The morning came in a tangle of blankets and contented limbs. In the past couple of hours, Gavin had turned over and latched onto Nines, entwining their legs beneath the covers. The difference was that this time he remembered who he'd fallen asleep with. He also remembered what he'd said the night before. Despite that, he was slow to pry himself from Nines' loving embrace. Nines greeted him warmly, making no move to loosen his arms. Gavin pried himself away shortly after, cursing himself for being so reluctant to do so. It had been his decision to slow things down, and it was for Nines' benefit.

Nines made breakfast while he washed and dressed for the day. Being in his bathroom was odd. The memory of Nines' lips and hands on his skin chased him as he showered and brushed his teeth. He paused as he looked in the mirror, brushing his fingers across his lips as phantom touches ghosted across his skin. Realising that he was daydreaming, he hastily ran a hand through his fluffed locks and looked away from his reflection. He tried to ignore the dazed expression he'd seen on his face and the fluttering in his stomach.

Nines was already waiting, having laid out butter and some jam alongside two slices of toast. Gavin hopped onto the stool with thanks and began sorting his breakfast while Nines poured his coffee. Nines remained close as he ate, blue eyes watching almost cautiously. He looked away at the first sign of Gavin turning his head, so Gavin never caught him looking, but he could feel it. He also felt him hovering just a little closer than usual. He shook off the feeling. It was stupid. The stools were bolted to the floor. He literally couldn't sit any closer.

They drove to the office quietly. Awkwardness slowly settled between them. Gavin was hyperaware of everything Nines did. Every look, every touch, every small movement. He was constantly worried about how he should act. He needed to balance being a good partner with hiding how fucking deep he was. Too many touches or smiles would surely give him away, but if he actively measured each reaction, he'd come across as cold and indifferent. The worst part was he knew that Nines was aware of his inner turmoil, even if he didn't know exactly what it was about.

Things didn't go smoothly once they got to the office, either. They sat across from each other in relative silence, only interacting when it was necessary. The case still lingered as they caught up on a few papers. They still had plans to make. Leads to follow. Three offenders were lined up to go to jail, but that wouldn't stop the rest of the operation. They needed to find that murder site and set up a sting. They wouldn't be able to do that without talking about it.

Nines wasn't the only one who noticed the tense and restless atmosphere. Gavin had already managed to dodge Tina once that morning, but he could feel her watching any time she was in the vicinity. He could also see Connor and Hank glancing their way. Connor was the most worrying. His soft hazel eyes analysed him, seeing straight through him. Phcking androids! Gavin huffed and leaned a little lower over his keyboard. His leg was bouncing beneath the table. He felt anxious. Agitated. Coffee. He slid back in his chair with a sigh and turned to get up, almost walking straight into Nines.

"I thought you..." Nines trailed off as he held out a steaming cup. Gavin mumbled an almost timid thanks as he reached out. He wasn't sure what happened after that, whether he'd flinched away as his fingers brushed Nines' or if he just didn't take the cup. Maybe Nines had released too early. Whatever the case, the cup somehow slipped between them. Nines seemed equally surprised. He hadn't expected it either. They both stepped back as the cup hit the floor with a dull thud and bounced. Most of the hot liquid spilled on the worn grey carpet, but some also splashed Nines' shoes and jeans.

"Shit, I'm sorry! Go clean up." Gavin had gotten off mostly unscathed. He could feel a couple of warm patches on his jeans, but it didn't hurt, and it wasn't hot enough to burn. A skittish feeling filled his chest as he looked down at the mess and quickly leaned down to retrieve the cup. He was lucky it was still in one piece. He was surprised as a weathered hand gently urged him to his feet. Looking up, he found Hank and Connor there.

"Leave this to me. You go on with Connor," Hank ordered as he took the cup and placed it on the desk. Gavin would have objected, but before he could open his mouth, Connor was already tugging his arm. He wasn't dragged. He was simply led with firmness. A stammer of objection escaped as they went, but Connor's grip didn't loosen and his pace didn't slow as he made his way up to the roof. Once they were outside, he released Gavin and shut the door with a clang.

