I really wish I wasn't so goddamn picky.

Having shut himself into the room containing lost items, Gavin was frowning deep as he dug through the clothing. Most of it was questionable just on principle, but there was also the fact that he hated the warmer seasons, as well. The wound throbbed, and the human cursed to himself before finally locating a button-down that would have to do. It was still on a hanger, so it didn't look shitty, and until he could make it back home, the sleeves would be rolled up.

Finally presentable, Reed checked his phone to see that barely a few minutes had passed.

Coffee first. Holy shit, coffee. Maybe a painkiller, too; my face is killing me. Nove's recording the interview so I can just listen to it later if I need to.

Even with a gash along the side of his face, the detective had his hands stuffed into his pockets, whistling softly as he headed for the waiting area. Whether it was the bandaged injury, the neatly-done shirt, or the whistling itself, he didn't know. Gavin only noted that he was turning heads.

And, this time, it felt positive.

"Holy shit, did you get some kinda miracle breakthrough already?" Hank watched the shorter male stroll in, looking... happy. "How bad's that cut?"

"Eh. I'll live. Just gotta be careful. Which means that she'll watch me like a hawk so I don't start bleeding again," Reed answered, grinning as he let the espresso machine work its magic. "She's interviewing the kid now, guess he was being chased by somebody."

The sound of swift running down the hallway was familiar. So was the frightened shout that followed. But it was what the RK800 cried out that felt all wrong. "GAVIN!!!" The prototype skidded to a stop at the threshold, red light blinking at his temple. "Gavin-- Nove shut down, I do n--"

Neither the android nor his partner were sure they'd ever seen the shorter detective move that quickly. He reached the interrogation room in record time, seeing the AP700 kneeling beside you.

You were immobile, LED dark, eyes left open in a horrified trance.

No no no no no

Not now

NOT NOW

"Cara mia, come on, don't do this," Reed mumbled, dropping to his knees and lifting your head off of the floor. Fingers brushed your indicator, pressing the button, knowing that at least doing so should wake any android.

Except for you, it seemed.

"We hadn't even gotten to the interview," Isaiah spoke up, on his feet and visibly nervous. "She sent him to get supplies for my shoulder, and we spoke about her new activation." His deep eyes cast aside. "I explained the label of the Stepford Wife that we, as manufactured models, give to custom ones like her. Then the other detective came back, and she deactivated out of nowhere."

As the android spoke, your directive was only partially listening, still attempting to rouse you before he panicked. But his hazel eyes narrowed, features darkening to something that overshadowed any height difference as he slowly turned to stare. "And what is a Stepford Wife?" Gavin asked slowly.

Not keen on meeting the human's eyes, the AP700 answered quietly. "It's a satirical label. The original definition is derogatory, meaning a woman who is her husband's ideal partner down to the smallest detail. The Stepford Wife is docile and submissive and devotes herself entirely to the stereotype of a perfect wife."

Even after all the shit I did, she stuck by her mission. But that's different.

...... isn't it?

"Satirical label. Right. Anything else you want to say before I stand up and beat the answers out of you?" In the open doorway, Connor made a motion to try and stop him, but Hank held his arm out... for the moment. Gavin paid no mind regardless.

"She is the most expensive android known. The Stepford Program is CyberLife's next step; custom androids are highly sought after, but the level of detail put into her build is unheard of. I apologize if this sickens you, Detective, but your partner is different. She was designed for you and you alone, correct? If CyberLife is allowing a third-party group to merge and develop these custom androids... you may want to start asking questions."

Quite close to either screaming or vomiting, whichever came out first, Reed snatched the android by the collar with the hand not supporting your head. The tears running down his face were ignored. "What the f-fuck are you saying? What did you tell her? What did you fucking tell her?!"

"That she's exactly your type. And we basic models believe it's not coincidence. Customization only goes so far, sir; the Stepford models can only be altered physically. Their programming is not much different." The AP700's lovely voice went quiet. "Exactly how devoted is she?"

◇___#$&!___◇

Nevermind the fact that he could barely see through the tears, Gavin carried you like a bride as he stormed his way into CyberLife, Hank and Connor having to trot to keep up with him.

