That horrible sense of dread that always seemed to hold true whenever the young detective endured a horrible case or event in general hung heavily in the air, and weighed just as heavily in his heart. Unable to sleep and unable to stop thinking Connor stood in front of Henry's bedroom window as he held his sleeping son in his arms and gently swayed from side to side on his feet to gently rock his son in a comforting manner. Staring out the window at the sight of the rising sun in the distance Connor let out a weary sigh as he rubbed his hand along Henry's back and whispered to him in a comforting manner with a father's love evident in his every word.

"I love you, Henry. You know that, right?" Never breaking his rhythmic swaying Connor spoke to his son and continued to watch the sunrise on the other side of the city. "Daddy will always love you, and will always be there to protect you. I won't ever hurt you, lie to you or disappoint you. I promise."

"Connor?" Evelyn called out softly to her husband from the doorway as she pulled her robe up and over her arms. "What're you doing?"

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't wake me up, I just didn't sleep well when I didn't feel you laying next to me." Walking up to the window Evelyn wrapped her arms around him to hold in a light hug. "What's wrong?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Is something bothering you?"

"...Yeah." The admission was a weak sigh as he continued to hold Henry and give his son a kiss on top of his forehead. "I just have a really bad feeling about today."

"The press conference?"

"Yeah. I can't explain it but... It feels like today is going to end horribly."

"Then stay here."

"I can't do that to Markus. He trusts me to watch his back, and he and North gave twins on the way. I can't leave him unprotected."

"Can't you ask someone else to fill in for you?"

"No one else at the precinct is trusted by New Jericho, and I won't ask to take my place when I feel like there's disaster on the horizon."

"What if you can talk Markus into rescheduling the conference?"

"...That won't work." He lamented in a mournful tone as if he somehow knew how events were going to unfold in the future. "It's not the date that has me on edge, it's the events of the day. No matter when or where they'd take place, the horrible feeling would still be there."

"Connor, please. You're beginning to frighten me."

"I'm sorry, Evelyn." Turning so he could face her Connor gave her a tight hug and kissed her. "I don't want you to be afraid. I love you so much."

"And we love you, too. If you're worried then stay home."

"I won't abandon Markus like that. I have to go. I don't want to leave you and Henry today, but I have to. I promised Markus that I would be there to watch his back and keep him safe."

"Be safe, Connor. Promise me that you won't leave the precinct without your Kevlar, your service weapon or go anywhere without back-up. I want you to come home to me and our son."

"I promise I will find my way back home to you, Evelyn. No matter what it takes I will come home and be here for you for all of eternity."

Preparing for the press conference at his home Markus wore the same beige attire he had worn on the night of the Revolution and was staring at the massive unfinished blue painting that Carl had been working before the Markus leading the Revolution was even a dream. As he stood before the large painting with his hands folded neatly behind his back and his mismatched eyes transfixed on the enigmatic image Markus seemed utterly confident and ready to address the city and share the plans to expand android sanctuaries.

"Markus?" North walked into the gallery with her right hand pressed to the modest swell of her lower belly as she cradled her growing twins. She stood beside him and held onto his right hand with her left as she sought her husband's presence. "Do you really think this conference will work?"

"Yeah, I really do." Turning his eyes from the painting and toward North's already showing bump Markus smiled and took her other hand in his as he leaned his forehead down to touch hers. "We will succeed, and we will have a better future. Not just for us, but for our children."

"Humans being raised by androids... Think anyone is going to protest that?"

"Even if they do it's no one else's business but our own. We're going to raise and love our children, and show them that humans and androids can coexist peacefully with one another. No more hatred, no more discrimination, no more segregation. We'll all be together as a family, and nothing can take that away."

"Maybe after today we can finally hold our heads up high without having to fight for that right anymore."

"If we receive the support we've earned and we deserve then I know we will. Our children won't have to know the fight we've endured for the future of our people, and our people's next generation."

With his heart beating heavily in his chest Connor reluctantly slipped into his usual work uniform and made sure he was wearing his Kevlar vest under his shirt for protection. The strange sense of doubt and fear still hung in the air as he prepared to head out to protect Markus at the press conference. Despite his doubts and worries he was bound and determined to hold to his promise and be there for his friend when he needed it the most. Straightening his tie Connor couldn't help but feel as though he was about to pass through history once again, but this time his moment in history wasn't going to get to see the resulting future.

"Evelyn?" Leaving the bedroom Connor walked down the staircase and met his wife and son in the livingroom as she held the six month old baby on her lap. The sight of his family together made his already heavy heart feel like it was being crushed. "...You know how much I love you, right?"

"Connor, I love you, too." Standing up from the couch she quickly walked over to where he was standing and gave him a full hug with Henry being held right in the middle. "Please don't sound like that. You will come home to me, you already promised!"

"...I know. I just wanted to say it again. I love you."

"I love you. Henry loves you. We all love you!"

"Evelyn, I promise that I'll find my way back to you today, no matter what happens."

Burying her face against his shoulder Evelyn felt like she was saying goodbye to Connor for the final time. "Please be safe!"

"Don't watch the press conference on the television today. I don't... I just have a feeling... And I can't explain it."

"Okay, Connor. I won't watch."

"I love you." He repeated yet again as he kissed head and rubbed his hand along Henry's back. "I really do."

Hank, who had been listening from the kitchen walked into the livingroom and could see the strange fear, if not defeat in son's eyes. Not wanting to press the already delicate matter further Hank just waited for Connor to let go of the hug so they could go to the precinct, and attend the conference as assigned.

With a clearly hesitant motion Connor let go of the embrace and give Evelyn another kiss before he gave a kiss to Henry. "I love you both so much."

"We love you, Connor. Don't ever forget that."

"...I have to go." Putting his hand gently to her cheek Connor looked into her dark blue eyes and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "I know I'll find my way back to you today. I promise you this. I love you, Evelyn. I always will."

Along the Detroit River just outside Hart Plaza a massive stage and podium had been set up for Markus to use as he gave his speech to the city. The surrounding buildings of the plaza had been manned with numerous police officers watching from the windows to ensure no rogue shooters or bigots attempt to elicit any riots. Despite the increased security Connor couldn't shake the feeling of impending disaster, and he was hesitant to leave the vehicle to meet up with Markus at the stage. That horrible feeling palpable and undeniable.

"Son?" Hank put his hand to Connor's shoulder as he tried to understand what was happening inside Connor's head. "What's on your mind?"

"...You once told me your only regret was being unable to locate your friend's baby after she was given up for adoption. You were reunited with her and found a sense of closure. Was that really your only regret?"

"To be honest, no. That was the only regret I knew I still had the chance to remedy which is why I fixated on it."

"...Can I ask what your other regret is?"

"...Not having the chance to say 'goodbye' to Cole."

"Say 'goodbye'?"

"When..." He paused for a moment as he forced himself to speak about his painful past again. The months of therapy he had undergone had helped him immensely in letting his pain and anger go, but it was still difficult to talk about. "When I was told that Cole's condition was serious and that he'd need to wait for his surgery I was asked if I wanted to say 'goodbye' to him. I went into his room, and I held his hand, but I didn't say a damn word. I was too scared to say anything."

"...What would you have said to him?"

"Connor, I don't... That's such a strange question to ask. What's going on?"

"Please, dad." The plea sounded so distant and broken. "I have to know. What's something you wished you could've said to your son before he died?"

There was a pause before Hank's voice returned and finally gave Connor an answer. "...I would've told Cole how much I loved him, how proud I was to have him as my son, how I would find him again on the other side when my time comes. I would've mustered up the courage to hold him in my arms to hug him as he laid dying instead of just holding his hand and running my fingers through his hair." Hank used his thumb to wipe away a rogue tear from his eye as he spoke. "I would've told him how I wished it was me who had been hurt, and not him. Cole would've been orphaned but he would've been alive! That's all I wanted; I wanted my son to live."

"That's all I want. I want my family to live and to be happy."

"Connor, where's this coming from?"

"...I don't know. It's just a horrible feeling I have." Reaching his hand up toward his shoulder Connor grabbed onto Hank's hand and gave him an eerily stoic glance. "...Dad, you know that I love you, too, right?"

"Son, you're beginning to scare me."

"...You know right?"

"Yes, son. I know you do. I love you, too."

"And Lucas. Chloe. Maddy. I love them all."

"Connor, you're creeping me out. What's going on?"

There was a loud shrill noise as a speaker being set up by the stage sounded off with a lingering echo throughout Hart Plaza. Connor glanced at the stage and sighed despondently as he spotted Markus standing nearby. "...Progress." Pulling open the car door by the handle Connor gave Hank one final glance before he suddenly reached his arms out to hug him. "I love you, dad."

Hank instinctively reciprocated the hug and held onto Connor in a tight embrace. "...I love you, too, son."

"...I'll see you later. I'll have my radio on." Leaning back he unfastened his seatbelt and finally stepped out of the opened door to set foot on the street. With a deep sigh Connor walked over to where the stage was being set up and watched discreetly over his shoulder as Hank pulled the car away from where it had been parked, the senior detective watching over Connor with every step he took. "I just wish I knew when 'later' truly is."