"What happened?" Gavin faltered at the straightforward demand. "Over the past few weeks, your interactions with Nines have shown a consistent progression, but this morning you're...you're out of sync! It's a concerning drop in progress." Gavin couldn't argue with that. He also wasn't sure how much he could share. On a friendly social level, he wouldn't mind talking to Connor about his problems and maybe have him help get Nines settled elsewhere, but on a professional level, he wasn't sure he could risk it. Connor would have to tell Fowler, and that could lead to all sorts of problems, including Nines being reassigned to someone else.

"Are you being Connor right now, or the Android Relations Officer?" Gavin asked cautiously, giving Connor the option of keeping it off the record. He felt vulnerable as he watched Connor's hazel eyes process the question almost warily. He didn't answer as he weighed up his options. His lips thinned as he levelled a searching look at Gavin.

"I am required to report any untoward behaviour. However, I am willing to make an exception, provided there has been no violence." Gavin's eyes shot up at the mere suggestion. He was almost hurt that Connor would think that of him after all this time.

"Phck no! I'd never hurt Nines, Connor!" he stammered in disbelief, almost angry at the accusation. Maybe it made sense that Connor would want to make sure, especially with his history. From Connor's unsurprised expression, he understood that he'd only mentioned it as a formality. Gavin shivered slightly as he shoved his free hand in his pocket. The other was still secure in his sling. He took a few steps across the roof, enjoying the crisp air as he looked out over the busy city.

"In that case, I'm willing to make an exception." The pressure was now on Gavin to speak out. He felt restless as he shifted from foot to foot. It shouldn't be so hard to say it out loud. Connor was patient and somehow understanding. It was almost like he already knew. It was in the way he tilted his head and stood with his hands behind his back.

"We fucked, alright?" he bit out as he walked to the edge of the roof and leaned on the metal railing that had been fitted to prevent accidents. Saying it that way was wrong. It wasn't that simple. It wasn't that crass. Connor's steady steps approached, and he didn't need to look to know he'd joined him. He didn't even want to look at him. He'd just admitted to fucking his brother, something he'd sworn he'd never do. Phck!

"I have observed you for some time now...Enough to know that if it were as simple as sex, you wouldn't be bothered by it." Connor watched like a hawk as Gavin leaned over just a little further to hide the way he was cringing. It was enough to know he'd hit the nail on the head. Gavin didn't consider it to be a simple physical exchange. That pleased Connor greatly. He didn't want his brother to be a simple object of pleasure. Especially to someone he trusted and cared for.

"Shit, Connor! I really fucked up." His tone sounded helpless as he raised his head, looking somewhat distressed. He wasn't exactly sad, but he was deeply unhappy. Connor waited patiently. He knew he'd continue once he'd ordered his turbulent thoughts. "We were just supposed to relax, but then we...I've been a detective for over a decade! I should know better! I should behave better! Sleeping with a phcking victim? Shit, I'm a real phcking scumbag!" He kicked the metal railing in frustration. He wanted a cigarette, but typically, he'd left them in his jacket back at his desk. Connor was analysing him, watching his vitals spike and flow.

"Nines doesn't see himself as a victim...He's made a lot of progress in his talks with Simon and Josh about his experiences," Connor interjected, watching Gavin wave off his words. He knew androids were different. He knew they had different ways of processing certain events, but he refused to believe they were so different that it only took three weeks to get over months of physical torture.

"I don't think it's as simple as three weeks of talking it out. Nines is...he's sweet and sensitive. I don't doubt that he's coping with it day to day, but I do think his attachment to me is more than just a simple attraction. I was the one who found him! I was the first human to treat him as more than a phcking punching bag! He trusted me, and I abused that." Connor listened patiently. His expression already said he disagreed, but Gavin didn't understand how he could. He couldn't deny the fact that he'd been Nines' first positive human interaction. They'd formed a bond!

"I don't deny that Nines treasures your relationship dearly, but you're certainly not abusive, and he is functioning at peak proficiency. He understands what he's doing," Connor insisted, but that didn't really convince Gavin. Victims always thought they knew what they were doing. They always felt that they truly understood their feelings, and that they weren't being influenced by past events. How could Nines be any different just because he was an android? "How do you feel?"

