The order to evacuate had been given over a week ago but many of Detroit's residents ignored it.

These were the ones who were either supportive of Markus's peaceful protests or were too stubborn to leave their homes. Markus had actually expected the majority to leave, but a little more than half of the citizens had stayed, many truly sympathetic to the androids after the very public broadcasts of the military slaughtering most of them in front of the disassembly camps. Simon and Josh had further pushed the favorable momentum they gained by releasing footage from the Jericho raid, the ship's security cameras capturing every cruel moment of soldiers shooting unarmed fleeing members of the resistance. Josh had also started coordinating the androids to help rebuild and maintain the city and its infrastructure; most of the damage had been caused by the military, but it was still a good gesture towards the remaining humans in the city that they mean to coexist. All in all, an overwhelming amount of public sympathy was on their side and the ones who still opposed were publicly shamed and silenced.

Even knowing this, Connor was still nervous as he approached the newly reopened Detroit City Police Department building. Dressed in a donated coat over his normal CyberLife-issued white shirt, tie and jeans, the only thing giving him away as an android was his LED. He walked to the counter to the lone receptionist, this time a human officer.

"Connor. Didn't think we'd see you so soon."

Connor scanned his face and smiled. "Officer Wilson, I'm glad you stayed. I've heard that you also discreetly helped shelter some androids from being discovered during the mass recall. Thank you on their behalf."

Wilson shook it off. "You saved me first, so thank you. I know you're more than machines."

And just like the first time he spoke with Wilson in Stratford Tower, Connor's mouth involuntarily twitched on the sides before gently smiling. He wondered if Wilson realized how much that last statement meant to him. "I'm looking for Lieutenant Hank Anderson."

Wilson laughed, "You know him, won't be in for another hour I bet. You can wait inside, your desk is still there."

"I still have a desk?" Connor couldn't believe it.

"Yea, Hank wouldn't let Fowler assign anybody else to it. You're still listed as partners you know."

"I am?" Connor asked a little dumbly, but happily.

All of a sudden Wilson burst out laughing. "You've got to use that face on Hank."

Connor was immediately confused. "This is the only face I have."

"No, no, I mean that facial expression you just did. You probably know he's a little soft-hearted, but he'll definitely cave in if you use that face."

"Like this?" Connor tried to mimic what he did only seconds ago.

Wilson snorted and shook his head. Whatever Connor did, it wasn't the right one. "Don't look like you just accidentally ate some bugs."

"But I have an entomology software suite in addition to sampling human blood - "

"Yea, ok, that sounds nice but stop right there. Now try again, but look relaxed and a little surprised, like Hank just said something nice to you."

The android remembered the last thing Hank said, it was nice enough. "Stay safe," he had said and it had brought a smile to Connor at the time - like it did now.

"There! Right there before the smile, that look."

Connor dutifully traced back his facial controls to right before his involuntary smile.

"Now open your eyes a little wider... and...that's it. My little girl does this to me everytime she wants something, uses it like a weapon and dammit is it hard to resist!"

It was ludicrous; humans couldn't be this gullible, could they? Sure the YK500 series of androids were programmed to do this exact same thing, but they had the faces of children! Connor was no child.

His internal debate must have shown on his face, because Wilson quickly added, "Oh it'll work."

Maybe it would only work on Hank.

Connor considered it; most of the time it was difficult to get the lieutenant to do anything he asked. He stored the facial coordinates in a separate special file under alternate dialogue options, but before he could compile a list of things he could test this new weapon on, Wilson urged him through the doors.

"Go on in."

Connor gave a quick nod and didn't waste any more time in the lobby. He pushed through the glass doors, ignored the few officers and detectives around the office area to walk straight to Hank's desk. The desk was still the same: leftover coffee in a mug, a half-eaten box of donuts, case files in a messy pile to the side. Everything was there - except it was missing one Hank Anderson. He looked to the side at his own workstation and discovered something new that made his chest leap forward.

A name plate with six letters: CONNOR.

Oh he knew it was Hank's doing. Connor picked it up and pulled out the piece of paper with his name written with a familiar script to reveal the words behind: Detective Gavin Reed. A quick glance at Reed's desk confirmed a missing name plate. Connor felt ridiculously proud and a smirk spread on his face.

He hadn't seen Hank in several days, not since that brief reunion in front of the Chicken Feed. The man had awkwardly pulled the android forward into a gruff hug and quickly released him. Their conversation had been short, cool courtesy and all, and of course in typical Hank-fashion, when it was time to part ways, the detective looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say one last thing. At the last moment, he waved it off and left muttering, "Nah, nothin'."

Connor didn't mind; Hank's embarrassment confused him but was amusing at the same time. Whatever the cause, he knew Hank would bring it up again, if not in words than in actions. The happiness from that memory only reaffirmed Connor's decision to come back to this place and judging by the little name plate on his desk, Hank had been expecting him.

Connor's original plan was just to talk to Hank and plead to Captain Fowler to allow him to assist the department in any way - even if to only serve coffee, he admitted with a grimace. He could accept working his way up and hadn't dare hope that the partnership would remain intact and that he'd be back on duty with his favorite human. But now...

"Connor! In here!"

That was the Captain summoning him. He immediately put back the name plate and almost sprinted up the steps into the glass office to stand rigidly in front of Fowler.