Feeling like he just sent his son to the gallows Hank begrudgingly returned to the precinct and sought his current assignment from Captain Fowler himself. In doing so the usually stoic detective's now somber demeanor was quickly noticed by the commanding officer as soon as he saw Hank's face. Taking the Lieutenant aside Captain Fowler addressed him in private and asked him what was wrong.

"I can't explain it, Jeffrey." Sitting down in the chair on the opposite side of Captain Fowler's desk Hank just crossed his arms over his chest and let out a weary sigh. Why he hadn't felt the same uneasy feeling that Connor had seemingly felt all night long Hank's intuition as a seasoned detective told him that there was something to the palpable dread. "If I didn't know any better I'd swear Connor was marching to his death."

"Whoa, what?" The massive red flag that Hank just waved would've sent a bull over the edge. "Where'd that come from?"

"From Connor. He's been dragging his feet all morning, saying goodbye to his loved ones and making sure his family all know that he loves them and cares about them. You'd think he was about to go off to war."

"Want me to pull him from his assignment?"

"He won't let you do that. Connor's too determined to watch Markus's back."

"Hank," leaning forward against his desk Captain Fowler eyed Hank's every facial expression, and his overall body language. "you should trust your gut on this one. What do you think is the right course of action?"

"...I want to pull Connor back, but that's not my call to make." Making the only decision he could in that moment Hank stood up slowly from the chair and made his way toward the door. "All I can do is watch his back while he's watching over Markus."

"You won't be the only one, Hank. We protect our own."

"Speaking of protection..." The sight of the mayor, his assistant and a group of reporters walking through the bullpen made Hank want to puke. "The city's biggest pain in the ass has decided to grace us with his presence."

It turned into a bright, sunny summer afternoon and a mass of people were ready to gather at Hart Plaza to witness the scheduled conference announcing the collaboration between City Hall and New Jericho. By combining the resources, the offices and connections throughout the city, the prosperity that had been shown toward androids in the three and half years since the night of the revolution would return to the city as a whole. With that union freed deviants would return to work as electricians, construction crews, waste management and twenty-four hour care providers; but now they would be paid for services rather than used like tools any longer.

Trying to hold his head up high with a false confidence Connor stood beside Markus as the deviant leader met him before the stage and thanked him for taking on the mission to protect him from a possible attack. Having his own Kevlar vest beneath his shirt Markus seemed entirely fearless while Connor himself was obviously worried about the conference, and it hadn't even began.

"Do you think anyone will try anything?" Markus asked in a low tone as he and Connor stood together. The cool breeze from over the water gave the plaza a comfortable air despite the otherwise warm summer day, and caused Connor's rogue lock of hair to gently dance about over his eye. "I know that anything involving the mayor and a public setting is going to be high risk, but this is a peaceful conference."

"Unfortunately, yes."

"...That's unsettling."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't. And I wouldn't have asked if I hadn't expect that as a possible answer."

"In the event something happens you are to run to the hotel across the street." Nodding discreetly toward the building just a few hundred feet away Connor made sure Markus knew what to do. "The first two floors have been cleared and designated safe rooms for only you and other officers."

"That's good to know." Giving the hotel a subtle glance over his shoulder Markus returned his attention to his friend. "I hope we won't need to use it."

"I'll be right behind you and watching your back, Markus. I promise you'll leave this plaza and return to North."

"Connor, are you alright? You seem... I don't know. Broken."

"...I wish I could explain what I'm feeling and why I'm feeling it, but I can't. Just know I won't let anything happen to you today. You have my word as your friend and your ally."

"You're also my brother." Putting his hand to Connor's bicep he just held his palm there for a moment. "Don't ever forget that."

"...Yeah, I know." Putting his hand over Markus's hand Connor moved it from his bicep so he could give Markus a firm handshake. "You're my friend, and I love you like a brother."

"Same from me, Connor. You're my family."

A group of people began to gather, and the media was quickly converging on the plaza. As the group grew in size and grew more attention Markus and Connor decided to head up to the stage to begin the conference.

"It's time, Connor. Let's do this."

"...Yeah." Discreetly he pulled his phone from his pocket and looked at the wallpaper of Evelyn and Henry, and felt his heart ache at the thought of never seeing them again. "It's time."

Keeping close to Markus on the stage at all times Connor glanced over the area and remained as vigil as possible. Identifying the faces of the officers blending into the growing crowd of people before the stage Connor noted their locations and determined that the area was properly secured from within the conference area. Glancing up at the windows of the tall buildings overlooking the plaza Connor could see the other officers scanning over the crowd with long range rifles in the event of an absolute emergency, but the added security wasn't enough to placate his righteous concerns.

"Hank." Connor pressed his fingers to the earpiece connected to the radio in his right ear as he made contact with the superior officer, as well as his father, and continued to stand before the crowd warily. "Markus is on the stage and we are waiting for the conference to begin. He's also wearing protective Kevlar vest and has been informed of the security of the hotel."

'Good work, son.' Hank sounded calm and confident over the line, but in person he was visible wary of the event about to take place. 'Just hold your ground and don't let Markus out of your sight for any reason. Where are the other leaders of the tower?'

"North has chosen to remain at the mansion due to her condition. Simon and Josh are out of the city at the moment, and aren't in any danger."

'See anyone in the crowd that raises a red flag?'

"Negative. I don't see anyone of interest at the moment."

'Alright, good start. Let's hope it all ends peacefully.'

"Where is the mayor at the moment?"

'On his way right now. The royal kiss-ass wanted to get some candid shots of himself chatting with us "boys in blue".'

"Who had the misfortune of talking to the mayor?"

'Gavin and myself. I'll give you one guess as to why.'

"The mayor seems fixated on the idea of an android and human police officer working together as a team. It's not exactly revolutionary anymore, and now it's a hollowed out moment in history. It makes sense they'd want to interview the detectives were so previously adamant against androids now supporting them."

'Yup. Too bad his little charade is so damn transparent, huh, kid?'

"Hank," Connor caught sight of the mayor's escort arriving along the block in a secured vehicle. "the mayor has just arrived. The conference will begin soon."

'Alright, no problem. I'll be out and patrolling the block. If you suspect anything amiss let me know right away and I'll get my ass out there.'

"I will remain in contact. Talk to you soon."

Markus put his hand on Connor's shoulder causing the young detective to look over at him with a calm stare. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes. I was merely updating Hank on the situation." He dropped his hand from his ear and nodded. "The area is secured and patrol is in place, as is the mayor."

"Then let's get this taken care of as quickly and as peacefully as possible. We need to prove that androids are worthy of the rights we've fought for, and that we're not a threat to anyone."

"I agree entirely."

The mayor himself, Walter Nero, approached the stage with his personal security following close behind him. Nero was in his mid forties, a little short and slightly overweight, his light brown hair was thinning, his pale blue eyes were shallow and piercing, and he had a long rat like nose that sat over his phony bleached smile. Connor of course stood his ground beside Markus and refused to back away as he eyed the shallow mayor with a stern glare.

"Markus." Nero extended his hand toward the deviant leader to shake. "It's been too long. I'm sorry we hadn't met sooner."

"...Likewise." Returning the handshake Markus was painfully aware of the numerous photographers snapping photo after photo of the seemingly historic handshake. "I appreciate you agreeing to allow us androids having a say at this press conference."

"Of course. We need to build bridges between our people, not put up fences, right?"

"Right."

"And Sergeant Anderson," Nero turned to look at Connor and gave him the same insincere smile that he always flashed to the press. "I was relieved to hear that you returned to the force after your brief respite last year. The city needs you."

"As do my friends." Connor sharply replied as he remained next to Markus. "I trust that this conference will be beneficial to both parties of the city; humans and androids."

"Your trust has not been misplaced, Sergeant. You have my word."

"...That is good to hear." Unseen Connor used his hand concealed in his jacket to mess with his phone and send a text message to Markus in order to keep himself from saying his next comment out loud. 'Unfortunately, your word amounts to nothing.'

'Easy, Connor.' Markus replied cybernetically as he gave Nero a reassuring nod. 'Why do you hate this guy?'

Glancing at the response text with a quick dart of his eyes he replied quickly. 'I don't trust him.' Connor admitted as Nero walked away from Markus and began preening for the cameras before he took he place behind the podium. 'There is something unscrupulous about his demeanor that I cannot put my finger on.'

'Do you think he's a threat?'

'Unknown.'

"Well, I trust you." Markus reaffirmed with a confident tone as he ended the cybernetic string of messages and spoke to Connor directly. "So, we better play nice with the mayor to keep our people from feeling like outcasts."

"...Yes, of course. You're right."

It appeared as though half of the city had shown up to attend the press conference as the mayor, and leader of New Jericho, prepared to address the crowd with a message of peace and hope for the future. A perfect blend of humans and androids intermingled within the mass of the gathered crowd before the stage, many of whom didn't even know they were standing beside their arguable 'opposite'. While police officers casually roamed through the crowd looking for any and all signs of potentially hostile behavior or provocation, the media snapped thousands of photos as if waiting for something; anything, to happen.

Connor had tuned out the mayor's monotonous speech as he stood on the stage and overlooked the crowd to ensure Markus's safety. The speech was simple enough to know anything and everything the mayor said was a hollow promise, or merely a blatant attempt to gain favor with the voters. What he was saying wasn't important.

