Chapter 13, Wildcard Edge, Part2

Chapter 13: Wildcard Edge- Part II

Officer Kaplan used his judgment and made the conscious decision to speak to Sergeant Reed in behalf of RoboCop. Charles feels it is the least thing he can do for Murphy, after him calling his unit the night he found the stolen police arsenal in Splatterzone. Kaplan is lucky, as he still finds Reed at his private office, getting ready to go to the club.

Kaplan: In Murphy’s defense, Riggs kept provoking him over and over; the guy is a retarded moron…

Reed: Provoking him with fucking what? RoboCop is programmed to not harm any police officers, what he just did is unacceptable plus he destroyed police property...OCP’s people should not know about this...I need to call Dr. Tyler and ask her what the hell happened to directive 4...

Kaplan: Yeah...but Riggs was off the rails…

Reed: Saying what exactly? Kaplan...? You can’t come here; take up my time just to give me fragmented information…

Kaplan: Well...you see Robo was in reality, being protective; he was standing up for someone Riggs had disrespected earlier…

Reed: No...No...I want to believe this is just a bad dream and I will wake up in a minute at home, and my wife will be cooking pancakes...

Kaplan: Don’t you want to know who this person is, Sarge?

Reed: What for? I know it’s Lewis. It’s always her!! Ever since these two decided to patrol together against the orders of Johnson, they have caused nothing but problems to me...so let me see if I understand the situation…

…Riggs and Lewis had an altercation, Murphy found out, and as usual, he thought the best way to resolve things and help his partner, was breaking shit and making holes on the wall to make Riggs piss his pants?

Kaplan: Sure, you can write the report like this Sarge. It doesn’t sound that bad like this, a disagreement between three officers that...

Reed: Why wait...is there more...? Kaplan...I don’t have time for this...spit it out, come on, everything you know...and hurry the fuck up...I wanna leave to Sal’s place and have a nice cold beer...

Kaplan: Well, there’s more to it…apparently it was more of a personal issue…they say Riggs had dated Lewis recently...but she dumped him for Robo...and that made Riggs lose it...

…Estevez says Riggs was harassing Lewis at the locker room earlier, they both told him to get lost, Riggs went apeshit and provoked Robo at the hallway but Robo threatened Riggs to not get close to Lewis anymore, I guess, because she’s with him now... rumor has it they’ve become more than friends…

Reed: Wait, wait, slow down, I’m all confused here...who are more than friends..?

Kaplan: Murphy and Lewis...like you know...some of the guys say they seem to be in some sort of a, well, romantic relationship now...boyfriend-girlfriend type of thing...whatever that means for them...the guys were betting whether Robo was going to kick Riggs’ ass for dating Lewis…

Reed doesn’t say a word, but now both his hands are on his forehead. He feels his head will explode now. Not only RoboCop can be a headache at times, but Riggs, Lewis, Estevez and all the cops involved in this new absurd problem have become migraine for Reed.

Reed: What is this, Kaplan? A circus…? A fucking circus…? This is what it is...I feel I own a circus, but none of my animals ever listen to me...

Kaplan: I don’t know what to say...

Reed: Did you know Angie wants the divorce? She left me...and she took the boys with her...

Kaplan: No, no I didn’t...I am so sorry to hear that

Reed: Nobody knows. In fact nobody knows anything about my life here. I don’t want any more illegal gambling at the station…I have told the guys countless times to stop doing that…we are police officers; we are supposed to uphold the law, not to break it…

Kaplan: I will speak to them…

Reed: So what was the last bet before this one?

Kaplan: My old partner Adams…when he was found passed out and naked at this hotel room with no money, because the stripper he got involved with stole everything from him, the guys were betting how many weeks was going to take for Adams’ wife to forgive him this time…

Reed: Oh yeah, we all had a good laugh at that episode, have you ever done any bets about me?

Kaplan: No…of course not Sergeant…we all hold you in such high regard

Reed: Sure you do…anyway; did Riggs get any medical attention?

Kaplan: Yep, he is at the Medivac unit at the moment…

Reed: And where are the sweethearts now?

Kaplan: Robo went back to work...I don’t know where Lewis is...

Suddenly Reed’s inter-phone communicator receives an incoming video call. He immediately turns it off.

Reed: There you go...that was whiny Riggs on the phone...I have been off duty for at least an hour, so I am not going to take his call, let’s go to Sal’s now we will be able to fix this mess on Monday.

Kaplan: Sure, let’s get going.

Reed: Oh and do me a favor, get the surveillance recordings from the hallway first thing in the morning…

Kaplan: Sure thing sarge, but for now let’s get some beers and forget about everything for tonight.

