Chapter 9

"Wait, WAIT!"

You would've thought Hank was 12 years old instead of 53 with the speed at which he chased Gavin towards the car. The younger detective was dragging the handcuffed android along rather aggressively, even though Connor wasn't resisting in any way.

"I'm going with him," Hank said firmly, grabbing Connor's other arm (his hold on him much gentler than Gavin's death grip). "In the car."

Gavin raised a brow. "Like hell you are."

"Listen you little shit, I'm your superior, so as much as you want to, you can't tell me what to do. I'm just going to sit in the back and keep an eye on him or whatever, we all know he didn't do anything. And you're going to shut the fuck up and deal with it."

The younger male opened his mouth, but Ben beat him to the punch. "Give it a rest, Gavin."

Gavin groaned and rolled his eyes with the exact likeness of a 15-year-old girl, but otherwise didn't protest.

Hank shot Connor another glance as Ben opened the driver's side of the door, and Gavin tossed the android in the back. The look on Connor's face reminded Hank painfully of when they'd first met, cold and stoic, nothing but a machine following orders, feeling nothing inside.

A vague memory touched the front of his consciousness, hazed from alcohol but at the same time sharply clear, the night on the bridge when he'd drawn his revolver and pointed it at Connor's forehead. The way Connor hadn't even flinched, the way his face remained completely blank.

"But are you afraid to die, Connor?"

"You can't kill me, Lieutenant. I'm not alive."

Hank never had any intention of pulling the trigger, deep down. He'd just wanted to see how the android would react when the prospect of death was staring him straight in the face. That indifferent response, the belief that he was truly just a machine, that he was expendable, that he didn't matter in the slightest, was soul-crushing.

Connor was the last little light Hank had in the darkness that was his world, how Connor reminded him of what it was like to be a father, with his curiosity and bright-eyed innocence.

"You know where you can stick your instructions?"

"No... where?"

But it was more than that. Before he deviated—and especially towards the end—Hank definitely saw a spark inside of him, something more than a program, something human. He'd felt hopeless, when Connor said those words; I'm not alive. Maybe androids really were just cold, unfeeling machines, like he'd always believed them to be.

But then Connor said what he said next.

"What will happen if I pull this trigger, hm? Nothing? Oblivion? Android heaven?"

And the android's brow had furrowed, voice so very soft when he gave his answer, softer than his usual confident tone.

"Nothing..."

"There would be nothing."

Connor was an enigma at the best of times, but those words had truly mystified him. They still haunted him to this day, like that memory haunted him, left him riddled with guilt every time it reared itself from the recesses of his mind. He thought of it now, as he watched Connor sitting handcuffed in the backseat of a cop car, his face as emotionless as a statue's. And then it clicked.

That unfeeling mask that Connor wore really was just that—a mask, hiding his true emotions. Hank had known that for awhile, but he didn't realize until just now that it was also true for the pre-revolution Connor, the Connor who had yet to deviate and who insisted he was only a machine. His blank expression had never been indicative of a soulless automaton, but rather a person who knew that they weren't allowed to feel, and therefore kept their emotions closely guarded.

Just as he was guarding them now. The fact that Hank had been able to see that hint of fear flashing in his eyes meant that, on the inside, Connor was absolutely terrified. And the cool, composed, perfect detective android would not—could not—show weakness in front of others.

Climbing into the backseat, Hank reached over and gripped his shoulder, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze.

"Hey, kid. I'm here."

Connor's lips pressed into a thin line, but he gave no response. His chestnut eyes were staring straight ahead, staring at nothing. Empty, vacant, hollow.

Hank was going to personally kick the shit out of whoever framed him.

"I'll stay here, keep checkin' out the scene," Gavin said to Ben, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. He'd already explained to the (extremely confused) elder officer why they were putting Connor under arrest. "Who knows, maybe we'll find more evidence against this asshole."

Ben just gave Gavin a wary look, turning to glance at Connor. "...All right, I'll drive them back to the precinct." He shut the car door, and rolled down the window, calling out to Gavin as he walked away, "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone!"

Gavin's only response was to flip him off, as he vanished back inside the house.

"Hank, listen." Connor caught Hank off guard when he suddenly spoke up, his voice hushed so only he could hear. "Do you remember how I couldn't completely reconstruct the crime scene?"

Hank shot a glance towards Ben, as the other officer turned the key in the ignition and set off for the police station. "Yeah?" he answered, mirroring Connor's low tone.