A thunderous applause drew Connor's attention back to the podium as Nero stepped aside and let Markus step up to begin his own speech regarding the future of androids. It seemed almost poetic. The words of an artificially created being held more sincerity and truth than that of a man who had been born naturally. It was a strange truth to behold, but one that Connor didn't take lightly.

As Markus spoke Connor examined the crowd carefully and observed the behavior of those who were in attendance. No one seemed to be acting out of place or anxiously which would indicate a planned retaliation, which in itself was a positive sign. And yet Connor couldn't help but notice that Nero kept casually glancing over his shoulder toward the opened water of the Detroit River behind the stage.

Curious about the behavior Connor pressed his fingers back to his radio to contact Hank as he discreetly checked the water for himself. It was then he saw a large boat on the water, and the shining glint of a rifle's scope. It wasn't in the hands of a patrolling officer or private security. Even from the distance, identified a professional hand for hire taking aim at the stage.

Taking aim at Markus.

"GUN." Reacting quickly Connor called out the danger and made a move toward the targeted deviant just as the sound of a gunshot rang out over the water. Making his decision Connor prepared to run for cover and keep Markus alive. "Everyone DOWN."

The crowd screamed and began to scatter quickly as Connor tackled Markus down and out of the line of fire. Partially laying over Markus's back to shield his friend from further harm Connor succeeded in saving his friend's life, and had gotten Markus out of the line of fire.

"Where did that come from?" Markus asked as he lifted his head up and watched as helicopter flew over the city and over to the water to give chase to the boat where the boat had been previously floating. "Where did-" Looking at his back where Connor was still laying over him Markus's mismatched eyes went wide with fear as he the massive red puddle of blood began to blossom over his shoulder and onto the ground beneath where he and Connor were laying in the midst of the chaos. "No... Connor!"

Connor was laying on his chest over Markus's back with his face turned away from Markus, and out toward the water. He wasn't moving, he wasn't conscious and the blood was just pooling at a horrifying rate.

Moving one hand back Markus wrapped his arm around Connor's upper shoulders to support his friend as he carefully rolled so he could hold his friend as he moved from laying on the hard ground to a sitting upright position. As Connor's limp body slipped from Markus's back and into his arm the deviant leader felt his blue blood run icy cold as he saw where the source of the blood was coming from, and he put a trembling hand to the side of Connor's already too pale face.

"Connor..." The name came out a hoarse whisper as he stared at the bleeding bullet wound in Connor's forehead above his left eye. "Connor!"

More gunshots rang out loudly throughout the plaza as people continued to scream and run about in fear.

Markus didn't move. Sitting on the ground he held onto Connor's body in his arms and grabbed the radio from Connor's pocket. Removing the ear piece he shouted into the radio that there was an officer down in the middle of the plaza and needed help. Knowing that his voice was be instantly recognized by Hank as soon as he spoke the deviant leader just tried to be of some comfort to his gravely wounded friend.

"Connor, I'm here. Hank is coming." The young detective's previously soulful brown eyes were glazed over and only visible between half lids. Very gently he used his fingertips to close Connor's eyes and held him tighter. "Please don't die..."

Another bullet soared by his head but Markus refused to run. Leaning down over Connor as the unconscious, bleeding young detective laid limp and dying over his lap Markus tried to shield him from further harm, and just hoped that help arrived soon.

A gentle palm to the center of Connor's chest told Markus the young human's vital signs, and they weren't good.

"Come on, Connor. Keep breathing!" Rubbing his knuckles along Connor's sternum Markus tried to get a reaction from Connor, but it failed to elicit even the faintest of a response. "Connor! Please! Just breathe!"

Markus was at a loss of what he could do to help his friend. Moving his hand over to cover the bullet wound Markus just closed his mismatched eyes and used his scanner to keep track of Connor's vitals. The young detective's blood was everywhere and had soaked into Markus's clothing as he remained unresponsive and limp in Markus's arms.

"...Hold on, Connor. Just hold on a little while longer..."

Down the street an ambulance sped to the plaza and stopped a few yards from where Markus was holding Connor in his arms. As the deviant leader opened his eyes he looked over at the ambulance as two paramedics opened the rear doors and lowered the gurney from the back, only to duck down in fear as the police officers at the scene ordered them to stay down for a moment longer.

"Help's here, Connor." Whispering to keep his voice from cracking Markus tightened his grip on Connor's upper body. "Just hold on."

Behind the ambulance Hank's car came to an abrupt stop as the senior detective threw open his door and rushed toward the ground in front of the stage was Markus was holding onto Connor in his arms. Leading the way for the paramedics Hank's face paled as he saw the amount of blood that saturated Markus's clothing and saw his son bleeding in the deviant leader's arms.

"...Connor." Holstering his gun with a shaking hand Hank put his hand beneath Connor's head to hold him as Markus gently placed him on the ground. Blood quickly stained Hank's hand and soaked into the sleeves of his shirts as he tried to hold Connor up from the ground. "...Son, no... Please God no. Not again..."

The paramedics had reached the end of the stage with the gurney and promptly began treating Connor right there on the ground. Pulling open Connor's blood stained white dress shirt and then pulling off the Kevlar vest beneath the paramedic team attached wireless sensor pads to Connor's now exposed chest while listening to his chest with a stethoscope.

Hank just stared at Connor's entirely blank, pale face stained in his own dark red blood. As he looked at son, saw that there was no life left inside of Connor and knew that he was going to lose him, Hank only heard the voices around him as distant whispers.

"...We need to intubate, he's in respiratory arrest."

"Bradycardia."

"...Low blood pressure."

"Successful intubation. Bagging now."

"...We need to move now."

Hank only snapped back to reality as he felt Connor's blood soaked hair leaving his palm as the dying detective was picked up from the ground and placed down on the gurney to be transported over to the ambulance, and over to the hospital for treatment. The sight of Connor; pale, covered in blood with a tube snaked down his throat with a paramedic squeezing the attached ambubag to force him to breathe, was like the physical embodiment of Hank's worst nightmare come to life.

"...Markus." Hank spoke the deviant's leader in a hauntingly emotionless voice as he stared at his trembling palm saturated in blood. Closing his palm into a shaking fist Hank stood up and looked at the deviant with pain evident in his blue eyes. "...You need to come with me."

"...To the precinct?"

"The hospital. We have to be there for Connor when he- We just need to be with him."

True to her word Evelyn didn't watch the conference on television and focused as much of her attention on Henry as possible. As she fed her son his lunch and prepared to put him down for a nap a sudden knock on the door made her look up, and away from Henry as she put him into his swing. Sensing that something was wrong Evelyn picked Henry back up and walked over to the front door to answer it. The guest standing on the other side of the door wasn't anyone she was expecting to see, or even recognize.

"...Hello?" She kept the chain over the door as she pulled it open just enough to peer outside through the small opening.

"Mrs. Anderson." Gavin addressed her in a deeply sympathetic tone of voice. "I'm Detective Gavin Reed. I work with your husband and father-in-law."

Practically yanking the chain from the door Evelyn pulled the door wide open as she held Henry close to her chest in utter fear. "What happened?!"

"...You need to come to the hospital with us. There's been a shooting."

"...Shooting?"

At the end of the front walk Lucas's pick-up truck raced up and parked in a jerking motion as he ran from the vehicle and up to Evelyn.

"Lucas?! Is it... Connor?"

"Go with Detective Reed." He all but ordered as he gently took Henry from Evelyn's now shaking arms. "I'll take Henry to my home to be watched over by Chloe. I'll follow right behind you."

"Lucas, Gavin, what's happened?! Where is Connor?"

Staring at his sister-in-law with a distance gaze Lucas let out a shaking breath as he held his nephew up to his shoulder in a comforting manner. "...Evelyn, there was a shooting at the conference. I don't know how bad it is, but I do know that for Connor time is of the essence."

Nearly collapsing to her knees Evelyn felt Gavin wrap his arms around her to keep her from falling and kindly escorted her to his car parked down the walk in front of Lucas's truck.

"Whoa, whoa! I gotcha'." Gavin was surprisingly empathetic and kind with his words. "Come on... I'm with you. We're all here with you."

The ambulance sped to the hospital with Connor in tow, and pulled to a gentle stop in front of the building. Working together the paramedics lowered the gurney down to the ground from the back while an emergency team swarmed around Connor to tend to his grave wound to the best of their ability. With his breaths still being forced into his lungs Connor was on the cusp of death, and he was still bleeding heavily from the bullet wound in his head; his blood soaking through the white pressure bandage wrapped around his forehead.

Rushing through the parking lot of the hospital Hank watched as Connor was wheeled inside the hospital through the front doors, and toward an emergency treatment room to be taken care of. Still covered in Connor's blood, and with Markus even bloodier at his side, Hank refused to back away from the exam room as the medical team fought to save his life.

"Come on, son..." Watching through the large window of the exam room as the medical team announced cardiac arrest and began C.P.R. to restart his stopped heart. The image of the needle being plunged into Connor's heart through his chest made Hank wince, then outwardly flinch as the team of doctors and nurses using the defibrillator to try to correct his ventricular fibrillation. "Don't give up. You're too strong to just..."

Losing his already frayed emotional resolve Hank pressed his blood covered palm to the surface of the glass window as he leaned heavily forward and pressed his other hand over his tear filled eyes. It was too much to bear.

