Chapter Text
Today, January 7th, 2040
[4:28 a.m.] MESSAGE FROM: Gavin Reed
hey i’m leaving town for a couple days for a family emergency, can you go pick up Flip and Ollie from my apartment and have them stay with you until i get back?
You :SENT MESSAGE [4:29 a.m.]
Of course. I will pick them up before the day shift. Have you notified Captain Fowler?
[4:29 a.m.] MESSAGE FROM: Gavin Reed
no, do you think you could do that for me, i’m gonna be on the road for a bit.
You :SENT MESSAGE [4:29 a.m.]
It will be no problem. May I ask what the family emergency details are?
[4:30 a.m.] MESSAGE FROM: Gavin Reed
i’ll tell you when i’m back, junkyard
and nines?
You :SENT MESSAGE [4:30 a.m.]
Yes?
[4:31 a.m.] MESSAGE FROM: Gavin Reed
you are the best partner i’ve ever had. thanks for everything.
You :SENT MESSAGE [4:31 a.m.]
While I appreciate the praise, I am worried this emergency is more than you let on.
[4:34 a.m.]
Are you okay?
[4:40 a.m.]
Gavin?
ERROR 404: THIS NUMBER IS NO LONGER IN USE
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Today, March 1st, 2039
“And your partner I’ve assigned to you is Detective Gavin Reed, who seems to be fashionably late today,” Captain Fowler sighed, looking past Nines from where he sat at his desk out into the bullpen, where an empty terminal sat. It was clean, with only a couple of photo frames and a cup of pens and pencils on its surface.
“Now, I need to give you a forewarning about him. He’s not exactly the most… Tolerable person out here,” the Captain grimaced, as if remembering unpleasant memories. “I would’ve assigned you to someone else, but there are cases piling up and, well, even though Reed’s attitude is piss poor and teamwork skills are limited… He’s one of the best detectives we have here aside from Lieutenant Anderson and Detective Connor.”
“I understand, sir. I assure you that Detective Reed’s supposed hostility will not impede work,” Nines promised. “Nevertheless, I look forward to meeting him when he arrives.”
“Word of advice: Let him settle in for the first 10 minutes before introducing yourself. He might not get so agitated, then,” the Captain advised, standing up from his chair and leaning over his desk to extend a hand out. “Welcome to the Detroit Central Police Department.”
Nines took his hand, shaking it firmly before folding his hands behind his back, a small smile forming on his lips, the Captain nodding and waving him out of his office as he sat back down.
Nines exited the office and returned to Hank’s desk where Connor was sitting, spinning around in the chair with boredom. He stopped short when he saw Nines approaching, a big smile on his face as he stood up.
“Everything go well?”
“Yes, I’ve been assigned to Detective Gavin Reed for the time being,” He felt a few new pairs of eyes land on him after he said this, mainly from those nearby. They all expressed shock or pity, which puzzled Nines as he was just stating who he would be working with.
Even Connor gave him a worried look. “Are you sure that’s what the Captain said?”
“Of course, why would it not be? And why are there people looking at me like I’m in trouble?”
Connor looked around and people quickly looked away, pretending to have not been eavesdropping. “That’s because you might be. Here, let’s go to the break room with Hank. He would probably like to know this new development.”
Connor herded Nines out of the bullpen, conversations about Nines and the Detective he’s never met already started even when he wasn’t out of clear earshot.