Nines was walking through the bullpen the next day when he smelled it. A new scent. He paused. It was light. Gentle. Sweet. Calming. It was a really nice scent. He closed his eyes as he breathed it in slowly, trying to put his finger on it. He'd smelled it somewhere before. It was so familiar. A flower of some sort. He followed his nose through the bullpen towards the main entrance, surprised as he almost walked straight into Connor. His eyes widened in something akin to horror as the realisation hit him like a freight train.

"Connor, what have you done?" he demanded in distaste, watching Connor wince at the strength of his disapproving scent. Connor had only had his secondary gender for a few hours, so he wasn't used to breathing in all these different scents. They were assaulting him on every side. The alphas were all aware of the newest presence in the precinct. They were releasing their scents to attract his attention and posture, showing him who was worthy of attention. Connor wasn't used to his omega yet either. It was unsettling to feel the phantom presence within his own body. It was almost like having a pet within his zen garden, only it was a constant sensation. He could feel it with him at all times.

They were aware of each other. He couldn't exactly see it, but he knew what it looked like. It wasn't like a canine, but it wasn't a cat or a fox either. It was big. About the size of a jaguar or mountain lion. It had almond eyes that shone with a yellowish green hue. It had long, soft fur that he imagined being a warm brown colour, and large, pointed ears that had drooped with the strength of Nines' scent. It cowered before Nines' alpha, which had a much larger and darker presence, like a huge panther. Nines' scent was the strongest in the precinct, but he couldn't help it at that moment. He was furious.

"Explain!" he demanded sharply, watching the way Connor's hazel eyes winced in an almost pained manner at the strength of his reproach. Amber started creeping into his irises in distress. Nines sighed as he lowered his own lids and tried to rein in his alpha's instincts. He could feel its restlessness. It was bad enough having Reed's omega scent wafting around day after day. Now he'd have to deal with Connor's, too.

"I-I had my secondary gender installed," Connor replied timidly as he looked at the floor and lowered his shoulders to seem smaller. The sight sent a wave of disgust crashing through Nines' system. Connor wasn't supposed to look like that. He wasn't supposed to look so weak. So feeble. So pathetic. His body was vaguely trembling in submission as he lowered his head. Cowering. Just like his omega. "I thought about it a lot, and...I was originally going to choose the beta program, but at the last minute, I decided..." Connor trailed off hesitantly. Weakly. Submissively. He wasn't like Reed. He didn't raise his eyes in defiance. He was either programmed to be extremely submissive, or too new to the experience to do anything else. Hopefully, it was the latter.

"How could you do this? You're the second most advanced android ever created by Cyberlife! It's shameful!" Nines snapped angrily, making Connor flinch away from him. He watched Connor's hazel eyes finally rise in defiance, though he couldn't hide the hurt he felt at Nines' sharp words. It was never nice to hear such things. Especially from family. Luckily, a second presence arrived, coffee in hand, just catching the last part of their conversation. If Nines' strong scent bothered him, he didn't let on.

"What's shameful?" Reed asked curiously as he sauntered by, watching Nines pull back from Connor with a tightened jaw. He looked like he was ready to pummel someone. What the phck's his problem? He paused as he examined Nines. It was rare for him to be this riled at anyone besides him. It was even rarer to see him at odds with his Connor. Connor was his older brother. He usually respected him. The surprise seemed to be mutual. Connor looked hurt and somehow tired as he sagged against the wall.

"Yes, why don't you tell him, brother?" he almost dared, knowing Nines would never outright say he was ashamed to have an omega working in the precinct. Reed seemed to ignore that as he sniffed and leaned closer to Connor. It was subconscious, but as he leaned in, he'd released his own scent in greeting, allowing Connor to take in and recognise his own omega pheromones. Connor could feel his own omega's ears prick with interest at the warm greeting. It seemed Reed's omega didn't get to socialise that often. He couldn't quite picture it as clearly as his own, but he sensed its slightly smaller size and lighter, snowy colouring. Cinnamon and coffee tickled Connor's senses as he breathed in with a small sigh. Reed's scent was sympathetically soothing the mild trauma cause by Nines' temper.

