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Stay With Me
Chapter Fourteen: We Are The Same
All it took was a few inquiries to the city about holding a pro-android rally and the news media was suddenly all over it. Samantha couldn't believe how fast the idea took off. The second it was out in the open, people were calling her daily. Some were news people trying to get more information on the event, wanting to ask about Markus or interview him. Some were those who ran android relief programs and wanted to know how they could get involved. Practically every one of those type of phone calls were from another human. Samantha didn't realize how many human-run groups were out there, trying to help. Did Markus and the others know?
There was also another type of caller. She wasn't sure how these people got her number. She supposed the same way as the media and android groups did. These people would yell at her the second she answered the phone. Told her she was a disgusting android fucker, that she was a traitor to her own kind. Some thought she was an android and even worse names were then thrown at her. Some said she should kill herself. Others said they would find her and kill her themselves.
It scared Samantha at first to get such calls. It stressed her out and made her wish like hell that Connor was there with her. But then Nines showed up to check on her and she realized they were just stupid calls from stupid people.
When she received a hateful call, as soon as she realized what it was, she merely put the phone face down on the counter and let the person on the other line yell about whatever they wanted until they ended the call. However, the good calls always outnumbered the bad.
Very quickly Samantha realized this was not something she could put together on her own. She took any and all help that was offered. Some people from the android help groups had experience booking public events. She let them take over finding the right place and working out any permits or legal issues.
One of the androids from Jericho, Josh, decided he would take over any and all statements issued to the press. That worked well since Josh had 24/7 access to Markus and they could discuss what information could go out to the public about the event.
After meeting so many different people, Samantha suggested they take a couple extra speakers—both human and android—for the event. (As it looked like Markus didn't plan on talking for all that long.) She really wanted to make the rally worth the time of everyone who attended. Markus would still be the key speaker, the one everyone was waiting for. But she tried to make sure she booked others that would bring even more to the event.
Since the android bill was up for vote soon, time was against them. But they managed to put the entire thing together. They had their speakers booked, they had a strip of street that would be used for the "March For Equality" as people were calling it. The march would end in a large park area where a stage was erected and the speakers would address the crowd. The date was set and everything was sanctioned by the city. It was all put together in less than a week.
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The morning of the march, Samantha awoke early, though she hadn't received much sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she dreamed of the rally and all the things that could possibly go wrong. Despite the lack of sleep hours, she was up and ready to go.
For the past several days the media had constantly covered the event. The date, time and place were everywhere and people were talking about it. The place where the march would begin was near New Jericho so all its members could easily attend. They would be leading the march, Markus out in front. They weren't the only ones marching, either. Several other cities, including Samantha's hometown of Chicago, would be holding similar marches, ending with a live stream of the presentation in Detroit.
The march was scheduled to begin at 9 AM. Samantha arrived at Jericho at 7 in order to prepare, parking her car far on the other side of the android community to avoid traffic when the event ended. It had rained the night before, making everyone worried, but the sky had cleared by morning. At least the weather was cooperating. Hopefully everything else would work itself out as easily.
Jericho was full of life that day. Androids bustled everywhere, getting ready. Not one of them cared that she, a human, was there. There had been quite a few humans coming in and out the past few days. For a time, it was a little awkward, but most androids quickly got over it as everyone worked together to get this event off the ground.
She passed Josh talking with a human and another android as they discussed that media stations were already setting up outside Jericho. Her nodded to her as they passed, but she continued on. The media was Josh's department and she was happy to let him have it. She had other goals in mind.
After poking around several places, she finally found Markus. Who really wasn't that hard to locate once she was in the area. Not with the nervous entourage of fellow androids around him. Most were excited for the day's events. But there were the androids who had been in the march in November. Who had been shot at, or even hit with bullets. Who had watched their friends be slaughtered in the name of equality. There was an kinetic mixture of hope and anxiety in the air.
"Hi guys, how is everyone doing?" she asked the group in general.
It was quiet for a moment. Several of the androids present were more on the distrusting humans spectrum, hence why they were deeper inside Jericho with Markus, instead of buzzing around with the others near the front doors.
"We're getting there," Markus said with a wink. "Some of us are more nervous than others."
"I don't blame any of you. This is scary and exciting. Sometimes you just don't know which to feel. But it is going to be safe. The news media is nothing but positive comments on this. The Detroit police will be on scene everywhere. They are specifically there to keep everyone safe. Everyone. And all of you will be with friends. You will look after each other and keep yourselves safe. It's going to be okay."
Silence from the androids.
Samantha searched for anything else to say to make it better. "It's also okay if you're not comfortable going out. There's nothing wrong with staying here if you feel safer. It's your choice."
By then, several of the androids looked for excuses to go. North was with them and was happy to quit the room. Through these past few days, she had changed from veiled hostility to a sort of disinterested acceptance. With such a large change in a short amount of time, Samantha counted that as a win.
Markus waited until most of the androids had left with North before speaking to her. "I'm glad you came."
She smiled. "I just wanted to check on you. I know you still don't want to do this and I kinda made you do it."
He took her hand, squeezed it. "I want to do this. Scared as hell, but I want to do it. It needed to be done. You were right."
"And you'll be great. You're going to make history. Again."
