Nines opened his eyes with a blink. The end of his cycle had arrived as planned, and Gavin was still sound asleep in his arms. He'd moved, or had been moved, during his cycle. He was lying on his back. Gavin's body was pressed against his chest with one leg hooked up so high it was almost hugging his waist. In response to the movement, Nines had wrapped his arms around Gavin's smaller body. One had looped around his waist, while the other rested on his upper arm.

Moments like this were precious. The times when Gavin was completely unaware and at peace. Nines allowed his fingers to trace patterns on Gavin's soft, smooth skin, trailing light touches over the small pores and bumps. He found a circular dip and teased it gently, recognising it as a bullet hole. It was an entry wound. Someone had once shot his human in the back. It was hard to believe it was possible with the way Gavin seemed to tackle life head on. How had anyone ever managed to get behind him?

"...time is it?" Gavin murmured tiredly as he slowly roused. His breath was warm against Nines' pecs. He moaned softly as Nines' hand reached up and stroked through his thick locks. He was too tired for anything more. Despite his words, he wasn't ready to move yet, for which Nines was grateful. He was also content, lying peacefully with Gavin's weight pressing down on him. Measuring the heat of his body, he found he was hotter than the night before. There was a clamminess between their bodies, making Gavin's skin tacky.

"Five thirty seven...Go back to sleep, Gavin." Nines was pleased that Gavin didn't feel inclined to argue with his gentle urging. He sighed softly in response as he nuzzled the warm synthetic skin of his chest. Short brunette locks tickled the freckled surface. Luckily, androids didn't experience tickling the way humans did. Nines could recognise the brush of the hair, but it didn't produce a physical reaction. It didn't irritate him. Nines stilled his hands, thinking perhaps the movement would bother Gavin and keep him awake. Instead, he closed his own eyes, running through their schedule for the day.

They would meet Elijah downstairs that morning at an unspecified time. Depending on the time, they would likely have breakfast before Elijah began his work. The procedure that day should be simple. Elijah was to remove his tracker in order to assess its condition and get it in working order. Installation, or reinstallation, wouldn't happen until tomorrow or the day after. While Elijah was working on the tracker, they would return to the precinct to update Hank and Connor, and pin down the final details. They needed to choose one of the three sites, perhaps the one with the most foot traffic. They needed to ensure that there was a reason for him to linger in the area alone and that he would be spotted. If he didn't get noticed, the operation was pointless. After that, they had a few other cases to work on. Just minor offences. Mostly paperwork.

It was a further one hundred and twelve minutes before Gavin roused himself again, having experienced another full sleep cycle. They didn't have a set time to get up since they were technically going to be working that morning, but Gavin was never one for sleeping in. He was barely one for sleeping at all. At least, he hadn't been before Nines' appearance. It had been a long time since he'd had anyone to wake up with, and he was slowly realising that he'd missed it. There was something comforting about waking up in a tangle of limbs and sheets, safely tucked in someone's embrace.

"Shower...downstairs..." Gavin groaned in objection as he pushed himself up and away from Nines, noticing the way his arms momentarily tightened before they releasing their hold. He tried not to notice the way Nines' blue eyes followed him as he crossed to the ensuite. While he showered, Nines set about dressing and making up the bed. When he returned, it was like they'd never slept in it. The duvet was neat and unwrinkled, and each pillow had been perfectly placed. Nines occupied himself with looking through the huge glass wall while Gavin dressed, examining the rear gardens with interest. There were many flowers in the beds, offering an array of colours. The Chloe androids clearly took good care of it.

They headed down once Gavin was ready, stopping briefly in the living area before continuing on to the kitchen. There was a Chloe there, dressed in a cute pale blue nightdress made of soft flannel. It was interesting that Chloe androids dressed for bed. By the odd strands of hair, Nines concluded that they also slept in beds, or rather, they went through their stasis cycles in them. She noticed the duo instantly and directed them to the dining room next door. Elijah was already sitting at the table with a news tablet, getting the latest updates on technology and world news.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" he asked almost meaningfully as he looked between them. Nines tilted his head at that. His tone suggested that he meant something more than sleeping. Nines assumed the query had been aimed at Gavin, since he didn't sleep. Gavin's head darted up at the comment, a small frown set across his brow. "Not well enough it seems." Elijah was quietly amused as Gavin took a seat at the table, almost chuckling as he returned to his tablet. Nines dutifully took the place at his side and idled as he waited for the day to begin.

