What-the-phck-what-the-phck-what-the-phck? Reed gasped as his eyes snapped open. His heart was pounding as he pushed himself up. His head span as he looked down in horror at the chewed up remnants of the thick collar. His pulse raced as he registered the stinging, aching pain in his neck. No-no-no-no! The desperate thought was like a mantra as he reached up and touched the tender welt. He winced. A burning sensation flooded the patch of raw skin. There was blood on his fingers as he drew back. His breaths quickened. Too fast. Too short. He wasn't taking in enough air, but he was taking in too much. His head felt light as he stumbled to his feet and fell almost immediately.

"Breathe Gavin! Breathe..." Nines' voice soothed, strong arms encasing him almost tenderly from behind. Reed whimpered vulnerably. His head was still spinning. The collar was off. His collar was off. His fucking collar was off! He trembled in Nines' arms, panicking blindly as the room continued to turn in his unsteady vision. "Hush," Nines whispered, metal and gunpowder seeping out to soothe and curl around his frazzled nerves. Reed's distress was unsettling his omega. Reed was inconsolable, even as his omega butted and nuzzled him in comfort. Nines breathed slowly and deeply, giving Reed a pattern to follow. He clung to it desperately, barely able to gulp in enough air to stop a full-blown panic attack.

"D-did you? A-are we?" he asked hesitantly, a feeling of dread settling in the pit of his stomach. He felt sick at the thought. How the fuck had this happened? What was Tina thinking, letting him in here? Why had Nines even come in the first place? Had something happened to Connor? Had Connor needed help? Where the fuck was Connor? The room was empty of scents besides theirs. The stale scent of sex was in the air, but he could tell Connor hadn't been in the room for an hour at least. Nines' alpha was growling in discontent. It didn't understand Reed's distress. Why was he so upset? Nines was a good, strong alpha. Reed should have been begging for his bond. Nines sighed internally. He agreed to an extent, but Reed was a distressed omega. As an alpha, it was Nines' job to calm him.

"I...I am uncertain," Nines replied with uncharacteristic gentleness as his sawn metal scent filled the room. Reed was unsure how to feel about that. If Nines didn't know, did that mean it was okay? Did that mean he'd missed the mark? He was also satisfied to detect a hint of guilt beneath that gentleness. Nines knew he'd done something wrong at least. It was more than Reed generally expected of an alpha. "I managed to stop myself when you screamed, but there is some...damage," Nines compromised softly, keeping an arm around Reed as he ran his fingers through his thick brunette locks. He couldn't help breathing in Reed's sweet scent, instinctively trying to find a hint of his own to confirm his claim. He wanted to lean down to lick and soothe the bite, to ensure it took hold. That would go against what Reed wanted though. Reed shuddered with dread. He felt sick to his core. He didn't feel any different. Did that mean he was still unbound? Unclaimed? He'd have to see a doctor and get tested to know for sure.

"Phck! Phck-phck-phcking-phck!" Reed cursed blindly as he shrugged away from Nines, almost collapsing as his legs gave out. He caught himself against the wall and looked around to see the room was empty besides the two of them, and Nines was now dressed. Having just woken up, Reed was still completely naked. His skin was filthy. Sticky with old semen, slick and sweat. He felt disgusting. What happened to the rest of my heat? He cursed inwardly at the scent of stale sex in the room. Was I sleeping? Or did I keep knotting with Nines until I passed out? Part of him wanted to know. The other part was glad he didn't. His omega had been in control. He felt worse to find that he was so at odds with his omega in this case. His omega didn't understand the problem. It was thrilled with the possibility that it may have been bonded. It wanted nothing more than to nuzzle Nines' alpha. To be bred by Nines' alpha. Reed recoiled in disgust at the idea.

