It took a few days to get their next big case, but finally they were back on the streets where they belonged. Or in the air in Reed's case. He grunted as his feet hit the cement edge of the small ledge that lined the roof. The landing was jarring, leaving him almost teetering on the edge before he managed to lean forward and stumble onto the flat rooftop. He tried not to dwell on what would have happened if he'd tilted a little further back. He didn't have time. They were at least twelve storeys high. Looking up, he could see their suspect already approaching the next ledge. A whine of objection slipped out as he pushed himself onwards.

"Hey! Stop right there!" He was breathless, unsure he'd actually be able to make another jump like that. Where the phck is Nines? He didn't have time to look back as he raised his gun and took a shot at their suspect's leg. He hit the mark. Blue splattered the cement, but it barely slowed him down at all. It was like the bullet hadn't done any damage. Maybe it hadn't. If he'd shot too wide, he'd likely only caught synthetic skin and muscle. He need to hit the actual joint if he wanted to put a dent in the damned thing.

The android didn't miss a beat as he hopped onto the ledge and dove to the next rooftop. Reed didn't have time to think before following. If he stopped to think, he'd hesitate, and hesitation was dangerous when jumping rooftops. Not that I should even be doing this shit! Fowler would probably kill me if he found out about this! He put all of his strength into the leap, chest fluttering fearfully as his body sailed through the air between buildings. His weight followed through with his feet as he landed, bending his knees and falling into a roll to spread the impact. He was on his feet again in an instant, only staggering slightly as he regained his balance and followed his quarry.

The android was a model he didn't recognise, but judging by its speed, it could have been built for sports. Possibly even some form of combat. So far, he was betting on sports since the thing hadn't tried to engage him physically. A human would be no problem for a military unit, even while armed. Nines was proof enough of that. He didn't have time to look around for him. He just hoped he was following. The android was already heading for the next slightly higher rooftop. Shit! It was pretty fucking high this time. He wasn't stupid. He knew his height would limit him more than the android. Tucking his gun away with blind determination, he reached the edge and put all of his strength into the leap.

The android had already disappeared from view over the edge, and Reed was just behind. He knew it was a mistake the moment his feet left the cement. His jump was just shy of the edge. He grunted as his fingertips barely scraped the ledge. It was just enough to catch his weight and leave him dangling precariously. Phck-phck-phck-phck-phck! He shifted his weight from hand to hand, gradually inching his fingers further onto the stone. The problem was that even now, holding his weight, he didn't have the angle or strength to heave himself up. He tried not to kick his feet too much as he turned his head from side to side, looking for a potential way up or down.

"Well-well-well...Look how the tides have turned." Reed's green eyes widened slightly as he looked up to see their smug suspect leaning on the waist-high wall with folded arms. He was right next to his trembling fingertips. His heart sped up as the android moved to lean his chin on one hand while the other slowly tiptoed along the wall to rest against his trembling fingers. "I wonder...how many fingers will you have to lose before you can't hold on any longer?" The android's LED circled blue as he teased him. That was probably one of the most disturbing things about it. This android was perfectly relaxed and okay with killing someone, watching them plummet over a hundred and fifty feet to splatter on the street below. Reed felt bile rise in his throat at the thought.

"Hey! Phck! Don't-you-" He cut off, writhing fearfully as the android methodically pried his little finger up. He hissed at the ache it caused, almost losing grip trying to keep hold of the ledge. Reed scowled and cursed under his breath as he tried to readjust his grip. He was relying heavily on his right hand since the android was trying to remove his left. He lifted his hand, taking a helpless shot at swatting his assailant. The android laughed as he stepped back, the weak swing missing entirely. Reed cursed again as he managed to heave himself high enough to catch the edge once more. His arms and fingers were getting tired. Where the phck is Nines?

"What do you think it will feel like right before you hit the ground? I can see the resignation in your eyes already, Sergeant...You know you're going to die here," the android teased as he leaned over to look down at the busy street below. Reed tried to hold back the small whimper in his throat at the thought. He'd always known he was going to die on the job. Statistically, it was likely. With his track record, it was inevitable. He shivered as he closed his eyes, throat clenching as he caught a sob of fear. Like hell he was going to die looking weak! "That's it...Sink into that feeling...Accept it." The android looked entirely too smug for Reed's liking as he reached down to grip his wrist. Reed panicked at the sensation, writhing and flailing against the wall as he struggled to break free. The android was gripping tightly, slowly lifting him. If he lifted any higher, his right hand would lose its grip.