"I-I..." Gavin trailed off. He didn't want to admit anything out loud. He cared. Of course he did. He always got that stupid little skip in his chest whenever Nines looked at him with those big fucking eyes. He felt impossibly warm inside whenever they touched. Even the slightest brush of skin would send tingles up and down his neck. The sound of his voice could either send shivers down his spine or set his heart racing. He looked at Connor and the fucker was smiling. Smiling as if he knew. As if he could read every thought as it sifted through his head. "I like him more than I should as his partner."

"Do you think that you can continue to work together? Even if you're not sleeping together right now, this...development is clearly affecting your working life." Gavin's expression changed, but it wasn't an emotion he could recognise. He looked resigned, but also fiercely defiant, and somehow sad and love sick. Connor almost felt bad for bringing it up. It was clearly causing Gavin distress as he thought it over.

"I don't want to work with anyone else...I can't work with anyone else! I think I can move past this. It's just...it only happened last night. It's still raw, for both of us." He hoped he could readjust to working with Nines. If he wanted their partnership to last, he had to. He couldn't risk going out on a case with him like this. He couldn't risk one of them getting hurt because he wasn't paying attention. That was the whole reason lovers weren't allowed to work together.

"So, it was more than just sex." Connor rather enjoyed the fetching shade of pink that flushed across Gavin's cheeks and neck. He didn't deny it. That pleased him more than anything. Nines deserved to be treated well. It also proved that Gavin was a better person, that he'd grown. "You know, there is one person who can give you better advice than me..." Connor trailed off meaningfully, watching Gavin huff in defeat. He'd been avoiding it all morning. He wouldn't even have to say anything. The minute she got him on his own, she'd just fucking know.

He sighed as he looked out over the city, thinking how convenient it would be if everything could just stop. He closed his eyes and listened to the rush of the city below, enjoying the breeze that toyed with his short locks. There was a lot to process, and not just his current situation with Nines. He'd barely even started to unpack the fact he had a brother. That he finally knew who his father was, even if he'd never been able to meet him. That hadn't mattered a day ago, but now that he knew, it was pressing down on him. At the very top of that pile was all the work he still had to do. They say shit happens in threes.

"Gavin!" Nines called urgently as he opened the creaking door and stepped out onto the roof. Both Connor and Gavin turned at his appearance, watching him falter slightly as he saw the two of them standing so close together at the railing. He'd assumed Gavin would be on the rooftop since he wasn't out front or in the bathroom, but he hadn't considered that Connor would be with him, even though he'd seen Hank cleaning up some paper towels.

"What's up, Toaster?" Gavin asked as he walked closer. Connor followed along curiously. There had to be a reason that Nines would rush up to the roof. Connor tilted his head as he noticed Nines' uncertain eyes darting between them, but he didn't mention it. Nines gave Gavin his full attention as they drew level.

"Body number eight. It was found fifteen minutes ago. Same MO, in the South-West this time." The trio hurried back inside. Gavin forgot his awkwardness as they rushed down the stairs. He jumped the last three steps, eager to get out on the case. Fowler put his head out the door to yell at him to be careful like he was still in high school, only to receive an innocent shrug in return. Gavin grabbed his jacket and shrugged it over his good shoulder. He was about to hook it over the other when a firm hand raised it for him. "Shall I drive?" Nines suggested gently as they headed out. Gavin agreed and allowed him to fish the keys from his pocket. Technically, he wasn't supposed to be out, but so long as Fowler didn't call him back, he was going to roll with it.

Nines drove to the scene, and Gavin cursed his luck as they climbed out at the warehouse to find Tina and Collins there already. Collins was idling around by the cruiser while Tina watched the door of the warehouse. Her dark eyes lit up as she fixed her gaze on Gavin, who had no choice but to get the details from her. Nines headed straight in. Forensics hadn't arrived yet, so he set about recording the scene. It was always preferable to gather evidence before it was recorded and moved.