"I'm sorry...Being in here, the strength of your pheromones, it was...unexpected," Nines murmured guiltily, grabbing a soft-looking robe to cover Reed's still naked body. It pained him to do so. If Reed's heat had gone to plan, the natural course would be for Nines to take care of him. Omegas suffered greatly at the end of their heats. They were fatigued, dehydrated, starved, and physically weak. It was the alpha's job to see to their needs. Nines' instincts were urging him to comfort and pamper Reed, to lie with him and soothe his sore muscles. To tuck him into a nest and bring him as much nutrient rich food and water as possible. Reed was still shaky as he allowed Nines to tuck him into the material. He hated the sticky filth that clung to his pale skin. He hated the way Nines was making him feel. He felt safe and content. Cared for. His omega was fucking preening as Nines' semen trickled down his thighs. "I'll help you to the showers," Nines said finally as he gathered Reed into his arms. Something within Reed snapped as he looked up into those silvery blue eyes filled with a tenderness he'd never seen before.

"I'm not a phcking princess!" He almost fell again as he was placed on his unsteady feet. Nines remained patient as he steadied him, reminding himself that Reed was suffering the aftereffects of his heat and probable trauma from the incident. Reed did his best to stagger down to the gym by himself, still panicking as he shrugged out of the robe. He stood beneath the hot spray, shuddering and wondering what the fuck had happened. It was so hazy. He vaguely remembered seeing Nines and telling him to get out. What happened after that? He knew he'd knotted him at least once. Probably more than once. He felt so thoroughly fucked out, more than any of his previous heats. His body was buzzing with contentment. His omega was fucking purring as it curled up and settled down within his chest. Phck! What was he even doing there? Something about...Connor? Shit...

He cleaned himself slowly before padding through to the changing rooms, where Nines had left his clothing in a neatly folded pile. He'd scented it. There was a lingering trace of sawn metal and gunpowder in the material. Nines himself was nowhere in sight as he dressed, clearly giving him some space. He flinched almost fearfully as the door opened. Relief flooded his chest as Connor's honeysuckle scent encased him in a comforting shroud. He felt his heart slow in response, his eyes closing as exhaustion set in. Connor said nothing at first, just stepping further into Reed's personal space and allowing his reassuring scent to leech out.

"If it's any consolation, I can't smell him on you," Connor murmured in response to Reed's silent fears. He watched Reed close his dirty green eyes as relief swept through him, accompanied by a shuddering sigh. That didn't mean he was completely clear, but it was a promising sign. It meant there was a chance that Nines hadn't bitten deep enough, that not enough pheromones had been pumped into his body to force a bond. "Would you like me to take you to a clinic?" Connor asked softly, watching Reed weighing it up. He didn't want to seem weak, but at the same time, he wasn't ready to be alone just yet. The worst part was that his omega was pining for Nines. It was too soon after his heat. He still craved the presence of an alpha. Nines made him feel safe. Nines took care of him. Nines...

"Sure...Guess I can't drive just yet," Reed added in a small voice, knowing his body was still too weak and he lacked any focus. That was the difference between android omegas and human omegas. Connor's energy had replenished as soon as he'd topped up on thirium. Aside from a few emotional moments, feeling a little more vulnerable and needy, he was completely back to normal. Reed couldn't help being jealous of that. He hated letting people see him like this. Weak and vulnerable. He hated that he inevitably had to take one or two days off to recover each month. Technically, it should be more, and Fowler was always on his case about his health when he came back.

"It would be unwise...I can have Hank accompany us, if you'd like," Connor offered, somehow knowing not to bring up Nines for now. Reed was grateful for that as he quickly agreed. Hank was rough around the edges, but his presence was familiar and reassuring. He was one of very few alphas that he was willing to be vulnerable around. He nodded and looked at his feet pathetically, allowing this small admittance of weakness. Connor dipped his head in understanding and led the way, stopping by Hank's desk briefly to ask for his help. Reed kept his eyes on the floor as he waited for them to approach. He couldn't bear the thought of other alphas seeing him and knowing what had happened. His omega writhed in discontent. It wanted Nines. It wanted the comfort of its alpha. It was too soon to be surrounded by so many at once.

