It had been several months since I thought of the debt my brother had owed. The night at the club - when one of the guys he used to run with (Tony, who I had unfortunately also dated briefly) dared to make an appearance and hinted at collecting - was a suppressed memory until tonight. It was stupid of me to have forgotten this already but stranger that I hadn't seen him since then. Was he waiting until I had conveniently forgotten and then make a violent entrance? He wasn't the type to be dramatic. Was he scared off since I was rolling with the Captain and his partner? Oof, Hank had been so pissed when he learned of my past . Whenever that memory rose to my mind, I physically shook it off like a wet dog coming in from the rain. But now it was bothering me because I had no idea exactly how much this debt was or why my brother had even owed. I was in the dark.

After the tumultuous game of Monopoly last week, I hadn't been back to the house, although Connor came by a couple times briefly to watch me eat a late dinner and then we'd curl up for little TV before heading to bed for the night.

The week was also broken up by a visit to a shop to assist Hank's girl with picking out a dress for the upcoming Detroit Police Foundation's Annual Gala. (2038 and '39 had been skipped given recent events.)

I begged her to seduce Hank already. "Connor's turned into a total pervert under that roof and Hank's turning into mush about this whole ordeal. You wouldn't think it, but the silent stoicism with the anger and the dirty comments, that's all just built up tension that needs to be released because I cannot take him making fun of Connor and me anymore."

Connor and Hank had gone tux shopping and he sent me photos of their selections for my eyes although I stopped hearing back from him after the first hour and had to assume they were still playing Project Runway and possibly found themselves their own Tim Gunn.

Connor had (in)conveniently remembered to invite me to this in the middle of sex prior to his shopping excursion.

I thought his LED was about to spasm but rather it was a calendar reminder set for midnight. I asked him to please set those for a better time of day, perhaps when his dick wasn't halfway down my throat?

Dammit, Connor.

It was Hank's birthday tonight and I knew I needed to head over soon. During my brief time with Alex at the shop, I reminded her of the upcoming date and we, with Connor's help, later formulated a gift together for the man.

Unfortunately, Hank was spewing from both ends after eating something rancid at work and was still in the bathroom upon Alex's arrival. We directed her around the corner to care for him.

I asked Connor if he knew what the culprit could have been.

"Hank hasn't let me into the bathroom to analyze -"

I held up both hands in a gesture of defeat. "Okay, stop right there. Don't need to know, nevermind. I feel for him, ya know?"

"I do, too," Connor sighed. "He hasn't been this sick in a while, several months, in fact."

"Connor. You're not speaking precisely, have you noticed? Are you doing that on purpose?"

'Several months' instead of 'sixteen weeks, ten days, and four hours' was an improvement but out-of-character. Hell, I should have noticed this when his speech started to become jumbled during sex and I thought he was being hacked. Maybe this had been a gradual evolution during our time together, but I hadn't thought much of it until now.

"I am. I'm really trying to put more effort into not sounding like a 'pretentious douchebag,' as Hank likes to put it."

"Yeah, he's uh - pretty blunt with how he talks about you, I guess."

"We have our own way of communicating."

We were silent for a few moments; I was trying to overhear any conversation coming from the bathroom until Connor gave me that look not to eavesdrop, proceeding to join me on Hank's sofa.

"I think they're going to be in there for a while," he said.

"Yeah, probably."

We exchanged a knowing look and burrowed in the sofa cushions for the next ten minutes until Hank and Alex emerged from the bathroom and we welcomed them with a round of applause.

Hank feigned returning to his bedroom before turning back around. I pushed Connor off and took my place on the floor so that Alex could have a seat and Hank plopped between them.

Connor presented his gift to Hank first; this was even a surprise to me as Hank unwrapped the pristine layers of tissue paper, revealing a cross-stitch ornament which read:

Behold! The field in which I grow my fucks. Lay thine eyes upon it and thou shalt see that it is barren.

Hank got a hoot from that and vowed to hang it above the mantle.

He groaned at my Mr. Krabs beer pint glass but smiled in thanks, though perhaps his glee was suppressed from trying not to puke again?

I was nervous about Hank's final gift which Alex presented. His brow furrowed for a moment and held his breath then let out a sigh. A sigh that if he had pushed out too much air, he might again be in tears.

