"Connor!" Markus sighed in relief from his place beside the sofa where Kamski was currently pinning Detective Reed down as he thrashed and writhed. The RK900 had been left to the side, LED spinning between red and yellow as he tried to process what was happening. He watched almost clinically as the human's vitals rose with his whining and thrashing. Markus was hesitant to touch Reed's restless form. He didn't want to risk further injuring him if he struck out at his harder casing. Kamski was certainly getting a workout as he gripped Reed's forearms and tried to hold him down against the leather cushions. He was so lithe and slim that it was quite a challenge, despite Reed being slightly shorter.

"Detective Reed!" Connor cried as he took over from Kamski, forcing him out of the way. Kamski certainly seemed unsettled as he watched. It was like he'd never seen anyone suffering a panic attack before, which was entirely possible considering his privileged background. "Gavin! Gavin, wake up!" Connor urged as he gripped the leather of his jacket and shook. Reed's stress levels were through the roof, his breaths coming in short, uncontrolled gasps and sobs.

"...op...ke it...op...Nn...No..." Reed choked and trembled, sobbing quietly. Connor felt his own stress levels climbing as he shook him roughly. His breaths were becoming short and erratic. Connor wasn't sure whether it would be better to call a proper medic from somewhere at this point. Tears were trickling down his cheeks in small rivers as he cried in his sleep, something Connor had only seen once before. It was the type of vulnerability he knew Detective Reed would usually keep private.

"Gavin!" Connor shouted louder, whipping a hand across his pale cheek with a loud clap, the skin still slightly marred by the green remnants of fading bruises. Dirty green eyes snapped open. Reed lurched up so fast he almost butted his nose. Connor quickly pulled him closer and locked his arms around his quivering body, almost straddling him on the sofa. "It's alright...Just breathe, Gavin...You're having a panic attack," he warned as he felt him gasp for breath.

"No-phcking-shit-Sherlock!" Gavin choked, gulping down air but never able to get enough. He felt sick and dizzy as he languished helplessly in Connor's embrace, closing his eyes tightly. The nightmare still chased him as the room turned. Part of him wondered if he was really awake. There'd been so many scenes, so many times Connor had been fine, and then...He pushed back sharply. Connor's brow creased in concern as Gavin examined his face with haunted green eyes. He was fine. No holes. No blue. Just Connor, with his LED flashing yellow and that goofy look of concern etched on his face. Thank phck...Connor had never looked so fucking good.

"Chloe dear, some water." Quiet steps sounded as the petite android moved gracefully across the room to complete the task. Markus stepped aside politely, allowing her to pass with a clear tumbler of water held out for Gavin to take. Connor took it. Gavin wasn't quite ready to do anything just yet as he curled back into the sofa. He brought up his knees and buried his face, wrapping his arms around them tightly. Connor motioned for the others to return to the desk, thinking it best that they give Gavin a little space. He remained on the sofa, resting a hand on Gavin's shoulder to reassure him he was still there.

Gavin breathed deeply, pinching his eyes shut. He tried not to think about it. The dream. Blue and red blood. The chair. Bells ringing. Hands on his skin. His heart pounded. Calm the phck down...He felt increasingly mortified at the thought that others had seen it. They'd seen the Gavin Reed he tried to keep hidden. The one who woke up some nights crying and choking for breath. The one who was too scared to go back to sleep. Weak. Pathetic.

Connor monitored Gavin's gradually levelling vitals. His heart rate was slowing, his airways opening, breaths coming easier. The shoulder gradually loosened beneath his hand as the muscles relaxed, leaving behind gentle quivers. Behind the sofa, the RK900 seemed just as intent on Gavin as he was. His LED had settled on yellow now as piercing blue eyes stared unblinking at the vulnerable human. His expression was unreadable. Connor couldn't tell whether he was concerned, curious, or just coldly analysing the situation.