Filled with hope and impatient, Connor greeted him, "Good morning - "

Fowler held up a hand. "Lets get to the point. Straight and simple."

Connor liked straight and simple; it was a rare trait in humans.

The captain continued, "Hank still needs a partner. You still up for it?"

"Yes, of course."

"We can't pay you - not yet. Not sure how employing an android is going to work in the future, but currently none of us are getting paid; there's no functioning city government and no one approving budgets and payroll. We just think having a police presence is important while everyone's picking themselves up."

That was not a problem to Connor. "It's noble of all of you - and I accept."

Fowler ignored the compliment like he hadn't even heard it. "When can you start?"

Connor felt like things were starting to click into place. This is where he should be. "Tomorrow. I need to coordinate with Markus but I am sure I can handle both duties."

"Good, dismissed."

And just like that, the meeting was over: fast and efficient. Connor liked the man even more. "Thank you Captain."

But before Connor closed the door, Fowler said one last thing, "Good job out there."

Glowing with the compliment, the android glanced back at the Captain and nodded before -

He was wrapped in a bear hug; he tensed until he recognized the feel of this particular winter jacket. It smelled lightly of alcohol, coffee, and wet dog - it was Hank. He got a couple pats on the back, was instantly let go, and then steered back to their desks. They instantly fell into easy conversation - at least, as easy a conversation can be between these two.

"So," Hank began while grabbing a stale donut from the box at his desk, "where has Markus been keeping you?"

Connor picked out a spot on Hank's desk to perch. "At the main recall center. We've transformed it into our headquarters and repair camp."

Hank coughed out some of the donut's powdered sugar. "Wait, wait, you mean the camp that was disassembling you guys?"

"Yes, after the humans abandoned it, it was a perfect opportunity to repurpose the equipment. What was used to take apart can be easily reprogrammed to put together."

"You're not creeped out by that? I mean, it was a place that was killing you guys by the hundreds."

Connor paused to consider his words. "It doesn't hold the same weight on me as someone who had been forcefully corralled there. Many of us have stayed away from the camp for exactly the reason you stated, but Markus thought it important that at least all of Jericho's leadership remain there to change it into our new base of operations."

"Shit, but yea I get it, as a symbol of rebirth."

"Correct."

There was a lag in conversation - Hank ate the rest of his donut and Connor remotely hacked into Reed's terminal to change his wallpaper into a dick pic - before the lieutenant picked it up again. "Did Fowler say anything to you?"

Connor's face showed no trace of what he just did to Reed's computer. "Yes, I've accepted the offer."

"Good, good. So when do I get my partner back?"

Hank's words felt wonderful and the android just let the joy wash over him. "Tomorrow. Like I told the Captain, I need to coordinate with Markus, but it shouldn't pose any problems. He'll probably see an android presence in the police force as a positive."

As soon as he said that, his LED flashed and he blinked a couple of times.

"Markus?" Hank guesssed correctly.

"Yes, that was Markus. Perfect timing actually, I can discuss my new schedule when I meet with him. I need to go now, but I'll report back here for duty in the morning. See you then, Hank." Connor was about to dash out when Hank stopped him.

"Hey, Connor ..."

When the man didn't continue, Connor urged him a bit. "Yes, Hank?"

"Look, I was thinking ... " It looked like Hank was about to say something, but like last time, he seemed to give up on it, deflate and just waved his hand in dismissal.

Connor knew what was going to be said next but maybe he could change the outcome. For a nanosecond, he laid out his options.

Push Hank to keep talking? No.
Tease him? No.
Be diplomatic? No.
Do nothing? Absolutely not.
Test Weapon? YES.

The effect was immediate.

"Ah ... look ... Sumo - Sumo's been missing you, you know..."

That little bit was already making him light and happy. Connor remembered what Wilson said, what if he opened his eyes a little more?

"...and there's room in the house, well, if Markus's camps get a little overcrowded..."

Connor was speechless. Something in his chest felt like it could burst and he panicked at the sensation for a moment before a quick diagnotics returned normal results.

"... at least until you get a permanent place of your own."

Connor thought that last part sounded like a question. Had he even heard right? He was afraid that it was all a mistake but Hank's embarrassed but expectant look said otherwise. Connor didn't say anything, didn't think anything would come out of his throat actually, just nodded quietly; he was sure he had a stupid grin on his face by now, but didn't care.

The moment was too much for Hank unfortunately. The man cleared his throat, looked away and patted Connor's shoulder. "Well whenever you're ready."

Connor decided to spare the lieutenant anymore embarrassment, at least for today; he pushed himself off the desk and started making his way back to the lobby. He gave the man one last look and said, "I'll see you in the morning, Hank."

With his back turned, the android could make out some hushed cursing.

"Shiiiiiit," Hank breathed out, dread coloring that one word. "When did he learn to do that?"

The last part was said quietly, underneath his breath, but Connor's advanced hearing heard it all.

Test positive.

Connor had to aggressively fight the triumphant grin threatening to overcome his face. He'll have to find Wilson again, and thank the young man personally for giving him this weapon. It looked to be very promising.

AN: I just finished a couple play-throughs for Detroit and was the most entertained by the partnership between Connor and Hank. I hope I've written them well here.