Reed me until 900 - #8

The precinct buzzed with electric energy, officers darting between desks, phones ringing incessantly, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. It was a hive of activity as everyone prepared for the upcoming operation. Gavin Reed arrived early, though his mind was anything but settled. The events of the previous days lingered like an unwelcome shadow, casting doubt and frustration across his thoughts.

RK900 was already at his desk, reviewing data on a sleek, holographic tablet. His LED was a steady blue, unchanging and impassive as always. Yet, Gavin couldn't shake the feeling that beneath that calm exterior lay something more—something simmering just below the surface.

"Morning, RK. What's on the agenda today?" Gavin asked, taking a sip of his coffee and trying to sound more nonchalant than he felt. He even shortened the android's 'name'.

RK900 looked up, meeting Gavin's gaze with his usual composed demeanour.

"Good morning, Detective Reed. We are scheduled for a strategy meeting with the team to finalize plans for tomorrow's operation. Lieutenant Anderson and RK8...Connor will also join us for a briefing."

Gavin nodded, attempting to mask the unease that prickled at the back of his mind and a strange feeling at how his android partner called Connor.

"Great, a strategy meeting. Just what I needed first thing in the morning," he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes slightly. Yet, he knew how critical this meeting would be.

As they made their way to the conference room, Gavin couldn't help but notice the subtle tension in the air. RK900 walked beside him, an imposing figure of efficiency and precision, but there was something else there—something unspoken that seemed to hang between them like a charged wire.

Inside the conference room, Connor was already seated, his attention divided between the digital notes sprawled across his tablet. Hank Anderson sat next to him, sipping coffee from a large mug and looking as though he had just crawled out of bed.

"About time you showed up," Hank grumbled good-naturedly as Gavin and RK900 took their seats. "So, how's our dynamic duo this morning?"

Gavin shot him a withering look, though a hint of a smirk tugged at his lips.

"Oh, you know, just living the dream."

Connor looked up, offering a polite smile.

"RK900, it's good to see you. We have much to discuss today."

RK900 nodded in acknowledgement.

"Indeed, Connor. Your expertise in dealing with deviants will be invaluable in this operation."

And again... the way he called Connor's name was odd. Even the android and Hank realised that but no one commented on it.

The meeting commenced with a review of the intel gathered so far, focusing on the abandoned warehouse identified as the prime location for the operation. It was a massive structure, located on the outskirts of the city, and believed to be the main hideout of their target.

RK900 and Connor synchronized effortlessly, exchanging information and analyzing potential scenarios with speed and accuracy that left even the seasoned officers in awe. Gavin tried to focus on the details of the operation, but his mind kept drifting back to the growing tension between him and RK900. It was like a game of chess; each move was calculated, and each response was carefully measured. It looked, like even the distance between their elbows on the table was strictly planned by the android.

Throughout the meeting, RK900 found himself grappling with unfamiliar sensations. His programming was designed to be adaptive and efficient, yet there were moments—especially around Gavin—when his systems felt almost… reactive. He processed the data, but alongside the binary calculations were thoughts and considerations that felt out of place. Was this that 'deviation'? Or something else entirely? Maybe something with his programming?

After the meeting concluded, Connor approached RK900, a look of curiosity etched on his friendly features.

"You seemed a bit preoccupied during the briefing. Everything alright?"

RK900 hesitated a fraction of a second which might have gone unnoticed by anyone else.

"I am functioning within normal parameters, yet… recent interactions have presented unexpected variables."

Connor studied him for a moment, a knowing smile touching his lips.

"I went through something similar when I started working closely with Hank. It's part of understanding human interactions. You're evolving, RK900. It's not just your programming; it's you."

RK900 considered Connor's words, but his LED remained a steady blue.

"Evolution implies a change in function. My primary objective remains unchanged."

Connor chuckled softly.

"Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. Just… pay attention to the little things. Sometimes they make the biggest difference."

As Connor turned to rejoin Hank, RK900 found himself pondering the implications of his interactions with Gavin. There was a protectiveness there, an almost possessive instinct that he couldn't quite rationalize. It was more than a duty; it was a desire to ensure Gavin's safety—a desire that went beyond mere protocol.

Meanwhile, Gavin stood in the hallway, trying to shake the cobwebs of doubt from his mind. His thoughts were a turbulent mess of frustration and something else—something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Was it possible that he was beginning to see RK900 as more than just a machine? Even with him acting like the most 'plastic' android in the world?

