“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Just don’t ever die on me again, okay? My heart can’t take it.”
Chapter Fifty
Reaper
I struggled to keep my processors online. Every circuit felt slow and sluggish, like I had been dipped in a vat of lead and hung out to dry. Wait-did Aria just say I died? No wonder I felt like shit. Dying sucked. So, did getting ripped apart piece by fucking piece.
Aria ran her hands over my face and I nuzzled her palm with my lips. Everything in me wanted to hold her but my broken frame wouldn’t allow it. Suddenly, I realized what I must look like to her. I was no longer whole. I wasn’t sure I ever could be again. Panic soaked my circuits as I looked down, but a sheet had been placed over me, hiding my torso from view. My remaining frame tensed as my heart sped up. Sharp mechanical wheezes escaped from the hole in my throat. The lights in my eyes flickered.
Aria noticed my distress. “Don’t you dare Military Model! Stay with me!” She clutched my shoulders, her blue eyes boring into mine. The panic eased slightly. Her touch like a balm to my shattered body and soul. She put her forehead to mine, the warmth of her breath helped to calm me further. “You died, Reaper.” Her voice caught. “I don’t care what you look like. You could be missing pieces or different colors and I wouldn’t care.” Her lips found mine, placing a sweet kiss to my mouth. “I love you. Do you hear me Military Model? I love you.”
Aria loved me? Joy exploded through my circuits. I would have shouted but the wires attached to my vocal cords were no longer viable. My exposed wires flashed, lighting up under the sheet, filling the room with a bright glow. It appeared my processors were showing her how I felt even though I couldn’t respond.
She pulled her face away, eying the display. “Theo loves you, too, in case you’re wondering.” Another set of flashes. She smiled. “Good. Now you fight, Reaper. For your female. For your son. For our future.”
All I could do was nod. It didn’t matter if I wasn’t the same cyborg as before. I was alive. I was loved. And I had a future I wanted more than my next heartbeat.
Dax and Dr. Shaw picked that exact moment to rush into the lab and start to fuss over me. If I still had hands, I would have used them to push them away. Aria moved away to let them get close and frustration coursed through my circuits at her no longer beside me. I twisted my head and pleaded with her to return to my side. Without her, I struggled to keep the panic at bay. My processors screamed for a break, but I didn’t dare give in. The next time I might not come back.
Aria moved closer, positioning herself behind my head and cradling it between her palms. She smoothed away the worry lines I could feel creasing my brow before resting her forehead on mine as she began to hum. Instantly, the melody settled into my processors, easing the strain and lulling them into a quiet, steady rhythm.
Dr. Shaw’s face was grim. “We need to get him back together as soon as possible. If we wait any longer, his circuits will deteriorate past the point of no return and become unsalvageable.”
“Then, we don’t wait.” Aria stroked a loving touch over my face. “We do it now,” she commanded.
Dax and Dr. Shaw exchanged glances. “He must remain awake, Aria. The pain will be excruciating.” Dax met my eyes. “I don’t know if his processors will be able to handle it. They are already under tremendous strain.” Dax’s eyes were filled with sorrow.
“We aren’t giving up.” Aria waved a hand over my broken frame. “Look at what she did to my cyborg. He’s in pain and in pieces. We can’t leave him like this, Dax.” The skin around her eyes bunched, a pained expression crossed her features. “We can’t.”
“He could die.” Dax’s hands gave a nervous twitch. “Again.”
“Maybe we should ask Reaper what he wants.” Dr. Shaw suggested.
Aria leaned down, peering at me through her lashes. Her hands rested gently on the sides of my face. “It’s your choice. Nod once if you want to try or twice if you don’t want to risk it.”
It wasn’t even a question. I couldn’t remain like this. I nodded once.
Aria looked at Dax. “You heard him.” Aria caressed my jaw, a look of determination on her face. “I am right here. Focus on me.”
I heard the whirl of a plasma torch to my right as a set of fingers dug into my mess of wires. Fuck. This was going to hurt.
*Aria*
I laid next to Reaper. A whole, fully-intact Reaper. My foggy brain couldn’t quite believe it. The process hadn’t been excruciating. It had been beyond anything imaginable. Reaper’s body had thrashed on the table, silent screams falling from his lips.
