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Connor left in the early hours of the morning from Carol’s apartment. He seemed a little more off than usual. At the police department, he sat outside. His mind seemed so distracted.
“Hey, robot-boy, you just gonna stand there.” Connor jumped, slightly at the sound of Carol’s voice.
“What are you doing here?” He asked.
“I always arrive early.” She chuckled. “I just spend a lot of it in my car. I saw you, and I figured you’d get very lonely out here.”
“I don’t get lonely,” Connor said. “I’m very content alone. I get things done quicker.”
“That makes two of us.” Carol rolled her eyes, smiling. “But, that doesn’t mean I can’t give you a little bit of company.”
Connor’s cold motions warmed a little around Carol. “I appreciate that. I did enjoy our talk last night.”
“Really? I thought I weirded you out too much.” She was only slightly kidding, but it was exactly a joke. “When you left, I figured that I was coming on too strong.”
Connor looked at her, confused. “Too strong, how do you mean?”
“Well, I kinda like you.” She looked to the ground, fidgeting with her cardigan, slightly. “You’re nice to me, then how most people treat me. I know that you probably don’t feel the same way-”
“I like you too.” Connor interrupted her rambling. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, but I believe being in a relationship with you would contradict my mission.”
Carol smiled, sadly. “Makes sense. It’s getting a little chilly, and I wouldn’t want you rusting.” She leaned forward, giving him a small kiss on the cheek before going inside.
Connor froze for a second, touching the place she kissed. He watched her closely as she went inside. All of his systems seemed to be going against him. He watched her from afar as Gavin approached her. After a while, he walked into the building, his cheeks were tinted a slight blue.
“Gavin, I’m not letting you see any of the android bodies,” Carol mumbled.
“Oh, come on, Carol. Just for me.” Gavin winked at her. “It could be our little secret.”
“No, it’s not your evidence, besides aren’t you supposed to be working downtown on that triple homicide.” Carol rolled her eyes.
“She’s right,” Connor chimed in. “The deviant cases belong to me and Lieutenant Anderson. Unless Fowler said otherwise, it’s still our case.”
“Listen here, asshole. I asked a simple question, alright. I need it for a lead on a case, so stay off my back.” Gavin got closer and closer to Connor, pointing his finger in his face. “If you don’t get out of my fucking way, I’ll make you into scrap metal.”
“Ugh, just let him go, Connor.” Carol sighed. “He can look at them, but he can’t tamper with any evidence.”
Gavin smirked. “See, she likes me.”
“Whatever you say, Detective Dickhead.” She rolled her eyes leading them both down a slim hallway. There was a small elevator, leading to a much lower floor.
Scanning her ID, Carol opened up the door to the lab. Different broken androids were laid on different tables, in a specific order by model. Connor’s eyes analyzed every aspect of the room. It was a little different from the rest of the department. Each android seemed to have busted or destroyed completely beyond repair.
“Do what you need to do, Gavin,” Carol said, finally.
“Alright. Is Detective Tin-man gonna stick around?” Gavin glared over at Connor.
“Yes, I have reason to be here,” Connor said. He gently put a hand on Carol’s shoulder. She smiled, slightly.
Gavin rolled his eyes. “Fine, whatever.”
Connor ran through the evidence. There was nothing new discovered, but surely something was missing. Gavin was looking around through the files, while Carol was doing her work. Connor’s eyes seemingly wandered over to Carol.
“What the hell are you even doing?” Gavin growled. “Are you even listening to me?”
Connor frowned, looking away. “I’m reviewing evidence. You said you had an appropriate reason to be here.”
“I did until you showed up. Carol doesn’t need a fucked up android who can’t even perform a simple task.” Gavin pushed him, slightly. “Or do you have a robot crush on her?”
Connor maintained his composure, but his stress began to heat up. “Carol isn’t my mission.”
“But, you wish she was,” Gavin whispered. “Ooh, you look like you wanna hit me. Do you wanna hit me, Connor?
Connor glared. He wanted to hit him. The way he disrespected Carol sat in his robotic mind. All these feelings weren’t real. He needed to keep that at the forefront of his mind. However, he felt such a strange connection to her. It was like magic. When he kissed her, he didn’t feel scared anymore. Gavin wasn’t gonna take her away from him.
Gavin pushed Connor hard. “Say something, asshole. You got a malfunction.”
“Gavin! Leave him alone.” Carol yelled.
“You’re actually defending him. He’s a piece of plastic.” Gavin scoffed. “Are you telling me you like this asshat?”
“He didn’t do anything wrong. He’s just trying to fucking work.” Connor stood behind her. The more she spoke, the more thirium in his system started pumping faster.
“You’re crazy.” He towered over her. She didn’t show any fear.
“That’s enough.” Connor put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s ok. I don’t want things to escalate.”
“She can’t do shit.” Gavin scoffed. “I got what I came for. Sickos.” He pushed Connor one last time. Connor fell against the table.
He looked over at Carol. “You didn’t have to defend me.”
“I know I didn’t have to defend you. I choose to, Connor.” She smiled at him, gently.
“But, why?” Connor furrowed his eyebrows. His brown eyes soften when he was alone with her.
“I already told you why,” Carol sighed. “But, like you said we can’t.”
Connor leaned in for a kiss, but she stopped him with her finger. She smiled, softly. “You don’t know what you want. I don’t want to be in the way of your mission.”
No, she was right. He couldn’t have her be in the way
“I understand.” But, he didn’t understand.
“Good evening, Connor,” said Amanda, sitting on a white bench. “You seem troubled.” His mentor gave him a slight look of disappointment in her eyes. She’s seen all that Connor has seen, knows all that he knows. She was Connor’s mentor, of course. She was integrated into his programming, unlike most of Elijah’s creations.
“Hello, Amanda.” Connor greeted.
“Come, sit.” She gestured next to her. “How are you doing on your investigation?”
“It’s been slow.” He said. “I’ve been struggling, lately.”
Amanda frowned. “That’s not good. Do you have any idea as to why?”
“No, I’m certain there’s nothing wrong with me. I self-check regularly.” Connor looked down at his hands. The garden of his mind began to wilt. He seemed to be overthinking his mission.
“Maybe it’s an outside source. Connor, you’re the only one who can solve this investigation. If anything is in the way, it’s within your duty to eliminate it.” Amanda said, sternly.
Connor was a bit hesitant to ask what she had meant. Soon it clicked in him. It was Carol.
“But, Amanda, she’s a person.” He spoke up, finally.
“What if she isn’t? Just because she has a functioning human brain doesn’t mean she’s not also a machine.” Amanda said. “She can blend in, but all it takes is a little rewiring and she’s nothing.”
Connor stood in silence. He couldn’t seem to argue with her.
He heard a loud honk next to him.
“Come on, Connor. We have to meet your maker.” Hank said, driving up to the android.