Two blocks away from the police precinct, there is a Medivac Center where police officers are usually taken after being wounded in service. Riggs is there for a medical check-up to make sure that the altercation with RoboCop didn’t leave any injuries on him. His partner Adams is with him.

Riggs: Where the hell were you? That fucking beast was going to kill me, why didn’t you help me?

Adams: I am sorry partner, I was called out for duty…but hey, you managed things just great…it was epic man, David and Goliath...I have to say, I don’t know many men that would have done what you did, I am so proud of you…

Riggs: Had to be done man. That fucking robot needed to be taught a lesson. They have to destroy him...he is a threat to everyone at the station and I just tried to prove that...

Adams: You have to press charges now, there is a direct line for us to report police misconduct to the director of operations of OCP, Donald Johnson; he is in charge of the department and the robot.

Riggs: Don’t we have to report this to Reed first? I am trying to call him, but I am sent to voicemail and he signed out of the Metro Network like an hour ago….

Adams: He is probably getting wasted with the guys at the club now…I’ll tell you what, wait until tomorrow, confront Reed and threaten him with calling OCP yourself if he doesn’t directly report RoboCop’s misconduct to them… there is a fucking hole on the hallway’s wall now, it’s not like he can hide what that beast did to you…plus he broke an official police gun…

Riggs: You know, once RoboCop is disconnected, I will ask Reed to assign Anne to me, I really want to help her, hell I am even willing to pay for her therapy and shit, and once we are married, I will ask her to not work as a cop anymore…between you and me, I don’t think this is the right job for a chick…women can’t take the stress and pressure like we men do…

Adams: Couldn’t agree with you more…but we can’t say that out loud huh? Fucking feminist groups are everywhere…but hey, if you really want to help the chick out, why don’t we go to Sal’s now, it could be your chance to seriously talk with her…

…It’s not like the robot is going to be drinking beer there? Or…are you afraid of him…? Are you going to let him intimidate you…? Will you let him…win?

Most police officers from Metro West are at Sal’s club, Lewis and Estevez have been sitting on a table having fun and ordering drinks. However, as time ticks, both women start to feel that their dates aren’t going to show up and they are going to be stood up for the night.

Lewis: 10:45…What made us think they were coming for real?

Estevez: it’s not that late…they can still show up, did he roughly say at what time he was coming?

Lewis: No…I have no clue how his mind works sometimes, what about yours?

Estevez: No idea! Ha ha…at least yours is not married eh?

Lewis: He was…before all that shit and everything…

Estevez: But he doesn’t remember any of that…?

Lewis: As far as I am concerned he does have some memories of his family…I…don’t want to dig much into that…we don’t really talk about it…that topic makes me uncomfortable

Estevez: That’s not what I meant…I mean, he doesn’t really remember what it was like having a wife? Isn’t he…some sort of a virgin now? Like, inexperienced again…?

“She’s got a point” Lewis thinks to herself as she puts back her cocktail on the table without even tasting it. What if Murphy really shows up and allows her to kiss him again, Lewis doesn’t want to gross him out with her alcoholic breath. She was reminded on how new RoboCop is in some aspects.

Lewis: I guess…you can define him that way…

Estevez: And…the day at the ruins…was that the first time you made out with him, or have you guys been doing that regularly…?

Anne freezes and feels Barbara is low punching her. Although supportive, Barbara now seems to be part of the gang of cops that have always been morbidly curious to know what RoboCop and her do when they are off everyone’s sight

Lewis: Barbara!! How could you? For how long where you there? Who else was with you??

Estevez: Hey…don’t get defensive with me…it wasn’t on purpose…I wanted to thank him too, what he did for us was awesome…as soon as I saw that, I walked away…no one else was there…just relax, dammit…

Lewis: Let’s talk about something else…

Estevez: Anne…I think that what you guys have is very cute…hell I wish Simon did for me half the shit Murphy does for you…

Lewis: That’s because Simon is a lousy cop…you are a much better officer than him…he is envious of your skills…that’s why he started a personal relationship with you, so he can humiliate and undermine you enough, to boost his male ego…don’t you see what he is doing to you? The married guys at the station that date their partners, never leave their wives…

Estevez: That’s some fucked up shit you’re saying here…be very careful with your words! That’s not him at all…he will get his divorce papers soon and you don’t have an idea how sweet he can be, thoughtful, he always gets me flowers and nice things…although, you don’t need any of those right, you get stuff from your guy that is far more exciting…?

Lewis: Come again…?