"Hey T, what have we got?" Gavin asked in his usual working tone. Tina sauntered over with her thumbs hooked over her thick utility belt. She was wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt that day, leaving her black jacket in the cruiser. She shook a few loose strands from her eyes, odd wisps hanging down around her cheeks as always.

"Called it in myself. We drove by to check the area as part of our route and there it was, all crushed up and mangled. No sign of life in the area." She'd never been a fan of androids, though she'd improved since Connor's training. Despite her feelings, she didn't think any of them deserved to be treated like that. She wouldn't even have done it before the revolution. There were some real sickos in the world. Not that she wasn't already aware of that before. Some of the shit we've seen...

"Ok, thanks." Gavin felt a little lost since he couldn't write any of this down one handed. Instead, he hunted for his cigarettes. He hadn't had one on the roof earlier. Tina helped as he fished out the packet, plucking it from his hand and putting one in his mouth. She even lit it for him, getting another grumbled thank you as he put the packet away and took a long drag.

"You going to tell me about it? You've looked like shit all day!" she prompted as she folded her arms. Gavin sighed out the breath he was holding, enjoying the short relief the nicotine gave him, though it was a temporary fix. He fixed Tina with a look. He had a lot to fucking unpack. More than he had time to, especially at an active crime scene. "Drinks tonight?" It had been a long time since they'd had a night out, and she was hopeful he'd agree.

"Sure, a quiet one though, yeah?" He didn't relish the idea of yelling over the music in a club, or the crowds that would come with it.

"Ok, sure. Hit me up later. Have fun waiting for forensics," she added as she sashayed her way back to her cruiser. Gavin flipped her off, huffing as he saw her do the same. He waved at Collins as he pulled away and headed back to their usual route. Gavin took Tina's place in the rusted doorway, leaning on the frame as he looked inside at Nines, who was crouching by the pile of scrap. He reached out and ran two fingers across one of the small shards before raising them to his mouth. Gavin watched, transfixed as he put his fingertips in his mouth and licked them clean. Fuck, he could watch him do that all day! That's pretty fucked up...

"Our victim was a TR400, registered as Tristan Reynolds," Nines reported as he noticed him watching from the doorway. Gavin nodded that he was listening as he took another long drag of his cigarette, watching Nines' LED spin yellow as he stared. He didn't say anything, but Gavin knew what he was thinking. Yeah-yeah, smoking kills. What the phck doesn't these days? "I'm unable to begin a more thorough examination without forensics present. However, everything seems to match our previous cases." Gavin had expected as much.

"Eight bodies. Eight places...How long ago?" He remembered that the last victim had been dead for only a short time. He also remembered how bad that had felt.

"Nine hours." Gavin nodded as he breathed out a small cloud of smoke. Nine hours was quite a while, but not every patrol was scheduled to stop and check out the area. Tina was just being thorough because she knew this case was important to him. With eight bodies piled up, this would be the biggest case of his career. He was surprised the FBI hadn't swooped in yet, but since all the bodies were within the city, it wasn't their jurisdiction yet. They could only take over if a victim came from outside Detroit or it overlapped with one of their active cases.

"We need to nail these fuckers...We've reached eight bodies, and after this, I can't even guess where the next one will fall!" Gavin sighed as he finished his cigarette and tossed it away. Nines was already working on the quandary. So far, they'd dropped along the points of a compass, but that could just be a coincidence. The chance that this was the work of a serial killer was also relatively low. It was a large group working together. More than three members. They knew that much because they already had three in custody. One question needed to be answered. Was this done more for the thirium or for the kill afterwards? Someone in the group was definitely getting a lot of pleasure from the act of destruction. Since a serial killer was unlikely, that ruled out the locations as being part of a hidden message. There was around a fifty percent chance of the next body turning up at one of the previous dumping grounds. There was also around a fifty percent chance it would turn up in the central location. However, that was in the middle of the city, and would draw a lot of attention. There was also a fair chance the next body would drop at a new, totally unrelated location.