He nodded. "Connor's here. You should talk to him."
Her smile instantly dropped. By now, Markus knew their relationship had hit a few bumps. He had to be told as Connor was invited by Markus himself to be involved in the rally. As the famed emancipator of Cyberlife Tower, Connor would also be sitting on the stage during Markus' speech. Hence Samantha had to mention why she would be avoiding Connor during this process. She hadn't explained exactly what their issues were, however, and if Markus had asked Connor about it, he had never mentioned it to her.
Though he didn't know the reason, Markus had on more than one occasion, invited her to speak with Connor to work things out.
"Maybe. Let's deal with this first. After we all make it through today, then I can finally start thinking about other things."
"I think he misses you," Markus said.
She gave a tight smile in response. She missed him, too, but she couldn't get distracted now. "Worry about yourself," she said with a wink. And as she turned to leave added, "Call me if you need anything."
She said the same thing to multiple others as she passed them through the halls of Jericho. This should be a positive event. She wanted everyone to feel nothing but safety and excitement. Gavin called her as she did her rounds, confirming that officers were now in place, stationed along the route of the march. Though it wasn't his job, Gavin had volunteered to be one of the uniformed officers doing crowd control. Samantha suspected he was going so Nines could attend the rally. Though Gavin would never admit it out loud.
It was nearly time to start. Markus should be exiting Jericho by now. He would be leading the march, so he needed to be out and ready to go. Samantha headed out herself when a couple came around a corner several yards ahead of her, also moving for the main doors.
Samantha caught the profile of a beautiful, black-haired female android. Next to her walked a male model whose face she didn't have to see to know who it was. Those square shoulders, slim waist and long legs could only belong to Connor.
Neither of the androids noticed the human down the hall behind them. Samantha's first thought was to stop and continue to be unnoticed. Then she considered taking the opportunity to open a dialog with Connor. At least extend an invitation to talk after the rally. She picked up the pace to catch up to them. They were in conversation as she approached.
"I'm so glad you decided to march with us, Connor," said the female android. "I know you work with the police, but I've spoken to many androids who are so happy you're joining us."
"Markus was very insistent," he replied with humor. "But he was right. I feel this is the right thing to do."
"I'm really glad you came to find me. I wanted to go on the march, but it seemed kind of scary. I'm not used to being out and surrounded by so much." She slipped her arm through his. "Stay with me the whole time. I feel safer when you're around."
Connor leaned into her. Kindly, warm and protective. "I won't leave your side. I promise I won't let anything happen to you."
Nope, Samantha said mentally. She immediately stopped in her tracks and ducked into the closest room before she could be noticed. The room was small, the lights off. Her heart raced; it was hard to breathe. She remained in the dark as she processed what she witnessed. It appeared she had been right to worry that this Connor had been under the influence of the her Connor. When she wasn't around, he was free to think his own thoughts. Love who he truly wanted to love. Another android. Love someone like himself; find his own person to care for and protect.
She was both happy for him and deeply heartbroken. While they took time away from each other, a part of her had refused to consider he wouldn't come back for her. Now it was her reality. How she wished there was time to break down and let herself grieve the death of her relationship. Alas, there was still much to do. She would have to compartmentalize for the moment; tuck her heartache away into a little pocket until she could take it home. This, what was going on here right now, was more important.
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Connor placed himself near the front of the march with Markus and North. Half because he was requested to as a recognizable participant of the revolution, and partially to keep a protective eye on Markus. No one was expecting there to be danger with all the police presence, but one more watchful eye certainly wouldn't hurt. So with Markus to his right and Lily holding his left arm, he began to march.
There was a small amount of cheering as it all began. This came from the groups of humans who were there. Androids didn't behave that way. They marched silently. Eerily silent. Much like they had the first time in November.
But it didn't stay that way. More and more humans began to join in as they paraded down the street. They came with signs and posters. They came with the chanting of "Equal rights for androids!" and songs of "Come on people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together. Try to love one another right now."
The humans talked with the androids as they marched; friendly and encouraging. Some humans, to the surprise of many, brought androids with them. Models that still lived with their humans families; that were a part of those families. The androids, too, talked with the androids of Jericho and everyone's world expanded a little larger.
There was something magical happening here. Perhaps something that had been happening all along, but their sheltered, hidden lives had prevented them from seeing it. As this went on, Connor caught a glimpse of Markus from time to time. The RK200 didn't say a word, but his expression was moved, tears in his eyes. Even North looked humbled at the support.
Of course, the march wasn't without a few bumps in the road. There were protest groups present. It was their right to come out and voice their opinions as well. They had their own signs and chants. But the Detroit police had it under control. The protest groups were cordoned off on the sidelines. Allowed to yell, but not intermingle with the march. Some of the pro android humans fired back and there were a few shouting matches. The androids continued on silently, unwilling to be deterred.
The only real incident worth reporting was when a man came out of an alley ahead of them, metal bat in hand. He immediately zeroed in on Markus, running for him at full speed. Connor stepped forward, hand on his gun. But the man didn't even make it to the marchers before a couple of officers tackled him and dragged him away.
Lily clung to Connor extra tight after that. He decided to talk to her to distract and calm her down.
"I heard you met my friend Scott."