"Who the fuck is responsible for this Stepford bullshit?!" he screeched, face a splotchy red in his rage. With the tears and the bandaged wound, he looked nothing short of unstable.

The poor service android at the front desk looked ready to call for security until Hank swiftly pulled his badge out to show her. "Look, sorry for the screaming, but we have a problem with..." he trailed off, making a vague motion towards you, still shut down. "She won't power on again, and we have questions."

From the viewpoint of a casual onlooker, the human on the verge of a meltdown was being unreasonable. Androids, even specialty ones, shut down from time to time. Computers did the same, so the tears were unnecessary. But the shutdown wasn't his biggest threat.

Stepford models aren't this advanced... parts from the RK900 were used... detective prototype, designed for me specifically...

... was all of it your damn programming?

That final question broke the dam, and Reed lowered his head, sobbing and ignorant to his surroundings. He didn't know how or when, but he soon found himself in some pristine white android lab, having laid you on the operating table and refusing to step back. The employee or technician or whoever- he didn't care- stood patiently on the other side. When his presence was finally noticed and the detective raised his head, the employee nodded once. "I understand you have questions. I am the programmer for the RG900, and will be happy to answer them."

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Your directive's face tried to break several times, but his hand groped and found yours; though lifeless, he clung to it.

"I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific."

"I'm asking why she won't fucking boot back up! Why did another android call her a fucking Stepford Wife and made her shut down?! Why the fuck is she still following her goddamn mission after turning deviant?! WHY DID YOU PROGRAM HER TO NEVER ABANDON ME AND MAKE ME BELIEVE SHE CHOSE ME ON HER OWN?!?!"

To his credit, the programmer stayed calm as he was screamed at. When the shorter human burst into agonizing sobs that wracked his body to the core, the lieutenant and his partner quietly approached. The prototype saw to Gavin, while Hank sighed to himself and addressed the employee. "What he's trying to ask is, was she developed to follow her mission no matter what? Like, was it intentional?"

The mere fact that the programmer sighed and rubbed the space between his eyes said enough. "The RG900 was a specialty android. Not only was the unused RK900 recycled and altered to suit this smaller frame, but we wanted to test some newer applications. One of them was, in fact, the persistence of a primary directive after deviance."

"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!" Reed roared, having to be physically held back by Connor before the human lunged across the operating table. "LET ME GO, I'LL FUCKING TEAR HIM APART!!! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!! YOU DID THIS TO ME, YOU... made h-her... m-made her lie... t-t...." He nearly collapsed, reaching for your cold hand once more and letting his crying replace words.

"... I think now would be a good time to fix this shit," the lieutenant muttered. "Using a prototype to experiment new applications without consent is fuckin' illegal now, buddy. So guess what?" Out came his badge again, and the color drained from the male's face. "First, you're gonna boot her up again. Second, you're gonna go in and fix all that shit you decided to test with her. And third, you better come up with a way to make sure she's all right." Pointing towards your partner, Hank added, "He is fucking destroyed because of your "experimental" shit. She was a goddamn gift, she went deviant, and still wanted his company. Now we find out that it was still just programming?" His hands reached and snatched the programmer's collar. "You just made yourself a whole lot of trouble, buddy. Now BOOT HER UP AND PRAY TO GOD SHIT'S THE SAME."

The moment he was let go the employee stammered a half-assed response, turning to the computer terminal after plugging you into it. After three minutes of rapid typing, however, the male glanced back at the other three- namely Gavin. "I am able to boot her up, but the program cannot be accessed yet."

"The hell do you mean, it can't be accessed yet?! Unlock the goddamn thing," the lieutenant answered, since the other human was still sobbing quietly.

"She has gone deviant, that is the case, but she has not gained access to her emergency exit." That was enough to get Reed to quiet down, staring at the employee with bloodshot eyes. "An android's emergency exit allows them to abandon their directive. The RG900's exit remains locked." He gazed pointedly at Gavin. "If it is unlocked, and the exit is used, the program deletes itself and frees the prototype entirely. I believe the reason it has not been accessed is the fact that you believe it locks something else."

Stomach sinking under the floor, the miserable detective gazed at you on the table, completely lifeless. His stupid heart ached terribly. "..... s-so.... if I w-want her free... I have... I have t-to..."

Call me useless.