The two weeks passed. Reed continued his nightly ritual of listening to lecture recordings, looking over Power Points, and writing up assignments. His mornings would then consist of sending those to Connor, waiting an hour or so to get them back, and then spending another thirty minutes to an hour correcting them for him to grade. Thankfully, Connor spared him any more embarrassing compliments. Until the final reports. He'd originally expected to just get an email back to confirm if he'd passed the training, and therefore whether he'd keep his job. What he didn't expect was to be called into Fowler's office.

"Reed! My office!" he hollered from the open door. Reed's head snapped up from his files, green eyes creased with apprehension. He couldn't think of anything he'd done wrong recently. He'd been keeping his head down over the past couple of weeks, focusing on his work and Connor's modules. They'd had a third smashed android turn up, in another new location. Am I taking too long to get results? He got to his feet and dragged himself up the steps. It was hard to tell whether Fowler was angry or just tired. Either way, it rarely bode well for him. "Have a seat," Fowler ordered as he entered and shut the door.

Reed did as he was told and strode across the small office. It was quite intimidating in some ways. There was a huge holographic screen showing different news feeds and station information on cruiser locations, on duty officers, and various emergency call outs. The office was like a glass box with a clear view out into the bustling bullpen. The only warmth in the room came from the small spider plant on the edge of the desk and a taller plant in the corner. The desk was made of dark grey metal with a glass top. That would drive Reed mad. He couldn't stand fingerprint smudges. His own desk had a matte grey coating.

"I've been talking to Connor about your recent work," Fowler began as he sat back and steepled his fingers. Reed sat a little straighter in his chair. Did I not do the assignments right? But Connor would have told me...He was barely able to stop his eyes drifting over towards Hank's desk, where he and Connor were clearly visible. They were deep in discussion about something, Hank waving one arm across at Connor as he leaned forward on his elbows. "It's damn fine work, Reed. Connor is thinking of using some of your pieces in future presentations and class examples," Fowler praised with a gruff undertone of pride. Reed's head snapped back to him in surprise.

"Captain?" His disbelieving tone suggested he needed to be told again. Fowler leaned back in his chair with a small chuckle as he waved a hand at the glass. At his wave, Reed turned to watch Connor heading up towards the office with a small black folder tucked under his arm. Connor smiled pleasantly as he entered, noting Reed's already uncomfortable and awkward state as he sat in the stiff leather chair.

"Captain, Detective," he greeted politely as he approached the desk smartly and handed the folder to Fowler. Fowler took it and opened it up. There was a pile of stiff, smart certificates inside. Enough for all the officers who'd completed the training. The one at the top had Reed's name and rank neatly printed in elegant cursive script. At the bottom, the certificate had been signed by both Fowler and Connor, whose signature was far more elegant and flourished than Reed had expected from a machine. He'd thought all androids just used Cyberlife Sans.

"It is my pleasure to present to you this certification to prove that you have passed the new Android Sensitivity and Integration Training Program for the Detroit Police Department to the highest standard. Your work has been exemplary, Detective. Keep it up," Fowler encouraged as he stood and held out the thick card to him. Reed gingerly accepted it with one hand and received a firm handshake with the other. Once he had the paper, he just sat back for a few moments and stared at it. The elegant black script. The embossed golden seal. The short red ribbons. It was the finest certificate he'd ever gotten. Sure, he had a degree and other papers from the academy, but none of them were this classy. So this is how it feels to be Head Boy...

"Congratulations, Detective. You did an excellent job," Connor added sincerely as he stood with his hands held neatly behind his back and a small, proud smile on his face. He was dressed differently today. He was wearing his usual smart white shirt and grey tie, but had a black woollen vest pulled over his chest, with the tie disappearing beneath the V-neck. It was smart, almost school boyish. It suited the soft looking android. He didn't touch it, but he'd bet anything the wool of the vest would be really soft.

"Sure..." Reed stammered finally, noticing that he hadn't actually said anything. The other two men seemed to understand something of his feelings. They allowed him to process the moment before he finally got to his feet, the certificate held loosely in both hands. "Thanks-thank you, Sir," he managed to stammer out before heading for the door and walking quietly to his desk. He felt strangely subdued. It was weird, scoring so high when he hated androids. But...do I? He stared at the paper, watching the gold shine as he tilted it back and forth.

"Good job, kid. I looked over some of your work," Hank piped up as he seemed to appear out of nowhere, right at Reed's shoulder. He wasn't even apologetic as Reed almost jumped out of his skin. He joined him in looking down at the paper before clapping him on the back and taking it. Reed watched as he teasingly held it up against the almost empty notice board. "Looks like a good place to display it, don't you think?" he teased gruffly, making sure it was right in the outside corner where everyone would see it.

"Are you nuts? As if I'd advertise that!" Reed objected in his usual curt tone as he took the paper back. He would have snatched it roughly, but he was quietly attached to it. It was a standard he'd never reached before. Hank didn't say anything if he noticed. He also didn't mention it as Reed opened his top drawer and slipped it inside a stiff folder to keep it nice and neat. That certificate was the best paper he owned. No way was he going to put pinholes in it. It was going to go home into a folder with the rest of his certifications. Right on the front page. Hank chuckled as he returned to his desk, leaving Reed to return to his files.

"Detective Reed!" Connor's voice interrupted with some urgency before he could really sink back into it. Reed looked up curiously. Since the course had now ended, he'd assumed Connor would finally start sticking to their original agreement not to interact with him. "I've been asked to join Markus and some others at Cyberlife Tower tomorrow. It's our intention to explore the building and begin restoration." That was news to Reed. Sure, he hadn't heard anything about Cyberlife for a few months, but he'd expected things to be quiet. He hadn't realised the whole main office had been abandoned. Though I guess it makes sense considering the thousands of androids that Connor and Hank activated there...