"...Let go."

Markus bowed his head and closed his eyes as he had the misfortune of spreading the grim news of Connor's shooting to North and to the rest of New Jericho Tower, and to Josh and Simon while they were out of the city. Word of the tragedy quickly spread through the deviant community, and the news reporters were more than happy to showcase images of Markus covered in Connor's blood and holding him in his arms during the chaos of the failed assassination attempt.

Forcing himself to be strong on Hank's behalf Markus put his hand on Hank's shoulder and just watched through the window as the medical team successfully revived Connor, but the young detective was still in critical condition.

The precinct was chaotic as the detectives struggled to figure out what the hell had happened, and why Markus had been targeted for assassination. The shooter was arrested and he was taken to the precinct for questioning; Captain Fowler was taking charge of the interrogation, and two accomplices had been found skulking around the parking garage across the street from the hotel that had been designated a safe place in the event of an emergency.

How the shooter knew to aim at Markus from the water, how the two accomplices knew to stake out that particular parking garage across from that exact hotel warranted a deep and thorough investigation.

Any lingering members of Quondam had been quickly ruled out, and any connection between the three hired assassins to either Marcia Stack or disgraced Richard Perkins could not be established.

Stepping out of the interrogation room with his face evidently strained from frustration Captain Fowler took a break in order to keep himself from reaching over the desk to strangle to the suspect.

"Piece of shit." Walking toward the bullpen Captain Fowler grabbed onto the back of his neck and tried to ease his tense muscles. "Trained in the military and this is how he chooses to live his life after witnessing combat up close and personal. What a waste."

"Captain Fowler." Chris walked over to his commanding officer with a clearly distraught presence. "We just got word from the hospital..."

The lack of follow-up was all the seasoned detective needed to hear to know it wasn't good news. "Son of a bitch. Not like this..."

On her shaking legs Evelyn walked to the waiting room and asked about her husband at the receptionist's desk. The receptionist's reaction upon hearing the name only made Evelyn all the more frightened. It wasn't for Lucas holding onto her arm she would've collapsed to the ground or broken down into tears. Supporting her on his arm Lucas just took her away from the desk where she was met by a nurse who wanted her to sit down before she passed out and hit her head on the floor.

"...Why is this happening?" Evelyn lamented in a deeply pained voice as she sat down with Lucas at her side. "Why him? Why Connor?"

"I... I don't know."

"He knew something horrible was going to happen today, and I told him to stay home, but he wanted to be there for Markus... Why is he being punished for be a loyal friend and an honest cop?"

"...Evelyn, I wish I could give you answers, but I just can't... I'm sorry."

A familiar face appeared in the waiting room to deliver melancholy news to Evelyn and Lucas as they waited for answers on Connor's condition. Their arrival was quickly relayed to Dr. Wilson and the kind doctor now had the grim responsibility to let the family know what was happening to their loved one.

"Mrs. Anderson." Dr. Wilson addressed Evelyn formally as he stood before her. "I have information on Connor."

"...Just tell me, is he still alive?"

"Yes. He's alive, but his condition is grave."

"...Grave?"

"I know this is hard," kneeling down on the floor in front of her Dr. Wilson lightly took her hand to show her some support as he spoke. "but we need to discuss options and final decisions. We are well aware of his wishes of how he wants to be treated, but as you're his medical proxy and you are of sound mind and body, we have to ask you how you wish to proceed with his treatment."

Withholding a sob Evelyn squeezed Dr. Wilson's hand and repeated the motion when Lucas grabbed onto her opposite hand in moral support. "...Tell me the truth. How severe is Connor's condition? What happened to my husband?"

Unable to leave the hospital, unable to walk way from the recovery room where Connor had been taken, unable to do anything but stand in the corridor and watching his son through the window as Connor laid painfully still with a respirator forcing him to breathe and a cardiac monitor showing his dangerously weak vital signs. The thick white bandages wrapped around his forehead concealed the devastating wound beneath, and his rogue lock of hair hung down over the bandages and over his left eye as per usual.

Motionless, unconscious and unresponsive Connor mirrored that of a corpse.

Markus had been quietly keeping Hank company and pacing the corridor suddenly stopped as he saw a teary eyed Evelyn and equally distraught Lucas being escorted to Connor's room by Dr. Wilson. Cybernetically Markus connected with Lucas and he was told all the details about what Dr. Wilson had told him and Evelyn just moments ago in the waiting room.

What Marks had been told made his heart sink in his chest.

Finally looking away from the window Hank spotted Evelyn and Lucas and immediately went to wrap his arms around them, but he was still covered in Connor's blood. Feeling sick at the sight all he could do was cross his arms over his chest to hide as much of the blood as possible.

"...Evelyn, he's... It's bad."

She just nodded as she peered through the window and put her hand over her mouth in disbelief at the sight of Connor, her husband and best friend, laying in the bed hooked to machines and unable to breathe on his own.

Lucas swallowed once nervously as he dared to open the sliding door leading into the room and take a step inside. A reflexive scan over his brother's person told the deviant every grim and horrific detail of the injury that was bringing Connor ever closer to death. The vivid images of seeing the irreversible damage that the bullet had caused to Connor's brain made Lucas visibly wince where he stood.

"Brother..." Forcing himself to walk closer he stood by the bed to look down at Connor's lifeless face in person. With the lightest of touches Lucas put his hand to the side of Connor's head and retracted the artificial scan over his palm. Moving his hand to the back of Connor's head near the base of his skull Lucas closed his eyes and ran another scan. "...You'll... You'll never wake up. The damage..." Opening his eyes tears began to roll down his face and Lucas knew that his brother's time was running out. "Connor, I promised that Henry would never know the pain of growing up without a father, and I intend to keep my word. Trust me. Trust me now more than ever... I will keep my word."

A firm hand on his shoulder made Lucas turn his head as Hank finally mustered the courage to enter the room with Evelyn wrapped around his arm as she needed all the support she could get.

"...The doctor will be in soon." Hank all but whispered in a shaking voice. "He... Connor... Connor didn't want to be kept alive on machines. He... His living will made his wishes well known. He wants to have all life support cut-off, and... everything that can be donated will be donated."

"...This is it?" Lucas's voice was becoming heavy with emotion. "We just say... 'goodbye'?"

"Yeah, son. It's what Connor wants. We need to respect his final wishes and... let him die with dignity."

Lucas kept his hand beneath Connor's head as he looked away from Hank and bowed his head. The deviant's green eyes shut so tight his tears were streaming down his face rapidly, the small drops falling onto the floor beside the bed.

"It's okay to let him go, son."

"...It shouldn't end like this."

Evelyn all but fell onto the bed as she picked up Connor's cold, limp hand and held it to her chest. Leaning over him she kissed his cheek, his lips blocked up the tube of the respirator, and began whispering to him as she reminded him how much he was loved, and of how he wasn't alone.

"I'm here, Connor. I'm right here." Kissing him again Evelyn just wept as she buried her teary eyes against his weakly rising and falling chest. "I'm with you until the end..."

Hank reluctantly raised his hand and hovered it over the white bandages. "...He's not..." Hank gingerly put his hand on Connor's forehead and rested it there as he looked down at the dying detective with utter fear in his blue eyes. He had to pause for a moment to keep his voice from breaking under the strain of his pent up emotions. "Connor isn't going to wake up. Not this time..."

Falling quiet quiet Hank pressed his hand down over his adopted son's forehead and lightly messed with Connor's dark locks of hair with his fingers.

From the doorway Markus just shook his head and fought back the urge to yell in anger as he walked into the room to pay his respects. "This isn't right. He's hurt because he protected me." Looking up toward Hank with a fiery glare Markus needed a target to attack; to release his righteous anger. "Where's the mayor?"

"...Safehouse." Hank answered in a whisper. "He got out of the plaza."

"Did anyone question him?"

"Why would-"

The door to the recovery room slid opened and the mayor himself walked over to the bed and stared at Connor's blank face with a strange confusion in his eyes. "So, it's Anderson has been-"

Markus turned his glare over to Nero and didn't even try to hide his disdain. "Where was your private security when all of this went down?"

"They were in front of the stage. I'm just glad I-"

"Why'd you pick the plaza for this press conference?" Markus impatiently began grilling the mayor for answers. "When I agreed to speak to you I did so as a sign of goodwill toward everyone in the city, and wanted to prove that androids had moved on from their lingering hatred since the Revolution. Why would you pick a place that is now notorious from that controversial night?"

"I just wanted to-"

"And let me ask you this: How did you know Connor was here, or that one of us had been injured during the shooting?"

"In the same way anyone else learns about this city," the cold, arrogant smile on his face made Markus want to throw a punch. "the news. I'm just glad you and Connor made it to the hospital in time, and kept away from those other assassins. Now," straightening his tie Nero stepped away from the room to take his leave of the hospital. "the media is waiting for my statement. Lieutenant Anderson, I'm sorry for what happened to Connor."

As those words left the mayor's mouth Markus wanted to throw the arrogant man through the window and watch him bleed. Markus tried to follow after Nero but a firm hand on his bicep stopped him short and held him back. The sleazy mayor disappeared through the doorway leaving the grieving family and friends to remain vigil at Connor's side.