Chloe brought platters of food through a while later. There were fried foods, yoghurt, fresh fruit, and granola in serving bowls and on plates. There was enough food to feed six people, but this didn't seem to surprise Elijah. Nines reflected that it was a waste of food to cook so much for only two people, and Gavin voiced the same concern. Elijah wasn't bothered by the waste. Usually Chloe wouldn't cook so much, but she'd been unsure what Gavin would like to eat, so she'd made everything. Since she'd gone to so much effort, Gavin did his best to get through it all. It wasn't too much of a challenge. Everything was delicious, and it pleased Chloe to hear it.

After breakfast, Elijah led the way down to the basement, where he had a secure laboratory set up. Nines froze as they entered and he came face to face with a familiar-looking machine. All androids had a certain level of apprehension when faced with them. The spider rigs were used for various procedures, including decommission. He didn't need a mirror to know his LED was spinning red. He jerked as Gavin's hand gently touched his shoulder.

"If you don't want to do this, we can try something else." There was something almost hopeful lingering in Gavin's tone. Nines shook his head. This was their best plan. The perfect way to catch the gang red-handed. He wouldn't be scared off by simple machinery. "I'll be here the whole time, alright?" Nines nodded his thanks at the reassurance. Elijah was typing away on a large computer station, either unaware of Nines' unease or ignoring it. Nines flinched as the large arms came to life, whirring, bending and stretching almost threateningly.

"We're ready...I don't need to fully dock you, so just strip your top half," Elijah instructed without looking up. Nines felt suddenly stiff as he shrugged out of his jacket and handed it off to Gavin. He did the same with his soft turtleneck. His skin felt somehow prickly as he approached the towering white arms and turned his back. It took a surprising amount of control to do so. His instincts screamed that it was a bad idea, that it was dangerous. "This might pinch a bit." Elijah pressed a few buttons, and the machine whirred to life. A small sound of distress escaped Nines' lips as he was grabbed. His wrists were restrained and stretched out as two other arms gripped his shoulders like a vice.

"Nines! Are you alright?" Gavin asked worriedly as a fifth arm whipped out and stabbed the port at the back of his neck. Nines' silvery eyes widened as the machine integrated with his software and his upper body went limp. "Nines?" He couldn't respond. He could still see, but his motor functions had been shut down by the rig. Gavin span on his heel to face Elijah, who was typing away unconcerned. Despite not looking up, it seemed Elijah could sense Gavin's alarm.

"It's normal, don't worry...I'm just running a systems check." That much was true. Nines could feel the machine rummaging around in his head. His body was obediently running all the checks the computer asked it to. As a regular android, this hadn't bothered him, but as a deviant, it was somewhat violating. He had no control over anything that was happening to him. He didn't like it. He was afraid. He was afraid and he couldn't communicate. Gavin!

"Hey-hey! I'm right here." Gavin placed his clothing on a bench and approached the rig. Somehow, his proximity made it better. Gavin was right. Nothing would happen while he was there. He reached out and stroked his bare waist, gentle fingers just brushing his jutting hip. It was comforting. He continued to murmur assuring words and praise, telling him what a good job he was doing and how brave he was. It would have been patronising at any other time, but in his helpless state, it was exactly what he needed to hear. He didn't know how Gavin knew he was in distress. His LED was blinking a steady yellow since he was interfacing with the computers, and his expression was frozen without muscle movement.

"Everything looks good...Better than good...You're an amazing model," Elijah complimented as he typed on the computer. Nines would have shuddered if he could. The skin on his face peeled back without his bidding, revealing the white plastic of his casing. He felt exposed as Gavin saw him in his natural form for the first time. He would have turned his face away, but he had no control. Gavin stepped aside to let Elijah work. Nines desperately wanted to close his eyes as Elijah wheeled over his tools. He didn't want to look. He didn't want to feel.

Elijah opened the casing around his audio processor and searched around inside the port. He was locating the tracker. Nines couldn't feel exactly what he was doing, but he could feel the odd sensation of pieces being touched and moved. Finally, he drew back with a strange-looking circuit between his fingers. That was it. The tracker. Mercifully, that meant that he was finished for now. The casing was returned with an almost unsettling click and he was released. His skin reactivated, trickling across his casing like water. It was like there was an error in his thirium pump. It was giving large thumps, and an odd sensation filtered down through his legs, making him stumble as the restraints opened.

