in Reed's stomach at the words he'd let slip. Nines' scent was strangely absent, perhaps due to the shock of the sharp reproach. Reed was on edge as Nines stared down at him. Sharp silver eyes bored into his dirty greens. Nines' expression was suddenly lax, the muscles turned off. Reed remained firm, despite knowing what that meant.

"What did you say?" Nines demanded in a deathly steady tone. Something static cut the air between them. The atmosphere was heavy. Pressure was building between them. Reed's omega was cowering in his chest, fear thrumming within the pit of its stomach. It pawed at him, begging him to take it back. Reed swallowed hard, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. Like hell he was giving into that. He straightened up, making himself as large as he could with his smaller size.

"I said you're not my phcking alpha!" he repeated with a tone of finality. Something broke. Snapped. Shattered. Reed had never felt anything like it. The forgotten cigarette slipped from his limp fingers as he fell to his knees. He couldn't breathe. His chest was paralysed. It was dominance. At least, he thought it was. He'd never experienced dominance this strong before. Nines had pushed him around, sure, but this was different. This was unbearable. It fucking hurt. H-help...Need help...Someone...His desperately cried out. He could feel bile rising in his throat. Nines' scent was terrifying. Reed's omega whimpered in distress as it curled up defensively. Nines' eyes glinted silver as he glared down. He was in a blind rage. Reed could barely hold himself on his knees. It was like the pressure was pushing him down. It pressed in from every direction. An alpha forcing an omega to bow before him. No...not...going to...Reed insisted against his omega's pleas to submit. He gagged and vomited as he forced himself up, choking on bitter coffee as it rushed up his throat. It almost felt like his insides were about to burst. It hurt.

"Nines! That's enough!" Connor's voice cried, a whimper breaking free as he also fell to his knees at the intensity. His processors blinked under the force of Nines' angered scent, errors blinking as he tried to regain control. His own omega couldn't handle the rage. It immediately bowed and cowered. "Nines! Deactivate your alpha programming!" Connor demanded as he easily pushed himself to his feet and strode across the rooftop. Reed didn't need to smell him to know that Connor had deactivated his own secondary gender program. The emotionless tone of his voice and the fact he was walking was enough. "You're hurting him!" Connor insisted, reaching out to touch Nines' exposed neck. Nines knocked his hand away roughly, unable to recalibrate himself. He couldn't risk his output frying Connor's circuits. Connor stumbled a little before removing the skin from his hands and rushing at him. Nines gripped his wrists, attempting to hold him back as Connor desperately tried to reach the bare skin of his face or neck to force an interface.

"That's e-fucking-nough!" Hank's authoritative tone yelled as he stormed onto the roof. His whiskey scent shrouded Reed protectively as he approached from behind, his alpha snarling protectively. Reed felt weak and helpless. His whole body trembled in blind terror. A sense of violation swept through him. It feels like I've been...It feels like he...He vomited again, surprised he had anything left to bring up as bile stung his throat and dripped from his lips. He flinched and whimpered as Nines looked down at him, trying his best not to cower in fear. The distress and hurt in his eyes was enough to get through to Nines. With a blink and stutter of his red LED, the scent of metal and gunpowder disappeared. Nines pushed Connor away as his mechanical body trembled with the aftershocks of rage. "Connor, get Reed out of here!" Hank ordered as he walked over to Nines and gripped his shoulders tightly, almost trying to ground him. The sweet honeysuckle scent returned as Reed was gathered up, limp like a child. He couldn't help leaning further into Connor's bonding site, drinking down his comforting scent like it was water. His own omega was suddenly so small, curling up in a quivering ball.

Murmurs followed them as Connor carried him through to the break room. Everyone had felt it. True domination was hard to miss. More than one alpha had imagined doing it in a heated moment with Reed, and even joked about it. To see it happen. To actually see Reed broken down. It was disturbing. His usually fiery and defiant emerald eyes were dim and vacant as Connor kicked three chairs together and gently laid him down. He was shivering and shaking, clearly in shock. Connor tugged off his jacket and tucked it over him before quickly going in search of more. He used ones with the most comforting scents for Reed. Tina, Miller, Hank, Reynolds, Allen, and even Fowler. Reed was still shaking and panting, holding back whimpers and sobs.