"Okay..." Reed replied with a raised eyebrow, one that clearly said, and what does this have to do with me? Connor knew Reed wasn't one for beating around the bush, so he just had to come out and say it. He was still a little hesitant though. He knew he and Reed weren't exactly on friendly terms, but he was probably the best person to ask.

"Ordinarily, Hank would accompany me on police business, but he is required here for a meeting...I had hoped you might take his place for the day." His hazel eyes widened just a fraction and his head tilted in just the right way. Are you phcking serious? What are you? A phcking puppy? Reed felt quietly scandalised. Connor hadn't given him a look like that since they'd crossed paths in the break room after the first time he got shot in the head. Reed still remembered the way he'd winced, and the small pained sound he'd made as his fist sank into the softness of his diaphragm. He wasn't human, but something had made him crumple like one. He'd fallen to one knee, holding his ribs, with an almost sad and wounded look on his face as Reed had roughly prodded his yellow LED like a gun barrel.

"Why the phck would you want me there? There's a tonne of other people you could ask!" Reed was more bewildered than offended. He tilted back in his chair and rolled back just far enough to get a clear view of Hank. Hank had discarded his leather coat for now. He was leaning low over his keyboard wearing his favourite caramel striped shirt. He's so phcking eighties sometimes..."Hey Hank! There's something wrong with your pet robot!" he called in a snarky tone as he pointed accusingly at Connor, who wasn't sure whether to look hurt, offended, or amused. He wasn't even sure which one he felt.

"Why do you say that?" Hank replied gruffly as he looked back at Reed with a measured squint. Reed wasn't sure whether it was supposed to be an annoyed half-glare or whether he was squinting because his eyes were tired from the monitor. It could easily be both. Hank always avoided wearing his reading glasses around the precinct. Pretty much everyone had sussed he needed them though. Sometimes he'd even borrow Collins'.

"He wants to spend time with me!" Reed retorted with his usual curt front, scoffing as he leaned back.

"I do not belong to anyone, Detective, and that isn't the correct way to phrase it. I requested your assistance for work purposes!" Connor objected defensively, trying to ignore Hank's snickering as he leaned back in his own chair to watch the pair. He'd clearly been unprepared for Reed's response in getting Hank involved. He was still unsure how to deal with the usually hot-headed human. Though perhaps once hot-headed would be more accurate these days...Hank thought as he looked at Reed's relaxed posture. He was no longer on edge around Connor, which was a relief. He was pretty sure they'd even become friends if Reed took his head out of his ass. Hank scoffed in amusement.

"See? There's no way he'd want to spend time with you voluntarily!"

"Well, thank phck for that!" Reed agreed, though his voice had no bite in it. It was around that time that it hit Connor. This was office banter. It was the behaviour Reed often displayed around key figures in his life. Hank, Miller, Collins, Tina, and even Fowler, to an extent. Whether he was conscious of it or not, it was a sign that he'd added him to his small inner circle. Something clicked into place, warming him from the inside.

"Lieutenant, you know I've always held a high regard for Detective Reed and our bromance," he retorted with his custom wink. The playful one that he would often use when sharing a joke or being slightly flirtatious. The sight of it knocked Reed for six. Connor had used that term before when speaking about their relationship, but it had been much less playful back then. Reed still remembered the weight of the gun in his hand as he'd aimed it at Connor's forehead. He shivered as he remembered how tempted he'd been to pull the trigger, spurred on by a moment of heated annoyance. He was just a machine. It didn't matter back then...At least it didn't matter to me, or the law.

"Are you trying to replace me with a younger model?" Hank teased lightly, looking just a little wounded at the prospect. Connor held one elbow while resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully in mock consideration as he appraised Reed. Reed's lips quirked in amusement as those soft hazel eyes probed him insincerely before shifting to Hank, who was trying hard not to smile.

"I'll admit, he is pleasing to the eye. His muscle mass is above average. He has a high record of arrests, stemming from multiple successful street chases. He's also currently the best shot in the precinct," Connor praised, as if he were a customer at auction about to make a bid for a highly prized item. Despite the playfulness of his tone, Hank was clearly a little put out by the flattering comments. He knew it was to be expected, what with Reed being his junior by over a decade, but it still stung a little. He also knew it was his own fault he was so out of shape.

"He's also got a foul mouth and a bad attitude!" Hank pointed out gruffly. Connor and Reed both wore their own smirks at the assessment.

"Learned from the best, old man," Reed prodded, quietly meaning it as a compliment. Hank huffed out a grunt of agreement, a small smile appearing within his now neatly trimmed beard. Connor's expression softened as he sent Hank a look laced with warmth and affection.

"Unfortunately for the good Detective, I've an eye for the more...seasoned officer. Someone rough around the edges, with wisdom and experience to draw from. I would never replace you, Lieutenant," Connor admitted with sweet sincerity. Both Reed and Hank quickly busied themselves looking elsewhere. That almost sounded like a confession of sorts. He wasn't sure what to say, or whether it was even his turn to speak.

"Well, that's good to know," Hank replied gruffly as he returned to his own work, burying his face in his mug.

"So? Will you accompany me? It will likely take the entire day to scour the building, but most other officers are working on cases or partnered already. You're actually one of the few available," Connor confessed as he turned back to Reed hopefully. Of course, they both knew he had his own fair share of cases to complete, but they also knew that he was still waiting on forensics and working through theories. He could afford to take one day to help him out. Phck...This is only because I owe him for all the shit he's been doing for me.

"Alright, fine! But only because I owe you..." Reed replied almost defensively. Connor graciously accepted his reasoning before setting up a meeting place and time. They'd meet in front of the precinct at eight thirty, and Reed would drive them to the tower.