Connor had contacted Hank's vet weeks back to obtain an ink print of Sumo's paw which he dropped off to Alex's office along with the collar and tags, and a photograph of Hank, Connor, and Sumo taken at some point prior to my meeting the men. She then framed them as a collection.

He finally managed to speak, not averting his eyes from the frame. "This is nice. Thank you."

"Maybe we can hang it in the hall?" Connor said.

"Hm. I'll think about it."

However, in the next instant, Hank was scrambling back towards the bathroom and Alex again trailed to care for him.

I treated myself to a glass of water in the kitchen and sat at the table where Connor joined me moments after. After we were certain they wouldn't emerge immediately, I asked Connor how he and Hank were managing.

His lips were sealed when it came to Hank and Alex but concerning the man and Sumo…

"Slowly better. He's focused again while on duty and we're working together better than ever. There's still things he won't say, though, which I don't fully understand, but he will when he's ready."

"And you?"

"I am...getting used to it."

"I'm so sorry, Connor."

"For what?"

"That you're going through this. It's a part of life and being human and it's a part that really fucking sucks when it happens. Pets are...they're family. And it - it puts things into perspective, I guess. You're probably going to outlive all of us."

Connor frowned at the insinuation. "Lana, I -"

Alex emerged from the bathroom again and Connor asked her how his friend was feeling.

"I think he just needs some peace and quiet," she said. "Told him I'd kick you out. I'm going to get home as well, but I think he just wants the house alone tonight."

Connor and I departed without hesitation wishing them both well and hoping he'd feel better by tomorrow night's gala.

In the brief car ride back to my place, Connor spoke up again. "Lana, what you said about my life-span, it is true that an android's battery can last over 150 years, during which we need to recharge at some point, especially myself as I expend more energy than other lines. And you're not wrong that I most likely will outlive you and Hank. But... I'm not sure I want to."

I cast him a concerned glance as I drove. "What are you saying, Connor? You want to - to shut yourself down after we die?"

"I know how much it hurts to lose Sumo, a dog I have only known for two years. I have seen what happens to humans who experience loss. I don't like to think about losing Hank. Or you. You're both family. Like you said earlier, death fucking sucks."

I wore the same dress to the gala as I had the night of the symphony, another event which seemed so long ago but was only earlier this year. This past year had passed so quickly, from our time at my first bar getting to know each other to New Year's Eve and Connor and I's first kiss, the family mystery surrounding the missing android, to Sumo's death and the return of Hank's ex. This year was a whirlwind for Connor of positive experiences and exploring his emotions and our relationship. And each day that passed, his gaze lasted a little bit longer, his hands softer, that damn hair of his a little wilder before Hank would have to snip it off again on the bathroom floor.

I parked on the curb of their house - it looked like Hank had already departed to pick up Alex - and knocked on the door, which Connor opened only moments after in his tux and black tie. I realized then he could very well have worn the one he had on at the symphony and I probably wouldn't have noticed, but this was another indication of his interest in human men's fashion.

I wasn't about to complain.

"Very handsome, as usual," I said.

We headed to The Westin Book Cadillac and dropped off my car with the valet before heading inside. Connor immediately spied Hank once we had navigated to the open conference area. He grabbed my hand as we beelined to his friend. I assumed Hank must be giving a speech later tonight as he was dressed in his uniform regalia instead of a tuxedo as I had previously presumed he would be donning.

"Hey, Hank." I nudged him in the side and whispered, "Big night, huh?"

It took him a second to catch on to my insinuation but short of giving me the same death-dagger stare he had graced me with when I was in Investigation, he muttered back, "Geezus. The two of you are gonna be the death of me with that shit. If you must know, yes. I hope. Fuck, what the fuck am I talking to you about this for? I don't want you and Connor taking credit for pressuring me, though, all right? Now will you both shut the fuck up? She's coming over."

We were a little early but the room quickly filled with what must have been close to a couple hundred officers and their partners all in uniform or tuxedos and beautiful gowns. We eventually took our assigned seats and the following hours were filled with presentations and speeches, including major bullet points about the efforts by Central these past couple years to reign in peace after Markus' revolution. Hank made sure to praise Connor's major role, of course, eliciting tears from the man's eyes.

