Reed whistled almost cheerfully as he set about filling the coffee machine, as always. Phcking alphas! Does no one else know how to do this shit? Phck's sake! He couldn't help being annoyed, but he was unsurprised as he took the bag of beans and tipped it into the almost empty top. He filled a jug of water before pouring that in, too. He was quietly proud of his coffee machine. They used to have a really shitty one that would churn out tasteless water, but Reed had gotten sick of it. He'd bought the new one with his own money, and people tipped a small jar whenever they could to chip in for more beans. He wasn't sure it would work at first, but it seemed people valued good coffee on the job.

"Detective Reed!" Connor interrupted in his usual bright but calm tone. Reed jumped out of his skin in response, almost spilling water all over the counter as his omega skittered in his chest. It puffed up its snowy fluff, green eyes wide and glaring as it shifted its attention to the doorway. Reed's heart was pounding as he turned and looked at Connor with a frustrated frown. Phcking androids!

"Phck! The Phck are you doing you plastic prick? Almost gave me a phcking heart attack!" Reed bit out, trying to calm his racing heart. He could feel his omega jittering from the shock. It was an automatic response to danger. He reined in his bitter coffee scent, knowing he'd been releasing distressed pheromones to call for an alpha's protection. He took a breath and closed his eyes. That was the problem with most androids. Without a secondary gender, they had no scent. With no scent, he couldn't tell they were there. If he couldn't tell they were there, they could creep up on him. When they inevitably scared the crap out of him and his omega, he'd end up summoning an alpha. Usually Nines.

He took a step towards the doorway and saw that Nines was already out of his seat with a strangely intense expression. His silvery eyes were sharp and glaring, ready to unleash his alpha's fury. Reed waved him off and jerked a thumb at his prick of a brother in explanation. This wasn't the first time it had happened, and it probably won't be the last. He switched on the machine and set a cup out, waiting impatiently for the bubbling to start as Nines returned to his seat. It was as he crowded against the counter that he remembered Connor had actually wanted something.

"What's up, tin can?" he asked in a grumble as he turned his back to the counter and crossed his arms and legs, leaning back tiredly. Compensating Taylor had given him quite the workout. The coffee machine was warm. It was nice against his bare arms. It was then that he remembered he'd left his jacket and top in the observation room. Phck...Connor looked hesitant, clasping his hands together like a child about to broach a difficult topic. "Did you scratch my car again?" Reed asked instantly as he scowled. It was the only thing he could think of to make Connor so jumpy.

"No, nothing like that...I have some questions." Connor seemed to find his stride towards the end. Reed watched as he crossed to the table and sat down, looking up at him with hopeful hazel eyes. Reed sighed, using one hand to wave at him to continue. He didn't entirely dislike Connor these days. He'd done his best to adjust after the revolution, and had more or less stayed out of Connor's way unless they were put on cases together. Their interactions had been pretty good overall. His insults had slowly lost their bite, and become more pet names than anything else. "As you know, it is now possible for androids to have secondary genders installed." Connor paused to make sure Reed was following.

"Yeah, sure. So you can be like Nines now?" Reed asked offhandedly, unconcerned as he eyed the coffee machine. A few more seconds. Connor shifted almost uncomfortably at his words, hazel eyes dropping somewhat. Oh, not like Nines...Reed recognised his apprehension. He could understand it, too. Nines was an alpha, in every sense of the word. Biting. Controlling. Dominant. Protective. Strong. He was almost textbook. Perfect. Reed winced and pinched the bridge of his nose as his omega purred and pawed him with want and approval at his thoughts. He could already feel his pheromones rising as his sweet scent leeched out needily. Phck! Phck off! He pushed those thoughts aside and refocused on Connor, who was none of those things.

"In a manner of speaking...My upgrade has been booked, but I have yet to decide on a secondary gender. I am attempting to gain a complete profile on each before I make a final decision," Connor replied in his usual gentle tone. The tone he used as default. It had been three months and, although they had the same voice, it was still weird hearing Nines speak. Connor's voice wasn't meant to have that firm, rough edge. It wasn't supposed to growl like a tiger. Connor's voice was sweet. Comforting. Reassuring. He couldn't even imagine Connor as an alpha, with his soft hazel eyes and dopey smile.

"Makes sense." Reed sighed in relief as the coffee machine bubbled and clicked. He poured his coffee and raised the cup slowly. He breathed in deeply, savouring the rich aroma of the black liquid before bringing it to his lips. He sipped quickly, the heat burning his tongue a little as the bitterness flooded his senses. Phck, that's good...