Lost in thought, he didn't notice RK900 approaching until the android was beside him, his presence a solid, reassuring force.

"Detective, are you prepared for tomorrow's operation?" RK900's voice was steady, devoid of the turmoil that seemed to churn beneath his calm exterior.

Gavin blinked, refocusing on the task at hand.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Just making sure all the pieces are in place."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the air between them charged with a tension that seemed to pulse with its own rhythm. Gavin could feel his heart beating a little faster, and he wondered if RK900 noticed.

"I… appreciate your dedication, RK," Gavin said finally, his voice gruff but sincere. "It's good to have you on the team."

RK900 regarded him with an intensity that made Gavin's breath catch.

"Your safety is important, Detective. Ensuring that you remain unharmed is… a priority."

Gavin's eyes widened slightly, the weight of RK900's words sinking in. Was there more to this android than he had initially thought? The notion was both unsettling and strangely comforting.

"Well, let's not make it a habit of getting into dangerous situations, alright?" Gavin replied, trying to inject some levity into the moment.

RK900 nodded, though his expression remained thoughtful.

"Agreed, Detective. And I am RK900. But I must say that I don't find any problem with being called RK by you." As he walked past Reed, the detective smirked lightly. Yeah, he was starting to get this android... it was his way of saying that he liked how he called him RK.

*

As the day wore on, Gavin and RK900 immersed themselves in preparations for the operation. They coordinated with other officers, ensuring every detail was accounted for, every contingency planned. The meticulous nature of the work left little room for personal reflection, yet Gavin found his thoughts frequently wandering back to RK900.

The android's presence was becoming something that Gavin couldn't quite ignore. Earlier he was annoying him a lot. But now? He started to read into him a bit more and noticed more than probably even the android could.

By the time evening rolled around, Gavin was mentally and physically exhausted. He sat at his desk, staring at the mountain of paperwork that still awaited his attention. Across from him, RK900 worked with tireless efficiency, his focus never wavering.

Gavin sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"You ever get tired, RK?"

RK900 looked up, his face blank and serious as always.

"Fatigue is not within my parameters. My systems are designed for optimal performance at all times."

Gavin chuckled dryly.

"Figures. You're like a damn machine."

For a moment, RK900's blue LED flickered, and Gavin wondered if he had touched a nerve—if androids even had nerves to touch but the colour didn't change.

"I may not experience fatigue, but I am capable of understanding it," RK900 replied, his voice carrying an undercurrent of something that might have been empathy.

Gavin studied him, an odd sensation twisting in his chest.

"You're full of surprises, you know that?"

RK900's lips quirked into what might have been the ghost of a smile if he succeeded... but the little quirk was all Reed got.

"I am continually learning, Detective."

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, the world around them faded into the background. There was a connection between them, something unspoken but undeniably real. It was a realization that both thrilled and terrified Gavin, and he wasn't sure what to make of it.

*

As they prepared to leave for the day to prepare for this night's police action, Gavin found himself hesitating. There was something he wanted to say, something he needed to understand before they faced the challenges of the operation.

"RK," Gavin began, his voice uncharacteristically tentative. "About tonight… just promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to have to explain to Fowler why you ended up in a scrap heap."

RK900 paused, his gaze meeting Gavin's with an intensity that sent a shiver down the detective's spine.

"I assure you, Detective, I have no intention of being incapacitated. Your concern is noted and appreciated."

Gavin swallowed, RK900's words settling over him like a heavy blanket and making him blush... he wanted to make a scene, laugh it off... that he was not worried...

"Yeah, well… just looking out for my partner, I guess." But yeah... today's some honesty time it seems.

RK900 extended his hand, a gesture that had become almost familiar. Gavin hesitated only a moment before grasping it firmly.

"See you tonight, Gavin," RK900 said, his voice low and almost… like an order but in a way that made the man feel a shiver.

"See ya, RK," Gavin replied, his chest tightening with an emotion he couldn't quite name as he felt the android's hand on his tighten lightly, his eyes scanning Gavin or how he smelled some... mint?

As Gavin drove home, the events of the day replayed in his mind. The tension, the unspoken connection with RK900, and the looming operation that awaited them. It was a lot to process, but Gavin couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation... especially to finally get that annoying psycho they're trying to catch.

Back at his apartment, Gavin went to sleep a bit before the operation at night, his thoughts circling around RK900's words. The android's declaration of intent to protect him was more than just a statement of duty; it was a promise—a promise that Gavin found himself oddly comforted by. He smiled lightly as he dozed off.