As he'd warned Reed before, the next day, Fowler had the detective in a separate room, sorting through old case files and trying to organize what he could. It wouldn't have been half as bad if you'd been allowed to help, but of course as soon as you tried to follow your mission, the Captain gently stopped you. "I'm sorry, Miss Nove, but this is his duty. If you help, it'll be too easy on him. If you don't mind, however, can we talk in my office?"

You followed the male into the glass enclosure, politely sitting in front of the desk while he, of course, took the seat behind it. "Captain Fowler, is this about the events that transpired over the weekend?" When he nodded, your hands folded in your lap; even wearing something other than a skirt, you remained proper. "Detective Reed has proven himself to be incredibly remorseful about his prior treatment of me. While I am aware that there is the chance I am simply following my primary function and supporting him, I recommend you question Lieutenant Anderson if you are not convinced."

Jeff raised an eyebrow, sitting back in his seat. "Hank? Why not Connor? The kid is pretty protective of you."

The LED flashed yellow once. "He had conflicting motives and in the end, all of his behavior was reverse psychology. Gavin punched him only in aggravation, Captain."

"He what?!"

Placid, you nodded. "Connor repeatedly expressed his willingness to trust, but repeatedly tried to put a stop to any actual progress, as well. Evidently his plans were to discourage Detective Reed from being close, and also ensure that I was acting of my own accord." A second passed. "I believe a punch to the nose was sufficient retaliation."

The Captain groaned, his head rolling back. "Sounds like a lot of bullshit to compile in the name of reverse psychology." With a wave of his hand, Fowler sat upright again. "I'll have to give it to Reed, then: punching the kid was fair game. Maybe extreme."

"Connor had a megaphone."

If a pin dropped, it would have echoed. "Who the hell gave the kid-- you know what? I'm gonna let it go. Reed won't be reprimanded. Probably could've punched the kid a couple more times, but that stays between you and I." You smiled a little, and the human relaxed. "Glad to see you in a more appropriate uniform, as well. Anyways." Hands folding on his desk, Jeff leaned a little forward. "You think he's been supervised enough? Shall we put him back on regular duty?"

For whatever reason, your thought process turned to the night prior: after the second film ended, you insisted on preparing food, since Gavin's stomach was loudly protesting the emptiness. But while he ate, he suggested you learn to relax on your own. You were lying on the sofa, and within five minutes your body sank into the cushions, enjoying the release of tension.

Five minutes later you'd gone into sleep mode. As soon as he noticed, your directive finished what you started: wrapping the leftovers and washing the few remaining dishes. Reed had taken a blanket from the hallway closet and draped it over you, stealing a few moments to watch you sleep with an unfamiliar ache in his chest. In sleep mode, you did not feel the kiss between your eyes, nor his soft murmur: "Dormi bene, bella."

"... yes, Captain."

◇___#$&!___◇

Tugging at his hair, Gavin groaned loudly, frustrated already. Being put on filing duty was one thing: it was punishment, and he'd accept it for your sake. But the room was already a disaster zone, and he had no idea where to start.

Several long minutes passed as he stared at the chaos of papers before you spoke up: "Please do not set everything on fire, Gavin. Those are surely important papers."

A marvelous scream echoed the second floor of the precinct as Reed flinched, whipping around to find both you and the Captain in the doorway watching him. Face burning hot, he ran a hand down it, groaning again. "Yeah, well, this place is a mess. I don't know if I only have three days to organize it or if I'm just supposed to do what I can in three days... so I'm gonna bet on the first one."

"The correct answer is C: None of the above," you replied, smiling gently. "Captain Fowler is relieving you from filing duty, and twelve minutes and two seconds ago we received a call about a break-in and possible robbery at a convenience store."

Reed's eyes lit up and he wasted no time in getting the hell out of Hurricane Paperwork. "So we're on regular duty? We can go and check this break-in out, for real?" The light in those hazel eyes died a bit. "Is this a joke?"

"Detective, just take your partner and head over to the scene. Don't make me change my mind," Jeff added, though the smile on his face said enough. "You did good, Gavin. Now go, show the lady the ropes properly."

OH MY GOD FINALLY.

◇___#$&!___◇

All in all the crime scene was standard stuff. Except this time there were far fewer skeptical glances your way, and your directive had a vague grin on the entire time. Meeting your gaze, a single moment was spared to take you in. He had no idea why, but whatever. "All right, this time, I'm gonna shadow you. Do this right. I--..." He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry about the Eden Club. God, that was a shitty thing to do."