Estevez: Well, don’t tell me that Robo fighting that wimp of Riggs in the hallway for you wasn’t the hell of a turn on for you…that’s his own way to get you flowers and chocolates and shit….

Lewis: No, you don’t know the kind of problems that this can cause with those bastards of OCP if they find out what he did …I will have to fix this on Monday with Reed…

Estevez: And you will, but come on, between you and me, are you aroused by his strength? When he gets all violent and shit with the arrested suspects? I bet he shows off to impress you…how far can you go with him…? Aren’t you afraid of Robo getting all passionate one day and bruising the hell out of you…? Or you wouldn’t mind…?

Lewis: That is just… horrible!! Of course I am not afraid of him! You’re the one that has to be careful with your words now!!…he has never ever, hurt me physically, he is conscious of his strength. Have I ever asked you how sexually aroused you are around Simon when you work with him??

Estevez: No…but Simon isn’t a…

Lewis: Isn’t a what, Barbara…? A robot…? A machine..? An artificial looking man…? That’s why you are fucking curious, right? Just like everyone else…

Estevez: I am sorry…I didn’t mean to offend you…

Lewis: Then don’t do it…

Silence strikes for a while. The fun time that Lewis and Estevez were having is gradually turning depressing for both of them. Talking about their men wasn’t the smartest topic to pick for the night. Finally Estevez dares to speak again.

Estevez: You know… that is one beautiful dress, violet suits you…it was about time you got yourself another one…too bad many stores were closed and we couldn’t get you a purse, you are lucky I had an extra one in my locker… eh?

Lewis: Yeah…thanks for lending it to me

Estevez: Sure, anytime…

The awkward silence is back, but not for long since a male voice greets them, it’s Smith and he has gotten flowers for Estevez. Lewis looks down with a sad grin on her face by thinking:

“The married one came, the blue prince didn’t”

Smith: Hey pretty girls, why so sad? How about I take both of you to the dance floor now?

Estevez: Simon, can’t we wait here with Anne for a bit…she is waiting for a date, I am pretty sure her blue prince will be here soon…

Smith: So…look at yourself eh, Lewis, Who are you waiting for? You make men fight over you at the station and now you are waiting for a date? You’re some heart breaker huh…

Estevez: Simon…

Smith: So, who is it? Do we know him Barbie? Is he from Metro South? East? North or…West?

Lewis slightly shakes her head gazing at Estevez with supplicant eyes, begging her in a silent way to not say anything else.

Estevez: No…baby…you and I don’t know the guy…

Suddenly a female voice interrupts Smith’s inquisitive round of questions.

Alana32: Good evening Anne, this is Alana32, your personal safety assistant; I have to inform that a police cruiser series number 8910 is currently tracking this device. The vehicle is approximately 105 meters away from where you are at the moment. Do you need assistance?

Both women look at each other in complicity, sharing a smile. All Estevez tells Lewis before she leaves the table is “Run!” Lewis walks fast to exit the club but stops abruptly at the main entrance. For the first time, Anne is afraid to confront Murphy.

Instead of walking outside, Anne goes to the bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror, trying to rearrange her hair and adjust her dress, wondering if RoboCop is going to like, what he is about to see, she looks for mints or gum in her borrowed black shiny purse, but as her hands are shaky some of her personal items keep falling from the sink to the floor.

Finally, she puts on her jacket, takes a deep sigh and gets ready to go.

RoboCop has been parked outside the night club waiting for Lewis to come out for at least ten painful minutes. He is always online on the Metro Network and has access to the exact hour without having to look at any clocks. Sometimes, counting minutes can be a slow torture for him.

Anne steps out of the club and sees RoboCop parked outside. She is enthralled on how handsome and powerful he looks in that brand new cruiser that was assigned to them earlier that week. Anne is reminded of the very amazing action figurines she liked to steal from her older brothers as a little girl to play with in secret.

It’s a night that should never end. There have been very few true happiness moments in her life, and this is one of them.

RoboCop sees Lewis approaching the cruiser and although that is a familiar image in his head, tonight it feels like it is the first time she will get in the car with him. The mental torture he has put himself through for months has finally reached the limits of his mental sanity and made him hit rock bottom. He has switched off his thoughts. Robo is finally tired of resisting and doesn’t care about the implications or consequences of him making personal decisions anymore.

Even if he wouldn’t mind to see Lewis dressed as a police officer for the rest of his life, the man in him is mesmerized on how beautiful she looks like. Robo and Lewis are together in the cruiser now; none of them apologizes to the other for making each other wait. There is an unspoken shared enthusiasm between them. Without saying a word RoboCop drives away from the place.