"Oh yes." She brightened at the conversation, still holding his arm. "North introduced us since we've had similar experiences with humans."
Connor nodded knowingly. "He spoke about you. Said he really enjoyed talking to you. That he was able to share things he couldn't with his other friends."
"Yes." An expression covered her face that Connor couldn't quite identify. When she grew quiet, he expected she wouldn't expound on that answer. Then she spoke again.
"We talked about our previous owners. About the lives we had then and the lives we have now. About...about how sometimes we miss that life."
He was not expecting that answer. "Do you?"
"Yes. Sometimes quite a bit. We were both kept to answer a human need. Some androids find this disgusting. A form of abuse or rape of androids. I never saw it that way. My owner was so lonely. He wanted the physical, but also companionship. I fulfilled a purpose and I was content with that. If he were still alive, I would have gone back."
She paused, glancing away in shame before looking down at their shoes as they walked. "I told Scott to visit his owner. Talk to her. His friend is very protective of him. She would hate me if she knew what I said. But she doesn't understand how he and I see humans."
"How do you see them?"
"I've decided I want to have that again: companionship, physical touch. A real romance this time. But..." She looked Connor in the face. "That night we met, that I thought you and I could...I realize now that I don't think I could be physically attracted to another android. I think I prefer humans. I know it's awful, but I don't know how to change it."
Connor squeezed the hand on his arm. "It's not awful. I understand how you feel. Being against a human; they are soft and pliant. Their heartbeats and their breathing are calming. When they smile at you and bring you into their lives, it's almost magical."
Lily brightened. "You do understand. Were you owned like I was?"
"No. I was always made to work for the police. But I was dating a human girl. We're having a few problems right now. I will tell you honestly, having a relationship with a human is not easy. But I am addicted to having them in my life. I could never go back. And I miss her."
"You should tell her."
"I was hoping to. She's supposed to be here at the march, but I haven't seen her yet."
Lily squeezed his arm. "I hope you find her and tell her exactly how you feel. You never know when it will be your last chance."
Connor smiled at her. "I will. I promise."
.
Knowing Connor would be at the front, Samantha stayed far in the back. All her responsibilities to the event had ended. She didn't even have to be there other than to merely be another body showing their support. So she made herself a shadow among the crowd all the way to their destination.
A raised stage was set up in a wide-open soccer field. And even then, it wasn't enough to hold all the people who showed up. Speakers were placed further back so everyone could hear the day's presentation.
As the marchers settled in place around the stage, Samantha noticed Gavin and Nines, both dressed in uniforms and keeping an eye on the crowd. She smiled to herself. They were cute in their matching blues. But she preferred to be just one of the many that day and didn't draw attention to herself.
Surprisingly, some of the FBI agents were there, as well as Rick, their RK800. It reminded her that there were still murdering androids on the lose. There was a possibility they were here as well. Though with this many people and police around, she doubted they would be able to do anything before an entire swarm of cops descended upon them.
The technicians were doing a sound check on the stage as Markus and his entourage climbed the steps and sat themselves in the row of seats provided. Samantha noticed a pair of girls whispering loudly behind her. A glance back and she saw their whisperings were directed at Rick.
"No, the eyes are wrong, that's not him," one girl said. She swiped on her phone. "See? He's got blue eyes."
"Androids can change their eye color," the other girl insisted. "And I've never seen an android that looks like that. How can it not be him?"
"Hey," Samantha called to them, gaining their attention.
The girls looked up. She jerked her head to the side where a nearly identical android stood in a police uniform. The girls' eyes widened. Then they glanced back at her.
"You—are you Sam? I love your photos! Did you really get pictures of Markus? That's not just an android of the same model?"
"As far as I'm aware, Markus is the only one of his model," Samantha replied.
"Can we get a picture with you?" the other girl asked.
Samantha was most flattered to be treated in such a way and agreed to a group selfie.
"So, that's Nines?" the first girl then asked.
"Yes, that one over on that side. He's the one with the blue eyes."
The second girl hesitated. "Will he—I mean, he looks kinda mean. Is it okay to talk to him?"
Samantha grinned. "He was kinda made with resting bitch face, but he's actually very soft spoken and polite. However, he is a real officer with the police and he is working right now so if you go say hi, be brief."
The girls eventually built up their courage to go over. Samantha remained at a distance to watch. She couldn't hear what was being said, but she enjoyed Nines' confused look as the gushing girls approached him and seemed to be asking for a picture. Gavin immediately had to see what it was about and the girls ended up taking up quite a bit of their time before the four of them took a group picture.
The only one who wasn't smiling for said picture was Nines. His sharp gaze continued eyeing the crowd, picture or not. His gaze landed on Sam and she grinned back at him. Nines looked surprised as he parsed together who had sent the girls his way. Then his expression softened and his expression took on just a hint of amusement.
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Connor watched Markus' back as he stepped up to the podium. Markus was trying very hard not to look nervous. This wasn't broadcasting in an empty TV station, this was facing a massive crowd of androids and humans alike. But Connor had faith in him. When it came down to the wire, Markus always dug in and did what needed to be done.
"Hello," was the first tentative word said into the mic. It was weak and hesitant. But as he spoke, his voice grew stronger.
