"I think I've seen more of Elijah Kamski in the last few years than I've wanted to, ever," Hank mumbled under his breath as you walked into the precinct. The android creator himself had driven you, as he promised, and though the good lieutenant had a healthy amount of respect for him, there would always be that note of awe. Not good, not bad, just disbelief that someone so influential insisted on being involved in his life.

"He is a good man at heart, Hank," Connor responded just as softly. "He seems to be going to great lengths for Nove."

"Yeah, well, his cocksucking brother probably has something to do with that."

When you approached the pair, both males were stunned by how much better you seemed. Not perfect, but you were smiling, at least. To be polite, the RK800 stood up from his computer chair to greet you, but being pulled into a hug just scrambled his train of thought. "..... Nove, is everything well...?"

"Thank you, Connor. You and Hank both have done a good deal to ensure my safety, and I apologize for being cold." You were still incredibly stiff when it came to anything physical and deviant, but your hug was returned all the same.

Chin resting on top of your head, the male prototype was more than happy to embrace you. "You were not cold. You were distressed and lost. Seeing you at this moment shows your incredible ability to adapt." His dark eyes closed, understanding more and more that he really did feel like a sort of father figure. [What was it like, staying overnight in Kamski's home? Did he do anything to try and determine solutions to this?]

[He and Chloé made me feel welcome, Connor. My memory was probed but nothing in-depth was discussed in my presence.]

"You've got a short line of waiting people, sweetheart," the lieutenant's voice chimed in, interrupting the silent mechanical conversation. You pulled from the other android, blinking a bit to find the human standing nearby, arms crossed. He chuckled quietly. "You'd better take this one chance I'm giving you." Still stiff and awkward, you went and embraced Hank anyways. "There we go," he murmured, hugging you right back. ".... this hugging thing is gonna take some practice until you're comfortable enough being self-aware."

"... do I feel strange?" Your question was muffled against his shoulder.

"I'm hugging a mannequin, sweetheart. Take a second, let your shoulders settle. The rest will follow, and it'll come naturally."

[Settle?]

Bit by bit, you lowered your shoulders, noting the tension easing from them. Sure enough, the rest of your body lowered just a hair as you relaxed for the first time. The lieutenant's arms tightened a little bit around you, and he laughed again. "See? Now I'm hugging a woman."

"Hank, you never taught me that," Connor commented, a note of envy in his voice.

"You learned on your own, son. Also, she's prettier than you, so shut up."

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

"I dunno. Point is, shut up. You're more human than she feels right now." When the lieutenant eventually let you go, he eyed you closely for a few seconds. "So are you staying with Kamski?"

Taking six seconds to consider, you finally replied, "I have been informed that it is my decision. I am at liberty to return to his home as was previously agreed upon, or..." Here was where your indicator went yellow. "Or if allowed, I could stay with you."

Hank shrugged, leisurely returning to his desk. "Well, he's right, that's your decision. You wanna stay with him, by all means. You wanna stick with me and Connor, we're okay with that." He raised his eyebrows. "... actually, it would be nice to have someone missing a sausage in the house."

Only after he spoke did he realize he would have to elaborate. But you turned towards the male prototype with a puzzled expression before the human could open his mouth. "I was unaware CyberLife had equipped you, Connor."

With a loud snort, the older male threw his head back and laughed. The RK800 merely offered a strained, uncomfortable smile. "They did, and I would like to change the subject."

It was a shame he'd been the one to program you because you absolutely did not change the subject. "Does turning deviant cause you to feel self-conscious? I know that, at least when concerning humans, size tends to be a very fragile topic of conversation."

"I would prefer not to take part in this; being deviant has nothing to do with physical attributes and whether or not I am embarrassed." But the RK800's face was slowly turning a curious shade of violet.

Tilting your head, you just kept going. "I'm sure if you returned to CyberLife, you could request an upgrade to your hardware."

He looked like he was going to bolt and hide, and his partner's raucous laughing didn't help. "I am perfectly content with my build! Where did you learn to taunt like this?!"

With a sweet, disarming smile, you answered, "You designed me."

The male prototype opened his mouth, his LED turning red, then closed his mouth again. ".... For your information, my hardware has no more room for an upgrade, in either capacity."

Before you could snap back again, you received a swift message from the human still laughing behind you. A suggestion, really. "..... that's gross, Dad."

Connor was 100% certain he hadn't felt his face burn so horribly before, but now he was also incredibly confused. "Dad?!"

"Yes. You admitted that you have paternal emotions in regard to my situation. Does this not qualify you to be branded Dad?"

Seeing an android unable to come up with a response, yet visibly trying to, was something of a special occasion for Hank. His laughter had quieted down, watching his partner gesture wildly, trying to come up with something to say. "What's wrong, son? Cat got your tongue?"

"I... I don't..." There was a flash of red from his LED before sparks shot out of both ears for a moment. "..... ow."

"Jesus, you all right?" The lieutenant stood up, concern replacing the humor.

"Yes. I was attempting to come up with some sort of reply, and I believe my wiring overheated and sparked. I am all right, but thank you." Dark eyes stared at you. "...... are you going to continue to call me Dad?"

"Most likely," you smiled gently.

The RK800 looked over at his partner. "I will accept it under the condition that you call him Granddad."

