Tick Tock Part Three - Dock

Colin's Return

"Your stress levels are rising," Nines murmured as they approached the little café in the Plaza. Since meeting there with Chloe a few months back, it had become one of their favourite meeting spots. It was cosy and comfortable. Gavin shrugged evasively, knowing he couldn't exactly deny it since Nines was scanning him. He couldn't help how he felt. He had no idea how to deal with this shit! Colin had died in his arms. His thirium had stained his hands as he'd tried helplessly to revive him over and over. Whoever turned up with Connor, it wouldn't be Colin. It would look like Colin, sound like Colin, and act like Colin, but Colin was gone. The thing he hated most was that Nines and Connor didn't see it that way. He almost felt like an asshole for believing it himself.

"You can't blame me, Nines! I watched the guy die!" Gavin rolled his eyes with a sigh as he watched Nines hold back from correcting him. He could claim it was different for androids all he liked, but the fact was that Colin had died. He'd ceased all bodily functions. His power core had gone dark. His thirium pump had stilled. The thirium in his veins had probably gone cold by the time his body was delivered to Elijah for repairs. That was about as dead as it got, for humans at least.

"Ah, it seems we have an extra guest," Nines observed happily as they approached the door to find Chloe waiting outside. She was quite distinctive, with her blonde side tail and royal blue dress. She was at least wearing a matching scarf over her shoulders in order to blend a little. It was still winter, so the humans on the street were especially bundled up. Some androids didn't even bother to blend in. They didn't feel the cold, so why shouldn't they wear short-shorts and miniskirts? Chloe smiled and waved as usual as she caught sight of them, once again carrying a large white paper bag on her arm.

"Gavin! Nines!" she greeted cheerfully, giving them her usual greeting of a hug and a kiss on each cheek. She barely wasted a moment before linking arms with Gavin and throwing the glass-panelled door open. "You must be freezing! The temperature seems to be dropping more than last month!" Chloe almost dragged him across the wooden floor to a large round table with cosy chairs. It was further away from the window this time. The chairs were plush and comfortable, like budget armchairs. Gavin found himself promptly tossed on the chair that faced into the café while Chloe took a seat next to him. The table was only meant for four, so Nines scooted a fifth chair across from another table.

"It's always coldest in February," Gavin grumbled in agreement as he pulled off his sweater. It wasn't really enough in the icy weather, but his jacket had been soaked in thirium the last time he'd seen it. Chloe slipped her scarf off and let it flutter to the seat behind her as she searched her tan handbag for her purse. She chuckled softly at Gavin's disgruntled expression, both from the cold and from being manhandled. She knew she and Nines were two of the only people who could get away with such treatment.

"That's largely a myth. The temperature fluctuates constantly, and January is often the coldest month. You just feel that way because February brings more snow." Gavin didn't argue because there would be no point. Chloe could probably look up the average temperature of each month for the past decade in ten seconds flat to prove him wrong. Why argue with a super-computer? "I have your jacket, and you'll be pleased to know it's thirium free." She opened the white bag and pulled out the worn brown leather. Gavin took it and hugged it against his chest, examining it closely. His fingers teased the material as Chloe smiled.

"You should start charging for your services. You'd make a fortune from Gavin alone," Nines joked with a smirk, enjoying the soft swirl in his chest as he watched Gavin examining the leather with eager eyes. Gavin scoffed at the suggestion, but he didn't argue. A regular dry cleaner would probably never get the stains out. He had no idea what Chloe did, but every time she fixed up any of their clothes, they always came back pristine. If it weren't for the faded patch lines where his jacket had been put back together last time, he might suspect she bought new items every time.