Connor sat in the breakroom, reviewing his files while his battery charged. Naturally, he could have charged it at home and not taken time at work to do this… but that would also contribute to depleting his bank account. At his desk or here, Connor could work just as efficiently.

"Oh wow," Sonia said from behind him. "I don't think I've ever seen you dressed like this before."

And, well, he was far less visible in the breakroom.

Connor didn't take his eyes off his files. "My suit was damaged. I haven't found a suitable replacement yet."

Somehow, without his suit, Connor felt just as exposed as he had when Sonia had undressed him.

And that was without even mentioning all the odd looks and smirks he got today. Ratty sweatpants and a t-shirt simply didn't inspire the same respect his suit did. He would go buy a shirt during lunch.

"Either way, it looks - "

"Hey, Connor," Hank called. Angry. "What're you even doing back there?"

Hiding. "Charging, Lieutenant."

Hank turned to Sonia. "Don't you have work to go do somewhere else?"

"Um, yes," Sonia mumbled, blinking. "Of course."

Sonia left in a hurry. Hank had been nothing but unpleasant to her in his absence, Connor gathered.

"Why's she buzzing around you still?" Hank scoffed, sitting down across from Connor with a fresh cup of coffee. He took a long sip. "You gotta file for sexual harassment, Connor."

Connor continued staring at his files. "I'd rather keep the office peaceful and amicable, Lieutenant."

Connor paused. Hank went on about how garbage people like her had no business being in the workforce. If he did file for it and it went through - Sonia would be taken off the workforce. At least temporarily. That would also mean peace, albeit a different kind of peace. He could work better.

"I'm not interested," Connor finally said. No, it was unlikely he would win the case to begin with. "It would be a waste of time."

Hank huffed. "Suit yourself."

Connor nodded.

"Talkin' about suits," Hank chuckled. "I didn't think you'd show up looking like that today. Even I don't dress that bad for work."

Jaw tight, Connor did his best to keep his attention on his work. "I figured wearing the suit without my shirt would look even more… inappropriate."

"Thank god you had the sense not to do that."

"Of course, Lieutenant. Was there anything else you needed me for?"

Hank rolled his eyes. "You gotta buy clothes, Connor. And yeah - lieutenant's orders."

"I will buy a replacement shirt during lunch."

Shaking his head, Hank put his coffee down. He leaned forward and snatched the files from Connor's hands. Connor frowned.

"I don't mean a shirt, Connor." Hank shoved the files on the counter next to him. "I mean clothes. Y'know, stuff that's you. As in multiple, different things, you follow?"

Connor stared down at himself. Clothes that were him… That explained his attachment to his suit. He looked back up at Hank. "My suit is me."

Hank leaned his forehead on his palms. "Great. Great, Connor. Good start." Sighing, he stood up and grabbed his coffee. He threw Connor's file back on the table in front of him. "Now find more. Shouldn't be so hard for you, genius."

Frowning, Connor picked his files back up. What else was he besides his suit?

...

Sitting in the waiting room, Connor adjusted his tie and cuffs. He felt his coin in his pocket - Hank had saved it for him, after all. His new shirt didn't look quite as good as his previous one, but it was suitable. Host Chloe came to get him and led him inside to Kamski's office. Yes, sacrificing an hour of work to restore his usual appearance had been worth it.

"How are you, Connor?" Kamski asked, taking a long look at Connor. "I read about your heroic actions in the newspaper."

Connor nodded. "I'm fine. Being shot, however, was… much more of a setback than it used to be."

"You don't say." Kamski chuckled and sat in his chair. Connor sat down across from him. "Was it still worth it, saving that little girl?"

"Yes, of course." Connor paused, frowning. He didn't even need to evaluate the question. "Why would it not be?"

Kamski watched him for a moment, rubbing his jaw. "Do you feel that way or is that what you're programmed to think, Connor?"

Connor stared down at his lap. He felt it was the right choice like he felt he liked dogs - innate. "I don't know."

"I see," Kamski hummed. He shrugged. "Either way - I take it your experience was… far from enjoyable."

Connor nodded. "Yes, it was."

Kamski paused for a moment, then called host Chloe back in. She brought the hard drive with her.

"Transfer your memories. I'll review them immediately." Kamski stood to get his laptop from his desk. "I'll make my decision afterwards."

