With one--single nod, the android from the front desk let them proceed without any hesitation. Another android model came to their side and escorted them down a familiar path. Hank was anxious and was ready to pull the trigger if Erika was in the slightest of harm's light. Connor followed close behind as they made their way to a communal elevator down to the laboratory level.

After the tedious ride down, the two exited with the Eversen android and headed down a hall. In the distance, Erika was seen to be lying down on an operational bed and this struck worry in the old man--his pace quickened as he neared the glass wall room.

The Eversen android rushed to open the door, but Hank gladly did its job for it and pointed an accusing index finger at a particular woman.

"What do you think you are doing to my daughter, first, you kidnap her and now you're running tests on her" Hank barked " you people are si-"

"Stop!" The young woman yelled out. She slowly took in deep breaths as the other woman in the room raised the bed up so that Erika may sit up.

"Hank, I'm twenty-four...I believe I can make my own decisions" Erika exclaimed at the old man, she took in a deep breath then looked at the two men that stood before her "I asked if they could help me with this..."

Erika put up her right arm, the android one, and with one look at the limb the artificial skin dissolved away to reveal her android limb. The mechanical body part had a subtle blue glow beneath it's encasing as she moved it forward for Connor and Hank to view.

"You can control it now" Connor commented at the sight and for a moment he felt happy about it as if it meant something to him.

"Now? This has happened before?" Hank raised his eyebrow to his investigation partner.

"It has...when Erika was in the hospital" Connor explained.

The android then looked over to the woman that sat before him and analyzed her android parts by scanning them. He was able to confirm that her limbs were intact and there were no signs of tampering that would have a negative result. Connor then looked at the two women to see if their intentions were true in helping Erika. The CEO had the intent, but the other woman, Doctor Sue was a difficult read, it was like her mind was unscannable-like there was something blocking the android detective from viewing her intentions. He proceeded to blink at the woman and analyzed her attire, a course of action to obtain more information. Although, the main reason he decided to scan her clothing was that bore a significant likeness to the one the female doctor that was assisting Conan during the time of his capture. The only difference was the material's color-the doctor that helped Conan had a vibrant white ensemble while Dr. Sue's uniform was a faded blue, almost grey depending on the lighting. It also had a metallic shine as some accent pieces reflected the light of the room.

"We also were able to reverse this mind block Mr. Earnest had programmed into her" Dr. Sue added. She then proceeded to explain how it was made possible to control a human with android additions. Apparently, Conan replaced Erika's heart with an artificial heart-a hybrid of a pacemaker meant for humans and that of an android's heart. Conan fabricated one with blueprints of a Cyberlife and Eversen android, making the ideal heart to replace a human one.

"He was intelligent on this...something medical doctor's today wish they could create" Dr. Sue stated then sighed at the truth "Sadly the public prefers the production of androids to serve them over innovations to extend and save their own lives"

"With this kind of advancement, it can steer the public's opinion in favoring prosthetics for those that need them, which can, in the long-run, help benefit our economy" Ms. Satchell stated. This was a dream for children, especially for the country was in an all-time low in unemployment with a rate of forty-six percent.

"But this one helpful intervention is enough for now" the CEO of Eversen concluded and headed on out, but before she did she gave the young woman a squeeze on the shoulder.

"My doors are always open if you ever need anything" the regal woman gave Erika a warm smile and exited the room with the doctor following soon after. Erika paused for a moment before gathering her things and walked passed Hank and Connor--she left without a word.

Erika walked out of the building and headed for Hank's car, but Connor stopped her from entering. She turned around to look at him, her eyes spoke the words "it's okay" to the android and entered the car. Hank soon joined them and got into the driver's seat as did Connor with the passenger's seat. The car drove off with its occupants and headed back to the cafe.

"Erika, you can't stay quiet forever, just say it, it will help" Hank said as he looked at her from his rearview mirror.

"You're not my dad, Hank, I may see you as one...but now's not the time and besides you won't understand" she shook her head and let out a sigh, it was her emotions speaking. Erika just wanted to head home and to forget the day's events.

Once they pulled up to the curb in front of the cafe, its front doors were open, the lights were on, and an influx of people was present. Erika took a moment to register what was happening then she remembered--it was open mic night. She let out a sigh and even though she would like to join, the situation at hand suppressed the urge.

