Someone coughed from behind us. Reaper pulled back. I licked my lips, tasting him. Reaper groaned softly. I didn’t hide my smile.
A laugh, covered by another cough, echoed in the lab. “You two must be feeling better.”
Sitting slowly, careful of the IV, I found Dr. Shaw and Axios staring at us. Dr. Shaw had a huge smile on her face.
Axios looked puzzled. “You allow the gray one to kiss you? Why? Service Models are far better suited for the exchange of fluids.”
Reaper growled, taking a step forward. I grabbed his hand, my fingers curling around his massive ones. “The only cyborg I want kissing me is Reaper. What can I say? I have a thing for Military Models.”
I smiled wider. I had claimed my cyborg.
Chapter Twenty
Reaper
Joy exploded through my circuits. My heart skipped beats within my chest as my lips curled into a wide grin. Military Models don’t smile. They don’t grin like idiots or think about leaping onto tables to shout their happiness to the world. They don’t dream about kisses or having females in their beds.
Malfunctions lit up my processors like fireworks. Bits of programming shattered, slamming through my circuits like shrapnel. Each strike reshaped my factory-installed heart.
I didn’t want to be fixed. Whatever this was, I wanted to it feel forever. The word love teased along the edges of my processors.
Military Models definitely didn’t fall in love.
Then what is this? My circuits spun.
I don’t know, but it’s marvelous.
Aria gave me a nudge with her shoulder. “You okay, big guy? You’ve gone silent.” I admired my female. Her face was bright, her eyes clear. She no longer looked like she was on the brink of collapsing. Dr. Shaw had worked her magic, yet again.
I squeezed her hand, careful of her more fragile form, not wanting to damage her. “I am experiencing joy. It’s a new sensation for me to process.” Her hand was fastened to mine, a promise of things I didn’t know but longed for. A promise of a life much different than that of my long, lonely existence.
It was uncomfortable having an audience. Warm and fuzzy wasn’t supposed to be in my programming.
She planted a kiss to my cheek. “I’ve been missing joy for a while, too. We will process it together.” She squeezed my hand. “I should get the munchkin or he’s going to be storming the lab with a bunch of cyborgs ready to rescue me.”
I smirked. That’s exactly what I would do.
“Why doesn’t Reaper get Theo? You still have an IV in, dear. I can remove it and run another scan while Reaper is retrieving Theo. Based on your appearance, I think you are doing much better, but I will feel better double checking.” Dr. Shaw moved closer, flashing me a small smile.
Retrieving Theo would provide me with a few moments alone with the small Military Model. The urge to thank her again sprung forward. Despite all her attempts to make things right, I had never been able to forgive her. Her excuse that she didn’t know what the Global Allegiance planned wasn’t good enough. She had brought us into the world without thought as to the consequences of our creation.
She thought of us as her children. I had never been her son, just a machine grown in a vat. I had no mother, no father. Just circuits and assembled parts.
My bitterness had been easy to hold onto. My processors dripped with it, keeping me safe. I didn’t have to envy Dax and the fact that he had never been abused by humans. Envy the fact he had been allowed to remain by Dr. Shaw’s side, kept safe and protected, but above all, loved and cherished. I didn’t have to wonder what my life would have been like if I had been loved instead of marched onto battlefields to be used as weapon.
With Aria’s hand in mine, I realized holding onto my bitterness took up a lot of my processor space. Joy was a worthier emotion. My past would remain unchanged, but my future was one other models would envy. I offered Dr. Shaw a small nod indicating my thanks. Her smile widened. I turned my attention back to Aria. “Is that plan agreeable to you?”
Aria nodded, letting go of my hand. “Go grab the munchkin, Reaper.” Another kiss found my cheek.
Striding out of the lab, I walked briskly to Dash and Iris’s quarters. I wanted to bring Theo to Aria as quickly as possible. Standing outside the door, I raised my hand to knock but paused. I didn’t know how Theo would react to the sight of me. I closed my eyes and took a breath. Theo was Aria’s world. I couldn’t screw this up. Not again.