"I know why. It's because the crime scene was tampered with. When you said that whoever framed me must have been someone from the precinct, I realized where the murder weapon came from. The glock at the scene isn't the real murder weapon. It was planted there to make it look as though a police officer was the murderer—and it had to be planted there by someone who has access to our service weapons."

Hank paused. "Okay, great to know, but how does that help us?"

"I am the only RK800 model that exists," Connor said again, "which means I am the only detective android that exists. But I'm not the only android with the ability to reconstruct."

"You're not?" Hank was legitimately surprised. He'd thought that Connor's advanced abilities were unique to him alone.

"Markus," Connor murmured. "He's another RK-series prototype."

"He's a what now?!"

"At the Stratford Tower, when we were there for our investigation..." Connor finally met Hank's eyes. He looked sheepish, an unusual expression on his face. "When I scanned Markus's face on the screen, I identified his model and serial number, but I didn't tell you what it was. I was... I was disturbed by the fact that the leader of the deviant revolution was of the same incredibly rare prototype model that I am. I'd thought that deviancy was impossible in a model so advanced."

"Ah. I remember that," Hank mused. "I knew you were acting weird." He lifted a hand, rubbing at his temples. "So Markus can do what you can do, huh?"

"Correct." Connor's eyes narrowed with sudden determination. "If you can get an android to confirm that the crime scene was tampered with, it would prove that I'm innocent—that I was framed. You have to ask Markus. I know he can do it."

"Connor... Markus isn't a detective. If you couldn't figure out what happened, I doubt he could."

The RK800 leaned closer, jaw clenched. "Markus is the one who opened my eyes, who convinced me to become deviant. I'd trust him with my life, Hank, just like I would with you. I know he can reconstruct what happened and prove my innocence. I believe in him."

Hank sat back, blowing out a long, slow breath. "If you think it'll work. I trust you, son."

"But," Connor added in a sharp tone, "you cannot tell him what's really going on. Markus knows me; he's my friend. So if he knows I've been framed, the prosecution could argue that Markus is lying for my sake. Don't let him know that I have anything to do with this, so they'll have no reason to doubt the results of his reconstruction."

The human blinked. "Wh—? What am I supposed to tell him, then?"

"Make up a story. It doesn't matter. As long as he doesn't know I'm involved."

"...Okaaay..." Hank heaved another sigh. This was a lot to take in. "And what if this doesn't work out?"

"...I'll figure out a back-up plan."

"Shit, kid, if a genius like you doesn't have a Plan B, we're doomed if our Plan A fails."

"Then we'll just have to make sure Plan A succeeds."

oXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Hank pushed through the double doors of New Jericho, surprised by the blast of warmth that washed over him from a vent on the ceiling. Connor had been here a few times before, but this was Hank's first visit to the android sanctuary, a building that used to be a hotel. The city was currently working on the construction of what would be called New Jericho Tower, a more permanent headquarters for the leaders of the revolution as well as a place for androids who had nowhere else to go. But for now, this was where the former people of Jericho resided, and this was where Connor had told Hank he could find Markus.

"Can I help you?" a female android called out to him from behind the hotel's reception desk, a friendly smile on her face. That was reassuring. Seeing as Hank was obviously a human, he'd half-expected to be received with hostility the moment he stepped inside.

"Uh, yeah. I'm, uh, here to see Markus."

"Markus?" That made her smile fall, though she looked more surprised than suspicious or angry. "Markus doesn't meet with humans without an appointment."

"I... really need to see him. I'm Lieutenant Hank Anderson from the Detroit Police Department. Connor sent me, he's my partner."

"Connor the deviant hunter?"

Hank narrowed his eyes. "No, Connor the deviant android who helped Markus win the revolution."

The receptionist flushed. "I—I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it—"

"It's all right, it's all right..." Hank reached up, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "Look, I just really need to see him. It's urgent."

She frowned, but after a pause, her LED cycled yellow, then back to blue.

"I've just called Markus down. He should be here to meet you in just a few minutes." She lifted a delicate hand, pointing to the pistol on his belt. "I beg your pardon, Lieutenant Anderson, but New Jericho has a strict no-weapons policy."

"Oh, uh, sorry." Hank took his gun from its holster and placed it on the desk. Looking a little surprised by his compliance, the receptionist reached hesitantly to take it, placing it in a drawer.

"I'll make sure to return it to you before you leave," she said lightly, as she locked the drawer with a tap of her fingers.

