Hickory

Terminator

"Detective Reed..." Reed blinked at the sound of that deep, silken rumble, and looked up to see Connor just slipping into his chair. The RK900 had hesitated a foot or so from his desk, standing stiffly with his hands behind his back. Reed clicked his tongue in annoyance as he looked up at him with a guarded expression, which looked more like disdain with his natural resting face. "May I sit down?" the RK900 asked with programmed politeness, gesturing to the empty chair that Hank had dusted off. Reed rolled closer to his own desk and hunched over his terminal slightly to limit his view of Jack's desk.

"It's your desk." It wasn't the RK900's desk. It was Jack's desk, only Jack wasn't there to use it anymore. Their partnership would be the same. A temporary arrangement. As soon as that android got experienced enough, he'd hand it off to someone else and go back to minding his own damned business. Jack was his partner. He'd never be anyone else's. There was a loud creak as the RK900 settled in the disused chair and began adjusting it to his own height. He was taller than Jack. The seat would need to be a little higher. There was a sharp whine as the chair lengthened to accommodate his taller, heavier body.

"What are our current cases, Detective?" Reed barely spared him a glance of indifference. Maybe it was best that the RK900 was so impersonal. No niceties. No pleasantries. Get straight down to business and get the job done. Maybe that attitude wouldn't be so bad to work with. Just for a little while...

"You have a terminal right there," Reed replied dismissively as he waved at the computer. The android said nothing further for the time being as he booted up the terminal. Reed's eyes moved to his inbox as he got an email from Dr Marr. She wanted to extend his session tomorrow. Of course she does. She knows I just got hit with this shit. He swallowed his resentment as he chewed his lip and agreed. It wasn't like he had a choice. "Reed." He sounded annoyed as he picked up the phone and listened to the officer on the other end with a few nods. They'd tracked a man who'd taken an automated taxi near the apartment the night the PL500 model got butchered. He still remembered that one. Naked android. Hazel eyes. Connor's eyes.

"His name is Graham Bolton, and I've already sent the address to your cell." Reed liked that. Efficiency. He thanked the officer before hanging up and grabbing his jacket and keys, eager to get out on the road. By the time Hank called after him, he was already more than halfway across the bullpen. He turned back impatiently, seeing him leaning back in his chair while Connor typed away, looking a lot more human than his creepy double as he did so.

"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Hank prompted meaningfully as he nodded across his desk. Reed followed his nod to the imposing RK900, who had remained seated at his desk. His LED was spinning yellow, silvery blue eyes fixed on his terminal, patiently waiting to be called. Reed clicked his tongue in annoyance as he looked him up and down. He didn't want, or need, that thing following him around like a damned hunting dog. Didn't have much choice though.

"Phcking androids..." he sighed under his breath, noting the way the RK900's LED blipped yellow .again almost nervously. "Alright, Terminator, let's go." Reed turned and continued walking with a grumble. He didn't get far before he heard heavy footfalls catching up and falling in step slightly behind. Behind. Not like Tina or Miller, who walked at his side, filling him in. Behind. Like a servant. Like a regular old android. The thing was annoying! Reed said nothing as they got outside and climbed into his car. He pulled out and looked up the address on his phone as he went.

"Detective, what is our current objective?" the RK900 asked in that odd impersonation of Connor, or what Connor was like before he deviated. Reed didn't answer at first. He took so long that the RK900 almost repeated the question. Reed checked the road, looking both ways as he pulled into the afternoon traffic.