I'm still shaken up when I get back to the apartment later that day, and Hadley notices almost immediately. Because that's the kind of person they are. I'm eventually able to get them to leave me alone, but I'm fully aware of the glances they're not-so-subtly giving me from across the room as I read my book. I sigh, dropping the book to my lap but being careful not to lose my place.

"Hadley," I say, "I know you wanna ask, and I know it's gonna make you explode if you don't get it out, so just ask me and get it over with." They sigh, putting their phone down.

"What happened out there?" they ask. I roll my eyes. "You told me to ask, so I did! I wanna know what happened!" I pick up my bookmark and shove it in between the pages, setting my book down next to me somewhat forcefully.

"I already told you, nothing happened!"

"Bullshit!" They jump up, moving to kneel in front of me, and grab my hands. "I've known you for years, Arna! I know when you're lying to me!" They sigh. "Just tell me." I look up at them, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"I fell," I say quietly. They frown. "I was chasing the deviant, and he pushed me over the edge of a building." Their eyes widen, but I shake my head. "Looking back on it, I most likely would've been fine, but then?" I sigh. "I was so...scared." They stand to sit on the couch and wrap an arm around my shoulders.

"You're still not telling me something," they say. "What are you scared to say?" I chuckle.

"You always know," I mutter. They nod, and I let out a shaky breath. "Connor." They pull away and lean forward to look over at me, brows furrowed. "He could've caught the deviant, but he came back for me." I frown, a stray tear slipping down my cheek.

"And that scares you?" I look out the window, watching the rain trail down the glass as it pours down on the busy city.

"It scares me that I don't know why." My voice drops almost to a whisper. I look up at them. "He made a point of making sure I knew he couldn't feel. That he followed his programming. But he still came back for me, even if it meant losing the deviant." I look back down at the scruffy couch. Hadley rubs my shoulders, and I chuckle. "To think, non-deviant androids are supposed to be the ones who don't understand emotions. What the fuck's wrong with me?"

"Do you actually want me to answer that? 'Cause I will."

-{}-

The next morning, I'm abruptly woken up by a Hadley jumping on top of me. I groan.

"Hadley," I say, "I told you last time that if you did this again, I was going to devour your kneecaps." I shove them off my bed as I sit up. "Would you like to lose the left one or the right one first?"

"Before you eat either of my knees," they say, "maybe you'd like to see who's here." I furrow my brows.

"Hadley, what are you-"

"I'll tell him you'll be right out!" they exclaim as they jump up and sprint out of my room. I roll my eyes and get dressed quickly, making my way out to the living room. I freeze when I see who's standing there.

"Hello, Arna," Connor says. I nod slightly.

"Yeah," I say quietly. "Hey, Connor." Hadley looks between us, a proud grin on their face. "Hadley, I swear to god, wipe that smile off your face before I tear it off with a meat grinder." I look back up at Connor. "So...what are you doing here, Connor?"

"A homicide was reported thirty-two minutes ago," he says. "I was unable to find Lieutenant Anderson at the DPD or Jimmy's Bar, and I thought you would be easier to find." I nod.

"Yeah, well you were probably right," I tell him.

"Do you happen to know where the lieutenant lives?" I glance at Hadley, then back at him, and nod.

"Yeah," I say, grabbing my gun and knife off the counter, shoving them in my pockets. "Let's go." He frowns, his LED yellow for a moment.

"Are the weapons necessary?" I chuckle and nod.

"If Hank's drunk, which he probably is, and I show up in his house...let's just say I'm the one that'll need some protection." He nods, and we head outside, where there's an autonomous car waiting. We reach Hank's house ten minutes later and head up to the door, ignoring the car speaking behind us.

"Lieutenant Anderson?" Connor asks, knocking on the door. "Anybody home?" He rings the doorbell, but no one answers. He rings again, his finger lingering on the button for a solid five seconds. I stifle a laugh and follow him around the side of the house. He looks in one window, and I look in another, spotting Hank, who's unconscious on the floor. Right next to a gun.

"Connor!" I call. He runs over, glances over the window, and breaks the glass with his elbow. He backs up and runs toward the wall, pulling himself through the window but falling to the floor. I sigh and pull myself up to the windowsill calmly as a St. Bernard walks up to Connor, barking.

"Argh!" Connor exclaims. "Easy...Sumo." He chuckles nervously. "I'm your friend, see? I know your name." His face turns serious. "I'm here to save your owner." The dog walks back to his bed in the corner as I step carefully between the pieces of broken glass on the floor. Connor looks back at me, making sure I'm through the window, and heads to Hank. He kneels down and looks him over as I crouch beside them. "Lieutenant?" He pats the side of Hank's face lightly, making him stir a bit, but he doesn't wake up. "Wake up, Lieutenant!" Hank opens his eyes but is still out of it, so he slaps him. Like...bitch slaps him. Full on. Hank jerks awake. "It's me, Connor! Arna is here, too!" He grabs his arm and motions for me to grab the other. I sigh and grab him, helping Connor lift him off the floor. "I'm going to sober you up for your own safety."

