Chapter Text
It’s January fourteenth, and it's been sixty-eight days, thirteen hours, and twenty-four minutes since Connor last ran a diagnostic test. Since November, he had been working almost nonstop acting as a liaison between the androids and humans. He was currently sitting on a plane, looking out the window. He was soaking in every view he could. The flight from Washington D.C. to Detroit wasn’t a long one, but it gave Connor some time to think about the last few months.
Markus had pulled him aside after the revolution and asked him if he would continue his work at the DPD. Connor was already well liked and trusted by most of the officers, and this way they would have the ability to track crimes committed against androids easier. Connor also became the androids’ direct line to the FBI through Agent Perkins. He had spent the last six weeks working towards this moment, getting a meeting with the president herself.
Of course, Connor didn't meet her. It was a private meeting meant for Markus as a show of faith. That, and no one wanted two androids that close to the president at the same time. Connor instead spent his time meeting with law enforcement agencies like the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security. It had been a long 3 days, and Connor was excited to return home to Hank.
Since Connor had become a deviant, his relationship with Hank had grown. Connor would go over to his place to see Sumo and watch classic movies. Hank would also drag Connor out to drink with him, even though he couldn’t get drunk. Connor secretly thought Hank was only doing it so he would have a designated driver to take him home, but Connor didn’t mind. He enjoyed Hanks company and liked listening to the stories he had to tell.
Connor recently had also started spending the night at Hanks place a few times a week. Hank would suddenly grab him from his desk and drag him from his work, saying something about taking breaks. On those nights, Hank would bring out a pillow and blanket and set Connor up on the couch. On the first night he had stayed over, there was a long moment where Hank stared at the door at the end of the hall.
“Your couch is so comfortable, is it okay if I sleep out here?” Connor had said, as nonchalant as he could. He looked over at Hank, who had given him a grateful look, and so the living room became Connor’s makeshift room.
In the mornings, Hank would come out to find Connor laying on the couch with his eyes closed, Sumo either on the ground next to him, or on the couch with him, partially smothering him. He would come over and give Sumo a pat, and Connor would feign waking up.
“Good morning, Lieutenant. I hope you slept well.” Connor would sit up and smile, usually a genuine one. Lately though, Hank would stare at him for what seemed like just a little too long, like he was searching for something in Connors eyes. Connor would pretend not to notice.
Connor came back from his reminiscing by the view in front of him. The sun was out with few clouds in the sky. Lake Erie was almost completely covered in ice, and the snow on the ground made the line between land and lake invisible. It was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. He glanced at Markus to see him staring at the same view.
Soon, the private plane landed, and they came to a stop outside an empty hanger. They deboarded the plane, thanking the pilot and crew for a safe flight. A black SUV was waiting nearby to take them to their respective “homes”. For Markus, that was an old apartment building that was donated by the city to him to house androids; for Connor, it was the DPD.
They were quiet almost the whole drive. As they were approaching the DPD, Markus cleared his throat, breaking the silence.
“Connor, you know you can stay at Jericho anytime.” Connor forced a smile. This wasn't a new conversation.
“Thank you, Markus, yes, I know.” Their eyes met and Markus held his gaze, as if searching for something. After a moment, he nodded, and they fell back into silence. Connor spent as little time as he could at Jericho. He could tell there were some androids there who were uncomfortable with his presence, and most of them still thought of him as ‘the deviant hunter’.
“I’m glad you came Connor, I think we made some good progress.” Markus said as Connor stepped out of the car.
“I am as well. I’ll talk to you soon.” and with that, Connor closed the door. He watched the SUV pull away before hustling inside out of the bitterly cold air. He walked in, rubbing his arms to warm up. The android receptionist smiled and waved at him as she let him through. He smiled back. It had taken a lot of convincing to get androids back into the precinct. Eventually he wore Fowler and Agent Perkins down, and they allowed some androids to return to work, this time with pay.
As Connor walked in, his eyes automatically glanced over to Hank's desk. He was surprised to see Hank was already staring at him. Hank was wearing his brown jacket with his stripey button up, the same one Connor had picked out for him months ago. A quick scan showed Connor that Hanks heart rate was slightly elevated, his clothes looked more rumpled than usual, and he had dark circles under his eyes.
