Tasha's POV

After the previous evening with Connor, I found myself going over the events in my mind over and over again. The way Connor kissed me — the way his hands glided over my body...

Laying in bed with him in silence was pure ecstasy.

It was enchanting.

The way it felt to be so close to him —

No.

I didn't feel anything.

"Come here, lover boy. I need your help with this." I called, smiling to myself when he wheeled over with his chair, moving it next to mine.

"What do you need?"

As I began to explain the situation to him, Connor rested his hand on my leg. I tried to pretend like I didn't care, but as he began slowly tracing his fingers along my thighs I felt my face heat up.

Connor leaned into me, looking at the computer screen but I knew his attention was on me. As he began to explain something, what I have no idea because his hand gripped my thigh harder, his fingers achingly close to my heat which was now pulsing for him.

Nope. Not happening.

When I went to grab his hand and move it away from my thigh, Connor simply held my hand in his, causing me to roll my eyes.

He was becoming extremely bold with his affection towards me. Whatever angle he was playing at, was working.

"Smooth, Connor."

Maybe a kiss wouldn't hurt...

Yes, it would.

He's too close. He's going to bring it all back. It's not just happy feelings — pain and suffering.

I was brought out of my thoughts as folders were dropped onto my desk.

"Tasha, this assignment pertains to Connor and yourself."

I turned to the Captain, raising my eyebrows slightly. Connor let go of my hand, allowing me to question Fowler. "What about Hank?"

"Hank has the day off." Connor said simply.

"Are you sure you have no one else who can do this assignment, I'm not sure it's really up our —"

"It's directly involving CyberLife."

Damn.

Captain Fowler left the file on my desk, leaving Connor and I alone as I flipped through the case file.

I sighed in defeat, turning to look at Connor. "This is the first real lead we've had in a long time. I wonder how CyberLife slipped up..."

"I'm not sure. Possibly hired mercenaries to do their dirty work."

"Maybe." I agreed, handing the folder to him as I pushed past him, towards the door, tossing the car keys to him.

"You drive, lover boy."

•••

"This is their last known location."

An abandoned boatyard, how lovely.

Connor turned to me as we reached the main door of the building, his brown eyes holding concern. "Stay behind me."

Those brown eyes will be the death of me...

I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of the thoughts of Connor as I fake saluted him.

"Yes, sir."

Connor turned away from me, slowly pushing the door open. "Your attitude towards working with me doesn't help progress the case, Tasha."

Tasha groaned in annoyance, turning to Connor with her eyes void of any emotion except for a small hint of anger. 

"I know who you are." Connor replied, his stance unwavering. "You're Tasha Price. You're a strong, beautiful, smart young woman. And you're the love of my life, and if you think I'm every going to give up on you, you'd be dead wrong, my love."

It was in that moment I was about to open my mouth that Connor shoved me hard against the wall, his hand covering my mouth.

"Con—"

"Shh!"

It was then a group of four men walked past the deserted corridor, all holding weapons.

Connor and I locked eyes for a moment, and I felt like my whole body was on fire. It was then I noticed how close he was — his artificial breath on my face, his body nearly against mine.

Stop.

I slowly reached my hand up, removing his hand from my mouth, pushing past him slowly as I crouched down, my eyes scanning the room we emerged from.

"What are you doing?!" Connor whispered, reaching for my arm but missing before I grabbed my pistols.

"My job."

In a single moment I emerged from the corridor, shooting towards the armed men.

It was then I realized, they weren't the only enemies.

It's... a trap?

For us?

I hid behind cover as the men began to fire back, hollering at each other in a language I couldn't recognize. I pointed my gun as I left cover, firing at anyone I could.

Connor shoved me out of the way of the oncoming bullet which then went straight through his shoulder.

"What the hell, Connor?!" I yelled as I looked at the thyrium dripping from his wound. It wasn't life threatening, but seeing him bleeding like that...

"I'm fine." Connor replied as I shot towards the men, anger fuelling my body.

"You idiot! You could've gotten yourself killed!"

Connor's POV

Connor was silent for a moment, his brown eyes meeting her green ones, and for a moment he saw fear flash through hers, "I thought you didn't care."

It felt like for a moment it was just the two of them, their eyes locked on each other. He wanted nothing more than to grab onto her and kiss her — it had been so long since he had even held her.

Then, he saw anger in her eyes.

"Don't. Tasha!"

It was too late.

Tasha's POV

I ran towards the men, grabbing the closest one with my synthetic arm and crushing his throat, causing the other men to run out of the building.

"Tasha! Stop!"

But I didn't listen.

I couldn't listen.

Anger fuelled my being as I chased the men out of the building, shooting towards them as the ran away. One ran into me, attempting to knock me to the ground, but I got the upper hand, twisting his arm back before breaking it.

Two men managed to escape — but I managed to take out the majority.

I took deep breaths as I tried to steady body but it was then I noticed the helicopters, and the cameras pointing at me.

At my synthetic arm.

I really need to learn how to control that.

I ignored the tight feeling in my chest as I ran inside the building, towards Connor who was trying to walk towards me.

"I told you not to do that!" Connor yelled, pulling at his tie. I ignored his words, examining the bullet wound in his shoulder. "Tasha, I'm talking to you!"

"If I hadn't you'd be dead." I tried to keep my voice as void of emotion as possible, but I couldn't keep the small shaking of my body.

"But now CyberLife knows about you..." Connor's voice was quiet as he looked at me, "What if they come after you?"

"I'll be fine." I replied mechanically, shrugging slightly before wrapping her arm around his waist, supporting him. "C'mon, let's get you patched up."

•••

Watching Connor getting fixed was an uneasy experience. Seeing his insides nearly made my insides churn. It felt wrong.

He could've died trying to save me, because I was too stupid to wait for back up.

I noticed Hank eyeing me with a weird expression. Since Connor was injured, my first instinct was to call Hank. "What?"

"You haven't quit looking at him for over an hour." Hank said with a small smirk on his face. "For someone who says they don't feel anything, you sure seem to enjoy staring at Connor."

I was silent for a moment as I continued to stare at Connor. His brown hair wasn't slicked back like usual, instead it had fallen to his forehead. His eyes were closed as he was operated on, and I felt the smallest bit of regret as I continued to stare at him.

"Hank, I..." My voice trailed off as I continued to stare at Connor. "I shouldn't have hurt you..."

"No, you shouldn't have... but it got you to feel something and that's all that matters to me."

I simply nodded in reply, a frown on my face.

I hope Connor doesn't feel any pain.

I continued to look at him, unable to tear my gaze away as I felt my heart rate increase.

"I think I'm falling in love with him."

The words left my lips in a whisper, barely audible. Was I falling in love with him? The possibility should be impossible without my emotions, yet any moment spent with Connor would illicit a deep conflict within. Of course I was falling in love with him, all over again.

Am I now just a machine?

Or am I alive?

"You never stopped loving him, Tasha." Hank replied, a small smile on his face. "You're not alone through any of this."

I should've.

I should've stopped.

Maybe Hank was right. Maybe I never quit loving Connor. Maybe I just bottled it all away, and one day it'll explode in my face.

But not today.

My eyes turned back to their blank stare as I turned away from Connor, feeling my heart sink ever so slightly.

Not today.

A/N: Don't forget to comment :) the more comments the faster chapters come out :) Hope you all enjoy!