"Wow, that's a nice scent! Honeysuckle, right? That's really..." Reed trailed off, his eyes widening in horror and recognition as he looked at Connor, then at Nines, and back again. Nines was surprised by the level of distress he scented coming from Reed. Connor tilted his head in confusion. He hadn't expected his decision to have such an effect on Reed. "Connor, tell me you didn't!" Reed urged, making a rare show of concern as he gripped Connor's slightly taller shoulder.

"I opted for the omega program," Connor admitted, confused as Reed released him and turned in a full circle, cursing under his breath. It was almost comical. The sort of thing he may have expected a child to do if they lost a game. The bitter scent of coffee increased with Reed's distress and frustration. He felt his own omega reaching out to soothe Reed's distress, carrying his honeysuckle scent across to nuzzle and calm him.

"Phck-phck-phck-phck! Dipshit! Tin can! Plastic toaster oven! I told you not to phcking do that! What the hell were you thinking?" he demanded, his concern making Connor feel even more worried. He didn't understand why Reed was so distressed. Connor's lack of concern was exactly what made Reed so worried. He hastily shoved his hot coffee into Nines' surprised grasp as he grabbed Connor's upper arm. "You-me-omega meeting-now! You-phck off!" Reed added firmly as he shooed Nines dismissively. He didn't even wait for Nines' reprimand about his behaviour as he hauled Connor down the hall and into one of the interrogation rooms, slamming the door behind them. Nines glared at the coffee in his hand, and would have crushed it if he didn't have more control over his reflexes. An omega dared to interrupt? He dared to drag his brother away? He dared to treat him like some errand boy? He should have been asking for Nines' advice and guidance as an alpha. Nines took a breath to calm his riled alpha, reflecting that perhaps it was wise to allow Reed to talk some sense into Connor.

**********

As soon as the door shut behind them, Reed dragged Connor over to the table and shoved him into the suspect's seat. He ran his hands through his hair as he realised how royally he'd fucked up. He'd thought his words had been plain enough. He'd told Connor no, under no circumstances. He'd warned him that this wasn't the right place for an omega. Why in the hell did the puppy eyed phck go and do that? Shit!

"I don't understand...I have chosen my secondary gender. Why is that an issue?" Connor asked curiously, finally back to his old self. More or less. Without the scents of alphas pressing in from all sides, he could function normally. He had to admit, the intensity had surprised him. So many nice scents had reached out to him. Probed him. Questioned him. Flirted with him. It was a lot to take in and adjust to, especially with his omega's unfamiliar presence. Nines' strong scent had shocked him somewhat, but he was sure he could learn to tolerate it. It likely wouldn't be so intense once Nines had calmed down. He'd also find it a lot easier once he'd had time to adapt to his own omega. Learned its reactions, and how to calm and appease it.

"Because you don't understand what it's like! I thought I'd made things clear enough that you-Shit! They can undo it, right? You can go back and get...fixed, right?" Reed rambled hopefully as he paced the floor. Connor's expression became slightly hurt as he tilted his head. He shook his head in response, watching Reed sigh and fall into a chair with his face in his hands. He should have said more. He should have encouraged Connor to become a beta. He would have made a great beta. He was sweet and caring. Sure, those were prime omega qualities, but no one in their right mind would choose that for themselves. Or so I thought.

"The installation has fully integrated with my base programming...The only way I could have it removed would be a complete factory reset," Connor replied quietly, which would mean wiping his system entirely. Erasing his whole identity. Shit. "I do have the ability to switch off the secondary gender module, but since it has been fully integrated, it would mean turning off my emotional subroutines entirely," Connor added in explanation, watching Reed nod his quiet understanding. So he'd be like he was before, more or less...Could be worse...Connor couldn't help reflecting that it would be quite a cruel thing to do to his omega, too. By deactivating his secondary gender, he would be putting his omega into stasis as well. It likely wouldn't note the passage of time, but it could still be considered cruel.