"Come on, son. Let's get you checked out," Hank said gruffly, the gentleness of his tone quietly touching Reed in his vulnerability. He didn't judge. He didn't tease. He didn't make a big deal out of it. He just laid a gentle hand on Reed's shoulder and nudged him towards the carpark exit. He didn't say anything after that, just let his warm whiskey scent filter out and soothe both worn and weakened omegas. Connor was suffering a little separation anxiety since Allen had returned to work already. It was something he'd need to get used to until he found an alpha of his own. Someone who'd remain for a while afterwards and provide proper emotional aftercare. Reed was in need of both emotional and physical aftercare, but Hank knew him enough not to bring it up.

Reed slipped into the backseat, his leg bouncing nervously as Hank pulled out. Connor had chosen to sit beside him, leaving his hand on the seat between them in case he needed it. There was no way in hell Reed was going to let himself be that vulnerable. He laced his fingers together tightly to keep the temptation at bay. His jaw clenched as he breathed out and thought back on it. It was so fucking hazy. He remembered the way Nines had weakened in the doorway. The way his gentle hands had held him while offering a bottle of water. He remembered the softness of his voice. The need in his silvery eyes. The way his alpha's scent had reached out and tangled almost lovingly with his omega's. Strong hands. Sharp nails. Desperate grasps. Hot breath. Something frantic had coiled around them, tying them together. Phcking heats! Phcking alphas! Phcking-phck-phck!

It didn't take long. It took barely ten minutes to get to the omega clinic closest to the station, and then Connor guided him inside. Hank decided to wait outside unless called for. He didn't want to unsettle any other omegas within the small building. It was a general social rule that only omegas and betas would enter the omega specialised clinics. Connor did most of the explaining at the front desk and sat with Reed supportively while a nurse swabbed the stinging wound on his throat. It wasn't as bad as he'd first thought. Reed finally looked at the welt in a small mirror to see the rows of angry bruised teeth marks with just six pricks in his pale skin. It seemed the torn leather had managed to protect most of the area until Nines had regained control.

"You have a red mark around your neck. Were you wearing a collar at the time?" the beta nurse asked clinically as her gloved fingers examined the almost bruised strip of skin. He'd clearly been tugged around a fair bit at some point. It wasn't exactly bruised or burned, but it looked a little uncomfortable. She made some notes on a pad, likely intending to prescribe a skin ointment to soothe the area. It wasn't the first time he'd needed it.

"Yeah...Fucker bit clean through it," Reed replied stiffly, his tone low and gravelly. The nurse ignored the language. Considering Reed's clearly shaken state, she was surprised he didn't curse more. He breathed in a cloud of honeysuckle as his leg started to bounce again. He swallowed hard as he closed his eyes and allowed Connor's scent to calm him. His omega was being cold, grumbling in discontent. Neither of them were a fan of clinics. It was worse that his omega didn't see the need to be there. Being there had taken it away from its alpha. Reed had taken it away from its alpha. Reed was rejecting its alpha. Reed was worried about the bonding bite. The only plus in this situation was that he knew he couldn't have gotten pregnant during this cycle. He took his medication like clockwork, and it lasted through his heats. On top of that, Nines was an android. His ejaculate was purely synthetic. Small phcking mercies...

"Android?" the dark haired nurse questioned, watching Reed nod his stiff agreement. She didn't judge him for it at least. That was something. "Some androids have quite a strong biting force. If you intend to continue seeing this alpha, you should change to a titanium collar. They're a little more uncomfortable, but worth it for the added security," she advised, not missing the way Reed looked across at Connor questioningly. Connor shrugged. The RK900 was a prototype, and had been upgraded since his own series' creation. He couldn't really say how much biting force Nines had, which meant he equally couldn't confirm whether titanium would be strong enough to withstand his bite.