I gave the door a few taps, and it flew open. The tiny version of me stood in the doorway. A look of worry blanketing his features. My nervousness vanished as I sought to put the little cyborg at ease. Dropping down so our faces were level, I met his worried gaze. “Aria is well. She sent me to collect you.”
Iris appeared in the doorway. “Dash and I were about to bring him to the lab. Theo wanted to make sure Aria was okay. He was starting to worry.” Iris reached out and gave Theo’s bald head a rub. Theo leaned into the touch, not hesitant to take the offered comfort.
I raised my gaze to Iris. “Aria is fine. Dr. Shaw’s treatment worked. She is feeling much better. I am here to bring Theo to the lab.”
Iris cocked her head. “Aria sent you to get Theo?” Confusion filled her voice.
I rose, crossing my arms over my chest. “Is that a problem?”
Dash, Dax and Brone crowded behind Iris, forming a wall of cyborgs. I pushed down a growl of frustration.
Theo was the one who spoke up. “It’s not a problem. I’ve decided Reaper isn’t so bad.” Theo smiled up at me.
My chest grew tight. My vocal cords ceased to function. My malfunction was no longer occurring only around Aria. It was now happening around Theo as well.
Theo held out his hand. “Come on, Reaper. Let’s go.”
I stared at Theo’s outstretched hand. His little fingers the same color as mine. We matched. I blinked, sucking in a breath.
“You’re supposed to take it,” Dax offered helpfully from behind Iris. Iris, Dash and Brone chuckled.
“I know that,” I hissed.
Theo grabbed my hand, his warm fingers wrapping around mine. “Be nice,” he ordered. “You and my mom need more alone-time. I think you need more practice.” He shook his head.
“I agree with Theo,” Dax quipped as he wiggled his eyebrows in my direction.
“Dax! Stop! Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to poke a Military Model with a stick?” Iris chided.
“Even I’m not that stupid,” Dash added.
“I am,” Brone said. “That’s only because I know I can kick his ass. Ask him what happened when we battled.”
“I broke your nose, Tank Class!” I growled.
“I took out a chunk of your flesh, standard-issue model!” Brone growled in return.
“Okay children, that’s enough! Reaper, you take Theo to Aria. The rest of you back inside.
There will be no fighting. I refuse to clean blood off my walls.” Brone grumbled but moved back into the room with Dash and Dax.
Iris looked at Theo. “Where’s my goodbye hug?” Theo freed my hand and threw his arms around Iris’s neck, squeezing tight. My hand shot out to pull Theo away, but I pulled it back. Iris could handle Theo’s tight hug. Her upgraded frame allowed her to take Theo’s strength without being harmed. I doubted she could take on a mature cyborg at full force, but Iris was no longer merely human.
But Aria was. Theo could inadvertently damage her if he wasn’t cautious.
Aria could be upgraded, my processors teased. No, it was too dangerous. Iris nearly died, suffered excruciating pain as her body went through the process. Guilt still ate at my circuits. I refused to risk Aria’s life and put her through untold suffering for a chance at forever with her by my side. Every day she granted me, I would cherish. I would also teach Theo how to be aware of his strength. He would learn when to temper it and when to unleash it.
Theo broke free of the hug with a grin. Grabbing my hand, he tugged me down the hallway tossing Iris a wave b
efore tugging harder. I allowed it. If anyone saw us they would see the leader of the cyborg rebellion being dragged in tow by a smaller version of himself. The corners of my mouth twitched, amusement flowed through my wires. At least he wasn’t kicking me. It was a start.
Chapter Twenty-One
Aria
I shut my eyes, not wanting to see Dr. Shaw redraw the needle. A sharp tug was followed by a gauze pad pressed against my skin.
“All done. You can look now, my dear.” I opened my eyes and let go of the breath I had been holding. I had always disliked needles but after my time held captive, I hated them. Being ruthlessly jabbed over and over and not knowing what you were being injected with would do that. Whatever that evil doctor had pushed into my veins would leave me screaming; a fiery rush of pain causing my back to arch as I fought to get free of the restraints.
Since being freed, I had avoided all the attempts Dr. Shaw had tried to examine me. I barely let her examine Theo. A quick, short scan was all I permitted. I wanted to make sure he hadn’t suffered irreparable damage during his time spent with that monster. Dr. Shaw assured me Theo was fine. Dax and she couldn’t explain his existence, but I didn’t care how he got here. He was here, and he was mine. That was all that mattered.