They reconnected the wires that were still useable and replaced those that couldn’t be saved. Reaper’s frame would arch as wave after wave of pain hit his processors. Every connection overloaded his brain with agony. Once done, I breathed a sigh of relief assuming the worst was over. Wrong. I had been so wrong. Taking a plasma torch, they fused his hands and legs back into place. Then Dax moved on to the hole in his throat. Oh God. They had to call Axios to hold Reaper down. I sang until my voice fled. I repeated I loved you over and over, hoping it would be enough to keep him from giving up and giving in to the relief of going offline. My Military Model held on.
The scent of burning metal and synthetic skin was now forever scorched into my nostrils. New scars criss crossed Reaper’s frame. Dax and Dr. Shaw didn’t know if he would have full use of his hands and legs.
I felt his frame tremble beside me. I sat up, brushing the fluid from his eyes. “It’s over. I’m right here.” He needed to go offline to finish the healing process, but my stubborn Military Model refused. There was a chance he wouldn’t wake back up. He was fighting to stay with me for as long as he could. Terror filled my heart at losing him again, but I couldn’t keep him online simply because of my fear. Reaper was suffering.
I slid my hand down, locating the off switch. His eyes went wide, and he shook his head no. I bit my lip, my teeth denting the tender flesh as I worked up the courage to do this. “It’s the only way. Come back to me, okay?” I flicked the switch, collapsing against his still frame. Then I did the only thing I could. I prayed.
“We could stay here.” A deep voice echoed from behind me. I turned and smiled at my cyborg. “We can’t leave Theo.” I reached out my hand. Reaper’s fingers curled around mine, everything from the wrist down was now nothing but metal. The sight of his exposed frame didn’t bother me. The metal felt cool against my skin.
He looked down at our entwined hands. “I am no longer whole.” His face darkened with pain. I lifted his hand to my mouth, kissing his fingers that now gleamed like unveiled starlight. I moved my lips over the wires and Reaper shivered.
“You’re perfect.” I kissed the scar along his throat. “Perfect.”
“You shut me off.” His voice was deeper now. It rumbled through me like thunder. It was my turn to shiver. “Sorry about that. You were being stubborn. Trust me, I didn’t want to.”
I breathed a sigh of relief when he gathered me in his arms. “Don’t do it again.”
I looked up at him. “I won’t, as long as you don’t ever die on me again.”
He hugged me tighter. “I won’t. You’re stuck with me, princess.”
I hugged him back. “And you’re stuck with me. For a long, long time so...” He scrunched up his handsome face in confusion. Dream-sharing Reaper was adorable.
“I might have ordered Dax to give me the formula you gave Iris.”
“What?” Reaper roared. Actually roared. Maybe I should have waited. I snapped my mouth shut. “When we wake up, we talk about this.” His whole frame vibrated with tension. My now enhanced hearing picked up on the sound of his teeth grinding.
“Promise me you won’t kill Dax.” I raised my hands tipping his face towards mine. “And stop that grinding! We just got you back together! Grind harder and you’re going to lose teeth.” A voice teased the edges of mind. “He growled at her! We need to wake them now!” God damn it! Did that Servi
ce Model want to die?”
Reaper grinned. “Dax, wait!” I shouted but it was too late.
I came to with a jolt, and to the sight of Reaper choking the hell out of Dax...again. At least his hands worked. Wait! I’d totally did not think that. Dax choking. Reaper pissed. Get your head in the game! It’s not like I’d been up for hours, maybe bordering on days, at this point. Watching my cyborg die then come back only to torture him again as we put him back together. I opened my mouth, but a voice cut me off.
“Put him down right now!” Theo gave the order and like magic, Reaper dropped him. Just let go and dropped Dax on his green ass.
“Theo,” Reaper tossed open his arms and Theo launched himself into them making Reaper stumble. Theo’s arms went around Reaper’s neck, holding him tight. Reaper held onto him as tight, if not tighter. Happiness filled my chest. I clutched the table as tears once again blinded me. Happy tears this time. More than happy tears. Tears of relief and joy spilled down my cheeks. Overwhelmed by a sight I didn’t believe I would see. Both my cyborgs alive and well and hugging each other, joy and love shining on their faces.