However, at the club Smith is now inquisitive about Lewis leaving all of sudden, without giving away more information about her current date.

Smith: You gotta tell me Barbie, come on…who is Lewis’ blue prince? Why do you girls call him that?

Estevez: Because…he is a blue eyed man

Smith: But that’s not the only blue he has on him, correct?

Estevez: Simon, please…don’t ask more

Smith: No way!!…Are we talking about who I think we are talking about?

Estevez: Don’t…say it, come on, forget about it, come on…let’s go dance

Smith: Whoa…I knew it… this is soo damn priceless…just wait until I tell…

Estevez: Until you tell no one!! You are not going to say anything to anyone! Come on, promise me you will keep the secret, they are like us…they have to hide, please…?

Smith: Alright, alright…calm down I don’t wanna upset you, let’s forget about it…let’s enjoy our night

RoboCop and Lewis finally get to Wildcard Edge. As they keep driving up floors, both cops try to spot any criminal activity that might be taking place there. Police instinct, although they’re well aware that if a crime in progress is found, they will have to proceed to arrest and their date would be over, and neither of them would like that to happen.

Some of the couples that are parked in the location feel nervous to see a police cruiser doing night surveillance around. RoboCop keeps driving up, until they reach floor 18th. Almost no one drives up that high. The floor is deserted and they can park there.

The place is romantic and sad at the same time. Music is constantly playing and there is dim light from the few halogen lights that still work on each floor. The graffiti on the walls is washed up and some parts of the walls look broken. RoboCop has parked the car and Lewis observes him just sitting there as a shiny statue, and as usual, she is the one that needs to get things started otherwise nothing will happen between them.

Lewis: I will need you to step out of the car…and get in the passenger’s seat

RoboCop: Why?

Lewis: Because…I can’t sit on top of you properly if you are in the driver’s seat…the steering wheel would be poking my back, you are…big…and the space is limited, we can just retract the seats a bit, it is a police car, remember?

RoboCop: You are right.

As they both step out of the vehicle, Lewis keeps wondering if RoboCop really wants to be there with her. “Are we making a mistake?” although those thoughts start to fade away once they’re together in the passenger’s seat, Anne loses her shoes and sits on top of him as if she was riding a horse. They retract the seat as much as possible until it knocks against the steel mesh cage that the cruisers have installed to protect police officers from arrested suspects.

They are face to face now and that is incredibly exciting for both of them. RoboCop is fascinated to repeat the experience of the yellow bridge, the day when Lewis sat on his lap for the first time. The artificial body that has been repeatedly shot, broken and mistreated is receiving a new treatment now, the unconditional affection from that person that means so much to him.

Although his low quality thermographic sensors aren’t allowing him to feel the warmth of Lewis’ body of top of his yet, he is able to sense her weight on his legs, RoboCop perceives the scent of her he has started to get used to, combined with perfume and that is captivating for him.

RoboCop wants to enjoy the moment in slow motion, but Lewis doesn’t seem to understand it, as she already has her hands on his face and is rushing to kiss him. It has been a long difficult wait for her, and she is so eager to feel him, she starts kissing him intensively, Robo has to move his head to one side and reject the kiss. He gets uncomfortable and nervous when Lewis is pushy and sexually aggressive.

Lewis: I am sorry…was that too intense for you?

RoboCop: Yes…

Lewis: I don’t care…you will eventually learn…I want you so much, I don’t care…

Everytime Lewis repeats to him “I want you so much, I don’t care” she gives him a quick kiss, but he still seems unresponsive and uncomfortable. Lewis looks down to see his waist moving and realizes RoboCop is either agitated or very nervous. As she gently starts wiping the smeared lipstick on his face Lewis feels bad and is conscious now on how difficult this is for him. She softens both her voice and actions and starts talking to him in an affectionate way.

Lewis: Are you…enjoying this?

RoboCop: I am not sure…

Lewis: We can, just talk…or listen to the music, or go…do you want to leave…?

RoboCop: No. Let’s stay.

Lewis: Alright, take your time.

Lewis takes a deep sigh, moving both legs to one side curling up against his body. Perhaps this is as good as it gets tonight. However, Anne is grateful to have some alone time with Murphy, he has finally stopped resisting and they are sharing a private moment away from everyone, just them, the dim light and the music.

RoboCop feels relieved and has dared to affectionately embrace her and despite the fact his arms are robotic, Lewis feels so protected, she wouldn’t mind to sleep in his company for the rest of the night.

