"N-Ni-nes?" Gavin stammered through trembling lips, vision blurring as he blinked out hot tears. His ears felt muffled from the shot that was still ringing in his head. His breaths quickened and choked as he stared at the unmoving foot on the screen. It was all he could see of him besides the puddle of faded grey blending into the darkened floor and grainy shards of shattered plastic. He squeezed his eyes shut. He can't...he-can't-be...It wasn't right. It wasn't fucking right! Nines didn't even know where he was, so what the fuck was he doing here? Was it some sort of trick? Had the footage been faked? But I heard him shout! He was right outside the door! "Ni-nes!" He choked the word out again as he tried to move.

He had to get out there. He had to see for himself. He could still barely move an inch. He did his best to rock his body, edging and shuffling to the edge of the table. It felt like it took a fucking age. It was pathetic. His partner needed him and he could barely fucking move. He let out a whimper as he finally managed to haul his useless body over the edge of the table and flopped to the floor. His limbs didn't work enough to break his fall. He slapped the ground hard. His temple throbbed where it cracked against the cement. At least it hadn't been his nose. A similar ache ran through his arm and hip, which would definitely be bruised. He was lucky to have landed on his side rather than his face. He managed to slump his way onto his front, putting everything into raising his head. He whined and sobbed pathetically. The doorway was dark. He couldn't see anything beyond it from his place on the ground, and his body still wouldn't fucking move.

"Ni-nes!" A weak sob tore at his throat. He choked on a panic attack as his heart pounded. It thudded loudly against his ribcage and echoed in his ears. He coughed, turning his face away from the damp, earthy scented ground. It was rough and cold against his cheek. Grainy, tacky, and unpleasant on his skin. He felt dizzy and lightheaded, but his head still pounded with his pulse. He wasn't sure whether it was the stress, the drug, or the fresh knock on his head at this point. His vision kept blinking in and out, eyelids drooping. No! Don't you dare pass out, you phcking asshole! Nines-is...Nines-is...He huffed a breath, coughing and choking as he jerked his arm higher. His shoulder hurt. He was so fucking slow. He was having to wriggle and writhe like a snail, barely managing to skid his sorry ass more than an inch from where he'd fallen. His heart almost stopped as he heard movement. Nines? Hope swirled in his chest. There was a shuffling sound and then the hurried click of heels.

"Gavin!" Gavin's whole being shuddered in relief. He could feel his eyes streaming as his chest heaved with quiet sobs. Nines appeared in the doorway like something from his nightmares. His white jacket was splattered blue across the front. One of the sleeves was torn and tattered where the bullet had torn clean through his upper arm. There was nothing there beyond the shoulder. Just a busted up, jagged stump of shattered plastic and dangling machinery. Despite the mess of his arm, Nines looked otherwise unharmed. That lucky phcking phck! Gavin wasn't sure whether he'd moved at the last second or if he'd just been in the right place upon impact, but the bullet had hit his arm instead of his torso.

"Ni-Nin-es!" He couldn't form any words beyond that as he let his head drop to the filthy cement floor. He didn't give a shit how rough the stone was, or how much filth coated it. Not in that moment. He was fucking exhausted and giddy with relief. He whined pathetically as Nines raced to his side and used his only good arm to tumble him onto his back. He soon found himself resting on Nines' thighs as he stroked his cheek, examining him intently. He was definitely scanning him, silvery eyes swimming with relief as the scan came back clean. Gavin had not been injured. Not seriously at least. "H-Hik-Hik!" He couldn't get the words out, and soon fell silent with a whimper as Nines hushed him.

"I know-I know...I've already alerted the FBI, Connor, Elijah, and the hospital," Nines soothed softly, grabbing his hand as he noticed him trying pathetically to move his arm closer. Nines looked as relieved as he felt, besides the constant glaring red of his LED. Gavin wanted to ask so fucking badly. How bad it is? Are you alright? Don't phcking leave me! He cried harder as he noticed Nines was leaking saline from his eyes. He sounded so fucking human as he sniffled. He was hurt, and he couldn't even hold him. All he could do was try to tighten the grip of his useless fucking hand.

"R-red!" Gavin got out as he trembled and gasped against Nines' thighs. He jerked his head a little as Nines failed to pick up on his meaning. It seemed to dawn on him after a few seconds. His LED stuttered before whirling a solid red again. Gavin had only seen him hit red a few times, and it was never fucking good. It either meant he was distressed or angry. It was probably both, but he'd also suffered a major injury. Nines raised their joined hands to the small light, letting Gavin's skin brush against it. It felt warm. Gavin was cold. Shock.