He gave him a small smile and wave before heading straight to Fowler's office to report. He gently closed the door behind him before standing in front of Fowler's desk, his hands behind his back. He wanted to make this quick.
“Welcome back, Connor, how was your trip.” It sounded more like a statement than a question to Connor.
“I think it went well.” Connor tried to debrief him as quickly as possible. Fowler didn’t ask any questions or even look up from his desktop. Connor finished and stood there for a moment before Fowler seemed to realize he was done.
“You’re dismissed.” Connor hesitated, and then nodded. He walked to the door and saw himself out. He let out a breath when the door was finally shut behind him, and looked over to Hank's desk. He wasn’t there.
Connor looked around before spotting Hank leaning on a table in the break room, coffee in hand. He couldn’t help the wide smile he got. He had missed him. Connor basically trotted over to Hank then.
“Hello Hank! It’s good to see you again!” Connor stopped near the table. Hank stared at for a long moment, and Connor looked at him, confused.
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s good to see you too.” Connor immediately relaxed as Hank smiled back. Suddenly, Hank threw an arm over Connors shoulders.
“Hey, why don’t you come give me a debrief now.” Hank directed him to an empty meeting room, pushing him just a little too hard on accident. Hank ushered him into a chair before sitting next to him.
“I felt like this trip was very productive.” Connor started. “Things really seem to be heading in the right direction.” Connor gave Hank a more detailed report than Fowler, talking animatedly.
“This morning, before we left, I went to the National Mall. I sat on a bench and watched the sunrise over the frozen water. Someone was there, ice skating.” Connor had a soft smile on his face. “The sun had just started to shine, and she looked so free. Watching her skate in the early morning chill... I really felt alive then.”
Connor had described something like this to Hank before. This feeling of being alive. While Connor understood he had his freedom, he could choose if he wanted too, he didn’t necessarily feel ‘alive’. It was in those moments where Connor simply sat and felt the world around him, that it felt like life was coursing through his veins. He had never told Hank, but Connor believes the first time he experienced this was that night in the park under the Ambassador Bridge.
“Connor... is everything alright?” Connor was caught off guard by the question, surprise showing openly on his face. He took a moment to answer, trying to emulate calm.
“Yes?” Hank was looking at him so hard Connor had to look away. His mind and heart were racing. A notification warning ‘System Overload: Cool Down’ popped up. Connor quickly dismissed it.
“Somethings off with you, I can tell!” Hank poked his finger on Connor's chest. Connor quickly schooled his face again, giving Hank a smile and raising his hands disarmingly.
“I’m not sure what you mean Lieutenant.” Connor stood up then, Hank staring daggers into him. Connor tilted his head to the side and gave Hank a look of pure innocence.
“I’m fine Hank, you have nothing to worry about.” Connor smiled again, patting Hank on the shoulder before walking away. He had to get out of there. He shut the door behind him, and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a shaky breath.
Connor knew exactly what Hank was talking about. Over the last two months, Connor had shut off almost all of his nerve receptors, choosing instead to ignore and mute any alerts he received. Every day brought forth a new issue, and Connor felt numb in more ways than one. His morning of quiet respite seemed ages ago.
He trudged his way back to his desk, trying not to drag his feet too much. He sat down carefully, making himself look busy. He settled into a rhythm, focusing on sorting crimes into different categories to make them easier to reference. He was at it for a bit before Hank returned, dropping a tall stack of papers on Connor’s desk.
“Some new android cases came in while you were gone, I thought you'd like to look through them.” Connor stared at the mountain of paperwork, his mouth suddenly feeling dry.
“Thanks, Lieutenant. I’ll get started right away.” Connor got to work, taking each page and scanning it. Since he no longer reported to Cyberlife, Connor had worked with Captain Fowler to create a system he could update to. He wasn’t sure how long he had been working, but Hank eventually stretched and stood up.
“Well, I’m gonna call it a night. Whatdaya say Connor, wanna head out?” Connor barely looked up from his work.