“I knew Dax could fix you,” Theo declared. He held onto Reaper’s face, a stern look crossing his features. “You don’t thank someone who saved you by choking them.”
“But...” Reaper actually struggled for words.
“No buts! You are nice, now! Say sorry.”
I slapped a hand over my mouth pushing down the urge to laugh. Definitely not the time but Theo was owning Reaper. Another cyborg wrapped around his finger.
Reaper scowled. “Sorry.” He glared at Dax. He didn’t really appear sorry. “He did give your mother something that could have hurt her.” Both their heads turned to glare at Dax. Their expression completely mirrored each other.
Time for me to save a green cyborg. I stepped between Dax and Reaper and Theo. “I ordered him to. And if it helps, he couldn’t do it. I had to inject the damn needle in my neck, myself.” I shuddered. “I kind of figured I was the acting-leader of the cyborg rebellion. Couldn’t go rescue the two of you without some super powers, now could I?” I swayed, catching myself on the table before toppling over. Dax’s formula didn’t make me invincible. My body finally shut down after everything that had happened. My cyborgs were safe. My eyelids fluttered. “I think I’ve had enough of being in charge, now. No one kill each other while I pass out.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Reaper
Axios’s arms caught Aria. I would have done it but then I would have had to toss Theo out of my arms. My circuits rebelled at the thought. They also rebelled at seeing another male catch my fainting female. Theo struggled in my arms and I put him down, so he could run to his mother. Worry creased his brow.
“She’s fine, little one. Simply resting.” Axios lifted Aria and placed her gently on the table. He gazed down at her, affection burning bright in his eyes. “She’s exhausted from doing what she needed to do to bring you both home.” He looked at Theo before turning his attention to me. “She refused to let fear stop her. She commanded us. Led us into battle like a warrior. Both of you should be proud. She behaved like a true Military Model.”
I inclined my head. My respect for the multi colored cyborg grew. Theo beamed proudly at his mother. “She is fierce.”
Dax touched Theo’s shoulder. “She is,” he agreed.
“She brought you both home. Time for you to do the same for her.” Dr. Shaw had stepped from the shadows. I almost forgot she was here. My processors were still not running at a hundred percent.
“I think she’d appreciate waking up in your quarters, don’t you? I don’t think she enjoyed her stay here the last time she passed out.” A smile tugged on the corner of her lips.
I gave Dr. Shaw a small smile. I looked down at Aria laying on the cold exam table. I would never leave her here. I would never ever leave her behind. She was my warrior, the female meant to be mine. My eyes drifted to Theo. I didn’t plan on leaving him either. I would never leave either of them ever again. I lifted her from the table and marveled at the fact she cuddled closer to me even in her deep sleep. “Come on, Theo. Let’s go home.”
ARIA LAY PRESSED AGAINST my chest. Cuddling closer, she burrowed into my frame. Her eyes opened lazily as she tried rising. I put my hand on her back drawing her tighter into a solid wall of my chest, growling low. “Don’t.” I couldn’t let her go. Not yet.
My enhanced hearing detected the sound of Theo snoring from the room across the hall. My female and son were safe and where they belonged. Contentment soared within my frame. My war-ravaged processors finally knew peace. “The first time in my quarters you thanked me for saving you. Now it’s my turn.” Gripping her hips, I lifted her, settling her over my thighs. I gathered her face in my hands. “I thought I was destined to spend my long existence alone. Military Models aren’t meant for love. We fight. We kill. We live and die in someone else’s wars. We never know peace. That was true.” I brushed my lips over hers. “Until you.” I drew in her into my lungs. Hers was the first scent of sunshine after the rain. “You saved me, Aria. My peace will always be where you are, along with my joy.” I tugged her hand down to my chest. Her fingers tapped out a rhythm and my heartbeat followed, matching the rhythm she had set. “Can you feel that, princess? My heart knows who it belongs to.”