The door to the lab burst open, Theo gripping Reaper by the hand, pulling him along. He saw me, and his eyes lit up. Dropping Reaper’s hand, he raced towards me, a huge grin spread across his face. “Mom!” He leapt onto the table, the force of his frame meeting the metal, causing it to shake. His hands flew to my cheeks, pulling my face close to his, our foreheads touching.
“You’re okay.” Relief threaded through his sweet voice.
“Of course, I am. Dr. Shaw gave me something and now I feel all better. I should probably make sure to eat and sleep more. I don’t want to faint again and make you afraid something bad is happening to me. I promise to take better care of myself.” I kissed the top of his gray head and leaned back. Theo took a seat beside me, his ever-growing frame pressed next to my side. His feet swung back and forth, reminding me that although he was getting bigger he was still just a child.
Theo turned to me, his little face getting serious. “You need pancakes and a nap,” he declared sternly.
I laughed. “Is that an order?”
“Yes,” Theo stated, his blue eyes narrowing.
Reaper smirked. Damn Military Models. So bossy. I sighed. “I think I’ll take the nap first. Then pancakes.”
“I’ll escort you both to your quarters.” Reaper offered.
Theo raised an eyebrow. “Does he think we forgot where we live?”
I suppressed a giggle. “I think Reaper’s trying to be nice.”
Theo hopped down, offering me a hand. “Let’s go.”
I took Theo’s hand and slid from the exam table, thanking Dr. Shaw one more time and promising Axios I would stop by later to see how he was settling in. Dr. Shaw had cleared him, so he was going to be placed in his own quarters. The other Service Model would remain in the lab until there was a change in his condition.
I walked with Reaper and Theo to the door. I glanced back at the all-blue cyborg on the table. A wave of guilt washed over me. For a moment I felt like I was back there, staring at a room filled with lifeless cyborgs. No matter what it took, I would stop Dr. Rosenfield. Her time torturing cyborgs was coming to end.
Reaper followed my gaze, a look of sorrow passing over his face. Reaching out, he took the hand not occupied by Theo. “We will do everything we can to fix him. Though, sometimes, everything is not enough.”
“I know,” I whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Reaper
The three of us moved down the hallway, Theo chattering happily but Aria remained quiet.
Her emotional damage harder to fix than her energy and nourishment levels. The door to their quarters appeared far quicker than I would have liked. I stopped, hesitating in front of their door. She pushed the door open and Theo skipped inside. I stared at Aria, unsure. I had never been claimed before. I never had a relationship other than barking orders expecting them to be followed. Now, I had acquired a human female and her cyborg child. My skills and programming didn’t offer any help.
She picked up on my uncertainty, rising on her tiptoes to place a kiss on my temple, right over the spot that had been damaged. The synthetic skin hadn’t yet completely healed. I felt the kiss all the way to my metallic skull. The effect was devastating. Military Models’ knees don’t go weak. They don’t threaten to buckle, causing them to crash to the floor.
I didn’t lock my knee-joints to remain standing. My reinforced skull should not be so sensitive. A crazy thought exploded through my sensors. I would gladly strike walls with my face. Punch shit until my knuckles were stripped bare. If her kiss to my exposed frame felt like this, I would also need to lock my boots to the fucking floor. Why? No reason. No reason at all.
Aria’s feet returned to the floor. “Can you come back later? I’ve been ordered to take a nap and eat pancakes.”
I nodded, not trusting myself in this moment to speak.
Theo came back to the doorway, a look of determination on his face. “Tell Reaper goodbye.” He puffed out his chest trying to appear bigger, his arms crossed over it, his blue eyes narrowing.
Laughter crept up my circuits. I pressed my lips together to keep it in. A sound I had never heard before exited my nasal passages.
Aria’s jaw fell. ‘Did you just snort?”
My processors scrambled. I blurted out the first coherent thing they managed to lock onto.
“Military Models don’t snort.” I shouted, a bit louder than necessary, but I couldn’t seem to regulate my volume.