Adams and Riggs finally reach Sal’s club, looking for Estevez and Lewis. Smith is sitting alone at a table, waiting for Estevez to bring back some snacks and Riggs thinks that if Smith is there with Estevez, he surely knows where Lewis is.

Riggs: Hey buddy, I am looking for my girl, is she here with Barbara?

Smith: Oh wow. Look who’s still alive ha ha ha, how are you feeling…?

Riggs: I’ll survive…so where is Anne? I really need to speak to her

Smith: Ah…I don’t know man, she isn’t here; It’s only Barbie and me on this table.

Adams: That is not true; the guys at the entrance saw both chicks coming into the place a while ago

Riggs: Simon, don’t fucking lie to me man…where is she hiding? Call Estevez now, ask her to bring Anne back to the table…I am not joking….

Smith: I am not joking either, Lewis isn’t here, she left like an hour ago, you’re so damn obsessed, forget about her…just leave her alone, didn’t you have enough already? Adams, sit down with us, come on, do you guys want a beer?

Riggs: With whom did she leave? Where did she go…?

Smith: I don’t know! She just left!!

Riggs: As you wish. You wouldn’t mind me talking now to a special lady we both know, on Sparkle? She’s online at the moment, wondering where her husband might be…

Smith: Don’t you dare…stay away from Marlene; you are going way too far this time!!

Riggs: Up to you. Either you tell me the truth or Marlene finds out about the special relationship you have with your partner…

Smith: Are you really blackmailing me…? Have you lost your mind? Did he hit you in the head…??

Riggs takes out his personal smartphone and seems focused trying to find his Sparkle chat account to message Smith’s wife, and although he is bluffing, Smith feels the chills and thinks his life will be ruined now, just for keeping a stupid secret he doesn’t even care about. Adams thinks Riggs provides endless fun and he is amused to see how troubled Smith is now.

Smith: Alright, alright…John, stop, stop don’t do it…you will ruin me man, you will kill me…

Riggs: With whom…?

Smith: Your guess is right you stupid fuck!! She left with him!! He called her or something like that a while ago; they are in some sort of a date at the moment…happy??

…But hey, don’t think for a second I will fucking forget about this “my friend”…

Riggs doesn’t remember feeling this humiliated before. He always comes late; he always loses over the robot. His obsession over Lewis has to do more with his inflated ego rather than true feelings or real love. For Riggs, women are trophies that can be easily obtained and collected.

Knowing there is a woman out there that is difficult to get, makes him want to pursue her to the last consequences, just to prove to himself, this is a game he can win. Every time he loses, his insecurities come to surface and Riggs is now emotionally engaged in a fight against the man that is in the way of him and the object of his desire; a man that should not be a real competition, but somehow keeps winning over him.

Adams: I know you will hate me for saying this Riggs, but…if you had reported things to OCP’s executives before, none of these things would have happened…now RoboCop will have your girl for the night and you won’t be able to do anything about it…

Riggs: No, you were right…you were always right my friend, with everything you’ve said to me… give me that number…the direct line to speak to Mr. Johnson…

Smith: Look, you idiot, this is the last thing I will do for you, if you really want to fuck him up, don’t call that number, the director of operations won’t listen to your messages until Monday or Tuesday...

…OCP executives have their private intranet, it’s hidden in ours, search out the Omni Network query in the Metro, they also have TSAP messaging service accounts. They are called “Omni.net” look for the surname“Johnson” there…

Adams: And it’s semantic, like ours and like Sparkle, it will only take you an eyeball scanning or voice command to get access, this surely will speed up the process of RoboCop being disconnected by OCP, great idea, Smith…

Sergeant Reed is at the serving area of the bar and gazes from afar Riggs is already there having a heated up conversation with Adams and Smith, he shrugs his shoulders and prefers to temporarily detach himself from all the problems that will have to be resolved on Monday.

Adams and Riggs leave Smith’s table, planning a way to contact OCP’s executives now. Smith feels someone is standing behind him, he turns around to grasp Estevez is already back with the tray of snacks, gazing intensively at him, disappointed and upset, and all she says to him is:

“What have you done Simon? What have you done…?”

A few miles away from them, Robo and Lewis are still at Wildcard Edge enjoying their alone time together. Songs keep playing, one after another, until a known one makes Lewis remember why her date with Riggs at Zero Zone was so depressing.

Lewis: Oh no…that song again…what a coincidence…

RoboCop: What song?