"Whoa! You good?" Gavin looked worried as he reached out to steady him with gentle hands. He didn't mention the yellow spin of his LED, but his gaze was searching and concerned as he gripped his shoulders. Nines blinked as he straightened up, though his legs still felt strange. They trembled slightly, but the sensation didn't throw off his balance again. The feeling passed, leaving an almost numb sensation in its wake.

"I am...fine." At least, he thought he was. Probably. The light squeeze on his shoulders told him that Gavin hadn't bought it for a second. It also told him he wouldn't mention it, at least not in front of anyone else. Elijah gave him a look of scrutiny, but clearly derived that the issue wasn't linked to a malfunction, merely to his deviancy. He could see something in Nines' eyes. Something that made Nines feel exposed. He dropped his silvery gaze evasively.

"Don't forget to seal your neck port," Elijah reminded softly as he crossed to a bench and turned on an overhead light. Nines' head snapped up as he reached over his shoulder and touched the area. His synthetic skin had been punctured. Forced aside by the intrusive connection. Beneath the punctures, he could feel a hard plastic rimmed port. It was rough against his fingertips. His fingers were blue with thirium when he pulled them away. The intrusion had not been a gentle one.

"You're bleeding?" Gavin grabbed his wrist, clearly concerned as he noticed the blue. Nines subconsciously activated various protocols, ones that should have been automatic. The skin sealed off the small wound, concealing the port once more. He wasn't sure where it came from, but Gavin handed him a rough towelling cloth to wipe his hands on.

"Not in the sense that you mean. The connection breached my synthetic skin layer, which produces the simulation of bleeding. However, it did not pierce any core vessels, so the flow is not continuous." Nines found some comfort in talking through his internal systems. He also felt comfort in the realisation that Gavin hadn't stopped touching him, and he hadn't moved away. He had released one shoulder to allow him some level of movement, but his other hand remained resting gently on his arm. His fingers softly soothed and teased the skin in almost the same way Nines had stroked him earlier that morning.

"Do you want to get dressed?" Gavin took the used cloth and reached over Nines' shoulder to wipe the skin clean of thirium since Nines couldn't see it himself. Nines nodded and accepted his clothing, slowly feeling better. It had been unsettling and a little frightening, but not as bad as it could have been. Gavin had been present, and Elijah had been clinically professional. He had not been violated against his wishes or altered in any way he had not previously consented to, and he had not been harmed.

He felt the loss as Gavin finally stepped away to allow him to dress. His shoulder felt slightly odd without his human's hand upon it. He felt a little more exposed now that he was by himself, though Gavin hadn't gone too far. He'd crossed over to Elijah to look over his shoulder and see that small piece of his inner workings. It was strange. Nines felt something curious as Gavin looked at it. It was almost uncomfortable. It was illogical. Gavin knew what he was beneath his synthetic skin layer. He'd seen him being shot and bleeding blue, but there was something more intimate about him seeing a circuit that had been so deeply embedded within his body.

"What do you think?" Gavin noted the way Elijah had bent low over the small piece with a look of intense focus. He was wearing glasses, large plastic framed ones. The same style he'd worn since the beginning of his career. He rarely wore them in public anymore, but they were essential while working. Particularly with small, delicate components like this one.

"I think your partner is a marvel of modern technology...This is a beautiful piece." Elijah's praise made something flood Nines' stomach. He felt flattered but also conflicted. The praise couldn't really be levelled at him directly, since he had paid no part in his own construction. Despite that, it did make him feel somewhat special and appreciated. "It appears to be in working order, but leave it with me...I want to run a few tests...see if I can boost the signal," Elijah added as he pulled his glasses off and stepped back.

The entire process had taken around an hour, which meant it would be around lunchtime by the time they reached the precinct. Elijah saw them to the door himself since Chloe was currently elsewhere. He said he'd call Gavin later to let him know his progress, and that he'd be available for anything else they may need. Gavin led the way to the car, deciding to drive himself. He regarded Nines carefully as he pulled on his seatbelt. He seemed almost hesitant.

"How do you feel? Do you need anything? Is anything different?" He seemed worried and somewhat anxious as he looked over Nines' regular pale complexion. It was impossible to tell if anything was wrong, especially if he chose not to say anything. He knew he could conceal his emotions when he felt the need. Nines tilted his head curiously as he looked across at him, recognising his concern in seconds.

"I'm operating within expected parameters, and if you're referring to the missing component, although I'm aware of its removal, it has not affected my operational capacity. My tracker was, after all, inactive." He glossed over the second question. It was quite irrelevant where an android was concerned. What could he possibly require? His thirium levels were replenished, and it had already been established that his systems were fully operational. Gavin seemed unsatisfied by his response and turned slightly in his seat to level a searching look his way.