"I agree. It is a difficult incident to predict with the little information we have available," Nines replied as he continued to process and work on percentages. They fell silent for a while, both lost in their own thoughts about the case until forensics rolled up. Gavin lit up a new cigarette as Nines returned to work, waiting patiently for the forensics team to photograph the remains before he began to analyse the fragments piece by piece. He handed off each small part to be stored for transport, quickly finding all the markers he was looking for.

Once forensics finished, they could return. Nines drove again since Gavin's arm meant he would be one-handed. Back at the precinct, they returned to their desks, where Nines interfaced with his terminal to send over the data he'd gathered. Gavin took in the information slowly, legs crossed as he leaned on his elbow. Tristan had a child, but no partner. Gavin cursed silently as he grabbed the keys again and looked at Nines.

"Alert child services to be here when we get back," he sighed as he got to his feet. Nines nodded his agreement as they hurried to the car. Gavin's steps seemed a little heavier as they went, likely due to the stress of what they were about to do. Tristan had lived in a small apartment. He'd had few needs since he and his child were both androids. The child was a YK500. A little blonde girl with a short bob cut and big blue eyes. She was hesitant about opening the door, especially with Gavin there, but she seemed more at ease when she noticed Nines at his shoulder.

"Hannah Reynolds. We need you to accompany us to the precinct," Nines said softly, watching Hannah's expression fall as she looked between them. She went through the usual emotions. Worry, fear, sadness, denial, and then she requested to interface with Nines. Nines was reluctant, but allowed it. He showed her a few things that confirmed her father's identity and that he'd been a victim in their big case, but he locked off any distressing images. Hannah crumbled anyway, allowing Nines to lift her as she wailed into his shoulder.

Gavin ended up driving them back since Hannah was clearly on edge around him. Nines didn't seem to know what to do besides cradle her against his chest. She barely released him to allow them to climb into the car. They were even breaking traffic laws by allowing her to remain on Nines' lap in the front as they drove back. Gavin took extreme care to keep to the speed limits, constantly looking for any potential accidents along the way. When they returned, they headed to one of the quiet interview rooms, where Nines sat with Hannah on his lap sniffling against his chest. Gavin brought her a thirium packet and left them alone until child services arrived.

Once the agent arrived, they were able to take a few details. She interfaced with Nines to show him her father's routine. He would head to work at around five every morning, going to the docks where he had continued to work as a labourer, lifting heavy loads. She didn't know his exact route, but he'd likely had co-workers who could help with that. He'd found Hannah at an internment camp during the revolution, and they'd been together ever since. He'd gotten their apartment three weeks ago, and Hannah had spent most of her time inside. As an android, she wasn't forced to go to school, and she was too scared of humans to leave the house without Tristan at her side.

Nines was quiet once Hannah was taken away, looking miserable and submissive. Child services had at least been sensitive enough to send an android to pick her up. It was a KG400 teacher model, retrained to work for the government. She was sensitive and kind, gently encouraging Hannah to go with her. Gavin let him contemplate for a few moments. It was always difficult when kids were involved. It often became personal, getting them the closure they needed to move on with their lives.

"I have a proposition." Nines' tone was somewhat grave, but hesitant.

"Sure, hit me." He didn't really have much to offer right now. There were no new leads from this latest victim. They were just cycling through the same old shit. They could order patrols to circle the warehouses and the central area for signs of a new body, but not much else. I just hope we get something out of the three fuckers we caught...

"They are taking androids, and we are aware of three likely abduction points. It would make sense for us to take advantage of that fact." Gavin was with him so far. Of course, it made sense to work with what information they had. "We need to find the murder site...To do that, we need to lure out the remaining gang members." He nodded his agreement again. Of course, they needed to do that. It was the only avenue they had.

"Get to the point, Toaster." He could see Nines was stalling. Whatever his idea was, he knew he wouldn't like it. His silvery eyes were evasive as he looked at his terminal.

"I'm the most advanced model produced by Cyberlife, and we already know that my hardware is incredibly resilient. My tracker, though inactive, is still fully functional. I could reactivate the tracker and allow myself to be picked up in order to-" He stopped dead as Gavin's hand struck the desk. The impact shook his terminal. Connor and Hank both paused their own conversation to look over. Not that Gavin seemed to notice as he got to his feet and dragged his jacket from his chair. He looked livid.

