Tick Tock Part Three - Dock

Aftermath

"N-Ni-nes?" Gavin stammered through trembling lips, vision blurring as he blinked out hot tears. His ears felt muffled from the shot that was still ringing in his head. His breaths quickened and choked as he stared at the unmoving foot on the screen. It was all he could see of him besides the puddle of faded grey blending into the darkened floor and grainy shards of shattered plastic. He squeezed his eyes shut. He can't...he-can't-be...It wasn't right. It wasn't fucking right! Nines didn't even know where he was, so what the fuck was he doing here? Was it some sort of trick? Had the footage been faked? But I heard him shout! He was right outside the door! "Ni-nes!" He choked the word out again as he tried to move.

He had to get out there. He had to see for himself. He could still barely move an inch. He did his best to rock his body, edging and shuffling to the edge of the table. It felt like it took a fucking age. It was pathetic. His partner needed him and he could barely fucking move. He let out a whimper as he finally managed to haul his useless body over the edge of the table and flopped to the floor. His limbs didn't work enough to break his fall. He slapped the ground hard. His temple throbbed where it cracked against the cement. At least it hadn't been his nose. A similar ache ran through his arm and hip, which would definitely be bruised. He was lucky to have landed on his side rather than his face. He managed to slump his way onto his front, putting everything into raising his head. He whined and sobbed pathetically. The doorway was dark. He couldn't see anything beyond it from his place on the ground, and his body still wouldn't fucking move.

"Ni-nes!" A weak sob tore at his throat. He choked on a panic attack as his heart pounded. It thudded loudly against his ribcage and echoed in his ears. He coughed, turning his face away from the damp, earthy scented ground. It was rough and cold against his cheek. Grainy, tacky, and unpleasant on his skin. He felt dizzy and lightheaded, but his head still pounded with his pulse. He wasn't sure whether it was the stress, the drug, or the fresh knock on his head at this point. His vision kept blinking in and out, eyelids drooping. No! Don't you dare pass out, you phcking asshole! Nines-is...Nines-is...He huffed a breath, coughing and choking as he jerked his arm higher. His shoulder hurt. He was so fucking slow. He was having to wriggle and writhe like a snail, barely managing to skid his sorry ass more than an inch from where he'd fallen. His heart almost stopped as he heard movement. Nines? Hope swirled in his chest. There was a shuffling sound and then the hurried click of heels.

"Gavin!" Gavin's whole being shuddered in relief. He could feel his eyes streaming as his chest heaved with quiet sobs. Nines appeared in the doorway like something from his nightmares. His white jacket was splattered blue across the front. One of the sleeves was torn and tattered where the bullet had torn clean through his upper arm. There was nothing there beyond the shoulder. Just a busted up, jagged stump of shattered plastic and dangling machinery. Despite the mess of his arm, Nines looked otherwise unharmed. That lucky phcking phck! Gavin wasn't sure whether he'd moved at the last second or if he'd just been in the right place upon impact, but the bullet had hit his arm instead of his torso.

"Ni-Nin-es!" He couldn't form any words beyond that as he let his head drop to the filthy cement floor. He didn't give a shit how rough the stone was, or how much filth coated it. Not in that moment. He was fucking exhausted and giddy with relief. He whined pathetically as Nines raced to his side and used his only good arm to tumble him onto his back. He soon found himself resting on Nines' thighs as he stroked his cheek, examining him intently. He was definitely scanning him, silvery eyes swimming with relief as the scan came back clean. Gavin had not been injured. Not seriously at least. "H-Hik-Hik!" He couldn't get the words out, and soon fell silent with a whimper as Nines hushed him.

"I know-I know...I've already alerted the FBI, Connor, Elijah, and the hospital," Nines soothed softly, grabbing his hand as he noticed him trying pathetically to move his arm closer. Nines looked as relieved as he felt, besides the constant glaring red of his LED. Gavin wanted to ask so fucking badly. How bad it is? Are you alright? Don't phcking leave me! He cried harder as he noticed Nines was leaking saline from his eyes. He sounded so fucking human as he sniffled. He was hurt, and he couldn't even hold him. All he could do was try to tighten the grip of his useless fucking hand.