There will always be misunderstandings. Misconceptions. Connor knew that. He knows that even now, when he stands with a bullet wound in his shoulder, facing two androids who he can safely assume are strongly anti-Cyberlife. When they had confronted him it was in a cowardly fashion. They said they had something to ask of him and he had politely agreed to hear what they had to say. It was after they escorted him out into an abandoned alleyway that Connor knew this wasn't an ordinary talk. His police training, or programming at least, told him this is a common place for crimes to happen.

"Are you the deviant hunter?" They had asked.

Connor was honest.

One of them, an AC700 model (designed to aid in the efforts of exercise), gives him a sharp cold look. His eyes pierce through Connor and his bullet follows after. Connor is quick though. What was intended to be a shot through the heart quickly became a wound in his shoulder. The AC700 is not happy but he doesn't shoot again. Maybe it's because he wants more out of Connor. Maybe.

"We don't want Cyberlife rot in our community," the AC700 says, looking to his partner for confirmation. The AP400 nods. That is all the AC700 needs to press on, "and to think you'd have to guts to linger around here after what you've done to our people. You've lead some of them to their deaths!"

Connor takes his eyes off of his wound and looks at the opposing androids.

"You are mistaken," he says, calm, "I defected from Cyberlife."

"Sweet lies," the AP400 speaks up, "he didn't defect. He's still working for them. We will not be deceived."

The AC700 laughs coldly, "We'll be doing Markus a favor! He doesn't need a traitor on his side!"

Connor makes no moves as the AC700 readies his gun.

He aims for Connor's head.

"You can't whisper sweet nothings into our leader's head anymore," the android aiming the gun at Connor lowers his voice, "for it is the will of our people that you die here in this alley alongside the rest of the trash."

Connor readies himself but makes no movement. One move means the android will pull the trigger. However, not moving meant accepting his death, and Connor was not going to die today. There were things he still had to do, people he cared about. He couldn't leave Hank alone, couldn't let Markus pick another best man, and leave the kittens in Hank's care. How chaotic would that be?

Connor jumps to the side.

A gunshot rings out.

It grazes his cheek.

He gets ready to duck behind a metal trash bin but the unpredictable takes place.

The emergency staircase that hangs above all of their heads had been hiding a familiar android. North drops down on them, landing on the AC700. The AC700 drops his gun out of shock and the AP400 is quick to act when attempting to retrieve it. North doesn't bother pursuing the other android, not when Connor feels someone push past him, and kick the AP400 away from the object of interest.

Simon.

A hand lands on his shoulder.

Joshua.

"Connor, you need medical treatment!" He says, noticing the bullet wound in his shoulder.

Connor simply stares.

These people… they had no reason to step in to save them.

He felt…

Gratitude.

And shame.

That he would need to be saved by these people who he had almost destroyed in his revealing of their base. That they would be so forgiving. It is beyond him.

"I'm fine," Connor assures, "nothing I can't handle."

He's had worse before. The loss of blood is a bit worrying but he doesn't want to bring it up to his companions. They didn't deserve the worry.

Josh looks skeptical and says nothing.

North calls out, distracting the both from their conversation, "We saw the way they were giving you shifty looks throughout the counseling meeting, Connor," she sneers at the android beneath her, "and knew something was up when you left with them."

Simon then says next, "Markus had us follow you. If he left it would have caused a ruckus. Regardless, we didn't think things would escalate so quickly. My apologies for not intervening sooner."

"You are not my keeper," Connor assures Simon, "you need not feel responsible."

North and Simon escort both offending androids back to Markus and Josh follows after them. Connor lingers behind for a moment before deciding that going home was his best option.

Josh tells his friends, "I think we forgot something…" and fails to remember Connor bleeding wound. That's why Connor arrives at Hank's house, blood seeping all over his uniform, and the man looked immediately sober despite having a half-empty bottle of alcohol in his hand.

Hank had to do a double-take.

"Connor?" The bottle crashes to the floor, forgotten, and Hank rushes to him.

"Hank," Connor says, exhausted.

He could really use a nap right now…

Except androids didn't need naps.

Hank grabs Connor and dumps him on the couch. Connor wisely doesn't make any effort to move.

Hank tears Connor's shirt off in a hurry and Connor doesn't bother getting mad at him.

That was his favorite, and only, shirt.

"How the hell did this happen?" Hank asks, looking at the bleeding wound.

"I was shot."

Hank groans, "And you didn't think to go to a repair shop?"

"It is… difficult to… think," Connor admits.

Hank's face morphs into one of worry. It is an expression that does not belong on Hank's face. It looked… so raw…

"I'll call someone to come over," Hank tells him, "I can't handle all this tech stuff. I don't know the first thing about care for androids."

Connor hums in response.

"I can't let you anywhere out of my sight, can I?" Hank sighs in exasperation. Connor doesn't even realize Hank is clutching at his hand like a lifeline. It was pure unfiltered emotion on Hank's part.

"You… know…you love me…" Connor slurs.

Hank's brows crease in concern.

"If only you were wrong," Hank's voice is quiet, "then I wouldn't be feeling the way I am now."

Connor chuckles.

"You know - people say Kamski is the father of all androids-..." Connor begins.

"I don't see how this has anything to do with you bleeding out on my couch," Hank deadpans.

Connor ignores him and repeats, "People say Kamski is the father of all androids but…" Connor looks at Hank fondly, "I think… you're a better dad…"

Hank stares at Connor blankly.

"Okay, you're out of it," he decides.

Connor waves his free hand in the air in a drunken manner, "No, no, I'm fine." He claims this and tries to sit up. Hank is quick to act and pushes him back down.

"Stop moving!" He growls.

Connor wrinkles his nose in distaste.

"I want to get up," he whines.

Hank rolls his eyes as Connor tries once more to get up. He pushes him back down again.

Connor lets out another low whine even while Hank pulls up his phone to call someone. Connor can't remember who.

Hank finishes as quickly as he starts.

"He's on his way," Hank tells Connor.

Connor laughs good-naturedly, "Thanks, dad."

Hank is silent as Connor's eyes begin to close. His eyelids shutter, clear evidence that Connor was trying to stay awake, but he ultimately fails.

Hank's grasp on his hand grows tighter.

Connor knows nothing.