"What the fuck happened?" Tina demanded somewhere between worried and furious. Her alpha was riled at the scent of Reed's distress. She'd returned from patrol and scented him on her way in. She immediately crouched beside him, releasing her familiar burnt sherry scent and nuzzling his vulnerable form. Her alpha was doing a similar thing for his traumatised omega, grooming and nuzzling. He didn't look like Gavin Reed. He was like a shell. Like one of those abused omegas they came across during domestic abuse or rape cases. Connor said he'd tell her later, but asked her to stay awhile. She agreed instantly and kept her place, kneeling beside Reed's wrecked body. She stroked his hair and hushed him softly until his gradually numbing eyes closed.

Nines at least had the decency to look ashamed when he arrived in the doorway a while later to check up on him. Tina glared up from her place on the floor, sharp brown eyes warning him to stay the fuck back as her alpha growled. Reed was peaceful for now. Sleeping soundly. Various alphas and other officers checked in over the day, shrouding Reed with comforting scents. Connor replaced Tina as she was called out on patrol. Later on, Captain Allen arrived while Connor and Hank were away. He was still there, releasing his fresh cement scent, as Reed's eyes slowly opened.

"Hey there, Gav..." Allen greeted softly as he noticed him stirring. Reed whined pathetically. Everything hurt. His body felt like lead. His muscles were still twitching from the force of Nines' scent. His throat was burning from the acid. His stomach ached from the retching. His lungs and chest ached from the strain of trying to breathe. Someone, probably Connor, had cleaned him up a little. He smelled Tina and Hank, automatically nuzzling into the rough fabric of their jackets. His omega wasn't up to purring, but it did let out a weakened squeak at the offered comfort. Reed froze at the feeling of fingers in his hair, almost flinching away. His omega was in full defensive mode. "Can you tell me how you feel?" Allen asked gently as he crouched beside the chairs, removing his hand as he scented Reed's distress. He kept his hand close, allowing Reed's omega to scent it.

"Pretty shitty, Cap...No...really shitty," he amended quietly, whimpering into the large hand laced in his hair. It was better that time. He leaned closer in a silent plea for him to stay. He felt so pathetic. Nines had gotten a little angry and here he was, lying helpless like a fucking damsel in need of protection. He felt sick with himself. His omega shrank at the silent reproach. He sighed internally, reassuring it. He was frustrated with himself. What the fuck had all his training been for if one little bout of domination was going to keep him down? Phck that! Come on Reed, get your shit together!

"Whoa! Hold on there, hotshot," Allen objected firmly, forcing Reed's shoulders down as he tried to sit up. Reed didn't have the strength to disobey. Physically or mentally. The humiliation of it rolled off him in waves. "Hey-hey, it's okay...No one blames you! No one thinks you're weak. It's okay, Gav. It's okay..." Allen soothed in sweet tones, knowing the type of thoughts that raced through Reed's head at times like these. Allen was impressed he didn't require a hospital visit. True domination could really fuck up an omega. Either Nines had been holding back, or Reed really was as strong as he tried to appear. He had to wonder what had made Nines lose his cool. He was usually so calm and collected.

**********

Reed didn't go home that night. He couldn't. His omega's senses were running wild, terrified of being alone, of being vulnerable. He couldn't relax. He was jittery. He didn't feel safe. His omega didn't feel safe. Connor found him hiding in his heat room, curled up on one of the mattresses. There was nothing else. No food. No water. Not even a blanket, since the bedding was out for cleaning. Reed looked up cautiously as Connor approached, but relaxed as he smelled honeysuckle curling around him. Connor crouched down beside him and touched his arm. It was nice. Reassuring. He allowed himself to be coaxed to his feet and blindly followed as Connor led him out to Hank's car. He didn't fight or argue as Hank told him he was going home with them to get some proper rest. He didn't have the strength to disobey an alpha at that moment. He was also too weak to resist the comfort of Hank's whiskey scent as his alpha reached out to soothe and coax his traumatised omega.