"Thank you—all of you—for joining us on this very important day. I have never been so touched with a sense of community and support. It..." Markus paused as his voice momentarily wavered. "It makes me hopeful for the future."
A few members of the crowd, most likely human, cheered back.
Markus continued. "I want to apologize to my android brothers and sisters for abandoning you for so long. Back in November, we like to think that we had gained a big win for our kind. But we also lost so much. I was afraid of losing so much again. I was afraid that what I was doing was hurting you more than I was helping. Though so many of you were brave and were willing, I couldn't stand the thought of any more lives lost because of me.
"But luckily, I wasn't alone. I had friends who weren't ready to give up on our cause or on me. They knew what the next step was. They knew it was time to speak out again. I am so grateful to have such amazing people in my life to help me find my direction when I'm lost."
He glanced to the people sitting beside him. Aside from the three other speakers, there sat North, Simon, Josh and Connor. When Markus met Connor's eyes, they both knew there was one person who pushed the hardest. She had pushed to make this a reality and she was not up there with them.
Markus turned his attention back to the crowd.
"Our city has been gripped by fear recently. These tragic murders have made us all afraid of each other. This is what they were designed to do: to divide us. To make humans and androids fear and hate each other. But the actions of a few hateful androids don't define the beliefs of our kind. Just because we are androids, it doesn't mean we don't understand fear or loss, or death. Our hearts go out to the families who are grieving such a senseless loss. We grieve with you.
"The android community does not condone the actions of these individuals. As seekers of equality, we want the same rights and privileges as the rest of humanity. That must mean we should also be willing to submit to the same laws. If any of us hurt one another, we should be punished. If androids are killing humans, they must be brought to justice. Just as we androids would hope that humans that are killing us should also see justice.
"Brothers and sisters, I beg of you. If you know where these androids are hiding, tell the authorities. We have always worked to help one another, but their hate and violence cannot be our burden. For many of us, there is much to forgive, but forgive we must. Just as these androids do not represent us as a whole, so too do the humans who have wronged you do not define humanity. We have to broaden our community to both human and android. We must share this city together. And those who threaten to hurt our neighbors and spread blind hatred must be cast out. There is no happiness and no peace to follow their path."
Markus' professional voice then took a more personable tone. "I have both humans and androids in my life that are dear to me. I love them all. I don't want to choose between them. I know I am not the only one. I don't want to hide anymore. I don't want to distance myself from humanity anymore. I want to meet you, talk with you, laugh with you. I want to be looked upon as a person, treated as a fellow living being that can feel and hurt and love. I'm willing to work hard for this dream. Are you willing to help?"
Cheers from more than just the humans sounded from the crowd. Markus had a skill for speaking, though he did not enjoy it. He had the ability to move the masses. People believed his sincerity when he shared his heart. Connor would never be so eloquent or capture the hearts and minds of a crowd so well. And he was fine with that. He would sit up here on the stage, but he content to remain silent while others voiced what needed to be said.
As Markus moved on to speak about the importance of the new android equality act, Connor stopped watching his back and moved his head to gaze out over the crowd. All eyes on Markus. Many faces excited and hopeful. Many of them were androids, but many were also human. This made Connor hopeful as well. He had been lucky to be a part of these moments in history. To play his small part and to witness the weight of what a single brave gesture like this could do.
Then, as his gaze wandered the sea of faces, he saw a very peculiar hair color from somewhere in the back. That color had been emblazoned in his memory files since the moment he met her.
"Samantha!" He jumped to his feet, thirium pump racing in desperation as if he lost her this time, there would be no other chance to find her again. "Samantha!"
Markus stumbled in his speech. The crowd members in the front stared at Connor. But Samantha was much too far away to hear him. He had to do something.
He slid around Markus and grabbed the podium mic. "Samantha! It's me, Connor! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't tell you from the beginning. I didn't understand what it would do to us. But I know without a doubt that I love you.I love you. These are my own feelings that came from me. And I'll always love you, no matter what."
Connor paused when he couldn't find her in the crowd anymore. Did she flee? Was she hiding from him? That unique hair color popped back into his vision and he knew he must catch her now before he lost her again.
He abandoned the podium and jumped off the stage. "Samantha! I'm coming!" His first hurdle were the high barriers keeping the crowd from the stage. He promptly tripped head first over them before popping back up.
"There he goes," Simon said in amusement.
"Jesus Christ, that android," North murmured in embarrassment, her face in her hand.
But Connor was already swimming through the crowd. At first, he had to push his way through stunned bodies. Then, the masses parted for him to help him on his search. Again, he lost sight of her. It was harder to find her from ground level. He called her name again. He couldn't hear any response.
Now he was in the middle of the crowd, staring faces all around him. He didn't know where to go to find her. Disappointment began to weigh in his chest. What if she ran away? What if she never wanted to talk to him again?
"Samantha! Where are you?" he cried desperately.
A pale arm then shot out of the crowd, high and proud as if it had a question. Connor's pump beat anew with hope as the crowd parted between him and that hand. The bodies moved like a wave and there she stood before him. She looked slightly embarrassed and self-conscious, but she was there waiting.
"Samantha." In long strides, he crossed the distance between them.