"What is it like to be an omega?" Connor's voice interrupted, hazel eyes widening as Reed choked on his coffee. Reed cursed quietly as he wiped his mouth and made his way to the table, somehow managing not to spill the hot liquid. He coughed a few times before slumping down with a sighed out huff. He scowled inwardly as his omega trilled in amusement and flicked its tail. Phck you! It was still preening from the earlier fucking, overflowing with positive energy.

"Give a guy some warning; jeez!" Reed snapped as he wiped his wet hand on his jeans. The question had caught him off guard. He ran a hand through his messy brunette locks, unsure he was prepared to answer in his partially blissed-out state. Right now, after a thorough fucking, being an omega seemed pretty damn good, but he knew the high would wear off. He'd tumble right back down to being low and slutty and slightly resentful. He took a breath, watching as Connor leaned over just a little more eagerly, as if his answer mattered. "Trust me when I say this, Connor. No. Under no circumstances." His tone left no room for arguments.

"I...don't understand..." Connor said, doing his signature Sumo head tilt and giving Reed those big puppy eyes. Reed ran a hand over his face, unsure how to put into words how fucked up his life had been. Sure, there was nothing wrong with being an omega. It could be great. Put an omega in a kindergarten, and they'd outperform an alpha every time. Put them in a hospital, and they were the perfect nurses to comfort patients through surgery. They were excellent psychologists, excellent bakers, excellent service staff, and hosts. They were not, usually, excellent cops.

"Being an omega is hard phcking work, Connor. Especially in a place like this...Alphas don't like it when omegas step out of line. It took me a long phcking time to get where I am today, with one hell of a support network...On top of that, there are the intense emotions. The heat...It's just not worth it. Not if you have a choice," Reed added meaningfully, watching Connor's brow pinch ever so slightly in sympathy. For an android with no secondary gender, he could be damned empathetic. "Hell, the heats alone should be enough to put you off! They're awful...Your skin just burns, like...not like fire, but phck! You lose your mind. Literally! You lose days at a time...You don't even know what lust feels like, but just...You don't just want sex. You need sex! You need it right down to your phcking core, and it doesn't matter who it is! As long as it's an alpha, you'll crawl on your knees, begging them to take you and fill you and breed you, over and over until you can't physically handle any more." Reed cut off with a hiss, licking his lips as he dropped his gaze to his still full coffee mug. Even just talking about it had stirred his omega to life. He could feel it rubbing against him with its soft fur, purring needily as it scented the area with cinnamon.

"That sounds...interesting." Connor's tone was diplomatic, but his face was difficult to read. He looked nervous, almost scared at the idea. Reed huffed and rolled his eyes.

"Not the word for it, tin can. That's not to mention the way everyone else treats you...Well, almost." He wouldn't include all the station staff in that, especially the androids. They had no prejudice. "As an omega, people just...they don't think you're competent. You know why my solve rate is so high? Because suspects always underestimate me. They see an omega, and they think it's an easy ride. You know why the alphas all have my back? Because even with all my shit talking, I still bend over and give them what they phcking want when they phcking want it, and I'm damn good at it...Connor, this is not the role you want to play." He was firm and unblinking. He dropped his green eyes as Connor gave him an almost pitying look. The sympathy just made him feel somehow inferior. That Connor seemed to think he needed it almost made his skin crawl. "Phck, don't look at me like that," he huffed self-consciously as he examined his jeans. His coffee suddenly seemed more bitter than usual.

"Thank you for talking to me, Detective...I will think about what you said," Connor murmured softly as he got to his feet. Reed nodded dismissively as he pushed down his resentment. He couldn't help the stab of envy that cut through him. Connor could choose to be whatever he wanted, and even then, he'd have the option to turn it off. He sighed. Life would have been so much easier if he'd listened to his mother and become a teacher. Could have been a damn good one, too. In a way, he already was. New officers loved his classes. Said his training was way more fun than the alpha run sessions. He was almost smug at the thought.

"When you've quite finished basking in the afterglow of your repulsive tryst, we have a case," Nines' cool voice interrupted, sending prickles down his spine. Reed felt his good mood drop as he raised his green eyes to meet Nines' piercing silver. He tried to ignore the rush of raw emotion that flooded his senses as his omega took note of Nines' alpha. It was releasing its gunpowder scent in an almost demanding manner. Reed crossed his legs defensively and raised his cup to avoid speaking. He couldn't exactly refute Nines' point. He also couldn't stop the sting of his words. He dropped his gaze in meek submission. He hated it.