He vacantly followed the pair into the small bungalow. Sumo greeted Hank and Connor before Reed was led into the living room. He seemed to relax. The house was saturated with the blended scents of whiskey and honeysuckle, along with wet dog. He twitched nervously as he sat on the sofa, raising his head as the huge fluffy dog gazed up at him with gentle eyes. Sumo eventually rested his big head in his lap. Reed reached out a shaking hand and stroked. Soft. Once he started, he couldn't stop. His fingers tangled in the thick fur. Perhaps scenting his distress and silent plea, Sumo sat on his haunches with a small whine and remained for as long as he was needed.

Reed eventually roused himself enough to eat. Connor gave Hank a disapproving look as he gave Reed a tumbler of whiskey first. He was surprised as it calmed him, easing his vulnerability. The warmth loosened the knots in his chest and allowed him to relax a little. He was finally starting to feel safe. His omega even managed to work up to a small purr. After dinner, they sat on the sofa quietly and Hank read the paper while Connor watched the news. Connor's fingers idly stroked through Reed's hair as he rested his head against his shoulder. Reed's hand was busy stroking Sumo the way he did his omega in his dreams. Sumo lounged on the sofa beside the two omegas with his big head resting on Reed's lap, tail wagging slowly.

Reed slept with Connor that night. Connor had a small bedroom down the hall from Hank. A room he suspected had once belonged to Cole. Connor had made it his own. The walls were painted a gentle cream colour with various pictures of his friends at the DPD and Jericho scattered across them. Hank and Sumo turned up often, and there were a few of Nines. Reed was surprised to see himself in one or two. He had no memory of Connor taking them. The furniture was all white, which matched nicely with the pale carpet. There was also a large black cushion by the drawers, where Sumo settled down for the night. Connor's bed was a large double, more than big enough for two to share.

Connor slipped out of his suit and into some sweats and a white T-shirt, fishing out an almost matching set for Reed to wear. Connor's T-shirt was actually a tad snug across Reed's chest, and the legs of the sweats were a little long, but they'd do. It was strange, sharing a bed with someone. Properly sharing a bed. The only time Reed usually did this was when he and whatever alpha he'd brought home fell down in an exhausted heap. He'd never really gone for the whole relationship thing, so actually settling down to sleep beside someone else with no ulterior motive was almost unsettling. His omega was purring happily as he settled alongside Connor. It felt good to have someone to scent and nuzzle into for comfort.

"I'll be here if you need me," Connor assured softly, lying on his side facing Reed. He waited until Reed nodded before putting himself into stasis for the night with a notification to wake him if Reed's vitals grew distressed. Reed remained on his side and examined Connor's sleeping face. Is that what Nines would look like while sleeping? His face lax and peaceful, lashes teasing his pale cheeks, brunette hair fluffed by the pillows? It was painful to think about. He almost gagged as he remembered the overpowering scent of metal and gunpowder forcing him down. Demanding his submission. Violating him. His omega trembled and whimpered in agreement. It had been truly terrifying. Reed shuddered, a sob rising in his throat. He'd made Nines so angry. Angry enough to lose control. Angry enough to unleash all the bitterness, pain, and hurt he'd felt. It had been like a punch in his gut. A fist gripping his spine. Fingers pinching his neck. He still felt sick. Despite everything, he knew his omega was calling out for Nines. That only made him feel more pathetic.

He buried his face in Connor's chest, only stiffening a little as he felt gentle arms pulling him closer. Connor hushed him quietly, fingers carding through his hair as he released a cloud of honeysuckle. Reed couldn't help it. He was too tired to stop himself from sobbing against Connor's pecs. Connor didn't judge. He kissed and cuddled. Hummed and hushed. He comforted him until he was too tired to continue.