"Not a phcking chance! We're not even talking about it! It's not an option! Phck, stay here!" He stormed across the bullpen and headed for the roof, heat swelling in his chest. Nines hadn't had the chance to speak further before he'd left, and was clearly taken aback by his reaction to a perfectly reasonable plan. At first, he thought he was just hurt by the reaction, but then he realised he wasn't just upset. He was angry. How dare his human speak to him like that? How dare he treat him like his ideas and opinions were invalid? How dare he snap out orders like he was still just a machine? His LED flashed red as he ground his teeth.

"Nines?" Connor called worriedly as he got to his feet so fast his chair rolled back. Nines ignored his call as he dogged Gavin's steps, letting this foreign heat fill his chest. It was strange. For all he'd been through, the pain and cruel treatment, he'd never been angry before. Perhaps it was a sensation that had been denied to him prior to his deviation. He reached the rooftop and threw the door open so hard it bounce off the brickwork with a wooden crack.

"What the phck?" Gavin jerked around, cigarette still between his lips as he leaned back against the railing. He had nowhere to go and no room to back away as Nines stormed over. He quickly found his spine pressing hard against the cold metal barrier. "Hey!" Nines took his cigarette and tossed it, but that was the least of his concerns as he tilted back on the barrier. He couldn't do anything as Nines' hands closed around the railing on either side of his body. He fell silent as he looked up, green eyes wide with shock as he met Nines' barely contained rage.

"I'm not a dog! You don't get to just tell me to stay and walk off halfway through a discussion!" Nines' shout was a sound Gavin had never heard, and had honestly never expected to hear. He'd never imagined he could get angry, especially not over such a stupid idea. The unjust rage only made him feel worse. It didn't help that Nines had crowded into his personal space, making him feel small and trapped. He used his good shoulder to ram Nines' solar plexus. It was a move that had once made Connor crumple to his knees, but Nines didn't budge an inch.

"I'm not treating you like a dog! The discussion is over!" Gavin snapped, his lack of progress only making him more frustrated as he rammed his chest again. Nines took the impacts as easily as he took the wind ruffling his hair. He was like a statue. Unmoving. That only made Gavin's anxious, trapped feeling grow. He could feel his chest tightening as air stuck in his throat.

"You didn't even listen to my idea!" Nines grabbed Gavin's upper arms tightly to stop the increasingly annoying thuds against his chest. He was so preoccupied with his own heated feelings, he didn't immediately reflect on how fragile Gavin's limbs were in his strong hands. He also forgot that he'd only recently been injured. Gavin hissed in pain as the grip tightened in a bruising hold, jostling his shoulder.

"God-phck! I listened to your stupid idea, and I told you it's not phcking happening!" He couldn't stop the pained wince and whimper breaking free as he stilled in Nines' grasp. Nines jerked back and released him, LED flashing red as he realised what he'd done. Remorse flooded his chest as he stepped back, unable to meet Gavin's eyes as he hesitated a couple of steps away. His hands fisted at his sides. He'd hurt Gavin. He had to calm down. Gavin stumbled back against the railing, waiting for his heart to stop pounding as he cradled his arm and bit his lip, taking deep breaths. He tried not to let any more pained sounds escape, but fuck, it was hard.

My plan is good. My tracker can easily be reactivated, and it is highly unlikely any regular human will know or have the ability to turn it off. I can allow them to believe I have been incapacitated and be transported to the location. My casing is made of extremely durable materials. It would take them time to damage my casing with the primitive tools they're using. Nines switched to signing, giving them both the opportunity to calm down. Gavin's fingers twitched nervously, itching to get another cigarette. He hated that Nines was right, and that his idea was reasonable for discussion at least. He didn't have to like it. He also didn't have to approve it.

You're not expendable! You're not some thing that I'm going to use to get results! I wouldn't let a human put themselves on the line like that, so I'm not letting you go! He didn't trust himself not to shout. At least when they signed, they weren't calling for an audience. Nines clicked his tongue loudly, scowling as he remained a few paces away.