"I have lost over forty percent of my thirium reserves, and my left arm was...obliterated," Nines replied in explanation as he shifted his gaze to the somewhat grim sight. There were wires and veinlike tubes hanging free, along with odd bits of circuitry and the jagged shards of his casing. "The impact caused a minor reboot and I have since bypassed thirium flow to that area," he added in what he hoped was a comforting tone. Gavin sort of followed. It was nowhere near as bad as it could have been. If Nines had been standing a little more to the left, the bullet would have ripped clean through his torso, leaving a gaping hole where his thirium pump used to be. It might have even shattered his power core.

"S-sor-I'm-sor-" He fell silent as Nines hushed him again.

"We'll talk about it later, Gavin...Just try to relax. By my estimation, you should begin regaining some level movement within the next forty minutes." Nines' head raised as he heard the distant sound of approaching sirens. "I'm going to lift you," he added as he got to his feet. Gavin's objections stuck in his throat. He wanted to refuse. He wanted to let Nines know he didn't have to push himself. He was nothing but deadweight right now. He should just leave him on the fucking floor. Instead, all he got out was a pathetic whine as Nines hauled him up and got to his feet. He was so fucking gentle as he bowed down and tugged his useless body higher.

With a little manoeuvring, Nines managed to edge his shoulder into his ribs, gripping his wrist as he eased him into a fireman's lift. Gavin couldn't move even if he wanted to. The drug was still holding him prisoner in his own fucking body. He let out a small grunt with each step Nines took. Gentle as he tried to be, his shoulder was buried right in his sternum. The small corridors of the warehouse were so fucking quiet. Only Gavin's choked breaths and Nines' echoing steps filled the tight space. He couldn't see much as they walked, besides Nines' ass. He would have liked the view a lot more without the dark smear of thirium that soaked into one side of his black jeans. The blue wasn't really visible on the denim. It was just a wet patch that soaked his ass and left thigh, but Gavin knew it was thirium. Warm, wet, oily thirium.

He was so fucking glad to feel the cold evening air. Nines strode over to where he'd left the car and eased him down on the bonnet. He was trembling from both shock and the cold now. He gave no objection as Nines' arm remained tight around his shoulders. His weight was leaning on him heavily. He couldn't keep himself upright, relying on Nines completely. He felt so fucking pathetic as Nines' thumb stroked circles through his dirty grey sweater, which was now stained blue where he'd been lifted. He could feel the oily thirium on his skin, but he didn't have enough control or strength to wipe it off. He felt dizzy. He felt sick. He couldn't fucking breathe.

"Gavin...You're safe...Breathe," Nines cooed softly as he tightened his grip around his shoulders. More tears fell as he leaned into the offered comfort. Nines accepted it greedily, as if his whole purpose was to soothe and satisfy the ailing human slumped against him. "The ambulance is here, and Elijah will meet us at the hospital to examine the damage to my shoulder." His voice was a soft, soothing hum as the siren finally became audible to Gavin's still stunned ears. Gavin nodded vaguely, glad that he could at least do that much. With the ambulance came Perkins' car. He stepped out with Colin right behind him, sharp eyes grim as he took in the scene.

"Detective Reed has been heavily dosed with some form of sedative. He is unable to communicate presently," Nines stated protectively before Perkins could even open his mouth. He seemed less than pleased at the news, but he was at least relieved to see them both, mostly, in one piece. Colin's LED span red as he took in the damage to Nines' arm and shoulder, biting his lip anxiously as he requested a wireless connection. Nines' blue eyes softened slightly as he silently informed him that the damage was mostly superficial. He'd be good as new once Elijah had examined him and mocked up a replacement part. He nodded his permission for Colin to initiate an interface in order to share the experience. He was almost gentle as he stepped forward and caressed Nines' pale cheek, the skin trickling back to allow a connection.

"We should head inside and secure the scene...Call me for an interview as soon as possible, you understand?" Perkins added as he leaned down to get a look at Gavin's pale face. A bruise was already forming on his temple where he'd hit the cement. He vaguely managed to jerk a nod and hum in the affirmative. He could have said yes by this point, but the idea of having to struggle through an interview while barely being able to speak almost sent him into another panic attack. Nines squeezed his shoulder. His secret was safe. He nuzzled Nines in thanks, grateful for the support.

Perkins and Colin had barely moved out of the way when the paramedics descended upon them. Gavin couldn't really follow anything as Nines spoke to a young uniformed man about whatever drug had been pumped into his system. His eyes were checked with an annoying fucking pen light. He was poked and prodded, had an ice pack shoved against his face, and was promptly dumped on a rolling gurney. His breaths hitched as he lost sight of Nines. Three humans in green uniforms crowded in around him as he was wheeled up the short ramp into the back of the ambulance. The doors were promptly slammed shut.

