"Is this really necessary?"

Tasha's hands were cuffed behind her back as she sat in the passenger seat. Her lips were pursed, a pout clearly evident. It was an uncomfortable situation to say the least.

"The probability of you trying to run away is close to fifty percent." Connor said simply, not looking towards her as he drove.

"Yeah, well I agreed to come, didn't I?"

"You did. But as your lover, I am aware at how you try to manipulate, but in this case you're not being manipulating which can only mean you do in fact care."

"Pssssh, yeah, okay, lover boy! The only reason I agreed to come with you is because I know you'll be pathetically annoying until I cooperate. Don't think it's because I care."

Tasha rolled her eyes as she turned up the music, drowning out any chance of talking to her.

Connor knew she cared. She made that blatantly obvious by staying with him. But he knew better than to push his luck. So he remained silent.

Once they arrived at Jericho, they were instantly greeted by Markus and North.

Tasha walked separately from Connor, a slight strut to her stance, and even with the cuffs on she made an impression. Her normal character was to be close to Connor — but now she couldn't wait to get away.

"Tasha! It's so good to see you!" Markus went to hug her, but stopped in his tracks when he saw the expression — or lack thereof — on her face.

"What..." He looked over at Connor, then noticed the cuffs behind Tasha's back. "What the hell is going on?"

"I did what was best for everyone. I shut off my emotions." Tasha stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world, rolling her eyes as she turned away from the group, analyzing the room around her.

"You — What?"

Tasha sighed in annoyance, "Think of it like flipping a switch. I flipped the motherfucking switch. Thank Kamski for the flaw design."

North puckered her lips for a moment, "Wait — so you don't feel anything?"

"Nope." Tasha replied, "Nothing."

"How is this possible? Markus asked Connor who had been silent the entire exchange.

"I don't know." He replied, shaking his head. "She won't listen to me, Markus. She's completely closed herself off to me... I was hoping you and North can talk some sense into her."

"How did you let it get this far?" Markus asked, his eyes narrowed at Connor.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Connor asked, anger swelling in his chest.

"Well maybe if you knew how to take care of her better, you'd understand."

"Me! This is coming from the guy who got how many of us killed because of your damn ideas?"

"Don't Get me started, Connor. Let's not forget who chased down how many Deviants? Before you were considered one of us." Markus jabbed his finger against Connor's chest.

"Guys, enough of your testosterone." North shook her head at them, "We're here to help Tasha, not —"

It was then Tasha let out a laugh, causing everyone to turn their head towards her.

"Do you really think I even want your help? Given that all you cocksuckers can't even handle each other, how the hell do you think you can possibly handle me?"

Connor and Markus both looked at each other.

"Did she just —" Markus blinked a few times, "Call us cocksuckers?"

"That is definitely not our Tasha." North said, though she had a small smirk on her face. "But she's not wrong. Stop fighting and help her."

"Alright, let me try."

Markus walked over to Tasha, who was sitting on a block of cement.

"What, have you come to enlighten me? All mighty Robo Jesus." Tasha laughed.

"Is this for real right now? What's gotten into you?"

"I grew up."

"You know, part of growing up is —"

"Oh, cut the Peter Pan metaphor bullshit, Markus. I made my choice. Why can't you just accept that and leave me be?"

"I would, if you'd explain to me why you made these decisions."

Tasha was dangerously close to Markus, a smirk on her lips. "You shouldn't play with fire. Sooner or later, you're going to get burned." Their faces were centimetres apart before Tasha spun around, a smirk on her face as she walked away from Markus.

"Well that didn't work." North told Markus with her arms crossed. "What the hell was that?"

Markus shook his head. "I... I don't know. Tasha used to be so different..."

"That's why we have to get her back, and you flirting with her definitely isn't helping." Connor said, annoyance laced in his voice.

"I wasn't flirting with her. North, you're up."

"I'll give it my best shot." North ran after Tasha.

Tasha's POV

"Have you ever shot an arrow before?"

I shook my head, raising my eyebrows as I took the bow from her. Connor had finally released me of my constraints and I was ready to do some damage. "No, but I'm willing to learn."

I followed North's movements, taking a deep breath as I steadied my bow.

You got this.

You're a boss ass bitch!

You got this.

3rd person POV

As Tasha shot each target head on, North clasped her on the back. "You're sure feisty, now, aren't ya?"

Tasha merely shrugged in response.

"Don't get me wrong, I love this badass version of you — but the old you was amazing too, Tash."

"The old me was weak." She replied with an eye roll. "Pathetic really."

"The old you had empathy, compassion..."

"Coming from the one who wanted a war with the humans." Tasha mused, shoving the bow at her. "I'm done playing games. I have work to do." Tasha turned, walking past the three of them out of the building towards the car.

"So much for that plan."

••

Connor trailed after Tasha, finding her leaning her back against the car. He stood in front of her, a few feet away.

"Why won't you let us help you?"

Tasha didn't look at him as she turned her back to him, opening the car door. "I don't want your help."

Connor grabbed her arm, causing her to turn back to him with a glare.

"The sooner you accept that, the easier it will be for you to cope." Tasha shrugged as she turned away from him, slamming the door shut before walking down the deserted road.

"Where are you going?!"

Tasha ignored him as she continued to walk down the road.

A party for one coming right up.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Leave suggestions! My boyfriend has begun to read comments and he may even read this story trying to embarrass me so let's make the comments rain in funny things and embarrass him :3 🤣
Lots of love from yo boiii RKDADDY (she)