Chapter 2: New Emotions

At Hank's house

Hank watched Connor as he entered the house and Sumo stormed towards him, his tail wagging and immediately licking Connor's hand. Usually, Connor would smile at the dog, bend down and start to pet him, but not now. Connors LED shortly shifted to yellow as Connor patted the dogs head once as he passed, before once again showing a bright red.

If Hank did not know better, he'd say Connor was in shock. He did not speak the whole ride home. Instead, he kept staring ahead without seemingly seeing anything. But androids could not be in an emotional state of shock. As everyone tried to tell Hank, they were not even capable of feeling emotions at all. But as he saw Connor now, it was hard to keep up that believe.

Connor sat down on the couch and Hank reluctantly followed, not letting him out of sight.

"So?" Hank said expectantly. Connor looked up startled. "What was all that about?"

Connor stayed silent. The whole time he tried to figure that out, but he had no answer, yet. He knew he shot that girl, although he did not want to. He knew it was what the mission demanded from him. What Amanda demanded.

Amanda… Seeing her image clear as day back there shocked him. Did she and Cyberlife tamper with his programming so they could control his movements? That thought scared him beyond anything.

"HEY!" Annoyed, Hank snapped his fingers in front of Connor's face. "You're still with me? Talk to me for fuck's sake!"

There was it again – the sadness, the fear and the guilt Connor felt all along, now set free by Hank's harsh words.

Suddenly, he felt his vision blur and something wet running down his cheeks unchecked. Astonished, he touched the wet skin with his trembling fingers and saw the fresh tears on them.

"Fuck, are you crying?" Hank asked dumbfounded, stating the obvious. His annoyance wore off and was replaced by growing concern. He frowned. "What's the matter with you?"

Connor turned around on the couch now fully facing Hank. Finally, he spoke: "Hank, I… I really don't know what is happening to me. I'm scared. I did not want to shoot that Chloe. I fear that Cyberlife might enter my system and control me at times."

"You WHAT? What have these fuckers to do with it?" Hank swore something under his breath.

"It was not the first time, you know? I had this sensation not to have control over my body before… remember when I came for you on the rooftop?" Connor asked.

"Hard not to, saved my life after all." Hank grunted. "Go on."

"There was this… wall… or whatever… nearly stopping me to come to you. I really had to fight it off, so I was able to reach you in time. And there were the Tracis…" Connor trailed off.

"Although I did not want to shoot them, too, I nearly did because something or someone nearly pulled that damn trigger. Back then, I was strong enough to shake it off. Please, you have to believe me, I really could not do anything for Chloe. I was too weak. I'm so sorry, Hank!"

"Why didn't you fucking tell me any of that before?" Hank pressed on, not ready to give in just yet.

But the weight of Connor's guilt and the feeling that he disappointed Hank was overwhelming now. It was just too much. Connor covered his face in his hands and wept bitterly, his whole body trembling madly.

For a moment, Hank could just sit there next to the distressed Android and stare at him. But in the next second, he moved towards him and pulled him close into a tight hug.

"Sshhh, it's ok. Look, I'm sorry, just calm down, Connor. It's alright." Hank whispered in his ear, patting his back lightly.

He could not stand seeing Connor this vulnerable. Surprised, Hank noticed that his own vision was blurred with unshed tears as he rested this chin on Connor's head.

"But I'm out of control and I killed her and I disappointed you and now you'll hate me for what I've done and – ", Connor babbled.

"Ok, stop right there, Connor." Hank said frowning, taking the Android by his shoulders and keeping him at an arm's length from him, so he could look him straight in the eyes. "Listen to me. Nobody hates you, especially not me, ok? I'm here for you no matter what. Yes, you killed that girl and yes, I will not deny that I was disappointed in you. But I fucking believe you, ok? You cannot fake all these emotions, unless they gave you a fucking acting program."

"So, you really believe me?" Connor muttered, his head bowed, but his LED was back to a blinking yellow.

"That's what I just said, isn't it?" Hank stated as he cupped Connors chin in his hand, so he could lift his face up again and look into these doubtful eyes. Connor finally smiled now sheepishly which made Hank chuckle.

"Now come here, son." Hank said wrapping his arms around Connor once again in a heartfelt embrace. Connor returned it gladly and for the first time in his life, he really felt safe and cared for, a comforting warmth spreading all over his body. Son, that's what he said… Connor thought in awe.

"Thank you, Hank." Connor said solemnly when he reluctantly let go of Hank.

"You're welcome." They smiled at each other.

But Connor's smile slowly faded as one horrible thought suddenly dawned in his mind. Hank gave him a puzzled look. "If Cyberlife really can control me anytime… I could do it again. I could even hurt you. Nobody is safe in my presence anymore. I – "

"You go nowhere. Trust me, we will figure out what is happening to you and if Cyberlife has anything to do with it, believe me that they can start begging for mercy right now." Hank interrupted him with a determined expression on his face. "Plus, you will stay here, where I can watch out for you."

Connor, although feeling a sudden flash of happiness rushing through him at that, started protesting: "Lieutenant, you don't have to do this."

"But I fucking want to, Connor." Hank stated stubbornly. "And stop that damn Lieutenant all the time. I'm Hank for you, ok? You– ", he hesitated for a second, but then he sighed and finally confessed: "Jesus fucking Christ, Connor! You're like a son to me and I'm not gonna leave you, understood?"

"Ok, Hank." Connor accepted with a smile. "I will not leave you either."

He had the feeling that everything would be alright. Whatever hardships came in future, Hank was his family now and they would always have each other's back.

The end.