"Uh, sure...I'll think about it," Reed replied in a grumble, quietly thinking there was no way in hell he was about to let this happen again. Nines had only entered to check in on Connor. Next time, they'd have their heats separately, so it wouldn't be a problem. Part of him ached at the thought. Part of him craved Nines' strong hands and gentle lips. The piercing silver eyes that could make him shudder or melt. The gravelled tone that reduced him to a quivering mess. His omega purred and soothed him at the thoughts. This was how Reed should feel. Nines was a good alpha. Reed flinched in frustration. He hated how badly he wanted Nines. This is why I said no! It can't be just sex with Nines! He hissed inwardly as his omega growled at his thoughts, clearly unsatisfied by the idea of not mating Nines again. Who the phck asked you?

"If you'd like to take a seat outside, I'll run the tests for you now," the nurse said sympathetically as she allowed the two omegas to file out into the waiting room. It was around twenty minutes later that he got the results. A partial link had formed. Reed's stomach plummeted at the news. Connor's hand steadied him as he swayed, helping him settle on a hard plastic chair. His omega didn't understand either, but was cautiously optimistic. "You're still unbound, and you can still bond with another alpha...What you'll experience may be a slightly stronger inclination towards this particular alpha. You may find that you feel a little more emotionally dependent on them, or more inclined to submit to them, or you may feel no difference at all. There's no way of knowing until you interact again," the nurse explained, which didn't sound too bad. He was still free. He could still do his job.

"Is there anything else I should know?" Reed asked, going over a few more details, such as his hormone levels. The nurse checked his birth control, which was fine. She asked if he needed any anti-depressants to get through the separation anxiety, which he refused as always, and then he was free to go. He picked up the prescribed ointment for the collar burn on the way out. He sighed heavily as they stepped outside, a weight lifted from his chest. He still felt vulnerable, but he had a little control back. Suddenly, he was also exhausted. He slumped back into Connor's waiting arms.

"Do you want to go home?" Connor asked softly as he pretty much propped him up, watching Reed nod his agreement. That would probably be for the best. He was in no state to work, and he didn't want to see Nines right now. Home was safe. As safe as that shitty neighbourhood can be anyway, he amended quietly as he let Connor guide him into the car. He was so tired that he didn't even argue as Connor slipped in beside him and guided him down to lay his head in his lap. He barely registered the fingers carding through his hair as he lost himself in a comforting cloud of whiskey and honeysuckle.

**********

Reed spent a quiet evening at home. Mostly tossing, turning, and writhing in bed while trying to get some sleep. No matter how he settled, he couldn't relax. He felt tense, almost jittery and afraid. He sighed as he realised he was releasing his scent. He was trying to summon Nines. His omega was desperate for comfort and mad at Reed for his refusal. Reed cursed as he turned on his side and pulled the duvet tighter. It was his omega calling for Nines that had gotten him into this fucking mess. I don't need that plastic prick to make me feel better! He was insistent in his frustration, though his vulnerable omega begged to differ. Nines was strong, reliable and safe. Reed wouldn't argue with that. Nines was the perfect alpha, likely by design. It didn't matter how good he was though. Reed wasn't about to undo all his hard work by giving into his base desires. His omega bristled at the stubborn thoughts.

Reed groaned at the wave of nausea that caused. It was never a good thing to be at odds with your other half. Especially for omegas. Reed's hormones were pretty much controlled by his omega. Moreso straight after a heat. The stress caused by their internal disagreement could have horrible physical side-effects. Nausea and stomach cramps were the ones Reed suffered the most, but he's heard of omegas who'd been hospitalised for dissociation. Omegas who had shunned their other halves so much to the point they became two separate beings fighting over one body, the stress tearing it apart. He shivered. He was already weak. The added stress was making him sick. He'd be suffering heat cramps all week at this rate. Reed curled up to endure the aches as they set in. He wasn't about to give in to it.

He'd been on the force for over ten years now. He'd worked his way up to detective all by himself. Letting himself become domesticated would ruin that. He was nothing without his scent and wiles. His whole career had been built around seduction. He had the alphas in the precinct wrapped around his little finger. He was on good terms with a lot of lawyers, and he could manipulate suspects into giving up information where alphas couldn't. He wouldn't be able to do that if he bonded with someone. His scent would be tainted. Anyone meeting him would smell the alpha on him. Possessing him. What kind of suspect would give up information to a mated omega?