Lewis: It’s an old one, probably from the 15’s or 16’s, when I was at Zero Zone, the band started playing it and it reminded me of you, that made me want to get out of the place for good…

Although RoboCop doesn’t ask anything else, he has a vested interest in listening closely to the lyrics. More than just a romantic song, it is a bitter-sweet march that tells the story of a couple that all they have ever shared between them is a kiss and that is enough for them to realize how much love hurts for both of them. Robo thinks that if there is a song that matches their story, perhaps they aren’t such an odd couple after all.

They both start to gradually relax; there is a sense of normality on the date they are having now. Robo is encouraged to move Lewis from his chest to take a closer look at her. Lewis is realizing that slowing down to his pace has a reward; it makes him confident enough to start taking action. She goes back to the horse riding position, to be able to look at him directly again.

RoboCop is unsure if such a meaningful experience will ever be repeated, so recordings of the night must be taken. His hand starts touching her medium length blonde hair, her hair has grown since they both met, but the small gold earrings Lewis wears, are still the same ones. Robo briefly touches her face and although his sensations are limited, the emotion of the moment compensates his lack of sensitivity. He is still more moved by images, words and actions than sensations.

He thinks her crystal green eyes are beautiful, but it is in reality the way she is looking at him, what has started to move his heart. Lewis is still wearing a beige jacket on top of her violet dress. She takes it off so he can see her bare shoulders and the dazzling dress that was especially bought for her date with him.

RoboCop is slowly making Lewis lose her mind and it requires a lot of effort for her to not get carried away, surround his neck with her arms whilst confessing, how much she loves him. Lewis patiently smiles allowing Robo to keep exploring; however, his hand stops moving as it reaches her dress straps.

Lewis: Are you… curious to see more? Do you want to see more? You can see whatever you want…

There was a time when Lewis was walking on the shower rooms at the station and saw RoboCop briefly looking at one of the female officers taking a shower; then he walked away. Lewis remembers feeling jealous and hurt and wondered many times:

“If he is curious to see the body of a woman again, why doesn’t he ask me?”

Lewis regrets countless times having not had the courage to confront him that day. That episode triggers recurring dreams where she re-enacts the same scene with a different outcome. Instead of cowardly walking away from him, in her dreams she’s brave enough to chase Robo, stand in front of him to show herself completely whilst confessing how she feels, just to wake up feeling empty and embarrassed afterwards.

RoboCop dares to pull down the dress straps, although he is too shy to do anything else. Her dress falls down to her waistline and Lewis’ bra is exposed. RoboCop gets to see something up close that triggers a strong emotional effect on him:

The gunshot scars on her chest and shoulders that resulted in the fight against Boddicker’s gang. Lewis was in the hospital for a long time, recovering from three gunshots, the broken arm and the injured leg that resulted in the violent fall in the pit after being shot by Clarence Boddicker.

All this time it has been about his own personal torment and he had forgotten what Lewis went through to help him survive and get his personal revenge against the ones that took his human life off him. RoboCop starts caressing her chest and shoulders, he feels sorry to see the marks on her skin. His human body was slaughtered, torn by gunshots; there is deep empathy now, between his pain and hers.

However, RoboCop remembers there should be another scar hidden somewhere on one of Lewis’ thighs. He doesn’t remember which leg was it, so his hands start looking in both her legs.

Lewis has no clue on what Robo is doing now but having both his hands going up her thighs, rolling her dress up is gradually making her even more aroused than she already is. Lewis holds on with one hand to the small metallic rings that are on Robo’s shoulders, to not lose balance, whilst trying to mentally focus.

RoboCop finally finds the marks left on Lewis’ skin after getting stitches to close a profound wound on her left thigh that almost got infected due to her lying in that muddy pit after being shot.

He seems sad whilst caressing her thigh in a sweet way. Then she comprehends. Anne momentarily forgets about the sexual arousal as she feels her heart is tearing up inside and it is very difficult to contain the tears on how overwhelming the moment becomes for her.

After being in silence for a long while, RoboCop speaks now, in a soft voice that although has a slight artificial echo, sounds very human and affectionate.

RoboCop: I am sorry…you went through this because of me…

Lewis: Hey, I came back stronger, renewed, the same way you did…and I would do it again, for you…there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you…

RoboCop feels intoxicated. Almost as if he was the one that had had some drinks earlier at the club and not her. It is a strange type of happiness he hadn’t experienced before what it’s inundating his self. His low quality thermographic sensors are lit up and are capable of detecting some warmth in Lewis’ leg now.

Lewis: Do you feel me? Are you able to…?

