"Hey, cara mia?"

You glanced up from the coffee machine, having set it to start brewing on your command- usually as soon as Gavin woke up. "Yes?"

"I think I'm gonna take Biscuit for his morning walk," the human replied, already holding the leash, attached to the dog's large collar. "If I don't start sharing the responsibility, he's not gonna like it when I'm holding the leash," he added, chuckling.

With a smile you nodded. "One moment," you murmured, going through the cabinets until you'd located a large thermos. It was immediately filled with the fresh coffee, capped, then handed over with a kiss to his cheek. "We will head to the precinct upon your return."

But Reed just stared blankly. "You missed."

Your expression was just as blank. "... I beg your pardon?"

"The kiss. You missed. I'm pretty sure you meant to kiss me here," the male added, leaning and capturing your soft lips with his for a few beautiful moments. "We'll be back soon, cara mia. Won't we?" Reed glanced down at Biscuit, who gave a quiet, breathy woof, tail stump wagging.

As the pair left, you felt your regulator thump harder, filled with what you understood to be that mysterious and tricky emotion: love.

Six minutes passed while you did other smaller household tasks: making note of what supplies were running low, ensuring that there was nothing left in the sink, and straightening up the place. Knowing that the two wouldn't be back for a little while, you supposed that getting a head start on other chores would be fine.

[If Gavin were here, he would insist I relax. And the house is relatively spotless.]

Your temple flashed yellow once.

[.... I have not tried to relax on my own by myself. But... he would enjoy knowing I tried. I will take the trash out to the curb before I make an attempt.]

The bag still in the kitchen trash can was just over halfway full, but it was better to do things sooner than later. Tying the bag up, you carried it out the back door to throw into the outdoor bin, which was promptly wheeled out front. It was still early morning, but not so early that others were still asleep.

Though you knew that your boyfriend would prefer to be sleeping.

A few vehicles passed by on both sides of the road, civilians headed to work or morning errands. The business van was certainly not a new sight: Detroit was in the process of creating a citywide recycling law, which would provide bins for specific plastic items to every household. Several recycling businesses were involved, and would probably merge once the ordinance was set in stone.

The people emerging from the ARC van weren't seen, and in retrospect, that was your first major error: all three of them wore white android faceplates.

The black device that was pressed to the back of your neck was similar to a taser, but it had clearly been tampered with: just as Isaiah said, it had locked him up. None of your motor functions were operating, and you fell almost as soon as the device touched your skin.

You were caught before you'd hit the ground, and your eyes could not move but were still able to see the shell masks. Those that wore them stared openly at you for a moment before you were taken to the van. You heard a distorted voice, the sound of a voice module intentionally damaged: "Careful with this one. I think this is what he's looking for."

"Seriously?" A second module spoke, just as distorted, the human bearing it staring at you. "RG900... shit, that's the one from TV. Holy shit, we hit the fucking jackpot."

[GAVIN]

Laid in the back of the van, you were unable to do a damn thing, merely staring at the roof of the interior. There, in neon orange spray paint, was the ARC slogan:

Reboot. Reuse. Recycle.

While you couldn't move physically, the painted slogan was captured in a memory file and sent to Reed's phone, like a screenshot of sorts. You didn't know how intelligent the ARC humans were but you had to hurry, sending messages as quickly as you could.

The memory file was sent to Connor as well, then also to Elijah just in case. Then you included Hank in a mass text:

[REBOOT. REUSE. RECYCLE.]
_____

[ARC]
_____

[LOOKING FOR ME]
_____

[PLEASE]
_____

[ARC VAN LEAVING HOME ADDRESS DESTINATION UNKNOWN]
_____

[IN LOCKUP]
_____

Then one final text to Gavin alone, which broke your heart a little to have to send:

[I'm sorry. I love you. I will fight them as best I can but I am so scared.]

◇___#$&!___◇

Biscuit proved to be better on a lead than Gavin had given him credit for. He didn't pull, didn't strain or try to fight against being led, and he wasn't easily distracted and eager to chase things.

He was a good distance from the house when his phone vibrated with a message. A quick glance told him you'd sent a photo. Random but not unusual, so he tucked the phone back into his pocket.

It was the series of messages that kept it vibrating that made him finally stop and unlock the damn thing.

His heart sank to the pavement, gripping the leash like a lifeline as he whistled sharply to get his dog's attention. "BISCUIT, COME ON," he cried out. Either it was the panic in his tone or the hurried movements, but the Cane Corso seemed to understand the urgency as the pair ran back to the house.

ARC van, whatever the fuck that means. That fucking recycling motto.

Oh my god where are they taking you?!

The van was nowhere to be seen as Reed sprinted back home, his canine keeping pace easily. The outside of the place seemed fine, so there was no immediate sign of a struggle.

Garbage bin is on the curb. Bastards snuck up on her while she was doing the fucking chores, oh my god....

Face breaking, his hands dropped the leash and laced together behind his neck, sinking to his knees on the walkway leading to his front door. Biscuit sat beside his Daddy, oversized paw on the human's leg while Reed let out an unearthly wailing sob, which swiftly turned to fury.

"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!"

◇___#$&!___◇

"Nove, please don't cry."

The hand on your shoulder was meant to be a comfort but you remained curled up, sitting in the snow with your head down and arms around your knees. Cloud knelt beside you and did not move his hand, watching you shake like a leaf.

Minutes passed before he simply plopped down beside you. "I know you are terrified, Nove. I don't blame you. But you must have faith in the ones you love."

That got you to lift your head, and the RK900 frowned at the sight of your tears. "I have seen what they've done to the others. I am also certain that the ones we know of are only a small handful. I do not know what's happened to the androids who were not able to escape."

"Yet you have an advantage they did not. You have the entirety of the DPD actively searching for you, not to mention the creator himself, and his very-much-in-love-with-you brother. You are me, my Nove: a detective. Your instincts are swift and your intuition is sharp." The hold on your shoulder squeezed. "Notifying Elijah Kamski was already a keen idea. He has knowledge we do not, and he cares deeply."

Though the words were reassuring, your tears kept falling. "... I do not know if Gavin will keep his head on straight. He is... emotional."

"Yes, very. But he is a detective despite it all. He has fought tooth and nail for a second chance. And now that his feelings are returned, I believe he will stop at nothing to rescue you, no matter the cost."