"Phck! Let me go, asshole!" The android looked uncontrollably smug as he gazed into Reed's terrified emerald eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked meaningfully as he paused all movement. Reed swallowed hard. If he let go at that particular moment, he'd probably fall. He was barely holding on with his free hand. "Alright then...Goodbye, Sergeant." Reed's eyes widened as the android relented and started to loosen his hand. The smug look on his face suddenly blinked out. Reed didn't know what had happened at first. A loud popping sound came from somewhere further away, and then there was a splash of blue hitting his face. He turned his head as it splashed his skin, looking back up to find the android's grip had frozen. His hand was locked, holding him tightly, but his body had slumped down out of sight. Only his locked grip was stopping him from falling. That actually worked in his favour because the weight of the body falling down was giving him support. He managed to pull himself into a better position, hope rising in his chest as he heard footsteps dashing across the roof.

"Gavin!" Nines finally appeared above with a look of horror and distress. Reed almost lost grip in relief as he sighed and grinned up at him. "Hold on!" Nines instructed warily as he grabbed his free wrist. He pulled with one arm, lifting him higher until his hip touched the edge of the wall. Reed wriggled until his thigh was resting on the edge before putting all of his weight into rolling onto the roof. He'd never been so fucking pleased to feel his feet touch stone.

"Phck! Nines! Where the phck were you?" he demanded shakily as he tore himself free of the dead android and leaned back against the wall. His legs were shaking so badly he didn't think he'd be able to stand by himself. He almost stumbled as it became clear he wouldn't have to. Nines pulled him against his chest and locked him in an embrace so tight his toes barely touched the ground. Gavin returned the hug with some squirming, catching sight of Nines' red LED as he did so. He was trembling.

"What were you thinking, running after him like that? Androids are much stronger and sturdier than humans! Chasing him across the rooftops?" Nines' tone was demanding and full of something so heart wrenching it made Reed ache. His voice was thick as he spoke, still clutching him like he thought he wasn't really there. Reed was still quivering himself. He'd come pretty fucking close in his time, but that was the worst. The very idea of hitting the ground made his stomach lurch, and he buried himself further into Nines' chest. "You can't keep taking chances like this! You don't only live for yourself now!" Nines gripped his shoulders and held him back, his expression serious as he examined him for injuries.

"It's my job to chase down guys like that, Nines! I can't put my job on hold because of a little risk!" Reed cursed under his breath as he watched Nines scanning him. He was stressed, of course, clearly shaken and running on adrenaline. His skin was pale, energy levels falling as the high wore off, and he came to terms with his brush with death. Reed clicked his tongue as he eyed Nines' spinning LED, pressing his fingers against the red ring and stroking it in soothing, circular motions. He winced as Nines' hand tore him away roughly, his grip just a little too firm.

"It is your job to perform your duties with minimal risk to your own person! You're not an athlete or an android! You almost died, Gavin!" Nines loosened his hold as he recognised the pained expression. He didn't need to be reminded. He was painfully fucking aware of how close it had been. If Nines had been even a second later, he would have fallen, and it was a long way down. He couldn't even bring himself to look over the edge. Part of him wanted to turn this around on Nines. Where the fuck had he been? He'd chased this fucker across four rooftops while the state-of-the-art android was what? Taking a leisurely stroll along the street? Phck! It's not his fault. He was probably taking out the other two guys.

"You're right...but phck, when he ran, I just followed! And I was so close to catching him, Nines!" Reed cursed, trying not to feel so inferior. He knew that, had it been Nines on the rooftop, the android would have been caught and incapacitated within the first few seconds. They wouldn't have even made it across the first roof, let alone four. It was one of the things he would have worried about losing his job over a few months back. Who needed a human when an android could do the job ten times faster? He knew better now. His experience and instincts were priceless.