"Detective, can you drink?" Connor asked after a few more minutes, relieved as Gavin finally raised his head and accepted the glass. His hand was shaking, but he managed to drink and rest the glass on his bent knees. "Do you keep any medication for these...episodes?" Connor asked, but Gavin shook his head. He wasn't a headcase, and he wasn't depressed. He just got a little stressed sometimes. Alright, a lot stressed! He couldn't stop thinking about that creepy, non-linear dream. It was the worst he'd had in a while. Maybe not so surprising with all the shit I've seen lately. Human homicides were never as grim as the shit people did to androids. It didn't help that Dr Marr was ripping open old wounds and exposing them to the open air. I'm going to be like Frankenstein's phcking monster by the end of this...Pulled apart, stitched together, things added, things taken away...

"I'm good, Tin Can. You can go back to...whatever," he sighed as he put his feet down and sat up properly. His head was still throbbing, limbs stiff and achy. Falling asleep after that knock to the head probably wasn't the best idea he'd ever had. Connor moved to sit on the cushion beside him, a silent refusal. A soft assurance that he would remain. Reed huffed as something like gratitude swirled in his chest.

"The search is almost over. The lowest levels are dedicated to mass production conveyor belts and storage. I don't need to be there." Reed was tempted to point out that he wasn't needed here, either. He wasn't broken. He didn't need him to stick around and act like a nanny-bot. It was bad enough that he'd been recalled in the first place. That was embarrassing. "Your stress levels have almost returned to normal," Connor murmured after a while. Reed snorted at the satisfied tone as he downed the rest of his water.

"Great, now get the phck out of here, Tin Can," he retorted as he put the glass down on the expensive-looking table, choosing a spot that wouldn't leave any scratches on the flawless surface. "Seriously, I'm awake now. I'll be fine." He felt slightly drained by the experience, but otherwise fine. Connor hesitated before doing as he was told, first heading to the desk to let the others know. Reed sighed, dragging himself to his feet and walking over to the panoramic window to lean on one of the metal supports and look out over the city. The quiet chatter continued a while longer before steady footsteps approached and the almost lanky figure of Elijah Kamski appeared beside him.

"Are you feeling better, Detective?" Something more than simple politeness laced his slightly gravelled tone as he reached him, arms resting smartly behind his back. He was an annoyingly perfect figure. Tall, slim, elegant, with almost practiced sophistication. He'd tilted his head slightly while waiting for an answer. That's creepily familiar...

"Yeah...Sorry about..." Reed replied awkwardly as he waved towards the sofa. He wasn't supposed to interact with people like Kamski. People like that were way above his paygrade. He didn't want to get on the wrong side of him. He was sure Kamski was just being polite and secretly wanted to get as far away from him as possible. Probably thinks I'm infectious or some shit. Kamski nodded his understanding, but made no attempt to move away. Reed glanced at him again. He was staring out at the city below. At least, that's what he'd thought. He was surprised as he looked back at the glass and realised that Kamski was studying his reflection with a strange sort of intensity.

"If you'd like, I can call a doctor to be sure. There are several medically trained staff working in the tower." The sincerity bothered Reed. It wasn't like they had any form of relationship. He was like an insect compared to Elijah Kamski. He was nothing. A nobody. Why was he being so damned proper? People like that usually looked at his scarred face with disdain. Not that he could blame them. He was rough around the edges, and that was before he opened his damned mouth.

"I'm fine, really!" He shoved his hands in his pockets, quietly wishing one of the androids would come and extract the billionaire from his side. God, I regret everything! He noticed the RK900 walking towards them as if he'd heard his thoughts. He was wearing a uniform now. Blackish grey jeans, a high collared black shirt, and an equally high collared black and white jacket. The shirt collar looked ridiculous. It sat so high it almost seemed to restrain his neck and keep his chin up. It looked uncomfortable. Did the RK900 feel it? He wondered if he would know the difference. He also wondered what the fuck the machine was doing as it brazenly stared at him.