"N-Ni! Ni-nes?" His green eyes were frantic as he blinked and tried to turn his head, tears blinking out with renewed fear. The paramedics were talking in hurried voices, barely calming him as one tried to hold him still. Gavin trembled as he continued to search the tight space. The sudden jolt had dislodged the ice pack. Nines was there in an instant, his torso now bare as he looked down, gently replacing the cold pack with a soothing touch. Gavin visibly calmed at the realisation that Nines was still there. He was just getting his own injury seen to. He hadn't been left behind. The damage looked a lot worse without the jacket covering it. His skin was smeared with sticky blue across his chest and down his side. The artificial flesh had been deactivated at the edge of his shoulder socket and what was left of his shattered arm. Gavin could see stress fractures etched like spiderwebs around the plastic shoulder joint, disappearing beneath the shimmering skin that tried to stay in place. Gavin whimpered at the sight. It looked painful, but Nines' expression was completely neutral.

"Hold still while I disengage." The medic was clinical as she grasped the shattered stump. Nines nodded his consent as he turned his body to make her work easier. He was facing away from Gavin at the moment. Blue had smeared across his left shoulder blade too, trickling down his back in a long, sticky river. The medic was a young woman who seemed to double as an emergency technician. It was likely due to new training since the revolution. She was quick as she gripped Nines' shattered stump and twisted it out of the socket. Nines didn't even flinch as it was removed. He really can't feel pain...Once it was gone, the medic wiped the area with a sterilised cloth. The thirium easily wiped off the synthetic skin. "I'm not sure what parts we have at the hospital, but if you give me your model number, I can look for you," she added politely as she tossed the cloth into a lidded disposal unit.

"That won't be necessary. I'm a prototype model, so my parts will need to be custom made. My technician is meeting us at the hospital." Though he did accept the offer of a bandage to at least cover the injury and prevent particles from getting lodged in the rotary socket. Gavin watched with fluttering eyes as the woman wrapped Nines' shoulder. It was weird seeing him without an arm. It was so clean-cut where the stump had been removed, like a saw had sliced it clean off. He shivered at the thought, mind creeping back to the high-pitched whimpers. The knife sinking into soft fleshy innards. The screeching hook. The slosh of blood. Soft leather on his lips. "Gavin...Breathe." Nines slipped his hand across to grip his neck. He offered a small reassuring smile as Gavin's eyes opened, a slow blink acknowledging his presence.

Gavin phased in and out as they drove. The chatter of the paramedics became background noise. The sharp pain in the back of his hand as he was hooked up to fluids was the only interruption to his dazed state. He wasn't sure why they were giving him fluids, but it would probably get the drug out of his system faster, so he wasn't about to complain. Nines remained beside him, stroking his hair and teasing his neck. He felt a small jolt as the ambulance stopped and he was wheeled out. A nurse directed them to a private section of the hospital.

He had no idea where they were going, but the pristine white walls and shiny flooring suggested it was somewhere expensive. He was put in a private room, bigger than any he'd seen before. He was lifted from the gurney onto a firm bed, though the plump pillows let him sit up at least. He didn't have to look far to realise why he was getting the special treatment. The paramedics had barely backed off when Elijah appeared, green eyes wide and anxious as he took his free hand. Well, this is a new and shitty experience...He felt bad that he couldn't really reassure his brother. It must be quite a surprise, the reality of how dangerous his job could be. On some level, he knew Elijah had been aware, but hearing about the danger and seeing the results first-hand must have been a nasty shock.

"Hi..." Gavin winced as he was reminded how fucking sore his head was. His bruised temple throbbed, and he had an insistent pounding behind his right eye. Not only that, but his neck ached like fuck from the needle Morgan had plunged into it. His muscles were pinching and tingling as the strength returned to them. It was painfully slow, but his voice felt stronger now. He had more control over the movement of his mouth. Elijah looked pretty pale and his eyes were anxious. The experience was clearly getting to him. Gavin hadn't really been on that side of things before. He was invariably the one lying in the hospital bed. It was a wonder he hadn't been killed yet.

"Are you...How do you feel?" Elijah's eyes roved over his smaller body worriedly. He hadn't heard too many details. He just knew that Nines had been injured and Gavin had been held captive by a maniac. There was minimal blood loss at least, and no major injuries that he could see. He watched as Gavin pursed his lips, licking almost thoughtfully as he worked his jaw. "Are you hurt, I mean?" Elijah tried again, clearly nervous about pressing too hard for details. Gavin let out a small huff. It was sort of sweet.