"Markus," Hank addressed the heated deviant leader in a low voice. "let him go. Kicking his ass won't help Connor."

"Hank," locking eyes with the senior detective Markus laid out a harsh truth. "that bastard is responsible for the shooting!"

"What? No, the mayor was a target. That doesn't mean-"

"No, Hank. He was NEVER targeted. It was a set-up." Turning his head away from Hank with a sense of shame, Markus looked at Connor's blank face and bowed his head. "Connor just got in the way. The mayor was visibly disappointed to see that I'm alive and Connor... Connor took the bullet."

"How do you know?"

"I saw it in his eyes. I scanned his vitals and his adrenaline spiked, his pupils dilated and posture stiffened in shock when he saw me. I was to die and the mayor KNEW I was supposed to die."

"Connor..." The comment gave Hank pause. "He was shot because of the mayor?"

"Yeah, and that arrogant bastard just admitted it."

"And how exactly did he do that, Markus?"

"Hank, how did he know that Connor and I were in the hospital and that there were other assassins if he was hiding out in a safehouse? We didn't even know about the other assassins until he said something about them."

"That fucking..." Hank's hand subconsciously tightened around Markus's bicep as a flash of hot rage washed over his person. The senior detective had been so preoccupied with Connor that he hadn't caught the mayor's slip-up. "...That fucking coward. I'm going to kill him."

"Hank, let me do this." Markus nearly begged as he finally managed to get his arm free of Hank's grip. "You can't do anything to ruin-"

"My career?" Hank nearly snapped as the prospect of revenge was proving itself too tempting to resist. "I don't give a shit about my career, Markus. I care about my family." Turning his head to glare at the closed door from whence Nero exited Hank breathed deeply, heavily to steady his hands. "And that fucker just took my son away from me."

"...Connor was my friend. And he asked me to make sure you didn't do anything you'd regret. You killing that sleazebag won't do any favors to the precinct or Connor's memory."

"But you, the leader of the deviants, if you killed him that wouldn't end in war, right? All your work for your people can survive the scrutiny, right?"

"Hank, I-"

Lucas spoke up and intervened in the middle of the discussion. "Dad, Markus, listen to me. The mayor won't go anywhere anytime soon if he can get attention from the media, he isn't going to run. But Connor," opening his eyes Lucas stared at his brother's face and took in a shaking breath. "he needs us to stay here for him. I won't leave him behind."

Slowly Hank let go of Markus's arm as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "I'm telling Fowler to go after the mayor before I take my gun and go hunting for his sorry ass myself..."

As the senior detective occupied himself with the phone call in the corner of the room Lucas reconnected to Markus with a cybernetic line. 'Markus, I know you're angry and you want to be here for Connor, but I need to ask you for a favor...'

Standing before the podium at Hart Plaza, standing where the shooting had taken place knowing full well that he wasn't in any danger, Mayor Nero spoke to the press with the same insincere smile on his face that he always wore when he was lying. And since the mayor was always smiling it was safe to say he was always lying.

"As we all know we lost a member of the police force today when he took a bullet while protecting another life." Dozens of flashbulbs from camera shined over Nero's smug face as he seemingly confirmed the report. "Sergeant Connor Anderson was an exemplary detective who fought to protect androids along with humans, and had assisted in the night of the Revolution. A detective who was dedicated to preserving life and protecting the innocent; Connor's dedication was proof that androids are in fact alive and deserve to be treated as equals. Further more-"

"I knew you'd be here, Nero." Flashing his badge Captain Fowler stepped onto the stage and approached the podium. A cascade of flashbulbs illuminated the stage as the police Captain marched toward the shifty man with purpose. "I hate to cut this short, but you're under arrest."

The dozens of camera flashes soon became hundreds as a collective muttering fell over the crowd witnessing the arrest.

Nero was stunned, almost dumbfounded. "I'm, what?!"

"You're under arrest for the attempted murder of Markus Manfred, assault against Sergeant Connor Anderson, the murder of a police officer," pinning Nero's arms behind his back Hank cuffed him with an audible 'click'. "hiring three contract killers, delivering illegal arms under the table, conspiracy, and fraud. Want to admit to anything else and make things a little easier?"

"You can't-" Nero stammered nervously as his face simultaneously paled from fear and went red with rage. "But I-"

"I can and I did." Pushing the now arrested mayor away from the podium, off of the stage and over to the parked squad car, Captain Fowler shook his head at the man now in his custody. "Now, I strongly urge you exercise your right to remain silent. It's the only thing that can possibly save you from a death sentence."

As he was pushed into the backseat of the car Nero began snarling at the Captain and tried to turn away from the reporters snapping his photo through the windows of the vehicle. "You can't prove anything!"

"I can, and I already have." Discreetly Captain Fowler turned on the microphone of the dashcam to capture every repugnant word that the disgraced mayor spewed forth. "That's my JOB. The thing is I never would've thought to look into your finances until after my Lieutenant gave me a call and a valid reason to check. It's kinda weird how you made three hefty payments before the conference, and then three more after everything went to Hell." Turning to look at the mayor over his shoulder Captain Fowler stared at him with undeniable venom in his eyes. "You already knew that there were two other shooters in the area before the media did, and the grand total of three shooters match up with the three payments you made before. Can you explain that?"

"Coincidence! I was paying my security! I'm being framed!"

"Well, we could possibly believe that save for one crucial detail: How could you know about the other shooters unless you're the one who hired the shooters?"

"...I-"

"You can't blame the media for this one." Pulling the car along the street Captain Fowler drove off to the precinct to have the mayor taken into custody and prosecuted. "The only people who knew of the additional shooters were the police and YOU. I sure as fuck know know one in my bullpen would hire someone to kill Markus; and they would be too damn smart to let their personal finances lead them to death row. But you, an outspoken advocate for android rights, being so close to the deviant leader who brought about the world changing Revolution on the day he was assassinated, that would've been great publicity. Fuck, that kind of notoriety would've guaranteed you votes at every office you attempted to hold from this day on."

Scoffing at Captain Fowler's comments Nero remained as arrogant as he was cold. "You won't be able to make the charges stick."

"Oh, I think I can. You're too much of a prick to not have any enemies who'd happily use their resources to see your ass thrown behind bars. You know, it was as ballsy as it was dumb to show up at the hospital like you did."

"Look, it's not what you think. Let's level and speak to each other, human to human. Keep the plastic out of this."

"So the truth comes you. You do think of androids as second-class citizens."

"Of course they are. Just because they look human doesn't mean they are human. I mean, come on. You know as much as I do that plastic can't live. That's like expecting some skirt to be able to hold any form of power without getting emotional. It's impossible, and no matter what anyone tries to say this is still a man's world. HU-MAN."

"I knew you were full of shit, Nero. I just wish I had thought to look into your shady past as sooner."

"Come off it, Fowler. You can't-"

Captain Fowler tapped onto the dashcam recording every word of their conversation. "Wanna' bet? You're going to prison for the rest of your life, which, based on your shady little scheme, won't last too much longer once word gets out that you're now locked up with the other people you've sold out over the years."

"No! You can't do this!" The mayor's face paled to a deathly white upon learning his fate was sealed. "I won't survive in prison!"

"Not my problem. I've sworn to protect and serve; I'm protecting the city by taking you down and I'm serving my people by keeping you locked up. I've done my job, too bad you can't say the same for yourself."

One at a time the members of the Anderson clan said their goodbyes to Connor.

Lucas kept his palm under Connor's head near the base of his skull and closed his eyes. Running scan after scan the deviant was given the same bleak reading on Connor's vitals and declining health. The bullet had ricocheted around inside his skull effectively destroying the brain and leaving only his most basic responses; breathing and heartbeat, barely responsive. With each forced breath Connor's responses became weaker, and his heartbeat had slowed to such an extent that a cardiac pacing wire had been inserted to keep his heart beating a while longer.

"Connor don't be afraid. Don't worry about Henry and Evelyn, or dad." Lucas whispered as he kept his hand beneath Connor's head. "I promise I will keep Henry from losing a father, and I won't let Evelyn or Hank be alone. You need to trust me on this, and forgive me for being unable to talk to you directly. In time you'll understand what's happening, and know this;" picking up Connor's limp hand with his free hand Lucas held tight and made him one final promise. "We will see each other again, brother. I swear to it."

Reluctantly Lucas let go of Connor's hand and carefully pulled his palm away from Connor's head. The deviant's exposed white plastimetal frame had a smear of Connor's blood along his index fingertip, and nowhere else.

"Evelyn and dad are going to see you soon. But like I said, don't be afraid. We'll all be together again."

Taking his leave of the room Lucas stared at his palm and gave Hank a subtle nod.

The senior detective and father figure to the brothers put his hand on Lucas's shoulder as he passed through the doorway and left Lucas outside in the corridor to hold Evelyn in a warm, comforting embrace.

Having washed the blood from his hands and changed into a blue scrubs top to get out of his bloodied shirt Hank walked over to the bed and put his hand on Connor's shoulder as he spoke to him.