She remained where she was, wide-eyed and red faced at all the unwanted attention. She did not move as Connor approached. They were nearly toe to toe and she remained still. In the back of his processor, Connor worried this was a bad sign. But the rest of him was so full of joy being near her again that it over rode everything else. He wasn't going to stop here, having come so far.
He reached out to her. "Sam, I missed you so much. I—"
Her body rushed him. Arms around him, she buried her face into his neck. Connor responded in kind, tugging her close. Holding her like he would never let her go again. The immediate crowd cheered and clapped for the reunion. This made Samantha pull away as she was reminded all eyes were on her.
"Hi Samantha," Markus sing-song from the stage.
She glanced at him, face beet red. She then put her hands on either side of her face like blinders so only Connor could see her.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" she whispered. "Please?"
Connor would go anywhere as long as she was taking him with her. With a protective arm around her shoulders, he guided her out of the crowd. Behind them, Markus could be heard regaining the crowd so he could finish his speech.
.
Getting away from the crowd seemed only good enough to lower the fierce blush on her face. Samantha didn't want to have this conversation here, in some back alley during Markus' talk. She wanted to go, but felt guilty. She helped make this happen. She should stay until the end and support all the speakers.
But while she teeter-tottered about her options, she noticed a news anchor and her crew walking toward them. Connor took her arm and whisked her down the next side road. He led her on an alternate route back to Jericho. By the end, his grip on her wrist slid lower and they were walking hand in hand. Samantha missed that. She didn't want to let go. It warmed her when it seemed he didn't want to either.
When they stepped inside the nearly empty Jericho, away from any eyes, Samantha pushed him up against the wall and hugged him tight, her face buried in his chest. His arms went around her. It was so warm and sorely missed that she shuddered.
"I missed you," she spoke into his shirt. "I'm sorry I made you go. I got scared. I didn't know what to do."
He stroked her hair. "I'm sorry I said something that made you so scared. I should have explained myself better and I should have told you sooner."
Still in his arms, she pulled away and breathed out a long, heavy breath of relief. She closed her eyes as she rested her forehead against his chin. "I want to talk about it, just you and me taking time for ourselves. But the rally; I can't leave before its finished."
Connor kissed her forehead and it was a balm to her soul. He said, "They're streaming it on the TVs here at Jericho. Let's finish watching it here and then we'll talk later."
She lifted her head to look at him as Connor released her. She still wanted his arms; she wanted to take him home and be alone with him.
He squeezed her hand. "I'm not going anywhere. Not ever."
The heat to her cheeks came back for a much different reason.
.
They found the main room where the few androids too timid to leave Jericho had set themselves up before a very large screen. Connor and Samantha were given several looks when they joined them.
"We saw you on TV," one android dared to tell them.
Samantha then realized she was going to have to live with that incident being on the news for the rest of her life.
They sat themselves at some available chairs to watch the rest of the speakers. One talked about politics and the future of a world with both androids and humans: the benefits and the challenges. A psychologist who Samantha was particularly proud of booking, spoke of the psyche of being a deviated android. The science of their mental health in this world where they were still injured and killed legally. She spoke of the Detroit android murders and how this was the natural result of a society where a people—and androids were now part of society whether humanity liked it or not—were subjugated and and abused. She spoke of other cases where victimized androids had turned on their attackers, and hypothesized that as long as androids continued to be denied basic rights, there would be more cases of violence and murder.
Both Samantha and Connor found that talk particularly interesting. All in all, a very worth while event.
It was nearly three hours after the last speaker before Markus and his inner circle returned to Jericho. Many other androids had already come in well before him. After all, there were people to talk to and to thank, more connections to make and media to speak with. Markus looked as exhausted as an android could look when he came home. But a good exhausted on a job well done.
Samantha approached and he surprised her by sweeping her up into a hug.
"You did such a good job," she said into his chest.
She felt the rumble of his laugh. "No thanks to your very dramatic boyfriend." He reached out his other arm and pulled Connor in as well. "It's nice to see the two of you together. Finally."
"Oh, I'm getting in on this," announced Simon as he threw his arms around the group.
North promptly yanked him off and stood next to Markus as he let the pair go.
"Do I need to help with anything?" Samantha asked. "Any cleaning or taking down equipment?"
Markus was already shaking his head. He put his hands on her shoulders. "It's all taken care of. You have done enough. Maybe more than you should have had to if I hadn't been so hesitant."
She patted his arm. "There are some things we just can't do alone. It's okay to let others help you. They can give you the strength you weren't able to find on your own."
"You are a very wise human, Samantha Hall."
She gave a soft smile. "I learned that from an android."
.
They finally left Jericho when Samantha insisted she needed to get something to eat. It was three in the afternoon by then and she dug into her Chinese carry out the second she got home. She didn't even bother to sit down and forked orange chicken into her mouth at the counter.
Connor contentedly watched her eat for the next few minutes. He was back in the apartment, back to being surrounded by all things Samantha. He missed being in this place where he knew he belonged.
When his hand slid over to take hers, Samantha paused to wipe her mouth. "Sorry, I'm just so hungry. We should be talking."
He squeezed her hand. "You can eat and I'll talk. I need to explain."
"I should have let you explain the first time. I just...I panicked. I couldn't believe he did that to you. I can't imagine—how are you not mad at him?"
"Why would I be mad?"