"Why are you such a phcking idiot? Is it because I'm an omega? Is that why you didn't listen to me?" Reed snapped, though he knew that couldn't have been the case. Without a secondary gender, Connor hadn't been influenced by scents and social stereotypes. It was probably what had allowed him to make such a serious misstep. Maybe Nines could...mess with his coding? He's pretty advanced...It probably wouldn't be a good idea. If the technicians couldn't fix it, then it was unlikely that Nines could make a difference.

"At first, I did intend to install the beta program, but at the last minute, I decided the omega option would be more beneficial," Connor explained reasonably, wincing as Reed scoffed and rolled his eyes at the ceiling in pained disbelief. A wave of bitter coffee whipped out, like a hand swatting his head in reproach. "When I considered the level of representation, I found that omegas were severely lacking in our field," Connor continued, watching curiously as Reed sighed and leaned forward, tapping his hands on the table. His scent was still distressed, but he was rapidly heading towards resignation. Connor's reasoning reeked of good intentions. As expected of The Android Sent by Cyberlife. He'd always been a fucking menace.

"You're a phcking idiot...but shit, your heart's in the right place," Reed admitted with a sigh, unable to hold back a small smile as Connor's floral scent spiked at the praise. The sweetness wrapped around him pleasantly in thanks, and he could feel his omega purring. He allowed his sweeter cinnamon scent to reach out, almost as if he were ruffling Connor's hair. "Guess I'll need to show you the ropes." The task was quite daunting. Connor could learn to be a regular omega by himself, but learning to be a cop as an omega was a whole different ballgame. It was Reed's ballgame. The only thing he was actually good at. He'd also need to keep an eye on the alphas around the precinct. No way was he letting those assholes get their dirty paws all over Connor. Not when he'd be so easily persuaded and dominated at first.

"Thank you, Detective," Connor replied warmly, watching Reed sigh as he got to his feet and nodded towards the door. Reed led the way to his desk and collapsed into his chair, motioning Connor to drag his own seat over. Connor did so almost eagerly, sitting prim and proper as always. Nines was almost glaring at them as he worked on his and Reed's latest case. Hank's neck had literally cracked as he'd caught Connor's new scent and snapped his head up. It was almost comical, the way his eyes were stuck wide open. He wasn't horrified, the way Nines had been, but he was oozing protective pheromones like a worried parent. His silvery alpha had raised its head with interest, greeting Connor's omega with warmth and familiarity.

"First things first. Being an omega is all about sex," Reed stated plainly, ignoring Nines' outright glare and scoff of disapproval. He was an alpha. Of course he didn't get it. Alphas don't know shit when it comes to this. Connor's eyes thinned in honest confusion. Reed waved an arm as he unfolded a large chart that was usually kept hidden on his board. Connor's eyes widened as he examined it. "This is my alpha rating system, otherwise known as The Reed Scale," he said with a certain amount of pride. On it were the names of every alpha in the precinct, and even a few that weren't. Officers, SWAT, FBI, lawyers. Anyone who regularly came into the building for work purposes was on it.

"I-I don't quite follow..." Connor admitted uncertainly, noting that even Hank, Fowler, and Perkins were on the list. He understood the numbers, but he didn't understand what quality Reed had rated. Amiability? Workability? Kindness? Positive social interactions? He liked it even less as he watched Reed's lips quirk in amusement. His scent was almost teasing Connor, telling him how sweetly naïve he was. His Omega also seemed somewhat amused as it groomed itself with pride.

"See the names? Well, the numbers along the top are how good they are...You know, how good to fuck," Reed replied, watching Connor's cheeks flush in mortification. Detective Reed slept with all of these people that many times? Reed rolled his eyes at Connor's incredulous expression. "You got yourself into the shit, Connor. Anyway, the tallies are how many times," he continued as he trailed a finger down the list. Connor had to admit, Reed had been meticulous in gathering data. He was also curious and took his time to peruse the list. Everyone had at least one tally. Hank had a few scattered between seven and eight point five. Quite respectable. Fowler had one listed at six. Perkins had one and was on nine. Tina had one rated at one with a note that said it had felt like incest and was never to be repeated. The highest was Captain Allen with a nine point five. He also couldn't help but notice that one name was missing from the list entirely.

