- NOV 6th, 2038 -

- 10:28:52 AM -

I rode to the scene with Connor and Hank, only to save on gas. Hank immediately began to talk to some of the witnesses there, and I looked around with Connor.

"Alright, that's all for now. Free to go," Hank said, allowing the garbage man to leave. He walked off quickly; I can't blame him. We're kind of scary. I remember when I was younger, I was always scared of my parents when they were in their uniform.

Officer Collins came over, "We've got officers sweeping the neighborhood, in case anybody saw anything."

"Okay. Well, let me know if they turn anything up," Hank said, looking at the ground. I looked up at the sky, making sure to stay under the cover. I hated rain.

"What are you gonna do with that?" Collins asked, looking at Hank, then to Connor.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever Fowler asks us to do with it, duh."

"Was I talking to you?" Collins asked. He never liked me or my parents.

"Connor is my partner too, so I already know," I tried to keep the edge off my voice, so that I didn't sound too hostile. That would not have helped my case.

Hank came over to us after that retort, "Mae you really need to stop doing that."

"Doing what? Answering questions I know the answer to? Seems like a pretty stupid thing to get mad over," I mumbled, crossing my arms.

Connor seemed to come out of his stupor in that moment and looked between Hank and I. Hank had scoffed something under his breath and went back to looking at the file.

"It took the first bus that came along," Connor stated suddenly. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow, but he continued, "and stayed at the end of the line." He had rain rolling down this body. It kind of upset me that he could be fine with it, but androids weren't supposed to feel anything.

"Its decision wasn't planned, it was driven by fear," Connor finished, stepping forward and out of the rain.

"Androids aren't supposed to feel fear," I pointed out.

"Deviants do," Connor replied, looking me in the eye. I looked away quickly. "They get overwhelmed by their emotions and make irrational decisions."

"Like humans," I said.

"Yes, like humans," Connor looked at me again, then back to Hank. My heart fluttered, stupid nerves.

"Ah well, that still doesn't tell us where it went," Hank grumbled.

"It didn't have a plan, and it had nowhere to go. Maybe it didn't go far..." Connor said.

I nodded, "He's not wrong Hank."

Hank looked at me weirdly before looking at Connor again, "Maybe."

Hank sounded like he was warming up to Connor a little, and the thought excited me. When Cole died, Hank vowed to hate all androids. It was cool to see him warming up to one.

I heard a creak and turned around, but saw nothing. I shrugged and looked back to Connor and Hank as they continued discussing the case. I was still exhausted, and I honestly just wanted to go home to see the kids.

Hank looked down the road, then looked at us, "It won't get far. We'll find it sooner or later."

I nodded, "Let's just go."

Hank nodded and followed me back to his car. Connor shook his head, looking upset, before climbing in the back seat.

We went back to the station, where I was delighted to see my siblings waiting for me. Lexi saw me first, and came running up to hug me. Ryan followed soon after.

"Mae! Uncle Hank!" Their small cries filled the air, and I could feel a grin grow on my face. I ran forward and caught them as they reached us. A couple of passing cops smiled at us as I carried Ryan to my desk. Hank had Lexi in his arms, and Vivian and Michael were sitting in Hank and I's chairs.

"Hey kids," I smiled, ruffling Michael's hair.

He smiled at me, then saw Connor and lit up, "Whoa."

"Whoa indeed," Hank said, shooing Vivian out of his chair and sitting with Lexi on his lap. The toddler immediately began to play with a toy I had given her.

"Hello, my name is Connor, I'm the android sent by CyberLife," Connor chirped, holding his hand out to Michael.

Michael shook his hand, mouth open, "So cool..."

"When did you get it?" Vivian asked, sitting on Hank's desk.

"Yesterday," I commented, "He came and picked me up, remember?"

The older two nodded as Ryan and Lexi began to play under Hank and I's desks, their giggles ringing through the office. Some officers who heard them smiled our way.

Our messy, perfect family.

Connor looked at me curiously as Michael and Vivian talked to Hank about school, "They seem... Nice." He sounded unsure of himself.

"Only in public," I said, smiling. I looked at him to see that he was watching them with his head tilted to the side. Aww he's adorable.

Wait what?

I blushed and looked away. There was no way that I had a crush on a freaking android.

On a machine.

On something that made me an orphan.

I stood quickly and walked off, muttering that I had to go to the bathroom. I didn't look to see if anyone was following me. I just got into the bathroom and nearly slammed the door.

I walked over to the sink and looked around for a second to make sure no one else was in there before turning to the mirror, "You're an idiot if you're falling for him." It was barely a whisper, but it was all I could manage without crying. The lump that had formed in my throat began to ache, and I looked down at the sink and let the tears fall.

"Mae?" I heard. Vivian had come in.

I wiped me tears quickly and put on a smile, "Hey, what's up?"

She took one look at my face and held her arms out. Without another word I walked over and hugged her, breaking down completely.