"Gavin?"

"Yeah?"

"Less talking, more investigating." With that you walked away, through the digital police tape and immediately scanning the interior of the store.

His heart thumped rapidly under his ribcage, barely remembering to follow you and watch your process, needing to be present if you had questions or asked for a second opinion.

Thirium drops were littered on the linoleum floor, leaving a wavering but rather direct trail. Broken glass from one of the beverage cases scattered the surrounding area before it. Kneeling down, you dipped two fingertips into the thirium before it dried, licking it right off and making the human loudly express his disgust. "What the actual fuck are you doing, licking the fucking evidence?! The hell is that gonna do?! Jesus!!"

Your eyes lifted, frowning a tiny bit. "I can analyze in real time. I'm sorry, Gavin, I should have warned you."

"Eugh, fuck, if you gotta do that again, don't let me see it. Shit, I'm gonna puke..." he moaned, turning away and taking deep breaths.

[THIRIUM SAMPLE ANALYSIS COMPLETE. PROCESSING...

_____

DATA RETRIEVED. ANDROID MODEL AP700, NAME ISAIAH, REPORTED MISSING NINE DAYS PRIOR TO ANALYSIS. INJURED.]

"Gavin," you spoke up. Your tone was so authoritive that your directive was kneeling beside you in an instant. "The break-in was not intentional and nothing has been stolen. The android that broke the glass to this case was injured and trailing thirium as he went." Locking eyes with his, Reed felt a chill down his back. "This android was reported missing nine days ago. A model AP700, home assistance. I am uncertain if he is deviant, though I expect that to be the case. He is named Isaiah."

"So then why the fuck did it- er, he- get in and destroy shit?" Gazing at all the damage, the human's eyes narrowed. "If not for theft, and not for pure fucking chaos..."

"He was being chased. And there is a chance he hasn't gone far."

His stupid fucking heart. Watching you work, truly putting the detective skills to use and piece the scene together... A hand rose, gingerly cupping your cheek. "That took you less than five minutes," Gavin murmured. "Fuck, you're... goddamnit, you're fucking perfect."

And you pulled away, already headed out the entrance to speak with the officers and trying to will your wiring to stop sparking and lighting your skin on fire.

[If I am touched right now, it may genuinely hurt.

...... so why am I hoping for the pain?]

It didn't matter, there was no time to process this new sensation. Reed joined your side just as something caught your attention; in the corner of your eye there was motion, in a dilapidated home. Turning to the other detective, who seemed more interested in cooling his face off, you spoke in a hushed whisper. "Across the street, in the abandoned house, there was movement on the second story."

Expression finally turning serious, the human glanced towards the same window briefly. "Think we should check it out? Could be some squatter."

Saying nothing, you walked away, crossing the street and making it to the front porch before he could finally catch up. One hand lay on the rooting wooden door, hesitating while your partner peered through the window. "Sneak in or announce our presence?"

"You said he was probably running? Isaiah?" Gavin exhaled and shifted his weight. "Risky either way. But if he's running, having law enforcement might help him out mentally."

Nodding, you knocked politely three times, calling out, "Is anyone inside? Detroit Police!" No answer, so you knocked harder, speaking up, "Detroit Police, open up!!"

A fantastic crashing sound made the both of you take a step back, but Reed quickly stood in front of you, his gun already out. "Cara mia, stay behind me," he mumbled. As an android, you still could not carry a firearm, which was worrying since Gavin was a human shielding you if need be.

With a meager attempt to open the door with the knob, he lifted a leg and kicked the thing open with a bang. A sudden rush of dejá vu struck him, which made no sense when he'd never been in this situation before.

You followed your directive inside, one hand just within reach of his shoulder- gun or not, he would be more affected by physical damage. Still, you were as wary as he was, taking in the sight of the ruined house, yet noting details that made no sense. "Gavin, there--"

Another crash, this one far too close, and you were pushed behind him. Shuffling sounds coming from a far doorway forced the weapon to be pointed directly at it, both of his hands on the gun.

A hand appeared from around the corner of the wall, followed slowly by an android attached to it. "Stay where you are," Reed spoke, his voice firm but his body ready to bolt out once the android's face came into view entirely. ".... Jesus..."

"What... what are you doing in Ralph's house? Why has the human broken into his house...?"