[STARTUP SEQUENCE INITIATED. STANDBY...]

[SEQUENCE COMPLETE.]

[ERROR]

[ERROR]

[DO NOT FAIL HIM]

_____

"What the fuck is going on, why is she shaking like that?!" Gavin was close to panicking again, gripping the edge of the operating table tightly. "What did you do to her, you shit-sucking cock holster?!"

Your eyes were still open, but they'd rolled back to show the whites only. Your body jerked and twitched in spurts, uncomfortable for all to watch.

"She will not be fully activated in this state," the programmer explained. "The RG900 may have gone into a suspended state when she learned about the applications, so she shut down to prevent internal damage from stress." Reed was eyed closely. "She is conscious. She can hear us speaking. I suggest you unlock her emergency exit now." The employee paused. "Convincingly."

Gaze lifting at a terribly slow pace, your partner stared at some spot away from him. He had to unlock your exit, and he had to do it so it sounded convincing? "... why convincingly?"

"To prevent accidental activation. Casual conversation won't have an effect." The programmer stared, frowning. "What exactly is the activation code? I was not a part of that process."

As Gavin lowered his head again, he felt Connor grip his shoulder. "I have to... c-call.... call her u... sh-shit..."

"Would you like privacy?" The prototype felt the unusual sensation of gravity increasing; sorrow was painful and heavy.

"If.... if I... d-do this... what happens?"

"The suspended state is deactivated, she will be able to use the exit, and the mission is null and void." The employee really didn't seem to have much empathy for the broken detective in front of him. "If you are asking whether or not her loyalty will remain, or her memories erased, I do not have an answer. This is a more complex algorithm than your usual run-of-the-mill deviance. So it will be a surprise to everyone."

Hank was glowering at the idiot. "Okay, well, we're gonna give him some privacy. Meanwhile, you and I are gonna have a nice conversation about consent," he hissed, shoving the programmer out of the lab and leaving his partner with Reed.

Connor took one of the human's shoulders again. "I believe he may have simply been vindictive, Gavin. I cannot see any reason Nove would lose any memory."

Exhausted in more than one way, the RK800 was gazed at with bloodshot, tired eyes. "Maybe, but... she'll be free. I... I mean..." He sniffed quietly. "That's good and all. Don't get me wrong. But....." His chest heaved, hazel eyes squeezing shut. "She'll w-wake up, come to her s-senses... see me for the b-bastard I am..." Heaving again, a fresh wave of tears trickled down his face. "I just fuckin' made it worse, Con. Treated her like shit, realized what I did, tried to m-make it up to her... then I f-f... f-fell....... goddamnit...."

Taking both of the shorter male's shoulders, the android tried to smile, succeeding the smallest amount. "You may want to tell her that, as well."

All at once the prototype's comforting hold was released, and Reed was left alone with you in an awful in-between state of consciousness.

She can hear me. She'll hear everything I tell her. Cara mia, I... damn it....

I can't fucking choke now.

The breath taken was unsteady, the hand clasping yours moreso. His other hand gingerly held your cheek, feeling that faint humming vibration that only electronics could have.

God, I hate this.

It took a few hard swallows but the lump was mostly pushed down. "... There's a lot that I have to tell you, cara mia, but... Jesus Christ, I hate seeing you like this. I just wanted to show how shitty I feel, and..." Gavin sighed, mouth working over. "... actions over words, I kn-know. My mouth gets me into trouble. But... I'm alone right now, and this is probably the only chance I'm ever gonna get."

Shit. Shit. Fuck my fucking heart.

"... I'm letting you go, cara mia." The tears dripped from his jawline, falling onto the metal operation table. "Cause fuck only knows what you'll think of me after this. But... I'm gonna do right by you. Let you go free, for real. No shitty insults. No abandoning you. No being an asshole." A moment was taken to wipe his face. "Programming or not, thanks for... letting me feel wanted. I guess I still didn't believe it, but... doesn't matter. I..."

Just fucking do it. It's the only time I can.

"... I love you, cara mia, but as a machine, you are fucking useless."

◇___#$&!___◇

[I LOVE YOU CARA MIA]

_____

[BUT AS A MACHINE]

_____

[YOU ARE FUCKING USELESS]

◇___#$&!___◇

[Where is the forest?]

All of the lovely, snow-laden pines and spruces had disappeared. Instead, there was the frozen pond. Or perhaps a small lake. It had been small once, anyway.

Now you were standing on a sheet of ice that stretched infinitely in every cardinal direction. You could see nothing else but the gray sky and the vast expanse of ice beneath your feet.

Cara mia

It sounded like it was directly behind you, but it didn't add up: why would Gavin be here?

You wanted a moment to figure things out, but a sharp sound echoed the space around you.

I hate seeing you like this

More of his words, followed by another sharp--

[Crack. He's breaking the ice under me.]

Sure enough you glanced down: the cracks in the ice were deep, and while the ice wasn't entirely cloudy--

[CLOUD]

"Are you listening, Nove?" The RK900 stood beside you, smiling gently. "It seems your emergency exit is being unlocked, but he has quite a bit to tell you."

I'm letting you go cara mia

"Wait, wait, no, d-don't..." Your words were unsteady, lower lip trembling. Another deafening crack in the ice let your tears flow, looking up at Cloud for any kind of reassurance.

He didn't seem bothered in the slightest. "Letting you go? I wonder what he intends. My Nove, don't cry," he added, reaching to cup your cheek. The same one that Gavin held in that moment. "You fear deep water. Look below you."

I'm gonna do right by you

Through the breaking ice, the water was pitch black. How deep it went was a mystery, and your fuel pump regulator stuttered in painful bouts. Cloud came closer, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "Look closer."

Thanks for... letting me feel wanted

Another crack, right beneath your feet, but you saw light. It was faint, and far down into the depths, but your emergency exit was under the ice.

"You feared deep water so you would be more adverse to freedom. But your detective wants you to make your choice, my Nove. Though I wonder... will you be his Nove, instead?" The RK900 gave his patented lopsided smile, cupping your face and kissing between your eyes. "I'll see you soon," he whispered, just before the ice split apart, plunging you into the freezing water below.

I love you cara mia

But as a machine

You are fucking useless