Connor got out of his side and moved the chair so Erika may get out, her mother just exited the cafe as she did from the car. Not wanting to speak to anyone at the moment, she dodged her mother's initiation for an embrace and headed upstairs to the apartment.

"What happened? You three were gone for some time" Erika's mother looked over at Hank then at Connor with concerned eyes.

"Its nothing to worry about, but I'd like a cup before turning in for the night" Hank asked and pulled Natalie towards the cafe--without hesitation she obliged. Connor, on the other hand, did not go into the cafe and headed for the apartment upstairs. The door was left slightly ajar, but he still knocked to be polite.

"Erika?" He questioned, then after the second time of calling out her name softly, he entered the space. The alleged woman was not in the main area, but the sound of soft sniffles did echo from the hall. Connor proceeded to follow the sound and entered Erika's bedroom. There perched on top of the bed was Erika crying. She was hugging Rizzo while the tears that left her eyes dropped onto his fur. The furry companion let out a worried whine as Connor took a step. Rizzo was worried for his owner and that whine was a cry for help by the android detective.

Connor nodded and approached the sad woman as she continued to cry, while unaware that the android was in the room. She mumbled some words but were not audible to the ear.

"Erika?"

The woman turned around to see Connor standing beside her. She instinctively wiped away the tears with the palms of her hands to make herself somewhat presentable, even if her eyes were red and puffy, she will want to look presentable for Connor.

"It's nothing...I'm fine" she looked away with her nose displayed a red tint at the tip and the hazel color in her eyes had muddled into a dark brown.

"Is it about what happened today? I'm sorry for-" Connor was cut off by Erika's voice.

"Okay, it is...I was scared to lose you" Erika confessed her feelings about the day's events "then I suddenly woke up back at Eversen"

"How did you get there?" Connor questioned in hopes that he'll be able to fully analyze the situation.

"I don't know, before that, I was walking around with Hank, then these men came up to us then everything turned dark...I woke up about...maybe some hours later in Ms. Satchell's office" she looked at Connor with the tears dried up on her cheeks.

"So they did this, why trust those women?" Connor was curious, so he asked.

"No, they said I was dropped off at the front by some car, they then let me look around the lab again, then when I went near some equipment...my head started to hurt...Dr. Sue said my face and arms began to show prominent blue veins, I was having another episode" she looked down as she tried so hard to really remember the event for herself.

"I was worried...so I calmed down, I ask if she could do anything" Erika removed the artificial skin on her arm and legs, then looked at Connor "and she did...I just can't say his name...I tried over there, then another episode happened"

"Erika...I..." Connor was at a loss of words so instead, he just sat down beside her and pulled her into a tight embrace to help alleviate the confusion and pain she was feeling. Erika reacted by hugging back--she was thankful he did not say a word, his actions were enough.

"Thank you Connor" the young woman spoke softly. After a few brief moments of a blissful silence, Erika's phone went off as she received a call. She reached over to grab it and answered it.

"Yeah...I'm good...I know he worries...okay, I'll head down" Erika hung up the cellular device and tucked it away in the back pocket of her jeans.

"It was my mom, she wants us to head down before the event ends...ummm, I'm going to change first" she headed to her closet then turned around to give Connor a final direction "I'll meet you in the living room"

Connor nodded and exited the bedroom as Erika entered her closet to change. The android went to the location he was told to go to and waited for a few minutes while sitting on the couch petting Rizzo.

"Okay I'm ready" Erika emerged with a denim-like top that showed her shoulders, it wasn't an ideal clothing choice given the weather. She was about to head out the door, but as she passed by a mirror she noticed her android limbs were exposed. The young woman backed up and looked at herself in the mirror once again. She reactivated her skin and turned to Connor who held her jacket in his arm.

"Thank you" she gave him a kiss on the cheek to show her gratitude and put on the piece of clothing.

Erika, Lover ^

"Let's head on down" she gave him a smile as her mood became brighter which caused him to smile back.

"Of course" he put out his arm for her to grab. Erika kindly took the gesture and locked her arm in his and walked down the steps and to the cafe.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Another chapter! I have been busy lately, but I am now on break so I'll be trying to finish up this book until the end of it. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far, and if you have anything on your mind that you would like to say, leave it in a comment! I enjoy reading each one and they are basically the fuel for my motivation to even to write this book! Also, my book is undergoing editing so some chapters may have some comments hidden, but other than that, it will be better than ever! I love you all and as usual, another meme to end the chapter!

*the accuracy kills meh*