"Son, I... I don't know what else I can say to you. I love you like you're my own flesh and blood, and I've been proud of you ever since that fateful night of the Revolution. I guess all I can ask is that you don't worry about Evelyn, Henry or Lucas." Moving his hand to rest over Connor's forehead Hank lightly rubbed his fingers through Connor's dark hair and Hank let out a weak sigh to keep himself from crying. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll take care of Evelyn like she's my own daughter, and I swear that Henry will never feel neglected. Lucas, he's stronger and more resilient than he knows, so I know I won't have to worry about him, but I will keep him close by."

Slowly Hank slipped his arm beneath Connor's shoulders and lifted him up enough to hug without pulling on the tube snaked down the young detective's throat in the process. Connor's body was entirely limp and a little cold from the lack of natural life being exuded, it was like Hank was embracing a corpse.

"...I'm going to miss you, son." Wrapping his other arm around Connor to support his deadweight Hank just held him and hugged him tight. "I really am. I can't imagine life without you, or Lucas, Evelyn, Henry, Maddy, Chloe... Now I don't have a choice in the matter. I love you, son. I'm so very proud of you for giving everything you had to protect your family, your friends and for never giving into hate. Please, just..." Fighting against his own tears Hank held his voice as steady as possible. "When you get to the other side look after Cole and Barbara for me until I get there. You watch over them for me, and I'll watch over Evelyn and Henry here. When we reunite our family will truly, finally be all together..."

Laying Connor back down onto the bed in the same manner a father would their newborn child Hank let Connor rest as comfortably as possible as he took his leave of the room to give Evelyn a moment of privacy.

"I'll see you later, son. I can feel it."

Passing through the opened door of the room Hank gave Evelyn a somber glance as he nodded and put his hand on her arm. Without a word Hank watched Evelyn walk into the room to be with her husband in his final moments of life before the medical team arrived to take Connor away to have what could be salvaged donated to other people in need.

"...Where's Markus?" Hank asked without even looking Lucas in the eyes."

"It's complicated."

"What isn't right now?"

"...Dad, I-"

"Don't." Putting up his hand Hank didn't want to talk or hear about any weird complications beyond his son's death. "Just... Later, okay?"

"...Yeah. Okay."

Inside the room Evelyn sat down on the edge of the bed beside Connor and held his hand again. Unable to say anything beyond "I love you." Evelyn just held his hand and kissed his cheek over and over again as she wept for her lost love. It was a fight for the strong woman to keep herself from shattering into thousands of pieces as she came to grips with the horrible reality that was taking place around her.

"Connor, I love you so much!" She wept as she kept her hands wrapped around his cold, limp hand. "I know Henry is going to be just like you when he grows up, and I couldn't be prouder! I promise he'll be happy and he'll never feel what it's like to be left behind or forgotten. I... I just... I wish I could find a way to keep you from leaving us. You gave your life to protect your friend and there's nothing we can do to bring you back."

Bowing down to press her forehead against his chest Evelyn laid down beside him and just listened to the sound of his heart slowly beating in his chest.

"I love you, Connor." She whispered in a trembling voice as she laid beside her dying husband. "I always will..."

Outside in the corridor Lucas visibly jumped when the medical team designated to tend to Connor arrived to do their grim, but beneficial deed. Taking a few deep, rapid breaths Lucas just turned away from the doctors and walked a few paces away from the room.

"...Dad, I'll be back... I don't know when. But I'll be back."

"Lucas, where are you going?"

"...Just know it's important and I'll be back. Please," he glanced over his shoulder just long enough to lock eyes with his father. "take Evelyn back home to be with Henry. I'll rejoin you as soon as I can."

It was a difficult journey for Markus as he had finally done as Lucas requested.

Standing outside the deceptively simplistic mansion and along the harbor Markus looked out at the dark water with a heavy heart as he waited for an update on the failed peaceful conference and the failed assassination attempt. The entire city was on edge as a result of the shooting and of course the mayor's arrest. The air around the cit was so thick with tension that even standing on the sandy shore of the harbor Markus could feel it.

'North.' The saddened deviant leader cybernetically connected with his wife as she stayed locked away safely inside their home. 'Are you alright?'

'Yes.' Her voice was a somber as Markus felt. 'We're all okay. I... I know what happened to Connor.'

Taking in the sight of the sun beginning to set on the other side of the harbor Markus confirmed their friend's grim fate. 'Yeah. He... He didn't make it.'

'Shit... What can we do?'

'At the moment everything that can done is being done. Just stay home and I'll be with you as soon as I can.'

'Don't worry about me. Focus on helping Connor's family.'

'I'm doing my best.' The sound of a vehicle driving up the road caught his ear and Markus knew he needed to turn his attention away from his wife for the moment. 'I love you, North.'

'I love you, too, Markus. I'll be here when you come home.'

Turning away from the water Markus watched as Lucas's red colored pick-up truck drove up toward the mansion and came to a steady stop. Approaching the vehicle Markus only watched as the deviant stepped out of the truck's cab and stood before the mansion with a distant stare in his green eyes.

"Lucas. At the hospital..."

"He's being... It's happening right now." Looking at the front door of the mansion he let out an entirely exhausted, if not broken, sigh. "...Is everything ready?"

"Yeah. Whatever you're here to do, go and do it."

Holding his head up high Lucas looked away from Markus and approached the front door of the mansion with a timid gait. Pressing his hand to the doorbell he waited for an answer before he stepped inside to finish his self-imposed mission.

Out of respect for the family in their time of grief Evelyn and Hank were allowed to see Connor one last time as he laid in the now empty operating room on the table; his final good deed of donating his organs to those in need finally finished. There was a white sheet pulled up and over Connor's body all the way up to his neck to conceal the fresh surgical incisions, and the the tube had been removed from his throat giving the family a clear view of his pale, lifeless face.

The young detective looked as though he were completely at peace. No pain on his face, no strain or tension around his eyes, and his expression was fully relaxed. The scene was as tranquil as it was heartbreaking.

"I love you, Connor."

Evelyn wiped away her tears as she bent down and gave Connor one last kiss on his white, cold lips before she turned to bury her face against Hank's chest to grieve. She wept silently as she begrudgingly accept the fact that her husband, her best friend, was gone.

"He loved you, too, Evelyn." Hank wrapped his arms around her and held her in a warm hug. "And Henry. He loved you both more than anything in this world, and I know having you two in his life finally let him feel the happiness he deserved to experience."

"...I need to see, Henry." She managed to choke out between sobs. "I have to hold our son."

"...Okay." Rubbing his hand along Evelyn's back Hank just held her tight and put his other hand on Connor's still bandaged forehead as he said his final goodbye to his son. "...Connor would want us to be with Henry." Lifting his hand up from Connor's forehead Hank gave his son a simple nod of respect as he reached over to take Connor's wedding band from his left hand. He knew in time Evelyn would want to have it. "It's time to go home."

The house felt cold, heavy and empty as Hank and Evelyn brought Henry back home from Chloe's care.

Evelyn couldn't bring herself to go upstairs and sleep in the bed without Connor beside her. Poorly sleeping on the couch with Henry wrapped up in her arms and Ruby over her ankles Evelyn quietly wept throughout the night as she mourned for her lost love.

Unable to be upstairs with no one else around Hank resided to the recliner in the livingroom to be closer to Evelyn and Henry the heavy grief began to smother the household. Watching Henry as his little fists flexed and squeezed in his sleep Hank just wanted to hold his grandson and never let go. How was someone so young, so small and so innocent supposed to comprehend the idea that 'daddy won't be coming home'?

As the sun finally set Hank's phone lit up with an incoming call from Lucas. Had the volume been turned on it would've scared Henry awake and startled Evelyn. Taking the call outside Hank answered and kept his voice low as to not disturb Evelyn.

"...Lucas."

'Dad, I... I need you to come out to Kamski's place.'

"What, why?"

'It's very important. Please come out now.'

"Lucas, I won't leave Evelyn here alone."

'It's important, dad.' There was a nervous pause on the other end before Lucas told him the true importance of the visit. 'It's about Connor.'

"...What?"

'I can't explain over the phone. You need to be out here.'

"...Alright, fine. Just, let me get someone out here to stay with Evelyn until I can get back to the house. She shouldn't be alone."

'I understand. I have to go back to Chloe, otherwise I'd wait. I just... I need to be with her and Maddy. And if Evelyn saw my face... It might upset here.'

"It's okay, Lucas. I get it. I'll go out to Kamski's place in a minute. I'll see you soon, son."

Ending the call Hank looked up at the darkening night sky overhead and took a moment to breathe before he looked back down at the phone in his hand and searched through the list of contacts. Selecting Captain Fowler's name Hank reluctantly pressed dial and held the phone up to his ear.

"Jeffrey, it's me... I have a favor I need to ask of you. Now."

The drive out to Kamski's place seemed to take an eternity for the grieving father as the death of his son was vivid in his mind and painful in his heart. Reaching the reclusive mansion on the outskirts of town was always a strenuous journey for the senior detective to make as his mistrust of Kamski hadn't faded entirely, and know that Connor didn't fully trust Kamski had always kept Hank on his guard.

Parking the car in front of the mansion Hank practically tore the key out of the ignition as he headed toward the front door and was let inside immediately as Markus opened the door for him.

"Markus?"

"Hank, I'm glad you're here."

"What the fuck is going on?"

"...It's too much to explain." Stepping aside he let the senior detective enter the foyer and walk over to the closed door leading to the study on the opposite side of the room. "Just know that everything that's happened this evening was Connor's idea."

