Tick Tock Part One - Hickory

Thirium Stains

Reed was paying for his act of kindness when he woke up the next day. His ribs were bruised, his cheek was slightly purple and swollen over the cheekbone, and there were more marks across his arms and shoulders. Those little shits really did a number on me...The marks were still there when he dragged himself into work the day after. He'd spent most of the previous day lounging around his apartment, getting in a few interrupted hours of sleep here and there. He still felt drained as he walked into the bullpen that morning.

"Morning Ga-Jesus! What the fuck happened to you?" Tina demanded as she stopped by his desk. Reed waved it off tiredly as he shrugged out of his jacket. She knew what that meant. Ask me later, I haven't had enough coffee to function yet. He got his first coffee, sat at his desk, did an hour of paperwork, and even managed to blag his way through another therapy session before Connor and Hank appeared for their late afternoon to night shift. It was all normal at first, ignoring each other as usual, and then Reed grabbed his jacket to go for a smoke. He pulled a white stick from the packet with his teeth as he headed towards the stairs, not really thinking as he crossed the room in a tired haze.

"Watch where you're going, dipshit!" he gruffed as he caught Connor's shoulder on his way by. Connor's LED span yellow as he turned to give him his usual polite response, only this time it didn't arrive. His hazel eyes were fixed on the sleeve of his jacket as he rolled his eyes and continued on his way. Connor's LED span red as he changed direction and followed him. Reed didn't notice the light steps on his tail, not even as he stepped out onto the rooftop. He sighed as he lit up and walked over to his usual spot at the cement ledge, turning in surprise as he heard the sharp click of heels. "What's up, Tin Can?" he asked as Connor approached, hazel eyes still staring at his jacket sleeve.

"You've been fighting," Connor observed as he scanned his battered body. The bruises on his cheek were an obvious sign, but he could also sense the way he was favouring his right side and arm, suggesting he was experiencing some level of pain and discomfort. He was also breathing differently. Not as deep as usual. Reed turned away to look out over the streets. They were busy and roaring with afternoon traffic. He huffed a little. It wasn't like he had anything to hide.

"You should see the other guys." His brow furrowed as he noticed Connor's LED spin red. What's his problem? Connor reached out, making Reed flinched as his fingers traced the edge of his jacket. He frowned as Connor raised his fingertips to his lips. The phck? Whatever he analysed clearly wasn't good. His LED cycled red again before whirling yellow. His expression was tight, brow creased as if he wanted to ask something but wasn't looking forward to the answer.

"Detective Reed...This fight it...it involved a PL600 android, correct?" Connor's body coiled like a spring ready to launch. Reed looked surprised at first until he remembered helping the injured android home afterwards. He'd forgotten to wipe the thirium off his jacket. He meant to clean it, but it had slipped his mind that night. Since it went invisible after a few hours, he hadn't noticed earlier that morning as he'd pulled it on either. Wait a minute...

"You think I beat up an android?" he asked in disbelief, watching Connor's hazel eyes shift a little in silent admission. He'd be incredulous about it; only Connor had damned good reason to suspect he was that type of guy. He hadn't done much recently, but he was known for hanging out with the AAL and he didn't make any secret about not liking androids. Hell, he'd pointed a gun at Connor at their first meeting, punched him during their second, and right before the revolution fully kicked off, he'd outright tried to shoot him. "Of course you phcking do," Reed sighed as he puffed on his cigarette.

"Please answer the question, Detective," Connor pressed in an almost interrogatory tone. Reed let out the smallest of chuckles as he flicked ash on the ground. Part of him was spoiling for a fight. He wanted to shrug Connor off. Antagonise him. Make him work for it. Make him fight for it. He'd always had a short fuse, especially when he felt challenged. Connor tensed slightly, reading his mood, but also knowing he was in no fit state for a physical confrontation. Reed knew it, too.