(We all know how this goes. Female reader- with a mechanical twist- and seriously Mature themes.

I mean, Gavin is an ass, and he's gonna be that way for awhile. There may be trigger warnings, I'll make sure to put them at the top when needed. Original art for the cover is not mine, either.

I wanted to give him the spotlight since I really like how he turned out in Comfort Zone. Even if the reader is the thing he can't stand, lmao. ♡♡♡)

◇___#$&!___◇

"He's never going to know."

"He's gonna fucking know."

"He'll never know."

The pair bickered the entire way, though there was no venom in their words. Hank just thought the kid had spent way too much effort and money on what they were about to retrieve. Grip on the steering wheel tightening by a fraction, his mouth was thin and pulled aside, mostly hidden beneath his beard. "I get why you're doing this, okay? I really do. Make it as easy as possible on him. But you and I both know damn well that poor thing is gonna be scrap metal and spare parts in 24 hours."

Connor shook his head, the LED flickering yellow. "Hank, he won't. I have put a considerable amount of thought into this, and I believe that this will be far more effective."

There were some quiet noises of disagreement. "... exactly how much money did you spend?"

Sensing a delicate subject, the prototype weighed his options. "The base model package itself is $8,500." His partner sighed and waved a hand so the android would continue. "There are varying levels of additional options, which in turn raise the price significantly."

"Numbers, Con. Not vague blanket statements."

"The package offering the widest range of options costs an additional $14,500." The detective was abruptly jerked forward a touch as the brakes were slammed to the floorboards. Connor was wearing his seatbelt, of course, so he didn't move much and didn't have a hair out of place. "You wanted numbers, Hank."

"Those are too many goddamn numbers for one android, Connor!" Good thing they weren't on a main road; the sudden stop would have surely started a fender bender marathon. "I get that advanced ones are expensive but Jesus fucking Christ!!"

There was a hardened edge to the RK800's gaze. "How much do you think I would cost you?"

Letting his car resume the trip again, the human grumbled. "My energy, my sanity, my patience..."

"Numbers."

"I don't fucking know."

Dark eyes cast aside, gazing at the road in front of them. "I am a specialty prototype with software and installations that would not be offered under other circumstances. Which is why CyberLife sent me directly to DPD." Connor's voice fell to a softer volume. "Roughly $350,000, Hank."

"YOU COULD BUY A GODDAMN HOUSE WITH YOUR ASS!"

"Not in this economy, but yes. I was never made with the intention to streamline my model's production. I was given one mission, and there is only one of me as far as I am aware. Most of the other versions of me have been destroyed. Being unique raises my price tag, and the same applies to this."

The short pause that followed had to be taken: now the good lieutenant wasn't sure he wanted to know the final cost. "So a few weeks ago, when you spent all that fucking time at CyberLife, you were doing some unique custom shit?"

With the slight crooked smile on his face, the android nodded. "As I myself am a prototype, I knew what it was I wanted. I requested a one-on-one with someone who understood what I sought. So in the end, the prototype has designed another prototype. This is far beyond what the program offered, Hank; they used a model that was never meant to be booted up. They took many of those parts, altered and resized them, and the end result is a prototype with a singular mission."

More and more regret swam in Hank's skull, but he opened his mouth before he could stop himself. "What kind of model could they have had lying around if it wasn't supposed to wake up?"

It was Connor's turn to press his mouth thin. "My upgrade, an RK900. But as I am still functioning just fine, it was the CyberLife rep that suggested that model be used." As the vehicle finally pulled into the massive parking lot for an even more massive industry, the detective sat back. "The RK900 was male, just as I am, and much taller than I wanted for the one I was designing. But many of his algorithms and programs and instruments could be removed and installed into a smaller frame."

Heaving a sigh that held a thousand smaller sighs within, the human shut the engine off. "There's something you're not telling me. Now spit it out."

The smile reappeared on Connor's face, but Hank was fairly horrified to find a mischievous note in the gesture. "She is customized both inside and out, Hank. I was very careful in creating someone he might be willing to have around, but she is also prepared for him."

"I ain't so sure I like the sound of that."

"He is surly, bad-tempered, hot-headed, rash, loud, insulting, and a bully. He will be receiving an android that can respond to his temper in a manner he is not accustomed to. Most of us do not, as you would say, clap back. She will. Detective Reed may tolerate me due to time, and I see that our people as a whole do not aggravate him as much as before the Revolution. But having an android around him will likely bring out the worst in him; her abilities to counter his words and actions will hopefully get him to settle, or help him see us as living beings worthy of respect."