He fully intended to become one of those Careegas. An omega that shunned the mated family life in lieu of having a successful career. That had always been his plan, ever since he'd decided to join the force at sixteen. Sure, it meant that a lot of alphas and other omegas looked down on him, but who the fuck cares? It's not like he needed an alpha to be complete. Outside of his heats, he was perfectly happy. He had plenty of alphas to satisfy his needs, a safe place to have his heats, and a stable job. So what if it was unusual? So what if he wasn't a perfect omega? So what if he was approaching the end of his breedable years and would likely die alone and unloved? He'd probably take a bullet before retirement anyway.

He turned over with a huff as his thoughts crept back to the mark on his neck. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad. He hadn't simply fucked his way up to detective. He was actually good at his job. Most of his work didn't even require his scent to work. He was good at trawling through evidence and making connections. He'd often bounce theories off Nines, despite their tense relationship, and they were good theories. He whined quietly as his omega pawed and nuzzled him in encouragement at these more positive thoughts. But we're never on the same page! He thought Nines was a stuck-up prick, and he was doubly not fond of him being both an android and an alpha. That had weirded him out, straight off the bat. He hated the way Nines' alpha scent would creep in and wind around him, teasing and nudging him towards obedience. Reed sighed, unsure whether it was with longing or frustration at this point. His stomach ached again.

He rolled onto his back and laid an arm across his face tiredly. Heats were exhausting. The comedown was even worse. Right now, he was aching with the need to submit. To curl around Nines and beg to be mated again. He wanted Nines to pamper and take care of him. He wanted to be treated with softness and affection. The mark on his throat made him more conscious of it than usual. His omega was hurt and frustrated. It had been so close. It had almost attained an alpha of its own. He rested his hand over the mark without realising. He was teasing the area, crying for Nines. It was Nines' mark. Nines had almost been his. Phck...

His low mood continued, as did the nausea and stomach cramps. He couldn't truly say he felt rested the next day when he woke up for work. Technically, he probably should have taken an extra day off. He usually did after his heats, but seeing Connor already back in the office had unsettled him somewhat. His heats had always been an inconvenience and cause for debate among the higher-ups. Luckily, he'd always had Fowler fighting his corner, pointing out his proven track record and the plus of keeping diversity in the office. It wouldn't look good to sack the only omega on the force simply for being an omega. It was different now though. Now there was a more resilient android omega that didn't need to rest after heats, so he felt he needed to prove himself even more. He took a taxi to the precinct, having left his car there the day before. He was lucky the driver was a beta. An alpha would likely have refused to take him anywhere and called an emergency hotline or something to have him taken care of.

"What are you doing here?" Nines' voice demanded almost harshly as he walked into the bullpen like a ghost. He was barely standing upright, slumped and clearly tired. His skin was unhealthy and pale, setting Nines' overprotective alpha on edge. Reed was weak. Reed needed to rest. He needed to recover. He should be curled up in a nest and resting. Reed almost jumped out of his skin at how close Nines' voice was. He'd been so distracted he hadn't even picked up Nines' gunpowder scent drifting up behind him. Nines was barely a foot from his back as he turned around. Reed huffed out a sigh of relief as he looked at Nines almost accusingly. Nines was too busy analysing him to take note. Reed's vitals were all far too low. He needed rest, nutrition, and hydration. He had to stop himself from reaching out and crushing him to his chest. His alpha wanted to coil around him and respond to the omega's needs.

"Working. You think I'm going to sit at home and let you phck up all my cases, Tin Can?" Reed retorted with a barely audible scoff before heading to his desk and dropping heavily into his chair. He still felt weak, and the scents of various alphas were weighing him down somewhat. It was making him tremble, making his skin prickle uncomfortably with stress and vulnerability. It was almost like overstimulation. He felt sick. He wasn't sure when Hank noticed, but within a few seconds he could smell his warm whiskey scent encircling his desk, warding off any other scents besides his own and Nines'.

