"... Hank, may I ask you--"

"--a personal question? Better than anyone I know," Hank finished for him, chuckling to see his partner's startled expression. "Anyways. What is it, Connor?"

Trying to process the interruption quickly, the RK800 blinked wildly, removing the error windows from his vision. "How... I need to phrase this in a way that makes sense." Glancing away for a long couple of seconds, Connor finally turned back to his partner. "Do you feel... protective of those close to you?"

Typically the "personal questions" were weird or even gross. This felt out of the ordinary, so much so that the lieutenant stopped what he was typing to sit back in his chair. "... well, yeah. I do. Kinda comes with the territory, kid. How come?"

The android tried to smile, but his mouth was tight. "I believe that is what I'm currently experiencing. I've realized that I am astoundingly protective, and it would certainly explain quite a bit."

Eyebrows high, Hank sat up a little. "Protective. Over who? New girl?" His partner nodded. "...... kinda hits you hard, doesn't it? Wanting her to make her own decisions and also wanting to interfere. Probably harder since you designed her."

Nodding slowly, Connor's eyes were cast downward. "I believe I have made her drive too strong. Or perhaps it is too early for her to be curious about deviance. But she is vehemently against straying from Gavin."

With a sigh heavier than he'd have liked, the older male also nodded. "Yeah, well, here's to hoping he gets his head outta his ass. Otherwise he's gonna have a fuckin' mess on his hands."

"I cannot sit back and let him treat her poorly, Hank," the android added, an edge to his typically mild tone. "I know that she is designed to withstand him, but developing it and physically watching it unfold are two separate algorithms."

"Hey," the human mumbled softly, leaning over a bit. "I know, okay? It was tough watching you reason with yourself and try to avoid deviating. But remember why she's here in the first place: he wants his brother happy." Hank sighed heavily. "It's one seriously expensive present, but it might work out."

Opening his mouth to respond, motion nearby caught the prototype's attention. Gavin had returned, somewhat hurried, returning back to his desk and honing in on his computer.

He was alone.

Hank and his mechanical adopted son shared a look. "Switch, Connor. I'll go, you stay here."

Nodding once, the android got to his feet, straightening his tie. "Interrogation room two?"

"Sure. Be careful," the human added, standing and making his way out of the precinct. "What the fuck are you doing, you goddamn idiot...?" he muttered, more to himself, as he slid behind the wheel of his car.

Dark eyes waited and made sure that the good lieutenant was gone before the RK800 leisurely made his way towards Detective Reed. "Back so soon, Gavin," Connor asked softly, standing nearby. "Simple solution, I assume?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Definitely. Found the android. No harm, no foul." The human detective barely glanced over, glued to whatever he was typing up. From what the android could see, it was an email.

"You found the missing android, what a relief. How strange. I read the incident report myself..." Creeping closer where he could not be seen, Connor's hands went behind his back. "It clearly stated that surveillance footage showed the android fleeing with the suspect northwest. They passed by several other businesses with similar security camera set-ups."

Hands slowing to a stop, Reed's face darkened, his head turning an inch or two. "What are you implying, Dyson?"

The RK800 had lowered his head to hover directly beside the human's; when he spoke, the shorter male flinched badly. "Where is she, Reed?!"

Pissed off now that he'd gotten jumpscared, Gavin's upper lip curled back. "Well, if the fucking stolen android kept going, why are you asking where she went? Fine, I admit I didn't find her, what's your fucking point?"

He moved too swiftly for Reed to react; the android snatched the human's collar, spinning and shoving his back against his desk. Connor's grip on his collar was like steel, pinning his victim in place. He was fuming, LED flashing a bright red. "The stolen android was a male, so cease your false ignorance! What have you done with our RG900, Reed?!"

Letting out a soft chuckle, Gavin managed to shrug. "Not sure. Don't care. Didn't want it in the first place, so it's no skin off my back. I'm sure other bastards can find a use for it."

The words replayed in the prototype's system until he saw red. But there was no blind rage; Connor was calm. Frighteningly so. Indicator going yellow for four seconds, it turned blue at last before he yanked his fellow detective from the desk, pulling him all the way down the hall towards the interrogation rooms. The human thrashed and swore to his heart's content, but all for naught: he was quickly cuffed to the metal table.

Watching his suspect still thrashing uselessly, the RK800 offered his vague smile. "Don't waste your energy, Gavin. Hank will go and retrieve your partner, and I'm sure by then we'll have company."

"The fuck are you gonna do, give me a polygraph?! You think that's gonna do anything you plastic asshole?!"

Hands flat on the table, the android leaned in. "I don't have any intention on giving you a polygraph test, Detective Reed. This is just to keep you in place, in the likely event that your partner and/or brother have some choice words for you."

◇___#$&!___◇

Error messages were thrown in your vision every ten seconds, but for the first time you were conflicted. There was a case to solve, the broken glass was still in your sights, but instead of examining every piece of evidence you could find, you sat immobile in a chair.

The Eden Club owner had taken pity on you, asking you kindly to sit on the side so you could gather yourself to figure out your next step. She had refused Reed's offer, of course, but it hadn't stopped him from insisting and then booking it out of the club. Before you were able to question his leave, that is.

The android on the pole nearby kept glancing at you; whether curiosity or pity, you cared for neither. Still unsure if you could honestly feel any strong emotions, you were all too aware that you had been abandoned.

[I do not know why I remain here. My duty as a detective keeps me near the crime scene... but my primary directive is gone.]

You knew that if you tried to contact Gavin, he'd ignore it.

[He is so adamant on being rid of me.]

^ ^ ^ [SoFtwARe iNStAbiLiTY] ^ ^ ^

[Stop. Please.]

Nearly two hours had passed before a figure approached you. "Hey, sweetheart, you all right?" Lieutenant Anderson. He knelt down in front of you, a saddened expression on his face. It was preferable to the pity, anyway. "Come on. I'll take you back, we can, uh... beat the shit outta him if you'd like."

Eyes darting to the broken glass again, you didn't move otherwise. "I am sorry, I shouldn't leave the crime scene. We were called here to investigate and--"

"Really?" His voice went deadpan. "We've got plenty of others to take care of this. Your partner just left you here, sweetheart. Now let's go back so you can show me all the fun clapback stuff Connor had programmed," he added, grinning. As he stood back up, he held out a hand for you as support. His grin was returned, a tiny bit, as you let him help you up. "There we go. Don't worry, we'll make sure he gets it through his fucking skull this time. You're still wanting to help him, right?"

"Yes, Lieutenant."

You hadn't deviated, even now. "I figured. Well, don't worry. You can show me all your tricks, and afterwards his brother can rip him a new asshole."

The two of you walked towards the entrance to the club; Hank pulled his phone out to request new officers to the scene while he returned you. "You've already contacted Elijah Kamski, then, Lieutenant?"

"Yup. Called him on my way over here. He's fuckin' pissed. So's Connor, by the way." Hank turned a thought over in his head. "Hey, uh... you have any idea why you were made in the first place? Not your mission, just... the reason behind it."

Shaking your head, you quietly thanked the human when he opened the passenger side door for you. "I don't, Hank," you answered once he'd gotten behind the wheel.

"Well, I think we're about to find out."