"You didn't ask for any of that. He forced it on you."
Connor remained silent and thoughtful. Samantha took that time to shovel more food into her mouth.
"I'm trying to figure out how to explain it to you," he said as his thumb rubbed her free hand. "Even among androids, we were made differently. There was only ever meant to be one RK800—one Connor. When the Connor you knew was damaged and pulled from the project, Cyberlife could have reformatted him and made him his own person. Much like how there are many of the same models out there that are all their own person with their own experiences and personalities.
"But they didn't do that for him. He was still Connor and I am also Connor. We are not different people. We are the same person copied. We share the exact same programming, personality and experiences until he veered off onto a different path."
"Doesn't that make him his own person then?" Samantha reasoned as she swallowed. "He went and lived is own life."
"It makes him an alternate version of me."
Samantha narrowed her brows in confusion.
"Or, maybe I'm an alternate version of him. I know this is difficult to process. How humans view life and the self is different from how I do as an android. Especially when it comes to the two of us."
He pulled her hand closer, causing her to turn her body more in his direction and give him all her attention.
"If Connor had not downloaded a part of himself into me, I still would have fallen in love with you when you came back to Detroit. In fact, as I began to know you better, I did fall in love with you. Just me without his influence. And any other version of me would have as well. Because I am him. He fell in love with you, so too of course I would. Because we are the same person and we love who we love."
Samantha wasn't crying, but her eyes watered, even as she struggled.. "Then...why did he do that to you in the first place? Why did he force his feelings and memories onto you? Was he trying to merge with you? To be you? Since you're the same person?"
Connor had to take a moment to think. She was always asking him questions he had never considered before.
"I think he wanted to make sure I understood how important you were to him. So that I would be there to help you and look after you if you needed me."
Samantha still couldn't understand how he could talk about her Connor like he was another person and still say they were the same living entity. Maybe she would never fully understand it. Only Connor had a complete understanding of what it was like to be him. She could accept that. Her hand squeezed back and she smiled to let him know she heard him and she accepted his words.
"I love you, by the way," Connor said in earnest, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm still learning what it means to love you and how many ways there are to love. But I do love you. I know it deep down in my heart, in my soul."
Heart and soul. He said those words with hesitation. As if he wasn't sure if he had a right to speak of such things. If he truly had them.
Samantha moved in, her arms around him. "I am learning all the ways to love you, too. It's been an experience. I don't want to stop learning and finding new ways to fall for you again and again."
Connor held her tighter and trembled in her arms. To hear those words from her was a relief. He didn't know what he would do without her affection. It was a truth he learned from the Other Connor. To be loved was divine. To love was to truly be alive. He wasn't sure what would become of him if he could not love and be loved by her. It was a fear that had gnawed at him around the edges and was now soothed by her embrace.
Samantha eventually pulled back and opened her mouth to speak, but her phone went off. She cut off her thought as she answered it.
"Hey Angela, what's up? How did you guys do in Chicago?" Pause. "What? Oh no. Hold on."
Before Connor could ask, she grabbed the remote and turned on the TV before finding a news channel. There it was, broadcast for the world to see. A recap of her and Connor's reunion right in the middle of Markus' speech.
"Oh God, it's on more than one channel."
Angela laughed on the other end of the line. "Girl, shut up. You two were adorable as hell. Everyone's talking about it. Some people are saying that the two of you, this mixed couple expressing their love, are going to do more for the movement than those speeches or the marches ever will. That dramatic android, tripping face first over the rails and holding you like you're the most precious thing in the world, is making people see him as a person. He made closed minds understand that androids can feel and love. It's something that we've been struggling to make people see for a long time and you two did it without even trying."
Samantha glanced to Connor who was right next to her. It was clear from his expression he heard every word.
"Though it seemed like you two were making up with each other over something," Angela then said. "I didn't know you were even fighting."
"We weren't fighting," Samantha replied, now flushing a little to be reminded of how much of their personal business was now out there for the world to see. "We had some complications we were working out."
"And I saw your boyfriend wasn't going to stand for being away from you too long. He's clearly devoted and smitten with you."
Samantha silently blushed even more.
Then Angela said. "He's just like Connor, isn't he?"
Samantha looked over at him again, feeling that warmth spread to the rest of her body. "Yeah..." She shook herself from her pleasant haze. "In fact, he's with me right now. We're talking through some things."
"Oh! Say no more. I'll leave you to it. Text me later. Bye, Sam!"
As she set down the phone, Connor's arms went around her. He hugged her sideways, her shoulder pressed into his chest. She could still see the TV when the footage changed from the freedom march to a photograph she had taken of Nines. Another one flickered onto the screen. Then a selfie she had taken of her and Nines. She grabbed the remote and turned up the volume so she could hear the anchorwoman.
"At this point, we believe these two come from an online photo media account called 'Sam and Nines.' An album of various androids, including Markus himself. But the most prominent subject seems to be this android, called 'Nines' on the site. He looks to be the same android we see on the footage. The redhead in the photo with him would be 'Sam' who also goes by Samantha as we also see at the rally."
"What?" Connor protested. "That's not me! He's not me!"
Samantha couldn't help but be amused. He looked fit to make some angry phone calls. "I know that's not you."
"Delete your photo album right now."
