Chapter Text
August 15th 2038 - 08:57pm
You'd been just been called in to investigate an apartment - one in which an android had shot a father and threatened to jump off the Balcony with his daughter. There has already been a report filed about the commotion, so why they needed you there was beyond your understanding. They never called to tell you who had actually filed it seeing as they didn't sign it off. You swear the DPD never tell you anything anyway. Maybe it was one of the FBI agents who been rushed to the scene, or Chris, who was supposed to be accompanying you. The elevator came to halt with a familiar ding and opened its doors to a practical hell hole of gore. There were a couple of agents ready to be whisked away on stretchers and a couple of bodies displayed and succumbed to their wounds. You now just need to find a captain Allen. The name rung a bell, but you'd never seen a face to put to that very name. Now who looks like a Captain All- "Hey, try not to fuck the crime scene up." You didn't quite know who the voice came from or who it was directed to, but a quick spin on your heel and you had your answer as your gaze met a firm one . "had enough of that when that negotiator came in half an hour ago." Okay. Dick alert. "I can assure you I'm no novice, and as far as I'm concerned, this is now my crime Scene." "I hope that's true, Detective..." "Sallow, Detective Sallow", you replied. He definitely didn't deserve the courtesy of even your last name for that dickish entrance, but you have a job to do and you would like to do it quickly considering its nearly the middle of the night. He had an, almost, intrigued glimpse in his eye and stared at you for much longer than you would have liked before finally giving his name, "Captain Allen. There's a few people you need question and then you can go. I hope you can carry that name well." and with that he turned and left to be an ass somewhere else. "So I see you've finally been faced with meeting Allen." That friendly voice was and face you are greeted with is heavenly compared to what you had just been talking to. "Chris! Its nice to see a familiar face here." "I could say the same to you, now I've talked to a few of the agents and we just need to question the mother and the daughter, then do a final sweep to make sure the android didn't miss anything." You halted your action of walking beside him and the obvious look of confusion on your face had Chris becoming confused to. "Android? What do you mean?" "You know, the android Negotiator, the one who saved the little girl?" You were beyond baffled at this rate, why in god's name would an android be investigating an android? Not that you hated them or anything, the idea just didn't strike you as a very smart one, considering the up rise in deviants recently. "An android negotiator? C'mon Chris stop pulling my leg." He kinda huffed out a laugh before responding with, "I'm serious, Cyberlife sent over their newest prototype, says it's extremely advanced and such, that Android is the one that filed that report." Huh, no wonder that was one of the most informative files you've ever read, it was written by an Android. "Anyways, could you show me to who I have to question so i can get back into bed?" He chuckled and began walking again, "Sure follow me."
He led you into a small room lit up by purple hues, littered with toys. On the bed sat a middle-aged looking woman and extremely frightened little girl clutching at a toy tiger, tears and blood stained her pale cheeks and clothes. "Emma, Is it?" You began as you crouched in front of her. Her head tilted up, yet she didn't utter a word, clutching the teddy harder to her chest. "I'm ----- Sallow. I'm a detective and part of my job is to make to feel as better and as safe as I possibly can." She still didn't speak, yet who could blame her? After what she just went through today you were sure that trusting people wasn't at the top of her list at this moment. After skimming the file on your way to the apartment, you'd quickly learned that the house android named Damien had became deviant after learning he was to be replaced. He shot her Father and took Emma hostage with a gun to her head. "Emma, I know It's A big ask of you and its going to be difficult, but I need you to recall what has happened in the last 2 hours, before police arrived." Her mother, Caroline, who you'd identified from the report, soother her palm in a circular motion on her back, and it seemed to be calming her down, due to the long draws of breathe she was exhaling. It almost looked like it was soothing Caroline too, and perhaps it was, you'd hoped it anyway. A frantic mother was the last thing Emma needed and you were sure she recognised that. You moved your attention to the tiger and corners of your mouth tightened upward, you'd remember what it was like to hold a stuffed toy after a long day. "Who's this?" "His name is Buttons." Ironic for a teddy with literal buttons for eyes, but you remember doing the same silly thing as a child. "Can he do any tricks?" Her mouth began to curl upwards as well, talking about something she loved was something that she desperately needed right Now. "He can juggle. And this is his hat that he likes to wear. I made it myself." She'd brought out a small blue paper mached boat from her hand which she'd been curling around her fingers and placed it atop his head. "Can Buttons stay if I tell you what happened?" "Of course he can. If you want, I'd be more than happy to know more about Buttons." Yes it was late, and yes everyone was waiting to go home, but they were cleaning UP her father's body outside her Bedroom door. You didn't care how long it took you to get home now, even if it meant staying here listening to her ramble about a toy for hours on end. She needed to feel like she could open up to you and eventually she did.
She began to explain everything that had happened; how she was playing with Damien. How the android had went to get her water while she listened to music. When she felt herself being dragged around the apartment with a gun to her head; her father laying limp a few meters away. All up to point where another android had saved her, making precise aim and shooting the attacker through its head. This poor girl has just lost her father at such a young age due to another moron with a gun, and you knew exactly what that felt. You knew exactly the kind of grief she was feeling and unfortunately you can't tell her that It's going to get better. Because it doesn't. And her mother, she just lost her husband for crying out loud, sure you've loved some people but it's never gone as far as to marry them. You couldn't even begin to image what she feels in this moment; Questioning her was more than heart-breaking, her eyes threatening to Betray her, letting the hot tears stream down her sunken face.
After you and Chris did a final sweep, it was decided amongst you that it was finally time to head home. White sheets with human figures cast under them (a site you'd seen so many times, yet could never quite come to terms with), being wheeled out on hard beds through the lobby doors. Escorting the girls out, you said your goodbyes to them and received a warm hug from Emma and Caroline Before they zipped off to safe place. "I don't know if now is the most amazing time to be telling this news but... the Mrs is pregnant. Just thought you could hear some good news before you go home." You could tell you looked like an idiot gawking but you couldn't help it. You were ecstatic for him, he'd always wanted to be a father and now he was getting the chance he wanted. "Chris, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you! Honestly I Needed to hear something good: this whole week has just been messy." "Unfortunately It's never tidy when you work this job." You couldn't help the giddy expression written all over your face Before you bear hugged him. "Now, your one of the very few who know, so keep hush hush about it. Alright?" "Of course!" and with that you said your final goodbye of the night and got it your car to go home. Eventful, But when is your job not? although you couldn't help but wonder if you'll ever see this android negotiator for yourself.