"Connor?"

Motioning toward the door Markus stayed back and watched as the senior detective reluctantly stood before the door and stepped through once it slid open automatically.

"Kamski." Hank crossed his arms over his chest defiantly as soon as he saw the eccentric billionaire sitting behind his desk next to the ruby red pool. "If you wanted me to come out here to tell me to be more careful when it comes to Lucas or Chloe, then you can kiss my ass!"

"Easy, Lieutenant. I would never say such a thing to you, especially in your time of grief."

"Why am I out here? I need to be with my daughter-in-law and grandson."

"There's someone you need to see."

"If you have one of your weird 'android-clones' waiting to be supportive of my family behind that damn door then I'm going to throw you into that fucking pool and hold your head under until the bubbles stop!"

"No clones, Lieutenant. No tricks, no deception." Standing up from his desk Kamski walked toward Hank so he could pass through the door leading back to the foyer to give the pained man some space. "See for yourself."

"See what for myself?"

The door nearest Kamski's desk suddenly slid open as a figure stepped through. Standing a few feet away from Hank the figure was wearing dark blue jeans, a black t-shirt and no shoes. Their eyes were heavy with emotion and their posture indicated fear and confusion. A red light was glowing from their right temple, and their artificial skin was manifesting over their frame like a ripple spreading over a pond.

Hank's eyes went wide and his legs trembled violently beneath him as he laid eyes on the figure's face. "...C...Connor?"

"...Hi, Hank." Taking a shaking step forward Connor pressed his hand over his L.E.D. as the light flickered between red and yellow. "I'm... alive."

"...Connor, you're..." A single step was all Hank could take before his legs stopped on him. "You're really..."

"I'm here." Tears began to run down his face as he came to terms with his own reality and the memories of the day settled into his mind. "I'm okay, dad."

An emotional sob escaped Hank's throat as his legs gave out and he fell to his knees on the floor. Within seconds Connor was kneeling in front of him and holding him in a tight hug. As the senior detective wrapped his arms around Connor the newly revived deviant android's L.E.D. finally cycled back to blue in comfort.

"...You came back!" Hank muttered into Connor's shoulder as he refused to release his hug. "You really came back..."

"I had a reason to come back. My family."

"Holy shit... Just when I think you can't scare me anymore..."

"I'm sorry, dad." On the verge of a complete emotional breakdown Connor forced himself to remain composed for his father's sake. "I didn't want to scare you, I swear!"

"H-How is this possible?!"

"...Lucas." Connor sighed slowly as he felt his old android body rebooting entirely and every single one of the memories he had created in the four years since his return to humanity were uploaded to his processors in flawless detail. "He managed to download my consciousness from my brain and transported it here. When Markus brought my body to Kamksi for assistance he was able to replicate his original actions in putting my mind in my android body, but this time my memories stayed intact! I remember... I remember everything." Tightening his hug around Hank's shoulders Connor just closed his eyes and felt a warmth of belonging spreading over his chest. "I want to see my wife and my son. I want to go home, dad. I just want to go home!"

"We will, son." Moving his hand up to the back of Connor's hair Hank pulled the deviant even closer as they refused to let go of their hug. Slipping his hand into his jean pocket Hank pulled out Connor's wedding band and slipped it into the deviant's hand to hold onto. "We're going home, together."

Struggling to deal with the tragedy on even level possible Evelyn kissed Henry's cheek and put him in the baby swing where Ruby took her usual protective position. She walked into the kitchen and just braced herself against the top of the kitchen table while Captain Fowler put a kettle on the stove to boil. She wasn't sleeping, she hadn't eaten since that afternoon, and she was unable to fully open up and speak about what had happened. As the surprisingly empathetic police Captain pulled the now hot kettle of the stove to make Evelyn some tea he saw his phone buzzing on the countertop and a new message from Hank popped in.

"...Do you need me to do anything for you?" Captain Fowler asked as he poured the hot water into a mug and placed a bag of tea into the mug to steep. The chosen tea was peppermint and the aroma made Evelyn cry again as she thought about how Connor had always chosen peppermint as his preserved flavor. "I can run to the store and get some extra diapers and formula for Henry if you'd like."

Shaking her head Evelyn just watched as the hot water steadily darkened as the tea steeped.

Glancing over the message on his phone Captain Fowler cleared his throat somewhat nervously as the content of the message was entirely unusual. "...Uh, Hank is just down the block. I don't want to leave you alone, even for a second, but there's a lot of work-"

"I get it." She didn't snap or sound angry in the least. Only tired. "It's okay to go, I'll be fine. I just need to be alone for a moment."

"Evelyn, I know we haven't met before this day, but I want you to know we're all here for you. No matter what."

"...I know. Thank you."

"I'm just a phone call away." Walking through the kitchen and toward the livingroom Captain Fowler glanced through the front window at the sight of headlights pulling up to the house and into the neighboring drive. Disliking the idea of leaving Evelyn behind the kind Captain wanted to respect her wishes and opened the door quietly. As he stepped onto the front walkway he saw Hank walking up the drive, and he wasn't alone. "...Hank, what the hell-"

"It's complicated." Answering quickly he motioned for Captain Fowler to step away from the door so Connor could go inside the house. "Let me try to explain this whole big pile of shit."

Holding his breath the deviant's L.E.D. flashed to red and he opened the front door. As he stood inside the livingroom he was greeted with a loud happy giggle from Henry as the baby recognized his daddy and called out to him. "...Henry." Whispering the name Connor walked over to the swing and gave Henry a kiss on his forehead as he spoke softly to his son. "...Daddy missed you. Come on." Gently he picked up his son from the swing and him in his arms up against his chest. Henry immediately grabbed onto the collar of Connor's shirt and tugged on the fabric. "I have to see mommy before we can play."

Ruby sat up readily and licked at the side of Connor's hand as the deviant gave her some gentle ear rubs and held Henry against his chest.

"Good girl."

Standing upright slowly from the swing with Henry in his arms Connor walked toward the kitchen where Evelyn's back was facing his direction. For the first time in years Connor ran a scan and chronicled the vital signs of a loved one; she was in distress. Watching as she slowly picked up the mug of tea from the table Connor spoke her name in a gentle whisper.

"Evelyn?"

Turning around to face the sound of the impossible voice Evelyn's blue eyes went wide and her hands trembled around the mug. "...Connor." Her grip faltered causing the mug to crash to the floor and shatter into numerous sharp shards all around her feet. The loud crash caused Henry to cry out and Connor turned his head to face the baby, revealing his tinted L.E.D. for Evelyn to see as he rubbed Henry's back softly to comfort him. "...Y-You're... You're..."

Henry quieted down as Connor turned to look at his wife and gave her an uncertain stare. "...I'm alive."

"H-How..." Stepping over the spilled tea and broken mug she stood before Connor and raised her shaking hands as if to cup his face. Her hand was shaking as it hovered near his glowing L.E.D. almost like she was afraid to touch it. "You're..."

"My mind was transferred back into my android body." Holding out his left hand Connor retracted the artificial skin from his fist as he relaxed his fingers to show his wedding band in the palm of his hand, now resting atop the white plastimetal from that composed his body. "...But I'm still me. I still love you."

Evelyn put her shaking hand over his hand, and rested there as she stared in stunned silence at her resurrected husband.

"I may not be human anymore, but my feelings for you and Henry haven't changed. I still love you both with all of my heart, and I promised that I'd find my way to come back to you." Lowering his gaze from Evelyn's eyes Connor took in a shuddering breath to try to steel his nerves. "If you need me to give you some space, I understand. And I promise I'll do whatever it takes to win back your love and earn your trust."

Without hesitation Evelyn stood up on her tiptoes and gave Connor a kiss and put her hands on the side of his face. "I never want you to go anywhere out of my sight again!" Crying again, this time tears of joy, Evelyn let out a relieved sob and just looked into his eyes. "Connor, I love you for who you are, not what you are! Human or deviant, you're still my husband, you're Henry's father, you're Hank's son and I will love you until the end of time!"

"I love you so much, Evelyn." Bowing his forehead against he foreheads Connor's L.E.D. cycled back to a calm, steady blue as he felt his Thirium pump, his heart, stutter and race with emotion. "I had to come back for you... No matter what the cost. Not even death could keep me from you."

Laughing with an emotional sob Evelyn wrapped her fingers around the wedding band in Connor's palm and symbolically slipped the band back over his exposed, plastimetal ring finger affectionately. "...Til death do us part. And even then you kept your promise and came back to me."

"Always, Evelyn." Lifting up his exposed left hand before himself he watched as Evelyn pressed her palm against his, their fingers lining up briefly before interlocking into a loving grip. "I'll always find a way to come back."

Three days of thousands of questions and dozens of happy reunions later Connor, Hank, Evelyn, Lucas, Markus, North, Josh, Simon, Captain Fowler, Gavin, Abby, Chris, Tina, Joel, Dr. Wilson, Kamksi and a few other officers from the Detroit precinct gathered at a familiar cemetery in Novi Michigan. Remaining home with Maddy and Henry in her care Chloe ensure that the small babies weren't accidentally traumatized by the event at hand.