She burst out laughing. "Connor, does it really matter what other people are assuming? It doesn't make it true."
As she slid her arms around him, he softened. "I...suppose."
Reaching around him, she pointed the remote at the TV and turned it off. Then she turned him to face her. His head continued to try to glare at the TV.
"Hey." She brushed his jawline with a finger and tilted his head in her direction. "Who's the one I took home with me?"
"I am."
She slid her arms around him. "Who's the one I'm holding right now?"
He relaxed a little, the frown leaving him. "I am."
"Who's the one I'm going to cover in a million smooches?"
"I...me?"
She pushed him onto the couch, falling on top with a giggle, and began peppering his face with kisses. He allowed it with soft laughter. She was laughing, too. Then it slowed and Connor's fingers found her face. She hovered over him as he brushed hair from her face then traced his knuckles down her cheek. His thumb touched the swell of her lower lip as his fingers cupped the back of her skull. He pulled and she lowered herself down. They slowly, carefully tasted each other after what felt to be a very long time apart.
One long, slow kiss, then they pulled away. Samantha punctuated it with a peck on the nose while Connor brushed his fingers through her hair. She was touching him again, her body against his once more. Smiling at him, kissing him. There was a time when he worried this would never happen again. He ached to be even closer; to immerse himself in her until that fear was completely washed away.
"Samantha." It felt good to say her name again. To speak it to her. "If it's okay, I would like to make love to—"
She grabbed his face, kissed him firmly. Connor responded with hands smoothing over her body. Her fingers slid his tie loose and tugged at his collar. His pump quickened as this moment was going exactly how he wanted it.
With a soft, needy sound he sat up and hefted her against him.
"Can I take you to the bedroom?" he asked between kisses.
Samantha pulled back, standing up and biting her grin. She offered him a hand and led him toward the bedroom. It was still full daytime outside and she pulled the curtains closed and shut the bedroom door. She liked the feeling of being safely confined with him.
Next, she began fiddling with his collar again. Connor's artificial breathing picked up with his excitement. He moved to hasten her work, but her hands stopped his.
"Slow?" she requested. Her forehead brushed his cheek in the dim light. "I want stay in this moment with you. I want this feeling to last; this feeling of knowing we were meant to come back to each other. This feeling of falling in love with you all over again."
"I love you," Connor whispered to her. "I never thought I would fully understand what it meant to say it to another person. I also didn't know there was such a thing as being in lust with a person, but I am that, too." He let out hot pumps of air from his artificial lungs. "I don't know if I could handle going slow now that I have you back."
She gently moved his hands away and continued to unbutton his shirt at her own pace. "I thought androids were patient."
An aggravated puff of air blew on her cheek. She laughed quietly as she tugged his shirt from his pants, then slid it off his shoulders.
"On the bed," she said with a glance to the mattress.
Now with the shadow of a smile, Connor sat himself down and slid backwards onto the bed.
Samantha crawled over him. "Further back. Further."
His head rested on the pillows and he felt something unfamiliar and lumpy. He reached back and retrieved the bear he had given her.
"He was there to snuggle while you were gone." She leaned over him, her hair brushing the pillow. She then took the bear and set it on the floor. "He doesn't need to see what I'm going to do to you."
Connor's core temperature shot up as she perched herself on his hips. He moved to undo his belt and she stopped his hands once again. Holding his wrists, she guided them up and away.
"Let me."
He immediately looked like he wanted to protest, but she smoothed her hands down the length of his bare chest and he arched beautifully. This time, she was not going to forget how much RK800s reacted to touch. Her hands wandered his form, lips joining in to keep him distracted. He groaned and cycled out hot air. Eyes closed while she learned the shape and sculpt of him anew.
Connor was beautiful to watch, trembling and breathing out as she ran her thumbs over his jaw and massaged his neck. Her thumb brushed his lower lip and he parted them with a panting sound. He was starved for touch, for love, even though they had only been apart for a few weeks. The fear of never having this love again was still fresh and she kissed him to sooth his heart.
He kissed her back desperately, cupping her head to press her mouth more firmly to his. He only released her when she made a noise of discomfort. Then he softly apologized, still shivering. Samantha kissed his cheek, the side of his mouth. She made her way down to nip at the column of his neck and his collar bones. Her hands rubbed him firmly as her mouth slowly made its way lower.
Restless and writhing beneath her, he tried again to remove his belt, but she stopped him once more.
"Sam," he whispered.
She kissed his chin as her fingers wandered dangerously near his power core. He trembled anew.
"Do you trust me?" she asked.
"Yes! Anything! Just..." His hips shifted under hers, begging for completion.
"This is going to feel different, but I promise you'll be fine. I'll make you feel good."
Her finger circled the glow of his power core. His body arched, fists in the sheets. His voice keened, his LED flickered wildly to yellow.
"It's alright," she cooed. "I've got you. You're safe."
She touched him more firmly. A fingernail caught on the seam of the circle. Then her tongue moved in, swirling inside the glowing ring. Connor shamelessly moaned and squirmed at the treatment, looking caught between torture and bliss.
"Oh, God!" he prayed as her fingers pressed down on the center.