RoboCop: I am…getting there…

Lewis: Concentrate, make the effort, I know you can feel more than you think…

RoboCop yearns to kiss her now, Lewis sees what he is trying to do, she is faster and could do all the work for both of them, but allows him to do it. Robo doesn’t seem to find the right angle, so she helps him by leaning her head to one side. Her eyes are closed and the same intoxicating feeling when he has approached to lift her up more than once is now multiplied by ten.

Finally, his lips are on top of hers, Anne surrounds him with her arms and they start kissing each other, a corresponded kiss that becomes intense little by little; It’s a powerful instance, the culmination of the story of two friends that started by them holding on to each other to survive.

RoboCop and Lewis hold on to each other now, to save themselves in a different way, from loneliness, from despair, trying to desperately find a new kind of happiness they thought, wasn’t meant for them to live together. It’s their way to make love to each other and finally establish a connection that was already there and they hadn’t dared to explore before out of fear and shame, the closer they get, the more barriers break between them.

The moment the kiss ends, Lewis opens her eyes and feels that Robo has leaned her a bit back and is observing her chest. In an agitated voice, she will encourage him now, to see and experience even more.

Lewis: Come on, pull it down, touch me…

RoboCop: No…you don’t want to feel these hands…there

Lewis: These are your hands, that’s what matters to me…

Lewis loses her bra exposing her bare chest to him; and although Robo doesn’t say a word, his sudden silent reaction of surprise, makes Lewis discover that, as any other man, visual stimulation helps him.

His hands are placed on her legs again; Robo is still aiming to develop more sensations. Lewis had repressed the sexual arousal for a long time, she feels slight pain from the waist down as a result, touching herself is a desperate resource for her to release the tension and ease the physical discomfort, hadn’t she had done that for a long time, when all of sudden, Lewis feels Robo has dared to touch her breasts, in a very shy delicate way, almost as if he was afraid to physically harm her.

More than just the sensation of having his artificial hands on her skin, it is the emotional impact of his actions, what makes her body have an involuntary spasm that is followed by a very intense orgasm that releases all the sexual tension she had been accumulating for a long time inside her.

Lewis leans on RoboCop’s body to recover for a bit, whilst saying “Oh fuck” in a suffocated voice, very close to his face. Getting to know Lewis to that extent somehow amuses him.

Although, after a short while, Robo notices Lewis doesn’t stop there and starts approaching him again; RoboCop wonders what’s on her mind; he had guessed everything was over. She completely leans on him, resting her arms on his shoulders, whilst talking softly to his ear.

Lewis: Oh…sweetheart, what is so funny, huh? Did you see what you just did to me?

…Do you know…why this happened to me…?

RoboCop thinks she might be slightly drunk, or perhaps this is a different kind of drunk, Lewis is so affectionate and is talking to him in such a soft, seductive voice, it’s overwhelming. His plexus is completely lit up. The Christmas tree of electrical sensations is back, but not due to the pain of being dismantled into pieces, this time he is plagued with wonderful sensations.

It’s an amazing moment of relaxation and pleasure in which he feels liberated and the world around him disappears, the kiss that follows, makes him feel his face is warm inside.

RoboCop: No…

Lewis: Yes you do…

At long last, between all the kissing and affection, Anne finally lets her guard down and confesses the words she had long repressed to say that burned deep within her heart.

“It was because I wanted you so much…and I am so in love with you” then she kisses him again

“I love you, I love so much, it hurts…do you love me? Do you love me, as much as I love you…?”

RoboCop has to pull back, everything he’s seen, felt and heard during the night converge in his mind, and as a result, an intense response from his nervous system is triggered, a new unknown stirring feeling of pleasure that starts in his mouth, extends to his face, goes down his spine, slightly pinches his stomach and goes to his limbs, making his head and hands to involuntarily move, he exhales and it’s over, RoboCop opens his eyes, confused, wondering what has just happened to him.

Lewis was astonished observing his reactions and is very amused and glad to see, Robo just experienced some kind of cybernetic orgasm. The heat of the moment is over as they both start gradually coming back to the reality.

Having her legs open all this time, has started to ache her back muscles, Lewis moves both her legs to one side, puts up her dress and wears her jacket as if it was a blanket curling up on RoboCop’s body again, almost in fetal position, looking distressed.

Reasoning is gradually coming back to Lewis’ mind; she’s beyond embarrassed by her recent words and actions, wishing to hide underneath the jacket and disappear.

Anne starts counting time and realizes it’s been more than three months since she dared to kiss Murphy for the first time at the ruins of Delta city and now thinks to herself:

“Great, he is going to run away from me for a year after this”

However, RoboCop is not even thinking about running away this time; his thoughts are way more complex than that; as his arms start surrounding Lewis’ body again, he is puzzled now by thinking his prosthetic body is still unknown to him in many aspects.