Connor transferred his memories as ordered. "Your decision?"

Kamski nodded, typing away on his laptop. Chloe brought him the drive and he connected it. "Yes. To remove the pain module immediately - or later. I need to review this data. Host Chloe will entertain you in the meantime."

Connor stood to follow Chloe.

"Oh, Chloe - install the next upgrade while he waits."

Host Chloe nodded and led him in into another room. She handed Connor another drive. "This is your next upgrade."

Connor looked at it for a moment. "Do you know what it is?"

Host Chloe nodded. "Yes. Elijah said that physical sensation would be next."

Connor nodded and pressed his palm to the drive to install the update. When he woke up, both Chloe and host Chloe were watching him.

Chloe smiled to her sister. "I'll take care of him for the time being."

Host Chloe nodded and left the room.

Connor turned back to Chloe. "Good evening, Chloe."

"Good evening, Connor." Chloe barely contained her growing smile. She grabbed his arm and led him towards the pool room. "Let's swim together. Elijah won't be back for a few hours."

This time, when Connor dove in the water, he frowned. It was… cold. Chloe watched him, smiling, impatient. When he walked towards her, she swam away, and Connor followed. With his every move, he could feel the water against his skin - smooth. Almost soft. Now he knew why Chloe spent so much of her time in the pool.

Connor met her at the other end of the pool. She stood there, staring into his eyes.

"How does it feel, Connor?"

"It feels nice," Connor began. He looked down at Chloe, at the way her swimsuit clung to her body. "Nice is the correct word, I believe."

"Doesn't it?"

Connor stepped closer.

Smiling, Chloe placed the back of her hand on his chest and moved it up to his neck. "Can you feel now?"

Connor felt what he assumed to be shivering along his back - that and a warm, pleasant pulsing in the lower part of his stomach. He put his hand over hers and pressed it tighter to his skin. In the back of his mind, he registered that his body was readying for sexual intercourse without his express command. It felt oddly cold against the water. In the front of his mind, however, was Chloe. He'd called really pretty before, but it didn't do her justice.

She was beautiful, especially when she smiled at him like that.

"Chloe."

Chloe smiled up at him, knowing. "Yes, Connor?"

Connor didn't know what to say. Instead, he cupped her cheeks in his palms. Her skin was soft. It was overwhelming almost - there were so many small and not so small changes in the way his skin, his entire body even, processed contact.

And touching, and seeing, and hearing Chloe felt good.

So Connor bent down and kissed her again. He'd never felt hunger in his life yet it was the only way to describe how he felt now.

Chloe breathed a gasp against his lips.

Cloudy as his mind felt, Connor tried to process everything. Attraction. Leading to seeking physical intimacy, and…

Connor grabbed the back of Chloe's thighs and hoisted her up so he could press his hips into hers. Yes, that was exactly what he needed.

When he tugged at her swimsuit, Chloe interfaced with him. Connor almost recoiled when he felt all that her body was feeling. His own sensations had already been overwhelming and now they were doubled.

Still, he felt her when she asked him to stop.

Briefly, he considered not stopping. Sex, if logic ever existed, would relieve him. Connor breathed in deeply and let Chloe down. He took a step back. For the first time, he realized he could feel his thirium pump beat on the left side of his chest.

Connor took a moment to recenter himself.

Chloe took his hand in his hers.

I'm sorry. I can't do this.

Why? I felt what you were feeling -

Elijah wouldn't forgive me.

Connor paused.

I'm sorry, Connor. I just can't after all he's done for me.

Frowning, Connor squeezed her hand. What has he done for you?

Chloe fell silent for a moment. He gave me life - he risked his own to give me life. He loves me.

Then why are you locked up here? I feel you. I know what you want. It's -

I love him.

Love. Hank loved him - enough to give him freedom. Are you sure that he loves you? He asked me to shoot you before. Like it was nothing.

Chloe looked off to the window and tried to pull her hand away, but Connor held it tight.

Is that love?

She wouldn't have died - we had instant back ups back then, and… She was fine. He risked too much for me to abandon him. Let me go now.

Connor let go of her hand. The water around him was uncomfortably cold now. Chloe climbed out of the pool and headed for the door.

