Tick Tock Part One - Hickory

Another Boy, Another Bathtub

"Why the phck are you just sitting there like a creepy statue?" Reed asked the next morning as he slipped his jacket off and draped it over the back of his chair. His tone was more curious than annoyed. His partner, temporary partner, looked up and blinked. He'd been sitting straight in his chair, hands resting uniformly on the armrests, glassy blue eyes staring into nothingness. He came to life at Reed's words, registering his presence and beginning his day in earnest.

"I was awaiting your return. You were quite adamant that I wasn't to begin working until you arrived." The RK900 almost reminded Reed of the old Connor, the one who'd followed Hank around like a lost puppy, hazel eyes begging for instructions and praise. Like he didn't know what to do on his own...That wasn't a promising sign. The RK900 also didn't quite have Connor's softness to his mechanical edges. Just a glance told you he was a one hundred percent rigid, combat ready machine, especially those ethereal silvery eyes. They were sharp, and almost luminous. He was like a tiger ready to strike.

"You can't think for yourself?" Reed scoffed as he sat down, gaze darting away as he almost lost himself in that steady, cool stare. He looked at the clock in the corner of the screen as he turned on his terminal and almost groaned. There was less than half an hour before his session with Dr Marr. He really wasn't feeling it. Last night had been nightmare free, at least. There was nothing. Just blackness. He'd closed his eyes, opened his eyes, showered, dressed, and come to work. It was almost like he'd blinked and it was morning, and his alarm was shrieking and-Phck, I'm tired already...

"That may be the case, in a manner of speaking...I am not a deviant. Although Connor and Markus have both attempted to transfer the code, my programming does not allow them to alter my software in that manner." The RK900 thought it important for his partner to be aware of such things. Reed's gaze sharpened slightly at the news. The RK900 was odd for a non-deviant. He didn't really give off that dead-eyed, obedient vibe the way most undeviated androids did. Does he have a more advanced social program than Connor? I wouldn't have thought so from watching him...If anything, he seemed less developed in that regard. He was rougher around the edges and often stoic.

"So, what? You just accept orders from any random person around here?" The RK900 shook his head in response, giving Reed his undivided attention. Reed returned the intense focus. Part of the RK900 registered an unfamiliar sensation at the attention. It felt...pleasing — Pleasant? Gratifying? — to have Reed's eyes upon him, to have him showing genuine interest in his programming. There was something else that he couldn't identify. A tingling sensation on the back of his neck as he examined the various flecks of hazel and blue swirling in Reed's largely emerald irises. They were actually a delicate mixture. Emerald. Forest green. Apple. Sky blue. Cobalt. Amber. Hazel. The shades of green were the most prominent, followed by the gentle blues.

"No. I have been selected as your partner, therefore I am bound to obey your orders. However, as our direct superiors, Captain Fowler and Lieutenant Anderson may also direct me as they please." The RK900 watched an amused huff slip Reed's lips as he sat back. There was a certain amount of mirth in his green eyes, and the RK900 wondered if perhaps he'd made a mistake in letting him know how much power he possessed. He remained thoughtful as he regarded him. The RK900 couldn't decipher his thoughts, and that made him feel...anxious? — Wary? Expectant? Eager? —

"Really? Alright...Get me a coffee, dipshit. Americano, no sugar, cup's right here," Reed ordered in a calculating tone as he pushed the empty mug across his desk. The RK900 stood obediently, blue eyes almost scowling in resentment as he took the mug. Reed's good mood dropped somewhat as he watched the RK900 head to the breakroom. He was surprised. He'd pulled this shit with Connor once, and it had actually been funny. Now it just felt weird. This hulking terminator, reduced to his own personal gopher. Sure, there was power in that. Most people would have been thrilled. So why the phck do I feel almost...dirty? He was still pondering the feeling as the RK900's measured steps returned.