Against the odds Connor survived being shot only by a miracle of an engineering feat, but his human body; the original Connor Anthony Wolf, had succumbed to the fatal wound and perished. A burial was to be expected, though the circumstances were a tad unusual for everyone in attendance. There were no tears being shed, no spiritual guidance or tearful farewells, not even a eulogy. Those who had gathered came to respect the life of a fallen officer who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect a friend, and symbol of peace. A sacrifice that the media in Detroit spread like wildfire to ensure that the citizens knew that the police were still looking out for them regardless if they were human or deviant.

Those in attendance wore black or their police formal uniforms, Connor and Hank were no exception, and Lucas wore his formal uniform given to him by the fire department as a show of respect. An American flag was draped over the coffin to later be folded and placed inside the coffin as a true show of respect for the first responder who died in the line of duty.

Connor stood beside the closed casket as it awaited its descent into the Earth, and put his hand down on the ebony black lid as he contemplated his life, his humanity, his deviancy, and his future.

Walking as if he were treading glass Markus joined his friend beside the coffin to show his respect to his fallen comrade. "Connor, I... I never thanked you."

"Thanked me?"

"For saving my life." The mismatched irises were searching over Connor's face as if searching for a reason to turn away in guilt or shame. "You took a bullet for me, and you paid with your life."

"...You're my friend, Markus. I wanted to protect you, and I know if we were to trade places you would've done the same thing to save me without even thinking about it."

"...If you hadn't of pushed me out of the way, I don't know what would've happened. If I hadn't asked you to be there you wouldn't have been shot at all."

"Markus, it's okay. My job is to protect the city, my family AND my friends."

"But you have a wife and son."

"You also have a wife, and your own children on the way. What we have in our lives doesn't make one more valuable than the other."

"It still doesn't make it any easier to accept that my friend died saving my life."

"Your friend is still here, Markus. I'm just in a different body. I'm the same person with the same thoughts, memories and feelings; the only difference is my blood is now blue and not red. But I'm still Connor."

"...Thank you all the same." Stepping forward Markus gave Connor and hug which was quickly reciprocated as the two deviant friends realized how much they respected and appreciated one another. "There is no way I can repay your kindness and courage, but that won't stop me from trying."

"I'm not surprised, my friend."

Letting go of the hug Markus just gave Connor a tearful nod as he retreated to the rest of the crowd to quietly wait for the ceremony to begin. As he walked into the crowd Evelyn emerged from the group to be with her husband as he contemplated the unusual, but very real changes to his life as he saw exactly how many people either loved or respected him as a person.

"Are you okay?" Evelyn wrapped her hand around his opposite hand as she stood beside him and rested her temple against his shoulder.

"Yes. I'm merely... thinking."

"About what?"

"Everything. I came so close to death so many times, and each time I managed to defy the odds and survive. How much longer can my luck hold out?"

"It's not luck, Connor. It's fate."

"...Maybe."

"You're here, you're with your family, you're surrounded by friends, trusted colleagues and you're still alive. That's all that matters."

"You're right." The dozens of people who had gathered to show their respect was all the proof he needed. "...You're absolutely right."

"Are you sure you want to have your human body buried here in Novi?"

"Yes. I want my mother to be with her son again." The sight of Elizabeth's headstone right next to the fresh grave on the opposite side of Anthony's own headstone was somehow appropriate. The broken family was now complete again. "It's the right thing to do." A firm hand on his shoulder drew Connor's attention away from the coffin and back to Hank, his L.E.D. flickering briefly to yellow before returning to blue. "Yes, Hank?"

"It's time for the final ceremony."

"I think a twenty-one gun salute is a little extreme considering only my body died. I'm still alive."

"Too bad, son. It's tradition and you deserve it. Besides," wrapping arm around Connor's shoulders as he and Evelyn walked over to the rather large section of chairs to sit down for the remainder of the funeral, Hank gave his son a somewhat sheepish glance. "it's not everyday someone gets to attend their own funeral."

As the ceremony came to a close Connor stood once more beside the coffin and pressed his fingertips against his L.E.D. as it cycled a steady calm blue in his right temple. Most of the guests had taken their leave to return home and with their absence came a wondrous peace and calmness throughout the large and green cemetery. It felt oddly appropriate for Connor to stand beside the grave as he waited to take his own leave of the cemetery, but there was one last thing he needed to do before he left for home.

Evelyn stood beside Connor and took his hand again. "I just called Chloe. Henry's okay, but I think it's time we got back to him."

"You're right. We should take him to the park since it's such a beautiful day."

"That sounds good to me." The warm summer air was strangely rejuvenating despite being at a funeral that morning. "We need a family day at the park. Not to mention the chance to enjoy the peace throughout the city thanks to you."

"What're you talking about?"

"The media has been having a blast pushing the really macabre photos that were taken the day of the shooting." Slipping her phone from her purse Evelyn showed her husband the most popular of the dozens of photos published. "This is the one that's going down in history."

Connor glanced at the image and felt his stomach twist. The sight of Markus holding him in his arms, to see his blood all over Markus's hands and his chest as he held the dying detective in his arms was absolutely chilling. To see his friend protectively holding him and staying with him despite the chaos and danger had not only spoken to Markus's character as a kind, compassionate soul who respects all life; but as one who is fearless and sees people for who they are and not what they are.

"...It's a shame that it required death for the media to push the prospect of equal lives between androids and humans." Connor looked away from the photo and reminded himself that everything was okay, he was still alive. "But if this moment will give androids as a whole a better life and a better standing among humans then I suppose it was worth it."

"No. Anything at the expense of a life is never worth it." Giving him a kiss on the cheek Evelyn rested her head against his shoulder. "There will always be a way to succeed and it can be done without bloodshed."

"Yes. You're right." Glancing about the headstones Connor reached into his black jacket and retrieved two white lilies that had been tucked away protectively. Placing the flowers down on his biological parents' graves Connor paid his respects and felt almost whole again. "I just need to do one more thing before we leave for home."

"What's that?"

Dropping his hand from his L.E.D. he sighed and used his eyes to motion toward the light. "I want to leave a piece of me with me; a piece that symbolizes all the changes and struggles I've endured to become who I am today."

Hank and Lucas walked over to Connor and overheard him as he spoke. The senior detective gave Connor a somewhat wary glance as he pulled a pocketknife from his pant pocket and held it up for Connor to take. "...Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's time. I'm not an android, I'm a deviant." The statement was ironically very human. "I'm free, I'm alive and I'm finally, truly happy." Picking up the knife Connor eyed the blade for only a moment before he returned the handle to Hank's grip. "Would you do the honors?"

"...You want me to remove your L.E.D. for you?"

"The only reason I became a deviant to begin with is because of you. It makes sense to have you remove the last trace of my machine life."

"...Okay, son. Hold still." With careful pressure Hank pierced the L.E.D. with the tip of the knife and turned the knife once counterclockwise. With that motion the L.E.D. flickered until it lost all color and became dull, lifeless disc. Retracting the knife the disc stayed pierced on the sharp tip and Hank picked it up between his index finger and thumb for Connor take. "There. You look good, kid."

Connor smirked as he ran his right fingertips over his now bare temple once his artificial skin regenerated, and he took the L.E.D. in other hand to dispose of properly. "Thank you." Tightening his hand into a fist around the dead L.E.D. Connor turned around to open up the coffin lid and placed the blank disc into his own human hand to be buried and laid to rest. With a soft 'click' Connor closed the lid and looked back at his family with pure confidence. "...I am alive."

"And you're my son." Hank tagged on as he put his hand back to Connor's shoulder. "As well as a damn fine detective and the most stubborn partner I've ever had."

"You're also my big brother." Lucas smirked as he watched Connor's returned to deviancy blossom with the love of their family all around him. "As well as my best friend and guardian."

"And my husband." Evelyn took his hand in hers, and held tight. "Not to mention Henry's father. You're so much more than just a deviant or alive. Never forget that, Connor. You're loved!"

The family began walking away from the coffin as it was lowered into the Earth, and with it came the name revealed on the headstone to remember the person had been laid to rest surrounded by love and respect: Connor Anthony Wolf.

Hank gave his two sons an odd glance as a slightly amused laugh escaped his lips. "You two do know what's happening in three days, right?"

The deviant brothers took a moment to check the date in the next seventy-two hours and realized the significance in chorus. "It's our birthday."

"I think we need to do something very special for you two to celebrate your lives."

Connor shook his head a little as his humble nature unsurprisingly remained intact. "I think being able to live on and having my family is all I need."

"Too bad, we're doing something special anyway. We're going to go up to the cabin, all of us. We need to get away from the city and just be together as a family where no one can bother us." Patting Connor's shoulder then clapping his hand down Hank gave his son a proud smile as the family gathered together to show nothing but love and support for one another. "So, how does it feel, son?"

The question seemed oddly specific and yet painfully vague. "How does what feel?"

"How does it feel to be alive," Hank elaborated with a sly smile. "all over again?"

An amused grin appeared on Lucas's face as he quietly studied his brother's demeanor and waited for an answer. It was a truly an intriguing question.

"...Right. It feels right. It feels... freeing." Connor tightened his hand around Evelyn's hand as he gave Hank a confident grin while the family took their leave of the cemetery together. "While Connor Wolf has died, Connor Anderson has only just begun to live."

-End of Story-