"Got it," he bit out after a few silent moments. Nines clearly didn't like his dismissive tone. His gunpowder scent whipped out, twisting around Reed like a fist on the table. Reed blinked at the sensation, but he didn't flinch. He'd done this shit too long to flinch at the smaller outbursts of a pissed off alpha. Nines didn't like that either. He turned and stalked off somewhere, probably to the car. Reed downed the rest of his coffee and headed out. He saw Connor sitting with Miller at his desk on the way by. They were talking in quiet voices. It seemed Connor really was covering all of his bases when asking for advice. Maybe he'll choose beta...He'd make a great beta...Maybe I should tell him that...He considered it briefly, but quickly shrugged off the thought. Miller would tell him that anyway.

"I will drive." Nines held his hand out expectantly for the keys.

"Like phck you will!" Reed scoffed, stepping sideways to pass around Nines before feeling a large hand on his chest, forcing him back. "This is my car! I drive!" Reed bit out firmly, quickly realising that this was a fight Nines had been planning on. The phck is with you? Reed's eyes asked as Nines stared down at him. They'd had their fair share of disagreements. Hell, they'd even gotten physical during their first week. It had always been for good reason though. A case related disagreement. Losing a suspect. Scaring off a witness. This was a situation that didn't need to happen. Reed could feel his omega dropping in submission already. Phcking coward!

"I will drive," Nines repeated coldly, his expression measured as he examined Reed and felt out his omega's responses. It was curious how Reed was so at odds with his omega. His omega was somewhat pleasing. It responded well to his alpha. It was Reed's conscious mind that rejected his nature. Reed had a quizzical pinch in the corner of his eye, his jaw slowly tightening in annoyance. The fucker was goading him, trying to push a confrontation. Reed didn't want to do it. They both knew which of them would come out on top. They stared, the moment drawing out almost painfully. Reed finally snapped.

"My car, my rules! What is with you today? Are you still phcking pissy because I got that jerk to crack and you couldn't? Is that it? Is that why you're just-" Reed cut off, waving his arm in Nines' general direction. Shit! Reed couldn't stop his knees from buckling under the strength of Nines' pheromones. He hadn't seen it coming. Usually he'd be able to prepare for the wave of gunpowder, but he felt completely blindsided. His head was jerked up roughly, Nines' hand gripping his hair tightly. Reed winced as a shock of desire flooded his system, Nines' hand and scent demanding his submission and obedience. He could literally feel his omega roll over with wanton desire. Breed me!

"Why don't you understand your place? If an alpha gives you an order, you obey it!" Nines growled in reproach. A fresh twist of need rushed through Reed's body under Nines' crushing shaven metal scent. Reed's omega wanted to obey. It wanted to please the alpha before him. It wanted to so desperately. Breed me! Reed would crawl if Nines asked him to. His omega purred in approval. He wanted to bend over and-Like phck! Reed bit his tongue hard. The pain gave him enough strength to reach up and grip the hand in his hair. He couldn't struggle too much. Nines was both an alpha and an android. His strength by far outweighed his own.

"Phck you, you plastic prick! Get the phck off me!" Reed snapped, allowing his fear filled coffee scent to crash into Nines. He couldn't help the way Nines made him feel, so he may as well use it to his advantage. He watched Nines' brow twitch almost guiltily at the pure admission of fear. It urged his alpha to relent. To soften. Nines released him with a click of his tongue. Reed got to his feet, hating the way his muscles trembled. He hated the need he felt even more. That a sick little piece of his mind actually liked it. Fucked if he was going to let Nines pick up on that though. "Get in the car, dipshit!" he grunted as he barged past Nines, ignoring the pain in his shoulder from the effort.

He didn't look as he unlocked the door and slumped tiredly into the driver's seat. Nines said nothing as he joined him. Nines didn't need to say anything out loud to send the address to the GPS. The little map lit up with a small beep as he sent it. Reed glanced at the map as he drove, his jaw tightening as he realised it would take at least thirty minutes to get there. Thirty minutes of tense silence. Thirty minutes of Nines' scent wrapping around him. Thirty minutes of his omega preening and posturing in the hopes of Nines' alpha noticing. Phcking perfect. His fingers tightened on the wheel. He was seething. He hadn't even done anything to earn Nines' ire. Nothing besides trying to do his goddamned job. Nines didn't speak, but Reed scented it after a few minutes. He at least had the decency to feel slightly bad about his earlier outburst. His metallic scent stroked and teased him almost apologetically, trying to calm and soothe his omega. Reed huffed a sigh in response. His omega was purring at the attention, needily leaning into the offered affection. Whatever, phcking alphas!