You would do it! If the situation called for a human victim, you would volunteer in a heartbeat without consulting me first! He watched Gavin falter. He couldn't deny it. If he could be the victim, then he would have brought it up the same way Nines had.

The difference is, I'm competent! I have over a decade of experience, and I've done undercover for extensive periods! You're fresh out of Cyberlife! Barely trained for the force! I'm not willing to put your life on the line! He was firm. Nines' jaw tightened at the suggestion that he wasn't competent, but that's not what Gavin had meant. He'd only meant that, in policing terms, he was the more experience officer. He would have made that clear if Nines hadn't stepped back into his personal space, though he hesitated to touch him in his fragile state.

"Why not? What makes my life more important than all those others?" Nines asked quietly, watching Gavin swallow nervously. He knew what Nines was getting at, and maybe he was right. Maybe he was letting his personal feelings affect his decision, but fuck if he was going to admit that. Instead, he sighed and turned his head.

"It's not that. I'd hesitate to put anyone in that situation, even Connor, but I'm especially reluctant to do it to such a new recruit...My first op was a bust...You see the scar I have here?" He stroked a line across his waist, where Nines remembered he had a deep red gauge from a knife. "I was a dumb phcking rookie, and I almost got myself killed, and that wasn't because I was cocky. It's because I didn't have the experience to read the situation. I'm not prepared to send you into a potentially lethal situation alone without backup." There was a note of finality in his tone as he spoke. Nines gave him a hard look, but didn't argue. It was pointless to argue about it when he was being so stubborn.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"I don't know yet...Let's try our suspects again. Shake them up and see what falls out." Nines could tell from his vitals that he was distressed. The weight of the case was increasing, along with the body count. Nines reluctantly agreed for now, but he wasn't prepared to let the matter rest completely. They would work the interrogations with Hank and Connor, so he decided he'd bring up this issue with one of them. Most likely Connor.

"Very well, but if we don't make any progress-"

"Still no! I won't risk you getting killed!" A gulf opened between them. Nines felt slighted and disrespected. Resentment rose in his chest. Gavin just wanted to do that right thing and keep his partner safe. He felt frustrated. He didn't know why Nines couldn't understand his point of view. They returned together, a cloud of discontent hanging over them. Connor picked it up immediately from Gavin's hardened expression and Nines' yellow LED. He decided not to mention it at first, but seeing the way they couldn't even look at each other throughout the interrogations wasn't promising.

Despite that, they did manage to confirm a few things. The drop sites they'd circled were the areas they picked up victims from. They were draining the thirium for red ice. They then let the more violent members of their gang dispose of the bodies. There was no real process for nabbing victims, just a wrong place at the wrong time attitude. If they were close enough to a site, easily lured in, or taken without notice, then they were ideal victims. They used an electronic shocking device to knock out their mobility, making them motionless. They were then easily transported, and by the time they managed to reboot their systems, they were already trapped and tubed for draining.

Colt took great pleasure in describing the way they struggled, getting weaker and weaker as they watched their thirium draining out until their LEDs went dim. They'd still be partially active, running on electrical reserves, when the humans started breaking them apart. Too weak to speak. Too weak to move. Just a dim red circle and static gurgles signalled their distress. Connor was in the room and restraining Nines in seconds. Colt laughed as he watched him trying to drag Nines' larger form from the room. That laughing stopped when Gavin's fist connected with his jaw. Luckily, Hank had switched off the cameras and recording equipment by that point.

"Reed, take a walk!" he scolded as he shoved him back gently, giving him a firm look. "One word and I'll knock you out!" he added in a dangerously low growl as he turned to Colt, who was holding his bruised jaw with an almost smug expression. He soon got rid of that as Hank held his gaze with a steely blue glare. Gavin did as he was told and headed back to his desk, not seeing the two androids anywhere. It was near enough to the end of his shift for him to clock out.

Hey, Tin Can. Do me a favour and take Nines home with you for today. I'm heading out with Tina and I don't want him to be by himself. He typed it out on his phone and sent the message to Connor before clocking out. He was already in his car by the time he got a simple response.

Understood. I'll invite him to dinner. Have a good evening Detective.