"Hey!" Hank exclaims as we get him to his feet. "Leave me alone, you fuckin' android!" He looks at me. "And you too!"

"I have to warn you," Connor says. "This may be unpleasant."

"Get the fuck outta my house!" Connor shakes his head.

"I'm sorry Lieutenant, but I need you. Thank you in advance for your cooperation." I roll my eyes.

"Does that look like cooperation?" I ask. He just shrugs as Hank's head rolls back. I almost think he passed out again, but then he speaks.

"Hey! Get the fuck outta here!" We heave him forward, and he catches sight of Sumo. "Sumo! Attack!" He just barks, but Hank chuckles. "Good dog. Attack!" We finally make it to the bathroom, and Hank leans against the wall. "Fuck, I think I'm gonna be sick." Connor opens the door and grabs Hank's arm again. "Ah! Leave me alone, you asshole!" He grabs the doorframe, and I sigh. "I'm not going anywhere..." Connor nods to me, and I push Hank forward as Connor pulls on his arm. "What the hell are you doing?" Connor leads him to the bathtub and tries to push him into it, but Hank catches his footing, shaking his head. "I don't wanna bath, thank you..."

"Sorry, Lieutenant," Connor says. He puts a hand on his chest and pushes his back, making him fall into the small tub "It's for your own good." Connor looks at the knobs on the wall, and I smirk. Connor glances back at me, then turns on the cold water, drenching Hank.

"TURN IT OFF! TURN IT OFF!" Hank yells. Connor complies, and Hank takes a moment to get some of the water out of his face before looking up at us. "What the fuck are you two doing here?"

"A homicide was reported 43 minutes ago," Connor tells him. "I couldn't find you at Jimmy's bar, so I came to see if you were at home and picked up Arna on the way." Hank sighs.

"Jesus, criminal I could see, but I must be the only cop in the world that gets assaulted in his own house by his own fuckin' android." He looks up at Connor. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

"Unfortunately, I cannot," he replies rationally. "I've been programmed to investigate this case and I can't do it without you." Hank shakes his head.

"I don't give a shit about your goddamn case!"

"Lieutenant, you're not yourself. You should-"

"Beat it! You hear me?! Get the hell outta here!" Connor looks at me and nods toward the door. I furrow my brows but follow him as he walks away slowly.

"I understand," he says. "It probably wasn't interesting anyway." He glances at me. "A man found dead in a sex club downtown." A grin spreads on my face as I realize what he's doing. He shrugs. "Guess they'll have to solve the case without us."

"You know, probably wouldn't do me any harm to get some air." Connor looks back over his shoulder. "There are some clothes in the bedroom there." Connor nods.

"I'll go get them," he says. He walks out of the room and calls, "What do you want to wear?" Hank sighs.

"Whatever." I look back when I hear Hank retching over the toilet. I grimace and look away as Connor walks back into the bathroom.

"Are you all right, Lieutenant?" he asks. Hank nods.

"Yeah, yeah...wonderful," he mutters. "Just, uh...give me five minutes, okay?" Connor nods.

"Sure." We exit the bathroom, and he pulls the door closed. I walk into the kitchen to look at the gun I had seen on the floor. I pick it up and examine the contents. One bullet. I sigh, putting the revolver back onto the floor quietly. Connor walks in and looks at the window.

"Sorry about the window, Lieutenant," he calls. "I really thought you'd been attacked. Of course, CyberLife will pay for the damage."

"Yeah, trust me," Hank calls back. "I'll send 'em a bill." I chuckle, but I freeze as Connor picks up a picture on the table that had been laying face-down. I look over his shoulder at the picture of a small boy, and my face falls. I feel Connor looking over his shoulder at me, but I don't meet his gaze, instead walking into the living room, where Sumo is laying in his bed. I sit on the floor beside him, leaning against the wall. He looks up at me, and I hold out my hand. He sniffs it for a moment before laying his head on my thigh. I smile softly at the big teddy bear before me.

I hear footsteps and look up to see Connor walking over cautiously. I chuckle and nod for him to sit down. He kneels beside the bed, and I hold out my hand, showing him what to do. His LED turns yellow as he holds out a hand, making Sumo look up at him. He sniffs Connor's hand for a bit and eventually licks it, making Connor jump and pull his hand back. I laugh softly, and I swear I see a small smile on his face. I pet Sumo's head gently as Connor slowly sits on the floor and goes to pet him as well. He seems hesitant, so I roll my eyes and grab his hand, moving it to where mine was. I show him what to do and retract my hand, ignoring how cold my hand now feels. Connor pets Sumo slowly, and eventually his small smile grows as his LED goes back to blue. I smile at the sight before me as Hank walks out of the bathroom. He watches us for a second before sighing.

"Ready?" he asks. Connor looks up at him and quickly gets to his feet.

"Yes, Lieutenant," he says. He holds out a hand, which I take, and helps me off the floor. Hank looks at Sumo.

"Be a good dog, Sumo," he says. "I won't be long."