"What have we got?" Reed asked a few minutes later as they walked up the front steps of the house. It was in a fairly run-down part of town. The scent slammed him as soon as he reached the front steps. An omega in heat, overpowered by the chemical aroma of a red ice overdose and death. The smell hit him so hard he had to lean in the doorway for a minute as his omega curled up nauseously. Nines simply stepped around his doubled over form with a look of disgust. Whether at the smell or his weakness, Reed wasn't sure.

"Sorry, Detective. I should have warned you," the beta officer, Jackson, apologised sensitively as he hovered close by. He knew better than to offer Reed a hand at least. Reed pushed himself up with a huffed out wave, already pulling blue forensic gloves from his pocket as he stepped inside. He tried to reassure his omega that it wouldn't take too long as he pushed down the sick feeling in his stomach. "The omega is upstairs; looks like an OD. The alpha is in the kitchen," Jackson explained as he pointed, allowing Reed to walk through by himself. Nines was already in the kitchen, crouched down by the body of a man that clearly didn't belong there.

"Armani? In this neighbourhood?" Reed scoffed as he watched Nines examining the body. Nines made no response as he licked his blood coated fingers, LED spinning yellow as he analysed. The man on the floor was approaching middle-aged, wearing a tailored black suit and smart Italian leather shoes. This house was quite sparse and run down, so it clearly wasn't his place. Did he come to ease the omega's heat? In that case, why is he fully dressed? Someone clearly nailed him, so who was it? Definitely not the omega...

"He has been dead for approximately eight hours," Nines reported, which led to Reed look around for Jackson.

"Hey, who called it in?" he asked loudly as he looked through the living room, where Jackson was waiting in the open doorway to keep out curious onlookers. The breeze ruffled his messy brunette hair as he turned his head to look back at Reed with a shrug.

"Neighbour. Saw the front door open earlier and didn't think much of it, but then a few hours later it was still open, so she figured she'd come over and check." Jackson returned his attention to the world outside. No one had gotten wind of it yet, so no reporters were hanging around for now. Not that they'd bother. Trouble in the slums? Who cares! Reed thought as he headed towards the stairs, eyes darting around for anything out of place.

Although sparse and run down, the house was at least clean. That suggested the occupant, or occupants, had been functional red ice users at least. Rare as those were. If they were functional, then why the OD? Suicide? And how does that link to our friend downstairs? he wondered as he reached the top hallway. There was nothing of interest in the bathroom, and the spare room was just a mess of boxes and old storage. Forensics can sweep it for drugs when they get here...In the main bedroom, the smell was far worse. Reed's omega hissed and curled up. The sensation almost made him gag.

The deceased omega was a woman. Naked from her heat. Curled up in a stale pile of blankets and clothing. Typical nesting materials. There were no toys that he could see, so that suggested that someone had been helping her through it. The same someone who nailed our friend downstairs? Reed wondered as he leaned in for a closer look at her wide, glassy eyes. It definitely looked like an OD. The now cold pipe was still loosely held in her hand, and her lips were stained red.

"Forensics are arriving now," Nines announced coolly from the doorway, silvery eyes examining him carefully. Reed nodded distractedly as he stepped away, allowing Nines to inspect the body. "Curious...She has been dead for twelve hours..." Nines reported with a raised eyebrow. So...she's dead upstairs, and our Armani friend arrives three hours later? It made little sense to Reed, but then things didn't always make sense to start with. He sighed. It didn't look like they'd have much to go on until forensics had completed a sweep of the house and sent them their reports.

Reed headed down and stepped outside, suddenly able to breathe again in the slightly cleaner air. He didn't realise how badly the scene had affected him until he felt his legs trembling. Don't be such a little bitch! Reed scolded inwardly, tensing and rolling his shoulders as he took another breath. His omega seemed almost hurt by his harsh thoughts. Reed looked over his shoulder as Nines stepped out. He could feel his sharp eyes examining him. He hated that look. It was the look of an alpha checking over an omega, like he was some sort of pet in need of help.

"I will...I would like to drive," Nines compromised in a softer tone, remembering their earlier argument. Reed watched as Nines held his hand out expectantly. Reed handed the keys over with a sigh of defeat. He knew he wasn't exactly in the best state at that moment. He hated it as Nines quirked his lips and released his scent. Sawn metal caressed him in approval. Like he'd been a good omega. An obedient omega. Reed clicked his tongue in annoyance as his omega preened and trilled happily at the attention. He got in the car and quickly busied himself on his phone to avoid interacting further with Nines. Phcking alphas!