He was stunned, and he couldn't deny that. "So you built an android that's made to clap back at Gavin Reed?"

"Yes."

"You realize this is gonna fail, right?"

"Doubtful. She should be quick to react, just as I am, but she does not lack empathy. I've also kept notes about the sort of physical features he seems drawn to, and have requested some for the design, as well."

Silence for a short while. "... did you build him a partner or a fucking girlfriend?"

"That is up to him."

◇___#$&!___◇

The interior of the CyberLife facility was as pristine and blinding white as it had always been. Even after three years of androids being recognized as a people worthy of rights and respect, the company still had business to take care of. Those in charge no longer treated their androids as machines; employees were often trained to encourage people who purchased an android to help them gain their sentience.

For that matter, laws were being put into effect, as well. Deviance was not seen as a crime; it was beneficial for a world severely lacking an android's empathy. The human population was also suffering, and while the two kinds could not reproduce, it would help the humans as a whole, being tasked with helping a people lost in their first moments.

In Detroit, the android capital of the world, law enforcement was fortunate to have a skilled and capable prototype. Connor had formed and led a program himself, going into schools and other companies to speak publicly about his people, what turning deviant looked and felt like, and how to help the androids they might know to understand emotions. He did not speak publicly often, as he was still a very busy detective... but it was difficult to say no to sitting on the floor with twenty children, all fascinated by him and asking questions.

The precinct itself had another requirement for their human officers: take an android under their wing, let them shadow the officer for awhile until they felt ready to slowly integrate into society.

The requirement was one every quarter of a year. If more were assisted, it was considered a bonus, but not necessary.

Detective Gavin Reed was the only one who vehemently avoided the topic, and outright refused to help a strange machine on his own. He tolerated the RK800 but chalked it up to Connor being a prototype, with more capabilities in knowing human habits. Taking some android he didn't know felt abhorrent; everyone else was helping, so why did he have to join in?

The RK800 had an ulterior motive when he designed Reed's android: the human needed a partner, especially if he wanted to be promoted, and he had yet to fulfill his duties. So Connor created a female prototype to act as both. The price was outrageous, but he was confident that having a partner would let Reed's temper abate. Maybe even make him happy.

Besides, another android in the precinct would let Connor feel less like the black sheep.

◇___#$&!___◇

Once the pair had stopped at the reception desk, they were given visitors badges and directed to a higher floor. The entire time, Hank had a sour expression. "I still think this is gonna fall apart, kid."

Silver coin deftly maneuvering around his hands and through the space between, Connor merely smiled. Once the elevator doors opened, he pocketed the coin and led his partner down the hall, already knowing where they needed to go.

By the time they were sitting in a small waiting area, the human had his eyes closed. "Do I even wanna know how much this prototype costs?"

"Do you want the painful truth or a pleasant lie?"

"Connor, I swear to fucking--"

"It wasn't $350,000, Hank. I can tell you that much." There was an audible sigh of relief beside him. "......... it was more."

"Lieutenant Anderson?" The CyberLife employee interrupted the conversation just before Hank tore Connor's head from his shoulders. Startled into being presentable the pair got to their feet, the human looking as though his partner HADN'T spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on one lone android. "The prototype you and your partner requested is completed." Her smile was soft. "It is... unusual to have one android build another this way, but all of his suggestions and requests have come together in a very neat little package, I must say."

Behind her, a panel slid open slowly, revealing a compartment of sorts. The back was lit well, with one lone android leaning against it, eyes closed.

The employee stepped aside for the pair to get a better look. Hank crossed his arms, deep in thought, wondering if maybe the kid had the right idea. The prototype in front of him was definitely unique, and he had to admit that the kid had taste.

Connor was the one who ventured closer still, taking in all the minute details. He could design and request and plan all he liked; there was no way to know how it would turn out until the work was finished. Inching closer still, the detective lifted a hand but hesitated, looking back towards the employee. "May I activate her?" When given the okay, he gently pressed on the LED until it began to blink in a slow manner.

Shifting his weight, the lieutenant actually smiled a bit. "Hate to admit it, Connor, but if you designed this girl, you know what's attractive."

"To us, yes. But it isn't our opinions that matter. If Gavin doesn't accept her... I don't know what he'd do."