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[STATUS: ErRoR]

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[STATUS: CARA MIA]

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"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST ON A UNICYCLE!!!" Gavin jerked back so hard he basically flung himself onto the white tiled floor. As soon as you were freed, you booted up properly-- and sat bolt upright, giving the human a heart attack. "Holy shit... I... fuck... y.... ca--... Nove?"

There was a thick wire plugged into the back of your neck, but otherwise you felt almost the exact same. Seeing Reed on the floor, you tilted your head and twisted his stomach at the same time. "...... have you brought me to CyberLife?"

"Y-yeah. Um..." As he got to his feet, the male rubbed the back of his neck, making it a point not to fawn over you. Or look at you whatsoever. "You, uh... shut down. Couldn't boot you up, cause you were in some weird suspended state. But... you're okay now, right?"

Reed was staring at the floor, turned away and looking absolutely devastated while also trying to hide the fact.

"Yes, I am completely functional, Gavin," you replied, noting his hands twitch at hearing his name. "... why are you avoiding looking at me?"

"I'm not, I'm worn out and I'm waiting for that jackass to come back and unplug you so we can fucking leave." Still avoiding seeing you, his attempt at a biting tone fell flat. Weeks ago it would have been natural; now he felt like he'd forgotten how to be nasty to you.

Looking down at your hands in your lap, you were well aware that Reed was genuinely trying to put distance between the two of you. He'd given you the freedom to choose, unaware that he was your only desired option in the end. "...... I heard you speaking to me." This time hazel eyes flicked in your direction. "Your words... allowed me to reach my emergency exit. And for that, I thank you deeply."

Shifting his weight, Gavin shoved his hands into his pockets, unaware that even with his defeated mentality, the dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up made him far more attractive than usual. "Yeah, uh... you're welcome. Happy to... y'know... help."

Seeing his defeat hurt deeply, yet you knew that he was not the type to believe you if you simply stated what you wanted. "I do not know if you recall speaking to me about giving me a name. I mentioned that if given one, I can digitally alter my android jacket to reflect your choice."

At long fucking last the detective looked towards you... still fairly unhappy, but maybe less so. "So... what, you finally settling on Nove?"

"Please unplug me first," you asked. Obviously hesitant, Reed approached and took hold of the plug, detaching it from your neck with surprising gentleness.

But from where you sat on the table, your partner had to go behind you, leaving no choice but for him to see your newly updated jacket. Where the model number would be had been replaced entirely:

[GAVIN'S]
[ C A R A  M I A ]

"What the fuck, that's not a na--" Cutting himself off, he lowered his head, fist pressed to his mouth to prevent the inevitable. ".... h-h-hold on... y.... I let you go, y-your damn mission..."

"My mission is no longer my mission. I am free to make my own choices. You gave me that freedom, despite knowing it meant I may leave." You turned around to face him, seeing his shoulders shaking. "Did you assume you weren't an option?"

"I am never an option. Never. Goddamnit, why are you doing this? Did I do it wrong again? Wasn't letting you go enough to show how fucking terrible I feel?"

Reed was hiding behind his walls again, so you fell quiet until he'd finished ranting at you. Taking his hands, you smiled a little. "It was more than enough, but you've unintentionally changed my goal. I have no mission, but... I have a desire. To help you break down your walls. They are why you are trying to push me away again, but... I won't let you." Grinning, you added, "After all, I have plenty of ways to counter you. So every time you attempt to push, I will simply take your hands and remind you that you told me you loved me."

FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK

"Please try not to blush so deeply, I'm unsure if your wound will bleed again."

◇___#$&!___◇

Since he wasn't a living computer, Reed had no way of accurately guessing how much time had passed. So when he finally emerged from the CyberLife facility, walking beside you, seeing half a dozen cop cars and news station reps swarming the front gave him a shock. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Hank may or may not have uncovered what you would call a web of lies," Connor answered, standing on the male's other side. "He intended to arrest Nove's programmer on the basis of non-consentual experimentation, but as it turns out... she is not the only one."