"Sure, whatever..." Hank took a step back, sweeping his gaze all around the entrance hall. It was quite a nice hotel, looking to be fairly recently built. "You guys have the heat on in here. I thought androids didn't get hot or cold?"

"We don't," she answered, a faint, amused smile touching her lips. "It's more of a convenience for the humans who visit, like you."

"Oh. Makes sense."

"...What's Connor like?"

"Eh?"

The female android blushed again. "Well, I... you know, we've all heard a lot about him. He was famous before the revolution, when he was still known as the deviant hunter. And, now everyone knows how Markus convinced him to deviate, and how he infiltrated the CyberLife Tower all by himself, and woke up thousands of androids..."

Oh Jesus, Connor's got fangirls, Hank thought with a grimace.

"And we kind of know Markus. He's serious, righteous, passionate about our cause... But none of us know anything about Connor. What's he like?"

"...Uh." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well. He's a real compassionate person. Empathetic. A little naïve. He's capable, and confident, and he's a great detective. I would say he's intelligent, but... y'know, android... that's kind of a given I guess." Hank paused, folding his arms across his chest. "Most jokes go straight over his head, and he annoys the hell outta me sometimes, but... he's a good kid. Little shit's kind of like a son to me."

The receptionist grinned.

"Also, he's taken."

"Huh?"

A nearby elevator gave a sudden beep, interrupting their conversation, and the doors slid open. Hank turned to watch as a tall, handsome, dark-skinned man stepped out into the lobby. He had heterochromatic eyes, one blue and one green, a stylish buzz-cut and the barest hint of stubble on his chin and across his upper lip. A long, dark trench coat swept behind him as he walked, flapping at the heels of his knee-high black boots.

Markus.

Hank had only ever seen the deviant leader on TV; unlike Connor, he'd never met him in person. It made him feel strange, almost like he was meeting a celebrity, especially with how everything about Markus radiated power and authority.

"Can I help you?" Markus asked, stopping in front of Hank. He had the same dead-serious expression and permanently furrowed brow that the lieutenant had always seen on him on television.

"...Yeah, er... Hi. I'm Lieutenant Hank Anderson from the Detroit Police Department—"

"Lieutenant Anderson?" Markus raised an eyebrow. "Connor's mentioned you. You're his partner, right?"

Hank blinked. "Yeah."

The deviant leader moved forward, extending a hand. "It's nice to meet you. Connor speaks very highly of you."

"Thanks..." He shook Markus's hand firmly. "I'm sure you're really busy, being the leader of the revolution and all, but I—we have a favor to ask you."

"We?"

"The DPD. You're an RK... something, right?"

"...I'm an RK200, yes. Who told you that?"

"Connor." Hank cleared his throat. "We were wondering if you were able to do the, uh... Connor calls it reconstruction."

"Reconstructing a scene? Yes, I can do that."

"We have... a case, that needs to be solved urgently. I came to ask you if you'd be willing to work with the DPD, just for a day, and take a look at the crime scene for us. See if you can tell what happened."

Markus blinked a few times, narrowing his eyes. "...Isn't that why you have Connor?"

"Connor's, uh, away. A police department in Grand Rapids wanted to study him. But we can't wait for him to get back—this case needs to be solved, now."

Markus didn't respond for several seconds. The android's face was pretty well-masked, but Hank could tell he was suspicious.

"Look, if you really want, I can get Connor to call and tell you that my story's legit. I don't care. But we really need you, Markus."

Frowning, Markus slowly shook his head. "With all due respect, Lieutenant, I'm an RK200, not an RK800. I have some of the same functions as Connor, but I'm not a detective."

"I know." Hank stepped forward, clenching a fist at his side, and looked earnestly into Markus's mismatched eyes. "That's what I said to Connor, when he told me to ask you for help. But Connor said he believes in you. And I believe in him."

Markus hesitated.

"Please, Markus."

The android sighed, and then, to Hank's relief, he nodded his head. "All right. I can't promise I'll be able to help, but I'll try. I'll look at this crime scene with you."

Hank relaxed, glad that he didn't have to get down on his goddamn knees and beg. Please was not a word that Hank said often, if ever, but fuck, he wasn't going to let Connor be framed for fucking murder if there was anything he could do about it.

"Thank you. We really appreciate this. Uh, is now a good time?"

"...Now? Like, right now?"

"I wasn't kiddin' when I said it's urgent."

Markus was giving him a look of absolute incredulity, and this was officially the most awkward exchange Hank had had since high school.