After all the officers of all the stations applauded themselves, we moved to the ballroom for some actual entertainment. Hank and Alex found Connor and I through the crowd at a back table but Hank swiftly departed to make nice with his colleagues while Alex disappeared to the bathroom.

"What do you want to do after this?" Connor asked.

Why did he have to look so damn hot in that tux, coyly leaning over the high table like he doesn't fucking know what that does to a girl. A strand had popped itself loose from his hair and it was all I could focus on.

"Oh. Well, there's plenty of empty rooms and hallways and bathrooms. Then after that, I need to pick up some paperwork from the bar before I forget."

He was gazing off at some indeterminate point past me in the room when his eyes widened and it clicked and he met my gaze again, clasping his hands in front of him on the table.

"Oh. I see. That would be different. Yes, I think I could be amicable to that."

"Oh, shit," I said, straightening up and pointing to the front of the room. I stepped around to grip Connor's bicep. "Connor, he's getting up on stage. We should have been watching him."

Hank's rendition of I Want it That Way wasn't the harshest thing I've ever heard but it wasn't in his top ten by any means.

"I think I preferred when he sang Macklemore," Connor said.

"Yeah. Me too. But this is kinda sweet. Aw, Hank really is a romantic. Look at this asshole making a fool of himself for Al."

After making the rounds and socializing with Connor, a few drinks and trips to the bathroom later, and with neither of the guys within earshot, I caught Alex by the arm and tugged her to a high table. She looked back once, probably not wanting to lose sight of Hank. I said her name again to get her attention. I had to say something.

"Oh for the love of Christ please tell me you're gonna do it after this," I said to her. "Sorry, sorry, but you, God, you give him the same look I give Connor and it's so frustrating."

"What is?"

"Al, I really wanna be friends, so can I tell you something? I love Connor. And we'll probably go bang it out in the hotel here soon, but I can't get myself to say it."

"Are you afraid he still judges you?"

My heart paused a beat. "What do you - did Hank tell you everything about me? I...maybe that's it. Maybe. That was such a nightmare for a while, but maybe you're right."

She and I hadn't had much of an opportunity to talk since she'd been back other than that day at the park. Hank must have let her in on the drama.

She shrugged. "I don't think you have anything to worry about. He seems like a really good guy and the few times I've hung around you two now...he definitely feels the same. Lana, I was around a lot of androids in pain for two years, I saw them go through every emotion known to man, so believe me, Connor is an android in love."

"Thanks. That makes me feel better, I guess. All right, let's go stand with these fuckers and make a bet on who fucks first."

Alex flushed and nearly spat up her drink on the tablecloth. "Okay. I'll take that. I bet I can get Hank out of here faster than you can pull Connor away."

"Well that's not fair. We both know Hank doesn't like these formal sorta things and Connor's all aflutter just to be included. He's a real boy now. He wants to socialize."

"Yes, but he's also an android with a penis."

"Point taken."

At one point over the remaining hours, I made a sawing motion at Hank with a butter knife, hoping he'd remember my comment about the sexual tension between them. He moved to stand on the other side of Alex to block her from view and raised a middle finger as he rested his face in his hand.

...

"Lana," Connor said with a nudge to my elbow.

"What?"

"Hank's leaving. Come."

Hank was making a few farewells to some lingering officers.

"Yeah yeah, good seeing you, too…. Yeah, thanks, what a party, huh…. Oh, there's more 90s pop where that came from…. Connor! Hey, buddy, I'm gonna head out. Al's getting the car."

"No time to waste, huh, Hank?" I teased.

Hank's lips were barely parted in reply when Connor interjected, "Are you two finally going to fuck?"

I was fully expecting Hank's trademark frown and furrowed brow but instead, he imparted on his friend a wide smile and gripped his shoulder. "You know what, Connor," Hank said with a pointed finger. "I'm just going to be proud of you this time. I've taught you well, kid. You two have a good night, ya hear me?"

"Thank you, Hank," Connor said. "I believe Lana owes me a tour of the hotel."

Hank's rolled-back eyes propelled him from the room before I could open my mouth in response.

...

An hour or so later after a thorough make-out session in one of the empty side conference rooms, Connor and I stopped at the bar on the way back to my place so I could pick up some paperwork I needed to mail in the morning.

It was well past when my employee should have closed up, but I saw a light on in the back from the front door.