"NO. NO. WE'RE DONE. NO MORE DAD, AND DEFINITELY NOT WHAT YOU SAID. JOKE'S OVER." How curiously fast the human was to retract his suggestion.

Catching your gaze, Connor winked. "You are built to counter Reed. Not myself. Better luck next time, Nove."

Your head tipped to the side again. "I didn't agree to your terms, Dad." The other prototype seemed to... deflate, head hanging and his shoulders slumped. "I believe that, judging by yours and Hank's reactions, this is what one would call two for the price of one."

◇___#$&!___◇

It was well past ten in the morning when something resembling a worthless heap of dog shit finally trudged his way towards his desk. It looked as if he was far beyond hungover, with bloodshot eyes and an unsteady gait as he walked. As soon as Reed saw you sitting beside Connor's desk, however, he froze entirely. The two of you ended up staring at each other, but the male tore his eyes away, sinking into his chair and laying his head down on the desk.

Though you did not move, you stared at Gavin's back, your regulator aching dully beneath your blouse.

Elijah did not figure out why your primary directive remained after you'd gone deviant. It was just one of many questions that had no visible answer.

"Reed!!" The Captain's booming shout startled damn near everyone within earshot... except the detective himself. But Jeff surely knew what he'd done, as he added, "Get in my office. NOW."

It took a tremendous effort to get back to his feet, but your directive managed, glancing back towards you before he headed for the glass office.

[...... he is crying.]

The wires in your body were sending minute pulses through your limbs, and you felt extremely jittery. LED going from yellow to red, your hands clenched.

[I have a choice in this. I do not have to accept this mission any longer. If he is punished, that is only karma.]

[Nove, you are trembling.]

Connor's internal voice made you look over. But it was his face that you didn't see, nor was it his words that filled your memory.

One swift look at Fowler's office said enough, and you shot out of the chair before you could be stopped.

[NOVE, DON'T. What are you doing?!]

[I am pursuing the truth.]

◇___#$&!___◇

"I didn't think I'd have to pull your sorry ass in here so quickly, but I guess you really never fail to surprise me," the Captain spat. "Hank told me everything he knew, and I'm sure if I asked Connor, he'd tell me even more. And now I've got Elijah Kamski himself escorting that girl." Leaning forward, he added, "You got anything to say, or are you just gonna sit there and look pathetic, Reed?"

His eyes were burning, and had been for hours. Eli had been right, of course: he was too much of a coward to approach you. Even if Hank and Connor hadn't been there almost guarding you. Gavin hadn't been able to sleep, knowing he couldn't close his eyes without seeing you cry again.

I'm a fucking bastard.

Sitting back, Fowler nodded to himself. "Pathetic it is, then. Fine. I gave you a fair warning, and you decided to ignore it." When the detective still didn't react, he scoffed. "Badge. Now."

Pressing his mouth together hard, if only to prevent his jaw from shaking, Reed shifted in his seat and reached for his badge in his pocket.

It was still in his grasp when the office door was flung open. "Captain Fowler, please let me speak before you relieve Detective Reed of duty," you spoke in a firm tone, standing beside your directive with your hands behind your back.

Both males were too flabbergasted to react at first. So instead, you turned and held your hand out for Reed's badge, which he slowly placed into your open palm. His hazel eyes did not tear away from your expression: assertive, calm, and... there. For him. Or at least that was what it looked like.

Eyebrows high, Jeff snapped himself back to the present with a shake of his head. "Miss Nove... Okay, I'm gonna need some context here. You're deviant because of this scumbag. And you're here to stop me from firing him?"

"That decision is still up in the air, Captain, but I have a request before it is finalized." With Gavin's badge in one hand, you reached into an inner pocket of your coat and pulled out two bright white squares. "I request that Detective Reed be subject to a polygraph test. I would like the test to go on record, as well." Your head turned enough to the detective beside you, who hadn't quite looked away. He was a fucking mess, but... you were there. "I want to know what his motives were, and why he acted the way he did." Both hands went up a little, as if offering the choice: the test or his job.

His heart was pounding so fucking hard, staring from one of your hands to the other, and then into your eyes.

The Captain was mostly speechless, to be honest. "I don't see how a polygraph test would change anything."

"He has shown opposing motives. So regardless of which was honest, he is hiding something." There was a pause. "... if my calculations are accurate, I may wish to offer him one chance." His hands twitched by half an inch. "I am in the unusual situation of having my primary directive remain, even after turning deviant. And if Detective Reed reveals himself to be both remorseful and accepting of my presence at his core..." There was the tiniest hint of a smile, but it could've been his imagination. "... then I formally request suspension for a short duration. If his presence must be supervised in my company, that is acceptable, as well. But I want the truth, Captain Fowler."

There was a heavy sigh as Jeff sat back, arms crossed. In the corner of his eye, he could see both the lieutenant and his partner standing outside the office, just as confused. "You realize that you were treated like shit, Miss Nove?"

"No worse than other androids in his company, sir. Connor was a particularly favorite victim of his upon his arrival, if I am not mistaken. And Connor had willingly designed me for Detective Reed despite that."

"...... I can't believe I'm saying this." Fowler glared at the detective, though not quite as intensely. "Well? It's your choice."

"I'll take the polygraph," Gavin choked out. "... please."

Call me out in front of the precinct, I don't care. Ask me what you want. It's whatever.

....... you came running for me.