"You're kidding," Gavin mumbled, watching what looked like more than half of the precinct all storming into the building. Out of instinct he reached and took your hand, wanting to keep you close, just in case.

When you laced your fingers with his, the human managed a genuine smile.

The RK800 guided the three of you aside, out of the warpath of law enforcement. "The Stepford Program involves a third-party technology company, but it seems their intentions were... less than ideal." Dark eyes closed, LED a solid yellow. "We have reason to believe that every android they've created are programmed the way Nove was. That even turning deviant will not change their drive to fulfill their directive." Opening his eyes, there was a gleam that was pointed at your partner specifically. "There is... one other detail about this new investigation that involves you, Gavin."

"The fuck does that mean? Don't you fucking tell me I'm losing her," Reed bit back, unable to stop the hitch in his voice.

"No, no, Nove is not being taken away," the male prototype answered quickly. "This is a... family affair."

Oh God.

"WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS?!" Knowing Connor, he'd gotten Elijah's arrival down to the exact nanosecond so his explanation would be perfectly dramatic. The taller brother stood before the three of you, face dark and, needless to say, fucking pissed. "I rushed down here because of a call I got from Lieutenant Anderson." His eyes narrowed. "Connor. None of you have any reason to lie to me."

Shaking his head, the RK800 casually stepped out of the way between his creator and the CyberLife doors. "Gavin and Nove will tell you everything, but please address the press, first." Sure enough, Elijah Kamski's swift arrival had drawn attention. "Hank gave you enough details to tell the media."

Running a hand down his face, Eli nodded, stressed out and still trying to rein in his fury. His eyes roamed, landing on his brother's hand clutching your own. "...... stand with me, all three of you," he muttered, turning to the growing crowd with a stoic aura. He stood tall, serious, letting the rage melt into a more appropriate level of anger for the cameras. He'd done this a thousand times before, but for Gavin's sake, it would be a thousand more.

There was no podium, but it didn't matter; Gavin still held your hand, standing aside and a step back from where his brother was. Connor did the same, on the other side. All three of you barely remembered to have your law enforcement badges showing before Kamski started to speak.

"Returning to the empire I had built was supposed to be a bittersweet affair," Elijah began, voice loud and commanding. "I stepped down for several private reasons, but the fact remains that I have influence. When I learned of the Stepford Program, I was wholly supportive. I even requested an android to be developed, myself. Not for me, but for family," he added, gesturing to Reed. "And up until recently, there have been few, if any, complications. But an hour ago I received a call from Detroit's Lieutenant Hank Anderson, about a disturbing development with these Stepford androids." Shifting his weight, the creator took a moment. "We have reason to believe that every customized android has been experimented on. They may have algorithms that prevent them from true liberation." Eli gestured to you, specifically. "This RG900 model turned deviant, yet her mission remained due to an application. A representative, her own programmer, admitted that he installed this application without her knowledge. There was no consent." Frowning just enough, all of the press microphones came closer. "Androids are living beings that do not deserve this kind of treatment. They have earned their rights, but they still fight for respect. So I am reinstating myself as the founder, owner and CEO of CyberLife, starting now. As CEO, my first action is to eliminate the Stepford Program affiliates as a whole. No employee of this third-party organization will remain here, and every individual will be investigated for possible illegal anti-android actions."

While the press reps clamored and shouted questions, demanding more information, Kamski glanced at Reed, raising an eyebrow as if to ask, Ready?

He's gotta be joking...

He was not. Eli looked over the crowd, still frowning. "... your questions may be deferred to my brother, Detective Gavin Reed, and his partner," the tall male remarked before stepping back, hand out towards the two of you.

And sure as shit, the masses turned to your partner, who squeezed your hand. "Thanks, jackass," he spat under his breath.