Reed and Kamski had both turned away from the window to look at their new companion, however he said nothing. The RK900 stopped two feet away and took up his usual at ease position, hands clasped rigidly behind his back as if awaiting instructions. Reed took his time looking him over, tracing the familiar dimple of his cheek. The curl of hair that wouldn't stay in place. The uniform freckles and beauty marks. It was creepy, the way they'd kept Connor's face. It was like they'd run it through Photoshop and tugged at various angles, coloured the eyes, and then printed it into real life. He was still staring at him, icy blue eyes unblinking. Reed glanced at Kamski to find him regarding the android with equal curiosity.

"The phck are you looking at?" Reed grunted eventually as the RK900 continued to stare. He tilted his head and Reed was no longer sure if that quirk came from Connor or Kamski. He frowned, feeling uncomfortable under that level stare. It felt weird. Pulling him apart, looking deeper than the surface. And why the phck doesn't he blink?

"A curiosity." The RK900's voice was slightly deeper than Connor's, a rumbling purr in his throat. His lips curled slightly and Reed wondered who the hell had programmed him to do that. Before deviation, Connor had been a bit of a brown-nosing prick with robotic undertones that had just pissed him off. This one was different. Maybe it was because of the botched attempt to deviate him, but he had a certain personality showing through. Definitely a smug asshole.

"Fascinating...A non-deviant showing signs of curiosity..." Kamski murmured as he leaned his chin on one hand, resting the other arm across his chest. It was a thoughtful pose, one that was eerily familiar. Did Cyberlife base all the idling poses on this guy? He was relieved as the RK900's unrelenting gaze shifted to his creator instead. He seemed just as content scanning Kamski for a while. Reed was relieved as Kamski launched into a series of technical questions about his software, listening with bright-eyed enthusiasm to each uniform response the android gave.

"Detective! Please, come join me," Chloe's bell-like voice called invitingly, a warm smile on her soft lips. Reed slinked away from the imposing android and its maker to join Chloe as she tidied away the glass he'd used. She took his arm gently, looping her hand through his elbow and walking him to the window over on her side of the room next to her desk. "It looked like you needed rescuing. I know Elijah can be quite the handful when he talks shop," she added in an almost conspiratorial tone.

"I can see that...Thanks." Reed found himself unable not to smile at Chloe's kindness. Her model was familiar. One of the oldest, if not the oldest. There weren't many left these days, and she'd never been a commercial model. She was a sort of PA to the upper classes. It was comfortable. She didn't mind being silent, and she didn't stare at him. It was probably part of her design. She'd been created to blend into an office environment as an assistant and hostess.

"So, do you have a first name to go with Reed?" she asked after a while, blue eyes filled with glimmering curiosity. She had an honest tone. One that suggested that she really wanted to know rather than it being simple politeness. Reed peeled his gaze away from the stunning view. He could see clean across the Canadian border from where they stood.

"Sure, but you're an android...Can't you just do that thing that Connor does and look it up?" he asked curiously, enjoying the tinkling chuckle that fled Chloe's lips. She really was sweet, and so realistic. Her mannerisms were more convincing than Connor's, and he'd been the most advanced android in creation until a couple of hours ago. Looking at the RK900, he couldn't help thinking that something had gone horribly wrong with Cyberlife's social programming department between the three different androids. It felt like Chloe was more socially advanced than either RK model.

"I can access the Cyberlife database, but since I'm not an investigative model registered to the DPD, I don't have that sort of access." That was honestly a relief. He didn't like the idea of just any android on the street being able to scan his face and see everything about him, though he really didn't know how much they saw. He'd never asked Connor how much he could look into. Was it just his name? His age? Date of birth? His educational background?

"Oh, well, it's Gavin. Gavin Reed." He took her proffered hand and shook. Her grip was firm, but somehow soft. Inviting.

"Just the two?" Chloe prompted with innocent curiosity. "Forgive me, it's just that Elijah has three names, and that seems common for most humans in this area," she added as she noticed his raised eyebrow. He shrugged. It wasn't like it would do any harm. It was odd to find someone so curious about him. Usually, he could just awkwardly blend into the background without notice. But then, acting like she's interested is part of what these secretarial models were made for.