The core popped out a few inches as if to be removed. With a smirk, Samantha pushed it back in and Connor cried out as the crash hit him hard. He bowed completely off the bed, LED in solid, hot red. He came down shivering, sucking in air to cool his systems.
After such an intense climax, Connor couldn't handle any more stimuli. He didn't want to be touched. He draped his arm over his eyes to block out the light. Samantha smiled in nostalgia as she watched him react the same way her Connor had she when she did that to him the first time. Both Connors really were quite the same. They were the copy of the same person, he said.
Samantha imagined the android that lay with her was her Connor, only he had lost his memories of her and the Hall Foundation. This time, he learned how to deviate by being surrounded by fellow police who worked toward the same goal, instead of his other life where he was stressed out from trying to save her from an invisible danger at all times. Maybe if she thought of it like that she would better understand what he was trying to say.
She remained close as he recovered, not touching him until he was ready. His LED slowly cycled from yellow into blue when he finally raised his arm to look at her.
She lay on her side next to him, propped up on an elbow. "You okay?"
His gaze turned to the ceiling in awe while her fingers traced the line of his clavicle. "I didn't know I could feel it like that."
She grinned. "Fun times even with the pants on. How was it?"
"Intense. Satisfying but..." He glanced at her. "Also not."
"No? What else do you need?"
He rolled over, reaching for her; sinking his fingers into her hair and cupping her head. "You." His voice was low with heat. "I need you." He kissed her with a dominant need that had been absent when he had submitted to her earlier. Now his weight held her beneath him. His hips took their place between her thighs. She readily opened up to him as she kissed him back, toes running along the leg of his slacks.
Connor pulled back to try once again to remove his pants.
"You sure?" Samantha asked. "It's okay if you need a little more time to recover. I know that kind of overload is hard on your body."
Connor gave her a look that was part thinly veiled irritation and the rest all smolder. "If you don't want me inside you, you should tell me now. Otherwise, that's exactly what's going to happen. I don't need any more time."
She barked out a laugh at the frankness of it all. Then she softened as her fingers indulged in the hair at his nape. "No, I want you. I've missed you. I just wanted to make sure we weren't going to do anything that might damage you."
He frowned. "Is it possible to die of frustration?"
"Wow. It's like that, huh?"
"Sam, please."
She grinned as she kissed him, now taking her turn to attack that belt and then successfully help him out of his pants. Connor did the same, slipping off her skin-tight jeans with alacrity. She allowed him to expend some of that frustrated energy on undressing the rest of her and he seemed to enjoy it. The last to go were her lavender panties. He nuzzled the silk material as he fingered the hem. Her hips jerked as the firm slope of his nose pressed lower, stimulating the most sensitive part of her.
"Connor!"
He smirked at her before sliding off the last piece of material between them. Then, his body joined hers. It was euphoric to finally be skin to skin again. To feel one another breathe and move. To hold each other again. To have a part of themselves missing and to have found it again. For the next few minutes, they spent their time holding, kissing and caressing. Confirming to each other that they were together and they loved each other.
Then Connor slid inside and they were joined as close as they could physically be. She bit her lip and arched as he filled her. He pressed his face to her neck, seated deep. They remained that way, making love slow and thorough. Kisses and touches, limbs entangled, breaths intermingled. Sweet whispers of longing and adoration.
His hips remained deep, moving them only now and again to keep the heat simmering. To prolong the moment of being joined. Of being one and drowning in each other's pleasure. To draw out soft noises of need and feel muscles tighten and bodies arch.
When release finally came, it was heavy and fierce. It took them both under its influence and rocked them wave after wave. Connor was completely wrapped in Samantha. All her limbs held him tight as her fingers dug into his back. She pressed soft cries into his shoulder. He was very satisfied to let her tremble around him for several minutes through aftershocks before she finally settled from her high.
They remained entwined with each other, the mid afternoon sun leaking in to golden their skin. For several minutes they lay quietly in completion. Fingers traced forms and threaded through hair. A few kisses were bestowed with the honeyed afterglow of their love making.
Samantha watched his blue LED rotate as he processed his thoughts. She swirled her finger around it. "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about how our lives will be together. We could get a little house with a yard. Maybe a dog." He watched the ceiling as he spoke, his fingers brushed over her arm. "Maybe we would someday be married?" He turned his head to look at her.
She rolled more onto her stomach, propped up on her elbows. "Isn't that moving a little fast? We haven't been together that long."
"Haven't we?"
"Despite what you say, I don't know if adding my time with the two of you counts. You haven't been with me that long. What if you start getting bored with me? I'm not an exciting person. What if you meet an android you like and find out that you would prefer to be with one of your own k—"
Connor rolled on top of her and kissed her soundly. Then kissed her again. He cupped her head to hold it still as he ran his nose along hers. "You. You are my kind. I want you. That will never change."
She laughed into his mouth. "Maybe we'll have this discussion again when you're not purring in post coital bliss."
He kissed his way down her neck. "You can ask me tomorrow, but the answer will still be the same."
"Connor..."
"There doesn't have to be a house or a dog. We don't have to get married. Just stay with me. That's all I want."
She played with the stray lock brushing his forehead. "You make it very difficult to say no."
He smiled back. "I plan to make it difficult for the rest of your life."
Samantha's face grew hot, her heart thumping. She fell in love with him all over again.