Robo is becoming aware that battling against his own body has prevented him from fully adapting to his mechanical part and accepting a life as a cyborg, that perhaps, it’s not that bad after all.

He remembers Tyler’s words and understands now the analogy of the kid burning his hand for the first time. It is a slow awakening for him. RoboCop wonders now how much more his nervous system and his thermographic sensors can be trained to develop more sensations; that would surely allow him to live more as a man and less as a machine.

Both RoboCop and Lewis remain in silence whilst the music keeps playing. Songs play continuously; they are both consumed in their own individual thoughts. Lewis sees her bra on the driver’s seat and decides to pack it away in her purse, her phone is inside it and has its red lights on, that is the silent alert her virtual friend has something important to communicate.

Alana32: I have an incoming report for you Anne, five voice messages marked as urgent were recorded by Officer Barbara Estevez. I suggest you listen to them now.

Alana32: Also, I am capable of detecting another operating system nearby, the Omni Control System version 3.1 that belongs to an OCP product known as RoboCop series number 001 that is partially blocking the free movement of your upper limbs. The device must be a threat. Shall we call emergency assistance?

Lewis bursts into laughs. Tension is over. That is the funniest report her phone has even given her. RoboCop is in such a good mood, Alana’s words seem funny to him. Robo sees things in a different light and is not interested in competing against an operating system anymore. After all, Alana is just artificial intelligence, and he is a man. He certainly feels like one.

Lewis: Ah no…Alana, no…the…device is not a threat, he is actually a friend

Alana32: I must repeat the device is partially blocking the free movement of your upper limbs. I strongly suggest we seek for assistance.

Lewis: That is different…how do I even explain it to you?

Alana32: Do you want to update my database in regards of the product known as RoboCop 001?

Lewis: That is a good idea, in fact, use the voice recording tool and listen to what I am going to say…

Alana32: It is ready for voice recording

Lewis: Okay, take note: RoboCop 001 is not a threat, he is a…friend…and…I have a confession to make, you see, tonight, I just had sex with RoboCop and well, OCP can kiss my ass for that…

Alana32: Database updated. RoboCop 001 is not a threat, he is a friend. You had sex with RoboCop tonight and well, OCP can kiss your ass for that.

Lewis: Oh god, it is always endless fun with you girl…can you play the voice messages now?

The fun with Alana dissipates as soon as both RoboCop and Lewis listen to the audio messages that Estevez had sent Lewis earlier that night. She sounds quite affected on the phone by telling the whole story of Riggs and Adams coming to the bar and blackmailing Smith in order to know with whom Lewis had left for the night.

The worst part is listening that Riggs is intending to call OCP executives now, to press charges against RoboCop. Both Robo and Lewis had been so consumed enjoying their romance, they had completely forgotten about Riggs and everything that had happened earlier that day.

Lewis: This is going to get ugly…

RoboCop: He… was out of order.

Lewis: I know… you and I should leave this chaotic town together, away from all of them…

RoboCop: Go where? Running away is not the solution.

Lewis: Well, we could go to Prisma city… the major said he could offer us a job…remember…? We could stay there and work for the Prisma Police?

RoboCop: We have several criminal cases in progress. We are needed here…and, I still depend on OCP for… repairs and maintenance.

Lewis: Do you think…Tyler would be capable of doing that again to you…?

Their worst shared fear is OCP’s executives finding out about RoboCop’s recent personal choices and Johnson ordering to get his memory wiped out again to get him reprogrammed.

RoboCop: No...

Lewis: We’re just guessing…what if this was just a bluff and Riggs didn’t even call anyone at OCP? It’s not like he would dare to overpass Reed’s authority, right? I don’t have my watch with me, and I packed away my phone, what time is it now?

RoboCop: 3:05

Lewis: Oh wow, is it that late already…?

RoboCop: Do you want to go?

Lewis: Can’t we just…stay for a bit more?

RoboCop: For sure.

Lewis: Could you…would you mind…going back to the driver’s seat? No offense, but your legs are…hard...

RoboCop smirks playfully, there is no way he can be remotely offended after the incredible things Lewis did and said to him that night. Lewis observes RoboCop’s funny and relaxed demeanor and that gives her hope that he is content with everything that happened between them.

Perhaps the knight in shining armor won’t be running away from her this time. Their date was not the disaster they both feared it could be, in fact, that night in Wildcard Edge will be remembered by them as a significant event that has marked their lives both individually and in their relationship together.

THE END OF PART I