"It's Alexander." Chloe seemed delighted. She asked where it came from, but he didn't know. He knew it wasn't from his mother's side. His grandfather's name had been Anthony. He didn't have a clue about the other side. Chloe continued her polite questioning, probably trying to keep him occupied until Connor finished whatever he was doing with the others downstairs.

"Have you always lived in Detroit?" she asked with interest as they ambled along the window.

"Yeah, born and raised...When I was a kid we had a house right around...there," Reed replied searchingly as he pointed across the river towards the shorter towers. The old stone ones. It had always been cheaper to live slightly further from the city centre. It was even cheaper these days. He remembered the rundown apartment. Damp peeling wallpaper, druggies on every floor. A lot of prostitutes too, a job his mother had taken up after she got laid off. She'd tried to hide it, of course, but he knew. Kids always knew.

"You look around Elijah's age...Were you born in the early millennium?" Chloe asked conversationally as they walked along the endless window to a new spot. Reed nodded his agreement as they looked out over a newer part of the city. Detroit had been different then. More people. More jobs. It was strange. People used to say the city was dying back then, but androids had sort of taken over. It had revived the area for a short time, with Cyberlife bringing in new factory workers and building new stores.

"Two thousand and two..." Chloe revealed that Kamski had been born in the same year. It was funny. Kamski had been so successful and achieved so much, and in the same time, Reed had barely made a mark at all. He'd pretty much stayed in the same district his whole life. The shit he'd seen. Things he couldn't stop from happening. He tried to shrug off the memory of wide blue eyes and saline tears.

"I hear that human children go to school...What was it like?" Chloe asked with genuine interest.

"Ugh! The worst! Imagine being packed into a small room with thirty or more kids and one teacher droning on and on at the front. You spend days copying endless notes about things you won't ever need after graduation, and on top of that, you don't even learn any actual life skills! No taxes, no chores, and little to no advice about how to survive out there...Learning how to iron a shirt would have served me better than reading poetry." Chloe tittered in delight as he complained. Apparently, Kamski had been different. He'd loved school, enjoying private lessons and such. Of course he had. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Spoon? More like a phcking ladle!

It wasn't long before Connor reappeared, pleasantly surprised to find Reed so engaged. He seemed relaxed, and even smiled as he made Chloe laugh. They appeared to be talking about his school years. Stories of mischief and mayhem from the comprehensive schooling system. Apparently, Reed had once stolen the principal's car and driven it into a river as payback for confiscating his phone. The old man had never found out for sure, but Reed knew he'd suspected. Wonder what that old fucker would say if I met him now...He'd probably never expected him to become more than just another gangbanger to be shot dead in the streets. I probably would have been without Fowler getting on my case...

"Detective, we've completed the sweep," Connor reported politely during a break in their conversation. Since they were done, it seemed sensible to take their leave. Chloe was disappointed, and she didn't mind saying so. She accused Connor of ruining her fun with a warm look in her eyes as she looped her arm through Reed's in an especially friendly manner. Connor was surprised that he allowed her so close. He would have thought it was because of sexual attraction, only he was showing no sexual arousal in response to the contact.

"Leaving so soon, Connor? A pity. I was hoping you would assist me with a few things," Kamski cut in as he caught wind of their conversation. The RK900 followed obediently, now dogging Kamski's every step like a bodyguard. Connor gave him a polite stare, but Reed could tell he was unsettled. There was something between them. Something that made Connor uncomfortable, perhaps even nervous, around the billionaire. Chloe seemed to understand his apprehension as she stepped to Kamski's side.

"Don't be so greedy, Elijah. You've been spoiled by all the RKs around today." Kamski gave her a warm look of understanding in return. "Perhaps another time, Connor. I'm sure you must be very busy with everything happening right now," she added sweetly, smiling as Connor jumped on the excuse. Despite his eagerness to leave, he did offer his hand to the RK900 for an interface on his way by. Reed wasn't sure what was said, but the blue-eyed android looked confused as he drew back. Connor gave him a small smile before leading the way to the elevator.