"Probably just forgot," I said as I unlocked.

Connor gripped my arm suddenly. "Lana, wait -"

As I took a half-step in, I looked up to see Tony emerge from the back room. The safe was open behind him.

Connor brushed around my front to ask what he was doing here.

The man was not sober.

Not in the slightest.

He had come to collect, I realized. Was this the only one? I hadn't received any texts from the other locations that they had been hit. At least not since I last checked… Dammit.

I saw Connor's light blink. That noticeable blip-blip-blip when he makes a phone-call.

"Connor!"

One.

Two.

I fell.

Three.

Four.

I heard the thwack of Connor's knuckles in retaliation. The blue streaming down his hands.

Footfalls.

The men must have escaped around us.

My fingers were sticky and Connor's eyes were faulting. Twitching. Like bad wiring.

Shot wiring.

I didn't know

what else to say.

It was my fault.

It was my fault.

"Con - I love you."

"I know."

That stupid tilted smile.

"I love you too, La...na…"

I could barely remember the blurs of dialogue sometime later.

An officer calling for backup.

Hank calling CyberLife.

Ambulance lights.

Connor's blue blood seeping ever slowly

through the cracks in the floor tiles

towards my fingers.

It was cold.

I didn't know his blood would be cold.

Hank would tell me later over the phone that Connor was hauled off to CyberLife for a full work-up and it would be a couple days before he would be released. He said he didn't want to worry me too much since I had my own wounds to worry about but I think he was saying it more to himself than to me.

The club had been hit as well after-hours but no injuries. After Hank ensured that Connor was picked up by CyberLife, he had several officers pull security and traffic cam footage to nab the culprits. I would have to return downtown soon to provide another statement and appear in court.

I had two bullet wounds, one graze and one clean penetration along my torso and was released home the next day with very fashionable stitches and stringy gauze wraps.

Upon Connor's release, he came straight to my apartment and graced me with an incredibly bruising hug.

"I'm sorry. I hurt you. I didn't scan you first, I apologize. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think something like this is the one time you're permitted to scan me."

Hank gave Connor the rest of the year off to spend with me up on the lake.

"There's so much that still needs to be investigated, Lana. I should help Hank."

"Connor, Hank will be fine. I trust him. I know you do, too. And even Gavin is on it. Also, Hank and Alex really need some alone time without us making jest every morning."

"Without you making jest, you mean."

"Yeah, guess you're right. But he's been a bad influence on you."

"Not all bad, Lana. He did help teach me many se-"

"Okay! Fuck, yes, I owe him a thank you for being such a mentor. What'd he do, use Barbie and Ken to demonstrate?"

"Maybe."

I could only imagine the PowerPoint presentation Hank and the other officers might have put together for Connor down at Central over the past two years.

Gavin with a laser pointer in charge of anatomy lessons. ("And this here's ya plastic prick and balls!")

Tina with dating advice.

Chris bringing in his kid's action figures.

I had been packing a light duffel and winced at the pain in my side despite the meds. Connor rounded the bed and offered to assist.

"I got it, Connor, thank you. It'll be nice to get away. It's been a busy year, hasn't it?"

"Lana."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. What am I being thanked for?"

"For loving me."

I paused and set down the shirt I had been rolling to meet his gaze beside me.

"I realized that most deviants were awoken by a moment of very powerful emotion," he said. "Fear, self-preservation, betrayal, the desire to protect beyond our programming. I don't believe I've ever met one who was awoken by being loved. We were welcomed into deviancy by something thought-provoking and powerful and now we all share an immutable desire for connection. For human connection. My friendship with Hank is something very special and I am grateful for him. I think we all need someone like that. But you, Lana, I am thankful for the experiences you've given me this year and for getting to know you. I'm very happy you kissed me on New Year's."

"I'm happy as well, Connor. I love you."

"I love you, Lana. That is nice to say when we're both not bleeding out on the floor, isn't it?"

I playfully slapped him with the back on my palm to his chest, accepting a light kiss from the man. "Yeah, yeah it's really nice to say that in the absence of Thirium soaking into my hair. Come on, I'm ready for a damn vacation."

2042

One night at dinner, Connor received a text message. He smiled and pushed the phone towards me across the table.

"It's Hank," he said.

What'ya say to a double wedding?