"Look, you've just had what a human would consider major surgery. He opened your head for Christ's sake! It's okay if you have feelings about it!" He felt a little embarrassed as Nines' mouth thinned into a warm smile. Gavin was worried about him. It was entirely unnecessary where this form of work was concerned, but it was touching nonetheless.

"It is very different for androids. There is no recovery process after such procedures. We are designed for this form of easy maintenance, and do not suffer any negative physical effects from the removal or change of internal components. Though I'll admit I experienced a certain sense of...apprehension during the process. I'm glad you were with me." Gavin seemed strangely reassured by his admission of weakness. The vulnerability made him seem more alive and relatable. It also suggested honesty about his current feelings. "I feel fine."

With that assurance, Gavin started the long drive back into the city and got them to the precinct just before lunch. He stopped by Hank's desk to update him and Connor on their progress. Both seemed accepting of Elijah's involvement, though Hank was reluctant to trust him completely. Gavin didn't understand why, but Connor clearly understood his reasons. Neither enlightened him about what they were. He re-joined Nines at their desks and took his seat, automatically reaching for the coffee he knew would be there.

"I've corrected your reports." Gavin leaned back in his chair but held back from raising his feet to the desk as he sipped his coffee. He'd forgotten about those reports. He took a few moments to forward them to Fowler, knowing they were likely a little later than he'd like. But considering the week I've had...I'm sure he gets it. "It is almost lunchtime," Nines piped up meaningfully. Like the mother hen he is.

"We just got here!" Gavin objected as he crossed his legs and flicked through his emails. As he looked up, Nines was giving him a disapproving look. "I ate a few hours ago!" He was almost defensive as he leaned further over his desk. The look didn't go away. It even seemed to intensify. Gavin ignored it, checking through his emails as if that were the end of it. It would have been the end of it too if not for the cool touch that landed on the back of his neck. The lightness of the touch made his eyes flutter. A hum of contentment caught in his throat, pleasure curling in his stomach.

"It is lunchtime." Nines' voice was low and almost seductive as his fingers squeezed the back of his human's neck in what he knew to be a soothing manner. Gavin tilted his head back and almost looked offended by the blatant manipulation. Nines gave him his best puppy eyed look. The one that didn't quite match Connor's. It was more uncertain. More in need of assurance. It also worked like a charm on his human.

"Alright! I guess I could use a walk..." he grumbled as he got to his feet and checked his pockets. His wallet and phone were there, and his cigarettes. He pulled out the packet as they headed for the door, rolling his eyes as he noticed Nines' sharp, silvery eyes watching him like a tiger. "It's my first one of the day!" he added defensively as he popped a stick in his mouth. Nines said nothing in reproach, but Gavin could feel himself being assessed as they headed down the street.

"Have you tried here?" Nines' question drew him to a stop in front of the healthy eating place. It wasn't the type of place he'd usually choose. He paused and looked at the menu in the window. Pretty standard stuff. Salads, pasta boxes, lean meats, and protein shakes. He noticed a few thirium based options. Blue pasta bowls and thirium shakes. Maybe Nines wants to eat, too...

"No, you hungry?" Nines joined him as he pointed out the thirium options.

"I don't require sustenance at this time, but I would like to eat with you." He sounded almost shy at the admission. Gavin headed in with a shrug and chose a small table in an intimate booth by the window. They looked over the menu and gave their orders. Gavin got a chicken pasta salad with a fresh orange juice while Nines chose a thirium based pasta salad and shake. It was a nice place. There was a mixture of humans and androids, mostly dressed in suits. There were a lot of offices in the area. Luckily, the customer base meant that the service was quick. Gavin was itching to get back to work and look into a few of their smaller cases. He sort of felt he owed it to Fowler since they'd spent the morning with Elijah. Even though it was work related, he still felt that he hadn't really been working. He didn't expect Fowler to have to pay for him to sort out his family issues.

When the food arrived, he started right away, figuring it best to eat up and get back to work. Nines seemed to have different ideas. At least, he didn't seem to eat much. Gavin almost slowed to a halt as he noticed. Nines was prodding the blue pasta shells with his fork, blue eyes staring at a spot on the table. He was unaware of him watching. Gavin stopped eating completely. This wasn't like Nines. Nines didn't just sit and idle. He was always working. Always thinking. Gavin raised his fork and dipped it into Nines' bowl. Blue eyes snapped up just in time to see one of the small shells disappear into his mouth.