She laughed. “Of course not. Military Models would never do that.” She reached out giving my shoulder a quick pat. “But if they did, don’t worry, I won’t tell.” Aria winked. “Goodbye, Reaper. See you soon.” A chuckle trailed Aria into her quarters.
Theo’s voice piped up from behind the closed door, “He totally snorted.” His laughter echoed, followed by a tiny snort.
Faced with the evidence, I had to concede that Military Models do, indeed, snort.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aria
After a nap and a Theo-approved batch of pancakes, I anxiously awaited Reaper’s return. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as my foot tapped against the floor.
Theo shook his head at me. “Relax mom. Reaper likes you.”
I rubbed his bald head causing him to giggle. “Reaper likes you too, you know. He asked me if he could spend time with you.”
Theo’s eyebrows shot up. “He did? But I kicked him. More than once. And I told him I hated him.”
“Do you really hate him? You can tell me the truth, Theo.” I made my voice soft.
Theo’s little shoulders shrugged. “Maybe a little at first. He was always coming around and bothering us. Then I saw how he looked at you. He liked you. I didn’t want to share you. You are my mom. I am your cyborg.” Theo’s eyes dropped to stare at his feet.
“Theo, sweets, look at me.” Theo raised his head and the uncertainty I saw on his face broke my heart. “You will always be my cyborg and no matter how big or strong you get I will always be your mom. Not Reaper, or anybody else, will ever change that.” I pulled him onto my lap, hugging him tight. “I love you, but I have room to love Reaper, too.” I paused, thinking about my next words. “Do you love me any less because you love Dax or Brone or Dash and Iris?”
Theo shook his head.
“I didn’t think so.” I smiled softly. “Do you know the amazing thing about hearts?” Theo tilted his head to the side, leaning in a little closer. “Hearts have the infinite ability to expand. There is always room for those you care about. You never have to give up one person to love another. Hearts simply get bigger.”
Theo put his hand over his heart, smiling proudly. “My heart must be the biggest. I love a lot of people.”
I blinked back tears. I
didn’t know what I did to deserve him. “You do, and they love you right back. How could they not? You are perfect.”
“I know.” Theo declared. Perfect, but not humble. I didn’t think humble was a Military Model trait. Snorting was, but I refused to tell Reaper that.
“So, you want to love Reaper too? Like how Iris loves Dash, right? You two make the same goo-goo eyes at each other that Dash and Iris do.” My little cyborg was too smart. “Those kinds of eyes come with sighing, hand holding, and kissing on the lips—yuck. My processors have calculated how many germs a kiss on the lips transfers. Trust me mom, you don’t want to know.” He shook his head, a disgusted look on his face.
I laughed, giving him a squeeze. “Are you okay with Reaper and I giving each other goo-goo eyes?”
Theo reached down to grasp my hand. “It’s better than when you were sad all the time. I don’t like you sad. Reaper makes you smile. He can stay.”
A knock sounded on the door. Theo jumped from my lap, racing to the door and flung it open.
Reaper and Theo stared at each other. “I told mom you can stay. But hurt her and I’ll kick you...a lot.”
Reaper tossed his head back and laughed. “I would expect nothing less, little one. You are fierce in protecting those you love.” Reaper went to his knees, making himself level with Theo. “I would be happy to teach you more ways to dispatch those that threaten to harm the ones you care for. You are a Military Model. We are fierce.”
Theo’s face lit up. “I will be the fiercest ever!”
Reaper clasped Theo’s shoulder. “Yes, you will be. Of that, I have no doubt.”
I leapt from the couch. “Wait a second. I’m pretty sure I get a say here. Thank you for the offer but Theo will not be, as you put it, learning to dispatch his enemies. He is child for goodness sakes!” I glared at Reaper, curling my fingers into fists to avoid smacking him.
Reaper rose, glancing down at my clenched fists, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “He is also a Military Model. He is going to need a healthy outlet for his aggression. We were designed to crave fighting. Without training, Theo will find other ways to satisfy that craving. Learning to protect the ones he loves will help. He will not engage in random violence. He will learn when to battle and when not to. You can’t change what he is. We can only teach him to be the master of his programming.”
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