"My sister will keep you company for the remainder of your visit."

Connor nodded. "Thank you, Chloe."

…

Connor waited in Kamski's office. Sitting in his usual chair, Connor swept the room. Nothing new. Nothing to do but wait.

The door finally opened and Kamski came in. Connor frowned at the sight of the gun in his hand. Kamski held it up from its muzzle, hands up.

He sat in his chair and handed the gun to Connor. "I have a new task for you."

Connor didn't touch it.

"Take it," Kamski insisted. Connor took it and kept it pointed towards the ground. "As I was saying, I have a new task for you - a dilemma, rather."

Connor frowned. "A dilemma?"

"Yes." Kamski nodded and clasped his palms together. "I can't quite decide whether or not I should remove the pain feature yet. But you can help me decide, Connor."

Connor stared down at the gun. "What do I need to do?"

"Your experience with a bullet wound was rather… intense," Kamski said, smiling. "Wasn't it?"

Connor nodded. Replaying the event even for a moment disrupted his processors.

"How intense?"

Connor paused, at a loss for words.

"Was is so intense…" Kamski leaned forward, leaning his head to the side, watching Connor. "That experiencing it again would be out of the question?"

"I… I would certainly rather avoid it."

"Then answer this dilemma for me right now, Connor." Kamski reclined in his chair. "Shoot yourself exactly as you were shot, right now, and I will make sure you never feel pain again." Kamski paused for a moment. "Or don't, and I will leave you be as you are now."

Connor's heart beat harder inside it chest. It still surprised him how it beat harder whenever Connor needed more processing power.

It was a logical, easy choice. Relive the pain now, in a safe manner, and never be held back by it again when the stakes were much higher.

Yet… Connor hesitated.

Connor looked down at the gun. It was similar to the one Rosa had shot him with. It would feel the same and no worse.

Standing up, Connor removed the safety and handed the gun to Kamski. When Kamski only watched him in return, Connor added, "I can't shoot myself exactly as she did."

Kamski smiled and took the gun from him.

Connor closed his eyes and steeled himself for the pain.

"Very interesting, Connor," Kamski said. He put the safety back on and placed the gun on the table between them. "Fascinating."

Connor looked at the gun and back at Kamski.

"I don't actually need to shoot you." Kamski chuckled, leaning his cheek on his knuckles. "That would be rather cruel. I know my upgrades have left a rather… unpleasant taste in your mouth, but I promise it's not all bad. Just give it time." Kamski smiled. "Either way, I have my answer."

While Connor stood there, blinking, Kamski called host Chloe back.

Just the same way Connor had been given pain, it was taken away. Connor made a note to test the veracity of it later.

Host Chloe left them alone again and Connor sat back in his chair, staring at his lap.

"You can calm down now," Kamski said. He pointed at his temple when Connor stared at him. "Red isn't a great color."

Connor placed his fingers on his LED.

"Why do you keep it, hm? If you so dislike having your innermost thoughts exposed."

"It's…" Connor paused, feeling the slight warmth that came from it. "It's simply a part of me. It has always been."

"Then you don't mind that it's a ubiquitous mark of your kind? Of being a machine?"

Connor shook his head. "No. I am an android. That is a fact."

"The rest of your kind doesn't seem to agree with you."

Connor remained silent. He wasn't privy to their thoughts or reasoning.

"Very good, Connor." Kamski stood and walked to his desk to pour himself a drink. He offered one to Connor. Connor refused it. "I'm glad I chose you. Now, why don't you ask me another question? It's well deserved."

For a moment, Connor gathered his thoughts. He stood and faced Kamski. "What are your feelings in regards to me?"

Kamski frowned. "You want to know how I feel about you?"

"Yes." Connor nodded. "I want to know what I am to you. You created me. Am I similar to a son to you? A pet, or a creation?"

Kamski had, even if indirectly, given life to him, as humans did to children.

Kamski paused for a moment. He took a drink from his glass. "I have no clear feelings towards you, Connor. No scientist ever should."

Connor frowned and leaned forward. "You must think something of me - "

"I think you're one fascinating android, Connor." Kamski stepped away and opened the door for him. "That will be all for today."

Connor stared at him for a moment longer and looked down at the floor. Nodding, he left. He should have known - by design, family was never something androids would ever experience.