"You snooze you lose...What's up with you?" Nines opened his mouth to warn him about the thirium, but Gavin was already chewing the shell, trying to ignore the almost offensive taste of synthetic grease and oil. Nines blinked as he watched Gavin grimace, considering his response.

"You shouldn't eat thirium based products in large amounts..." Gavin's green eyes narrowed as he drank some of his juice to get rid of the taste.

"Believe me, I won't make a habit of it...but seriously, what's up?" He clearly wasn't about to let the matter drop. Was he this distracted earlier? Gavin felt bad that he hadn't been paying attention. He'd just assumed that he was alright. Maybe he can feel the missing part more than he let on...

"I am experiencing...something." But he found he couldn't put a name to it. It wasn't exactly fear, but it was close to it. Gavin sat forward, ignoring his food for the moment as he trained his attention on Nines. "I find myself considering what could happen during the operation. Specifically, what could happen if things go wrong." Gavin's jaw tightened at the thought. He was stopping himself from speaking. Part of him, a fucking big part, wanted to press him further and push him to call off the mission. The other part knew that wasn't fair. He'd promised to be supportive and watch over him, and part of that was working through pre-mission jitters.

"That happens to all of us. It's normal to be nervous...Why don't you tell me more? Maybe I can give you some solutions." His voice was soft and reassuring, the one he used with new recruits or scared witnesses. It was a tone that lulled you and gained your trust. Grounded you. It certainly worked on Nines. He recognised it as the same soft voice he'd used when they'd first met. The voice that had coaxed him out from beneath the table. It made him feel safe.

"Earlier, when Elijah connected me to his machinery, I lost all mobility and the ability to communicate. I could see and feel everything, but all of my motor functions were suspended. I felt...helpless." He sounded so vulnerable. Gavin nodded his sympathetic agreement. He'd known something was off. It's why he'd stayed so close during the procedure. "It has occurred to me that this is likely to be the case during the mission. Especially once the thirium draining process has begun." Nines tried not to show his anxiety. That left his expression flat. Gavin's eyes pinched slightly. He knew what it meant when Nines' expression blanked. He could also imagine his thought process and the conclusion.

"And it scares you. The idea of being vulnerable around those people." Gavin wasn't sure what he could do or say that would ease Nines' fears. It was a perfectly valid concern, and he should be scared. He also needed to control that fear in order to prepare himself and complete the mission successfully. Fear increased the chances of something going wrong. Fear got people killed. Nines wasn't the only one who would need to control himself. "What makes you feel brave?" Nines was hesitant. His silvery eyes darted to look at him anxiously.

"I am rarely afraid, but when I do experience fear, then...you make me feel safe and secure. Is that bravery?" Nines was unsure of the exact definition of the feeling. There were many things he still hadn't experienced yet. He knew some of them. Fear, happiness, contentment, hurt, curiosity, apprehension, and a myriad of others. Many people might describe him as brave. He wouldn't think twice about confronting an armed suspect, or defending someone else, and he was a police detective. When it came down to it, though, he'd never experienced what being brave felt like.

"Well, feeling safe is a little more passive...Feeling brave is like...rather than feeling relieved and the fear melting away, you toss your fear aside. It's like you have a higher purpose and you won't let fear stop you or get your way. You feel strong and powerful, and you won't let being scared stop you." Gavin tried his best to explain, and Nines could picture it to a degree. It wasn't a feeling he'd felt before, but he could imagine it. For example, if Gavin were in danger then it wouldn't matter to him what stood in his way. He'd do anything to keep his human safe. He would also do such things to protect others, such as Connor or Hank. His own safety could be set aside in those instances.

"I believe I understand...It is not a sensation I have experienced." Despite that, he was sure his answer would remain the same. Gavin would make him feel brave. Gavin made him feel most things.

"To do this mission, you'll have to be brave. You need to focus on the endgame. No matter what happens, you have to trust in your team. You're going to feel helpless and alone, but you need to remember that no matter what, there are people out there who've got your back." Gavin spoke firmly, his steady green eyes making a promise. There was no way in hell he was going to let him die. Not if I can help it. He knew that some things would be out of his control, but hearing that wasn't what Nines needed.

"It brings me comfort to know you will be close by." Nines' confession gave Gavin a sense of pride. He was proud to be dependable. He was a good detective, a good partner, and a reliable superior. Being one of the few humans Nines trusted made him feel special. As long as Eli comes through for us, we'll be fine.