"That isn't the sort of thing you should keep on your notice board," Nines reprimanded in an icy tone, his alpha rising on its hackles as Reed flaunted his sluttiness. It was like he was openly mocking him. Reed gleefully left the chart unfolded, irking Nines with his defiance. Reed could almost feel it as Nines looked at the chart and returned his sharp silvery eyes to glare judgingly. He got to his feet moments later and stalked off towards the interrogation rooms, allowing Reed to return his attention to Connor.

"Feel free to use this and figure out the best lays..." Connor looked somewhat lost at the suggestion. He had never experienced sexual intercourse. He didn't understand why Reed expected it would now be so important. "It's how you get by in here...Why do you think I have a heat room? That I let these guys spank my ass and bend me over? It's give and take...I'm damn good at my job, and it's because I feel safe. Do I let these alphas use me? Phck yeah! But in return, I know they have my back. If I'm in trouble, there are at least ten alphas on this floor alone that'll step in and help." It seemed Connor had some trouble wrapping his head around the concept. He liked to think that anyone would help a fellow officer in need. He liked to think that he'd been there long enough, and made enough friends, to have earned himself that feeling of camaraderie. "It might be different for you, what with you being here already, but as I said. Chart's there if you need it," Reed concluded as he sensed Connor's rising insecurity.

"How are you affected while working?" Connor asked curiously, feeling this was perhaps more important to learn about. He would be out on the streets and actively working cases, so he needed to know if his omega nature would interfere with that. It was already somewhat distracting. Each scent made his omega's ears prick, tugging his attention toward whatever alpha was close by. That was something he hoped would lessen over time as he adapted to the program.

"Well...it depends. In interrogations, I have an advantage, and so will you. I'll have to teach you that. Using your scent...Chasing down perps can be a challenge. I'm weaker than alphas, but I have higher dexterity, and again, scenting is crucial. Your scent. Sex. It's how you get what you want," Reed explained, quietly adding another tally to Jenkin's score. He hadn't updated the chart yet. "There's one more thing...Your heat...Do you know when..." he trailed off meaningfully with a wave of his hand. Connor shook his head. It wasn't something he'd given much thought to during the installation.

"I have not yet scheduled it to begin. My program allows me to choose a date to activate the feature for the first time." He saw the resentment flicker in Reed's eyes at the news. How he wished he could schedule his own like that. Or turn them off altogether. His own omega puffed up slightly at the thought. Indignant. The heat was his omega's time to shine. Reed's consciousness would quietly slip away, merging completely with the furry menace in his head. Giving it full control.

"Alright...Any idea what you'll do?" Reed pried gently, knowing this could be a sore subject.

"I...had not thought about it," Connor replied in a slightly vulnerable tone. Reed almost winced. The heat was one of the things he'd stressed most. How had it completely slipped Connor's mind? Connor's scent was becoming stronger in his vulnerability, asking for comfort. Reed reached out his with his own scent to answer the request. Omegas looked out for each other. It was a biological thing. As long as an alpha wasn't involved, they were drawn to each other for companionship. It was probably left over from when omegas had been responsible for raising the children and caring for the camp together while the alphas went off hunting.

"Okay...It's your first heat, so if you want...I mean, it might be weird or whatever, but you're welcome to spend it with me...Just the first one, so you get a feel for it," Reed offered awkwardly, watching Connor's brow crease in confusion. "I don't mean fucking me. I mean you stay with me and we get a few alphas in to..." he trailed off meaningfully, watching the discomfort radiating from Connor. He was leaching out a vulnerable, needy scent that had Hank out of his seat before Reed gently waved him back down with a look that said, I got this. "It's okay. I'll talk you through it closer to the time, but it's all safe, all consensual, and if you just want to stick to one or two alphas of your choosing, then that's fine. Tina's in charge of the door during my heat. No one can get in without her permission, and she only lets in those on my list." The news seemed to settle Connor somewhat. "First things first, dipshit. Scent control. You need some!" he added firmly as he nodded his head towards the corridor and got to his feet.