"If... it's that urgent, then I can meet you at the scene in an hour. I'm sorry, but that's as soon as I can be there. I have other things I need to tend to first."

"Yeah, okay, that's fine. That's great." Hank reached out and shook Markus's hand again, this time in farewell. "Thanks again, you're doing a great service to the DPD."

"Of course, Lieutenant."

With a firm nod, Markus turned and headed back to the elevator, pressing the button. In moments, he was gone, the elevator doors sliding shut again with a finality.

"Well." Hank tugged up the collar of his coat, blinking a few times. "He's intense."

"You're not the only one who thinks that," the receptionist said with a smile, unlocking his pistol from the drawer.

"Yeah?" Hank accepted back his gun, placing it in its holster. "Hey, why the no-weapons policy, anyway? I know he's all about nonviolent protest, but, androids are probably the ones who need to defend themselves the most."

The female android laced her fingers together and rested her chin on them. "Markus doesn't want to give the humans any reason to think we're a threat. Even if one of us did use a weapon in self-defense, we'd probably be blamed for whatever happened. New laws don't erase prejudice." She lifted a shoulder. "But, we like having that policy here. It makes New Jericho a very peaceful, safe place."

"Huh... I can see that, I guess. Well uh, you have a nice day, miss."

"Have a nice day, Lieutenant."

As Hank stepped back out into the bitterly cold Michigan air, he heaved an enormous sigh. That could have went better. But, he'd gotten Markus to agree, and in the end that was all that mattered. Now all that was left to do was to go back to the precinct and tell Connor the good news, and then head to the crime scene to meet Markus in an hour. Smooth sailing from here.

oXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

"ARE ALL OF YOU FUCKING INSANE?! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHATEVER BULLSHIT EVIDENCE THERE IS, CONNOR IS THE SINGLE MOST INNOCENT PERSON I KNOW!"

Or maybe not so smooth sailing.

Hank threw open the door to the interrogation room, his face dropping as he took in the scene before him. Chris had a firm grip on a struggling Eve, holding her back from leaping on Gavin, who was likewise being held back by Tina with blood dripping from his nose.

"Hey hey hey—!" Hank rushed over to Eve, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Kid, calm down—"

Wrenching herself free of Chris's grip, Eve slapped Hank full across the face. The older man jolted from the impact, blinking several times in pure disbelief.

"How could you let them arrest him if you were THERE?! I fucking trusted you, Hank!"

Normally, the short-tempered police lieutenant would have started shouting back, hearing her talk to him in such a way. But he was completely and utterly stunned by the fact that she'd actually just slapped him.

"What happened to Connor being like a son to you? Huh?!" Eve was hysterical, her cheeks all flushed with anger, blond hair falling all over her face. Behind the glass, Connor was staring calmly at the wall, the soundproof interrogation room leaving him oblivious to the chaos outside. "If it was the other way around, HE wouldn't have let YOU get arrested!"

"Fuck off, Tina!" Gavin was snarling somewhere in the background; Hank wasn't really paying attention to him. "Let go! Lemme hit that little bitch!"

"Eve," Hank said, his voice quiet but firm. "First of all, you need to calm the fuck down. Second, I actually did try to stop him from getting arrested. I blocked Gavin when he was trying to cuff him, for God's sake. Connor pushed me out of the way. He wasn't having it."

Eve opened her mouth, then closed it again. She flipped her hair over her shoulder with a frustrated huff, and turned to the glass, staring at Connor sitting cuffed inside the room. An indignant sound left her, her eyes squeezing shut.

"Look, look." Hank spread his arms in an everyone calm the hell down sort of gesture. "We're going to figure this out. Since Connor can't investigate the scene anymore, for obvious reasons, I went and talked to Markus."

"Markus?" Gavin asked in disbelief, yanking his arm out of Tina's and reaching up to pinch his nose shut. "The leader of the deviants?"

"Yeah. He's also from the RK-series, so he has a lot of the same functions as Connor. I asked him if he would help out with our investigation, since we still haven't completely figured out what the fuck even happened at the scene."

"We know what happened," Gavin said, exasperated. "Connor shot someone."

Eve let out a sound very similar to the roar of a lion, and Chris had to grab her again before she could charge the male detective.