"And I was so close to losing you." Nines was gentle as he cupped his cheeks, drawing him in for an urgent kiss. He didn't bother starting softly. Something in his chest was urging him to devour the human in his arms. He wanted to convey something that he had no words for. He blinked away the profile of the deceased android, almost recoiling at the unwelcome addition of thirium to their kiss. Reed's face was still splattered with blue, neither of them having wiped it off. Reed had latched onto him in an instant, the arms around his neck pulling him closer. It seemed he had a similar feeling he was trying to convey. Teeth bit his lower lip between long wet strokes of tongue. Nines drew back to leave Reed gasping as their foreheads bumped.

"Sorry, alright? I'll...try to do better." That was really all that Nines could ask for. They remained there a little longer before Reed started eyeing the dead body at their feet. Nines called forensics to take care of it, explaining the details to Haley as they headed over. The other suspects had already been subdued and picked up by Collins and Pearson. That was part of the reason Nines had been so far behind. He'd had to wait to hand them off, but he'd managed to keep track of Reed the whole time, thirium pump aching each time he moved from building to building. He knew they had to be on the rooftops from their trajectory. Collins had barely pulled up when Nines had shoved the two men against his car and taken off. His pump still stuttered as he recalled rushing out onto the open rooftop to catch the tail end of their interaction. He hadn't had time to do anything besides raise his gun and fire. The shot had been aimed to both shut the android down and result in his upper body becoming paralysed so as not to lose its grip on Reed.

Back at the precinct, Reed sat through a short disciplinary with Fowler over the incident. He wasn't the first to break protocol, and Fowler acknowledged that if he'd been successful, they likely wouldn't be having the conversation. Unfortunately, his actions had resulted in the death of a suspect, not to mention he'd almost died himself. Reed hadn't argued back. How could he? He just had to take it and apologise. He was damned lucky he wasn't facing a demotion over it. As a sergeant, he was supposed to be showing the younger officers how to behave, not recklessly putting himself in harm's way. Nines had offered his own apologies for the part he'd played, both for separating from Reed in the first place and taking the kill shot, but Fowler dismissed it. Nines had followed procedure, securing his suspects and taking the kill shot because it had been the only way to save Reed in his preconstructions.

After the meeting, they hit the showers. Reed had wiped off the thirium earlier, but he could still feel it, and the best way to get rid of it was always to shower. Nines joined him, which made sense since he could see the thirium and make sure he got it all off. He was a little wary at first as Nines stepped beneath the spray with him and pulled the thin plastic curtain around their naked bodies. What would happen if someone else came in and saw them? It was pretty intimate, sharing the same small partition. His worry had increased with Nines' playful smirk, a firm finger raising his chin to look down with calculating blue eyes.

"Why don't we find out?" He leaned down to seal Gavin's lips with his own. Gavin didn't fight it, pulse racing with fresh adrenaline as he allowed Nines to stroke and explore his body with gentle fingers. Nines was thorough with the shower gel, making sure he got every speck of thirium off his skin. Gavin pushed himself back with a stern look as Nines cupped his rounded ass and dragged him closer. "I need to be thorough..." Nines quipped, biting his lip as he moulded their bodies together. He was unsurprised that Gavin's cock reacted to his light touches. He was extremely sensitive.

"Nines! We're at work!" The objection didn't stop him from moaning as Nines rolled his hips, skin sliding against skin. There was still a little gel on their bodies, the slickness encouraging the gliding sensation. Nines leaned down to nip his lobe as he continued to squeeze and fondle the plush flesh in his hands.

"I know...so you'll have to be quiet." Nines chuckled softly as Gavin bit down on his pecs in reproach. He wouldn't leave any permanent damage and it didn't hurt, so Nines allowed it. He felt Gavin begin to squirm, arms now wrapping around him for support. Water cascaded over their bodies, splashing Nines' head and back as he pried Gavin's cheeks apart with one hand and slowly began teasing with the other. He enjoyed the small whines that caught in Gavin's throat as he tried to hold back from rocking against those teasing fingertips.

"Nines! I'm not kidding, anyone could come in right now!" he griped weakly as Nines backed him up against the tiles. He grunted as he was turned to face the wall, his chest cold against the tiles as Nines deliberately rocked against his ass. He pushed back to look down as Nines smoothly lowered himself to one knee, bringing him eye level with his ass. Gavin bit on a moan as Nines swatted the plump flesh with his hand before soothing over the area. A fresh moan escaped as Nines actually leaned in and bit him. He was somewhat smug as he eased back to savour the small red imprints of his teeth on the rounded flesh.