She tugged my hand free from her cheek and put it to her own chest. “As does mine” Her delicate heartbeat danced against my fingertips.
Taking possession of her mouth, I claimed her as mine. She responded by opening completely, the kiss becoming a fierce meeting of tongues, lips and teeth. She moaned, rocking her hips against my thighs. I groaned.
“Are you okay in there, Reaper? It sounds like you’re in pain.” A voice sounded from the hallway. I released a frustrated sigh as Aria buried her face into my neck. Aria laughed, warm breath fanning my shoulder.
“This isn’t funny.” I managed through gritted teeth.
“No, it’s really not, but I can’t help it. Never an experience I thought I’d ever have. We will probably need to have the talk. Don’t want him busting down the door because he thinks you are in danger.” Another fit of giggles broke free from Aria.
I placed my mouth to her ear. “It won’t be me in danger, princess.” I nipped her earlobe. “You still need to be punished for putting yourself in harm’s way.” A tremor ran down her spine. “Your ass has been begging for a spanking since the first day I met you. All sass and no regard for your own safety. I’ll teach you a lesson and you’ll like it.” I palmed her ass giving it a tiny smack.
“Bastard,” She hissed but I detected the subtle change in her scent. My female liked that idea. I grinned. “That’s true, but I’m your bastard. Now hop in the shower while I go inform our son I’m fine.”
Aria climbed from my lap and started for the bathroom. I tossed on some clothes and went to the door. Theo stood right outside, his face filled with concern.
“Don’t look so worried my little warrior. I’m fine.”
Theo cocked his head. “Are you sure?”
I grasped his shoulder. “Positive. My processors are running at a hundred percent. The after-effects of being rebuilt have passed.” I knelt. “It’s over.”
Theo nodded and threw his arms around my neck, hugging me tight to his miniature frame then letting go. Reaching out, he grabbed my hand, examining the fingers that were now only metal.
“Does it hurt?” He asked softly.
“No.” I answered honestly.
He smiled. “My dad is a badass.”
My heart stuttered as my brand-new vocal cords froze. Dad. I was Dad. The acknowledgment of my place in Theo’s life hit me like a blow to the chest. Joy radiated from my frame, spilling out into the hall and expanding the heart within my chest. My vocal cords loosened. “You and your mother are my greatest joys. No victory on any battlefield equals what I feel for the both of you. Being your father is an honor. One I am not sure how I gained, but one I will protec
t with my life.”
He patted my shoulder. “Love you too, Dad.” He grinned. “Now when do I get a battle axe?”
“Not happening.” Aria said from the doorway.
“But I’m a Military Model; I need one!” Theo protested.
I opened my mouth to explain how Theo was correct and he was far old enough to begin training but a knock interrupted what I was about to say. I stored the conversation in my processors for another time.
I tossed open the front door to find Dash standing there. Iris stood beside him, holding his hand. Iris released Dash’s hand. “Before we get to why we are here, I need to do this.” Like a heat seeking missile she launched herself at me, wrapping me up in frame-bending hug.
“If you ever die on me again, great white, I will chase you into the other side and drag your gray ass back so I can spend the rest of eternity giving you hell for leaving me.” Her voice broke as wetness soaked the shoulder of my t-shirt. Even though it shouldn’t be possible, she squeezed my frame even tighter.
“I care for you too, Iris.” I hugged her back not caring that Military Models shouldn’t willingly want to give out hugs. I was done caring about what I should and shouldn’t do. I was free. I was more than my programming. So, I hugged my friend back like my life depended on it.
After a minute, she let go, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. “Sorry, I had to check if you were really Reaper. You have never hugged me back like that, before. You’ve tolerated my hugs but never really enjoyed them.” She rubbed her eyes again. “Who are you?”
“A big gray bastard who realized what really matters.” I gazed at Aria and Theo, not hiding the love circulating through my system.
Iris sighed happily. “I knew there was hope for you.”
Dash pulled Iris back to him, a possessive arm going around her waist.
“You’re still my favorite, blueberry. No need to worry.” Iris said reassuringly, snuggling closer to Dash. The Service Model rested his chin on top of her head and held her tighter to his frame.
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