"Our cases...You are unwell," Nines stated expectantly, silvery eyes narrowing as Reed simply shrugged in response and avoided his gaze. He couldn't argue. He felt fucking horrible. There was a pause as Nines clearly held himself back from snapping out a curt response. Reed would expect nothing less. Their words were always sharp. "You're barely out of your heat. You should be resting," Nines insisted softly instead, his tone and scent laced with concern as it wrapped around him like a blanket. His gaze sharpened at Reed's frustrated response, cinnamon knocking away metal like a sharp slap. He didn't want Nines' comfort. It was confusing, because Reed's omega insisted that he did. Nines winced. His alpha was displeased.

"Get off my back, Nines! Phcking Christ!" Reed bit out under his breath in something between frustration and need. He was confused and miserable. He wasn't ready to be out in the open around too many alphas. He was pushing himself. Nines' jaw tightened, but he said no more on the subject. He stalked off somewhere and Reed got to work, looking through one of their open cases with unfocused eyes. A homicide. Looked like a murder-suicide, but they were waiting for forensics. Reed looked at the photos closely, scrutinising them for any sign of foul play. He didn't see anything that jumped out. It could be exactly what it looked like. He logged into his email to check for messages from the lab, squinting at the brightness of the screen. While he was looking, he heard a small tap. The sound of a ceramic cup being placed at his elbow. He looked down in surprise at the hot dark liquid, smelling his favourite coffee. Nines rarely got him coffee, especially from outside the precinct. It was even in his favourite mug. He looked up at Nines in confusion, noting a certain amount of softness edging around his cold blue eyes. Reed felt his omega purring in gratitude, urging him to nuzzle into the alpha's touch and accept the offered affection.

"Eat," Nines ordered simply as he dropped a thick sandwich on Reed's desk. It was from his usual lunch shop. He hadn't even realised Nines noticed or cared where he went or what he did during breaks. He'd usually head off with Tina and Miller, or more recently, Connor. "I will not be responsible for you being hospitalised for malnutrition. Eat," Nines ordered again, metal and gunpowder caressing Reed's senses in encouragement. A plea more than a demand. It really was too close to his heat. Reed obeyed, inwardly preening at the gentle stroke of sawn metal that brushed against him in praise. Once he took the first bite, he realised how hungry he was. He hadn't eaten at all the day before. He hadn't eaten breakfast either. He'd drunk some water, but likely not enough. Nines seemed to agree, as a bottle of water also appeared on his desk.

As the day wore on, he felt more and more drained. He hadn't even left his desk. He'd been quietly making phone calls to follow up on leads, checking in with forensics by phone, typing up reports, and occasionally talking to Nines or Connor. Even Tina sheepishly stopped by. She was full of apologies. She didn't know how Nines had gotten into the room, and felt responsible for the whole incident. Connor was also apologetic. He had no clear memory of summoning Nines at all, though Nines had privately shown him proof of the message. Reed, never good at accepting apologies, brushed them off awkwardly. It didn't feel like any real harm had been done. It was likely still too close to his heat to tell for sure, but so far he didn't feel any different around Nines. Not really.

Nines was almost suspiciously attentive throughout the day. He was constantly bringing him bottles of water. He quietly left them within reach and watched in satisfaction as Reed mindlessly picked them up and drank without thinking. He also kept tossing snacks across, and at lunchtime he made sure Reed was provided with another thick sandwich. He kept him on a strict schedule. He'd had a morning coffee, and was allowed another with his lunch, and perhaps one more towards the end of his shift. Reed either hadn't noticed or had decided not to complain. Either way, Nines' satisfaction at his obedience coiled around him. He almost preened, green eyes closing in slow blinks with each affectionate brush of praise. Nines couldn't recall a time he'd seen Reed more docile, or more like an omega. It made something warm thrum through his processors, especially as Reed's eyes gradually started to blink and flutter with fatigue.