"I'm okay...Fucker dosed me with something, but I think it's wearing off." He felt drained as he twitched his fingers and bent his wrist. He had a lot of movement back in his hands. He almost sighed in relief, somehow reassured as he watched the fingers of both hands curl and uncurl. The sight seemed to please Nines somewhat too, though he already knew he'd begin to regain motion soon from his earlier scans. "I'm alright, really...just a little battered." He touched the bruise on his temple, hissing at the dull pain. Nines took his words for the forced reassurance they were meant to be. He was in no way alright. He'd come face to face with the man who'd haunted his nightmares, murdered his partner, dismembered his lover, and mocked him at every turn for the past three to four years. However, his words at least seemed to appease Elijah enough for him to stop hovering so anxiously.

"Gavin, you're here! I'm glad you're still in one piece," Chloe greeted sweetly as she entered with a ceramic mug. Ceramic? In a hospital? Shit, we really are in the private ward! She handed the steaming mug to Elijah. He'd clearly been awake for some time, though it was hardly surprising. He was often awake late into the night working on various projects, and it wasn't all that late yet either. It was probably barely eight or nine. Did he come straight from pulling an all-nighter? "As for you, sit down and let Elijah look at you," Chloe almost scolded as she manhandled Nines onto a comfortable looking padded seat.

"The damage is mostly superficial," he assured as Chloe picked and unwound the bandage, her soft brow pinching slightly as she took in the fractures in his once flawless casing. His skin was flickering at the edges where it couldn't cover the damaged surface. Gavin watched as Elijah rounded the bed to take a look himself. Nines had told him about the damage to his arm, but he hadn't said the whole thing had been blown clean off, or that the damage had continued up into the joint. Nines was patient as he was poked and prodded. He was utterly indifferent, as androids often were during standard maintenance. Elijah's brow pinched as he examined the damage. He was wearing his glasses for a change, as he often did in his home lab. Gavin couldn't help thinking that the heavy black frames suited him. He looked like a true nerd.

"The rotary socket took some damage...Before I can attach a new limb, I'm going to have to replace the inner connection port and see to all these fractures." Elijah sighed as he crouched down to look inside the circular slot that the arm would lock into. The force of the bullet had strained the joint, and the force of impact and shards of debris had caused further damage. "I'll start on replacements as soon as I get back...I should be able to fit it sometime tomorrow," he added clinically as he stepped back, taking pictures and typing notes on his phone.

"It will be late by the time you return. You should rest adequately before you begin. I can wait for the replacement." Gavin almost huffed as he watched Nines nannying Elijah. Chloe voiced her agreement with that opinion as she pulled a bottle of thirium from her bag and opened the lid for Nines. He needed to refuel after losing so much fluid. One bottle would hardly be enough, but it improved his internal systems. He had a little more strength at least, though it barely boosted him to sixty-five percent.

"Thanks, Eli...You didn't ask to get caught up in all this shit. I feel like I'm always causing you trouble," Gavin huffed sheepishly as he winced and squirmed on the bed. He just managed to flop himself enough to sit up a little higher before falling back into the pillows with a frustrated huff. He was quietly grateful that Chloe was so perceptive as she eased him up and rearranged the pillows so that he could sit comfortably. Elijah's expression softened somewhat as he settled on the edge of the bed and tapped his arm. It was a small, almost comforting gesture.

"I suppose it's only fair. You have thirty-seven years of catching up to do, little brother." They both let out a small chuckle at the thought. Gavin had never imagined finding out he had a sibling, let alone meeting and getting close to him. It was one of the only good things that had happened to him in years, and certainly the best thing that had ever come from his father. It felt even better as his eyes fell upon Nines. Without his father, he wouldn't have either of them. No Elijah meant no androids. No androids meant no Nines. Fuck, it was hard to believe he was thanking some non-existent God for something he would have cursed him for just a few months back.

"Well, someone has to put the grey in your hair," Gavin huffed as he lounged back against the pillows. Quiet slowly settled across the room. Over the next couple of hours, Gavin got checked over by a doctor and had his blood taken. It was so much faster than usual. Money really did move things the fuck along. By the time he got the results back to confirm there had been no infections passed from the needle, and no unexpected substances added to the drugs, he had full motion back. He'd never been so fucking relieved in all his life. Being immobilised like that was one of the scariest things he'd ever experienced. He still had no idea why Morgan had done it, what he'd been intending to say, or why he hadn't simply pumped him full of some lethal poison. After a short consultation about how he felt, and a check to see how well his body moved, the doctor agreed he could leave. Thank phck for that!