“That’s okay, Lieutenant. I’m going to keep working on this.” Connor grabbed another page and scanned it. He could tell Hank was watching him, so he looked over with a wide smile.
“Was there something else you needed?” Connor was trying to be polite, but Hank didn’t seem to pick up on that.
“Whatever, enjoy your work.” Hank shouldered his coat on and headed for the door.
“Goodnight, Lieutenant, I’ll see you tomorrow!” Connor called after him. Hank didn’t even wave goodbye before walking out the door.
**
Hank was waiting impatiently at his desk. Connor left for Washington D.C. two days ago and was expected to return this afternoon. Hank showed up late for the first time in weeks, arriving shortly after noon. Everyone who looked at him could see the proverbial storm cloud around him darkening his face. The only person who seemed to either not notice, or just not care, was Gavin Reed.
“Well you look like shit.” Gavin sat in the chair in front of Hank’s desk and put his feet up on Connor’s. Hank could feel his eye starting to twitch. He clenched his jaw and his hand formed a fist instinctually.
“Not really in the mood today.” He managed to grind out, grabbing a file on his desk so he had something to do with his hands. Gavin smirked and breathed out a laugh.
“What? Can’t last three days without your plastic pet?” Hank was up and had Gavin’s lapel fisted in his hands before he knew it. The chair Gavin was in was leaning back now, the front legs off the ground. Gavin had a wicked look in his eyes, and Hank knew he had fallen for his bait. He held him there for a moment before letting go and letting the chair fall backwards with Gavin in it.
Gavin hit the ground with a thud. A few people nearby snickered as Gavin rolled out of the chair and stood up. He huffed, straightening out his shirt and jacket. They both stood there, glaring at each other, until Fowler stepped out of his office.
“Knock it off you two! Hank, in my office!” Hank stood there a moment longer, glaring at Gavin’s smug face, before making his way into Fowler's office. He let the door close itself, and sat down hard into a chair, crossing his arms. He looked like a petulant child about to be scolded.
“You can’t hold it together for seventy-two hours?” Fowler was standing behind his desk with both hands leaning on it. Hank rolled his eyes.
“He was asking for it, you know it!” Hank was looking everywhere but at Fowler, keeping his arms crossed as if to protect himself. Fowler sighed, finally sitting down.
“He’ll be back in a few hours; do you think you can handle that? Or should I send you home for the day?” Fowler gave him a hard look when Hank finally met his gaze. Hank deflated a little, and he rubbed his hands across his face and sighed.
“Yes, I can manage.” Hank looked out over the bullpen at everyone working. Connor will be disappointed to hear about his behavior today.
“What’s gotten into you anyway? You don’t normally let Reed rile you up.” Hank glanced at Gavin who was in a conversation with some other officers. He saw Gavin glance in his direction before looking away quickly.
“It’s nothing.” Hank wasn’t about to tell the captain he thought there was something up with Connor. If Connor was taken off the force for it, he might not forgive Hank. Fowler studied his face, before finally shaking his head.
“You know where to find me if you decide you want to talk.” And with that, Hank was dismissed. He stomped out of the office back to his desk and started some work. He wanted to have something to show Connor when he got back. Something to prove he had actually been working and that he doesn't necessarily need Connor to babysit him.
Hank had been working for a few hours and was starting to get antsy again. He kept glancing up to the front of the bullpen, waiting to see Connor.
As if on cue, Connor walked through the front door. He was wearing his usual outfit, dark jeans, a white shirt, and a semi-formal jacket. Hank had to convince him to ditch the Cyberlife jacket, instead buying him a similar slate gray jacket but without all the branding. Connor glanced in his direction. He looked surprised for a moment before giving Hank a small smile and wave, heading straight for Fowler’s office.
Unfortunately, Connor's conversations with Fowler were much quieter than Hanks, so he couldn’t exactly eavesdrop. Instead, he got up and stretched, heading for the break room. The whole way, he kept one eye on Connor, who seemed to be giving a detailed debrief on his trip. Connor stayed standing, and Hank noticed Fowler didn’t even look at him.