"No, we don't," Hank said firmly, trying to stay calm. To be honest, he had half a mind to tell Chris to let her beat the shit out of Gavin. "Everyone here, except you, knows that Connor wouldn't ever hurt someone unless it was in self-defense. And even if he did, you know damn well he wouldn't leave behind evidence. The gun was there, and his tie was there. There was no sign of a struggle, and even if there was, and he managed to pull Connor's fucking tie off during the fight, Connor wouldn't just leave his tie at the scene. He's a detective, he knows how evidence works."

Hank stepped back, looking around at everyone in the room.

"It's obvious something isn't right. And Connor is innocent until proven guilty. We're going to find out exactly what the fuck happened there, and then maybe we can start talkin' about putting him behind bars. All right?"

Gavin let out a disgusted sound, his cloudy grey eyes narrowing. "But this Markus asshole knows Connor. They worked together in the fuckin' rebellion. He'll just lie about whatever his scanning shit tells him."

"And that's why he doesn't know that Connor is involved," Hank said through gritted teeth—Gavin was seriously starting to piss him off. "He has no idea that Connor's a suspect. Now if you're done bustin' my balls, I have to talk to Connor, and then I gotta get to the crime scene to meet Markus there."

Hank pushed past Gavin towards the interrogation room, and Gavin scoffed, a dark scowl twisting his features. "Whatever, I'm outta here. Sick of this bullshit." Stalking towards the door, he shot a glare at Evelyn. "You're lucky his daddy's here to protect you, or else I'd seriously fuck you up. You better watch yourself, or you might end up with a broken nose too."

Eve gave him the finger as soon as his back was turned. Then, she pulled free of Chris a second time, darting after Hank. "Wait, I want to see him too!"

Hank shrugged, "I'm not stopping you." He pressed his hand to the identification pad, the door sliding open as it registered his handprint. Eve hurried in after him.

As soon as they were through the second door, the female detective hurtled herself at Connor like a football player, the android giving a startled sound as suddenly his visual field was full of Evelyn. Seriously, he couldn't see anything else.

"Eve," he said in surprise. His hands automatically tried to reach up to hug her back, but of course he was stopped by the handcuffs.

"Connor," she whimpered back, arms wrapped tight around his shoulders. She kissed his hairline, then dipped down to kiss him on the lips. "Are you all right? I swear, we're gonna get you out of here. Don't worry. You won't have to be locked up much longer."

Connor tried to respond, but Eve was kissing him again, her fingers on his cheeks and her body draped over his. "E—Eve—Evelyn," he jerked out of her grip so he could speak, "L-Lieutenant Anderson is in here, and I assume there are others behind the glass."

"There are," she confirmed, pressing another chaste kiss to his forehead.

He grimaced. "I... would prefer not to make out with you in public, though I appreciate the affection."

Hank butted in, "Says the guy who grabbed her in the backseat of my car and tried to shove his tongue down her—"

"HANK!"

"Hank, don't tease him, he's been through enough already," Eve scolded. She did not, however, stop smothering Connor in affection, and the android honestly looked about as uncomfortable as physically possible, wincing and blushing cerulean. "Poor, sweet thing... Locked up like some kind of criminal..."

"Eve..." His warm brown eyes peered up at her. "I am okay. You don't have to be so worried."

She puffed out a sigh, looking offended on his behalf. "Everything will be all right, okay? Hank said he talked to Markus, he's gonna have him look at the crime scene, 'cause he has the same functions as you." Obviously, Eve wasn't aware of the conversation Connor and Hank had had in the car earlier. Connor darted a glance at the older human. "We're gonna prove that whatever evidence they have against you is fake. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you."

Connor's eyes softened. "...Thank you..." Slowly, he tilted forward, pressing his forehead against her own. "I... don't know what I'd do without you, Eve. I'm very lucky to have you to support me."

She smiled gently in return. Then, she abruptly grabbed his face.

"You don't have anything to worry about, anyone who even looks at you can see you're absolutely harmless. Look at him." She turned his head to face Hank, her hands squishing his cheeks together. Connor, frankly, looked dead inside. "Look at his innocent baby face."

"Eve, I adore you," Connor said slowly, "but, Hank, please get her the hell out of here."

A/N: Sheesh, finally done. I had writer's block with this one for a bit. Dunno how good it is, but I tried my best for you guys. Next chapter will be Markus at the crime scene.

Hope you guys liked my Markus btw, I tried hard to get him in-character.

CaliAlly:I'm TOTALLY doing that prompt. I love that idea so much, thank youuuu. I can't wait to write that. Expect to see Con and Eve on an outdoorsy date very soon.

CutieRuby123: No clue what that means, but thanks for the review XD

Thanks for reading.