"Then be good for me so I can finish," he retorted smugly as he pried Gavin's cheeks apart with his thumbs. Gavin's stammered objection was cut short as Nines buried his face in his ass. He folded his arms on the tiles and buried his face, biting his forearm as Nines' tongue stroked and prodded his tight ring. His breaths were soon shuddering as Nines' tongue pushed its way in, thoroughly teasing and exploring the soft passage. Nines felt incredibly smug as he felt Gavin tremble, subconsciously pushing his hips back for more. Gavin swore he was going to bite through his skin any fucking minute, especially as one of Nines' hands moved between his thighs. Long probing fingers teased his perineum before cupping and caressing his testicles. He squeezed and rolled them, never too tightly, but always enough to be felt.

"Ph-phck, really?" Gavin's spine arched with a low moan as Nines finally gripped his swollen cock. He quickly bit his arm again as he bent further into the tiles, reaching back on reflex. His free hand fisted in Nines' hair to urge him closer. Nines had no objection to the rough treatment, smirking into the wet flesh as he pressed his tongue deeper. "Nines!" Nines gave an encouraging squeeze and twist, milking the solid cock in his hand as he kissed the loosening hole. He finally brought his second hand forward, teasing Gavin's balls and perineum with his fingers as he continued to use his thumb to keep him spread. Gavin came with a whimper, white painting the tiles.

"What do we say about messes, Gavin?" Nines purred as he drew back, quickly scanning the surface to make sure there was nothing harmful to Gavin's health. Satisfied with the level of cleanliness, Nines smirked as Gavin dropped to his knees and set to work with his tongue. "Good, Gavin," Nines praised as he grasped his own throbbing cock. He leaned one hand on the wall above, gripping himself and rocking into his own fist. He hummed in appreciation as he watched Gavin's tongue dart out to slide up and down the tiles, his body dazed and spent. Nines bit his lip as he worked himself, lacing a hand in Gavin's hair as he finished cleaning. "Look at me, Gavin." His mouth fell open as he gripped Gavin's hair to keep him in place.

Gavin was looking up at him with sated green eyes, still a little breathless as he knelt with his mouth open, just out of reach of the running water. Nines rocked into his own grip, pulling and twisting his cock until he spilled. It pleased him that Gavin did his best to catch the trails of white, licking up anything he could get to. Nines all but growled as he hauled him to his feet and kissed him, careless of the thirium based release between their lips. Gavin hummed into the kiss, pressing closer beneath the spray.

"I should leave you like this, with my seed staining your face...then all the android staff would know..." he purred, noting Gavin's shiver of anticipation. They both knew it was a fantasy. Doing so would leave them open to accusations of breaking the fraternisation code, not to mention the office gossip that Gavin would be subjected to. With a final lingering kiss, Nines stepped back and helped him rinse off. He followed to get dressed, checking his own skin in the mirror to ensure he'd cleaned up sufficiently. After dressing, they returned to their desks, where Gavin started typing up his report of the incident and checking his emails.

"I can't believe there's a phcking AHL now..." He probably should have seen this coming at some point. Although androids were largely better than humans where tolerance was concerned, there were bound to be examples of androids who'd been pushed to their limits and lost faith. Many of the listed members seemed to have come from abusive owners or they'd been mistreated after the revolution. There was also a fair few who'd been at the recycling centres awaiting decommission. Markus had saved them, but that didn't mean they didn't foster resentment towards humans for their earlier treatment.

"Did you believe we were better than that?" Nines was unsurprised as Reed shot him a look that told him he was right, but he didn't want to admit he was right. "Gavin Reed officially recognises androids as the superior species. Truly a day for the record books," Nines added with a smirk, pleased as Reed huffed his own amusement. Nines felt the gentle kick of reproach beneath the table and trapped the foot between his own. Nines did somewhat agree with the sentiment, and held his own form of disappointment in his people. He too had hoped androids were above such things. They agreed that, much like Reed allowed Nines to interview the AAL members, Reed would lead the interrogation of their two android detainees. That could wait until after lunch though. Reed's energy levels were falling after typing up his report and their earlier intimacy in the shower. He needed to recharge. He didn't even try to argue as Nines quietly urged him from his seat. He was still in that pleasant, docile and impressionable state he reached after an intimate encounter. Nines smirked as he led the way out of the precinct.