Hank made himself a coffee to look busy. He went to one of the tall tables that gave him a good view of Fowler’s office and leaned against it. He sipped his coffee, keeping an eye on the office door. It didn’t take long for Connor to leave. Hank watched him close the door gently behind him, before looking towards his desk. He paused, not seeing Hank there. He watched Connor look around before spotting him in the break room.
Connor gave Hank a bright smile. Hank soaked it in, smiling a little himself. He watched Connor make his way over. It looked like he was almost skipping.
“Hello, Hank! It’s good to see you again.” Connor stopped in front of him, rubbing his hands together. Hank stared at him, searching his face. Connor seemed more animated than he had just a few days before. He felt a small amount of guilt for his behavior earlier, before he noticed something. Hank squinted his eyes slightly, and Connor looked at him, confused.
“Yeah. Yeah, it’s good to see you too.” Hank finally spoke. Connor seemed to relax a little, his shoulders lowering slightly.
“Hey, why don’t you come give me a debrief now.” Hank tossed his arm over Connors shoulders, directing him towards an empty meeting room. Connor didn’t protest and seemed to relax a little more. Hank ushered him into the room, closing the door behind them. He ushered Connor into a seat, sitting down next to him.
“I felt like this trip was very productive.” Connor started. “Things really seem to be heading in the right direction.” Hank let Connor talk, filling him in on his trip. Toward the end, Connor got a wistful look on his face.
“This morning, before we left, I went to the National Mall. I sat on a bench and watched the sunrise over the frozen water. Someone was there, ice skating.” Hank watched Connor tell his story. He had a soft look on his face, but to Hank, he could see how tired he looked.
“The sun had just started to shine, and she looked so free. Watching her skate in the early morning chill… I really felt alive then.” Connor had a sad look on his face, Hank wasn’t even sure he realized it. It felt like his heart was breaking.
Connor had talked like this before. Like being alive was some obscure feeling he could only grasp fleetingly. Hank was silent for a moment before speaking.
“Connor… are you alright?” The shock on Connor’s face that was quickly schooled into something akin to calm told Hank more than Connor knew.
“Yes?” Connor tilted his head to the side, and Hank saw his LED flash red before going back to blue. Hank could feel the anger coursing through his veins.
“Somethings off with you, I can tell!” Hank got in Connors face, poking him in the chest. He saw Connors LED spin yellow. Connor smiled then and raised his hands.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Lieutenant.” Connor gave him an award winning smile, before placing a hand on Hanks shoulder.
“I’m fine, Hank. You have nothing to worry about.” Connor pat his arm gently before heading for the door. Hank watched him closely. As Connor reached the door, Hank was positive he saw him hesitate, almost like he was buffering.
Over that last two months, Hank had watched Connor, and could tell his reaction time was down. He knew something was going on, and he was going to make Connor talk, whether he’d like to or not.
Hank went to find every case that had come in since Monday that had anything remotely to do with androids. From violent crime to simple infractions, by the time Hank was finished, he had a hefty stack. He brought it over to Connor’s desk and dropped the stack down. Connor jumped slightly in surprise before looking at the daunting task ahead.
“Some new android cases came in while you were gone, I thought you'd like to look through them.” Connor’s LED spun yellow for a moment.
“Thanks, Lieutenant. I’ll get started right away.” Hank sat down across from Connor as he got to work. He made himself look busy, but all his attention was on Connor. He timed how long it took for Connor to scan each page. He let Connor work for about an hour before he stood up and stretched.
“Well, I’m gonna call it a night. Whatdaya say Connor, wanna head out?” Connor only slightly glanced at him before grabbing another page off the stack.
“That’s okay, Lieutenant. I’m going to keep working on this.” Hank watched him, coat in hand. He debated whether he should just force the android to come with him. Connor suddenly looked at him, with a big smile on his face.
“Was there something else you needed?” The look unnerved Hank. There was something so machine about it that made Hanks skin crawl.
“Whatever, enjoy your work.” Hank threw his coat on and marched towards the door.
“Goodnight, Lieutenant, I’ll see you tomorrow!” Hank didn’t look back and instead gave a wave as he left.