- NOV 7TH, 2038 -

- AM 01:19:08 -

After getting drinks, we found ourselves parked at the park. It was in the middle of the night, and I desperately wanted to go home, but Hank insisted. I knew he was thinking about Cole, so I watched as he got out of the car. Connor hesitated, but after a second he followed the older man.

I didn't want to get out of the car. I knew we would probably be leaving in a few minutes anyway. Hank could never stay here for very long, no matter how hard he tried. After about five minutes of building myself up (and getting annoyed with Hank's version of 'good music') I stepped out of the car, walking over slowly.

The sky looked beautiful, and Connor and Hank talking to each other sort of completed the picture. My heart sped up, and a smile etched its way onto my face as I got closer.

"There must be some link," Hank said, watching as I sat on the bench next to his knee. He ran his hand through my hair and I smiled, leaning on his leg.

Connor looked forward at the bridge, obviously thinking.

"What they have in common is this obsession with rA9," Connor said, "It's almost like some kind of myth. Something they invented that wasn't a part of their original program."

"Like God?" I asked, "Or the Greek Pantheon?"

"Exactly," Connor said, looking back at me. He smiled, and this time it wasn't unnatural. It lit up his eyes and spread up to his cheeks. I smiled back.

"Fuck, what's this world coming to?" Hank took another swig of his drink.

"You seem preoccupied, Lieutenant," Connor stated, turning around. His arms were folded around his torso. "Is it something to do with what happened back at the Eden Club?"

"Those two girls... They just wanted to be together," Hank said, his voice low. I removed myself from his leg as he looked up at Connor. "They really seemed... in love." He was curious about the notion. I was too. I had known androids as these lifeless things that could only really listen to orders. Tonight... tonight was eye-opening.

Connor was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "You seem troubled, Lieutenant. I didn't think machines could have such an effect on you..."

"What about you, Connor?" Hank asked, taking a swig and standing up. "You look human, you sound human, but what are you really?" They were now face to face, and I was getting worried.

"I'm whatever you want me to be, Lieutenant. Your partner, your buddy to drink with, or just a machine, designed to accomplish a task. The same thing goes for Mae," Connor stated, glancing at me before looking back at Hank.

"You could've shot those two girls. But you didn't. Why didn't you shoot, Connor?" Hank's voice was laced with anger as he pushed the android. "Hm? Some scruples suddenly enter into your program?"

I stood, "Hank!" I couldn't move much farther than a step though, it hurt too much.

Connor hesitated, his mouth gaping as he searched for an answer, "No... I just decided not to shoot." His voice was short, desperate. "That's all..."

Hank took a step back and suddenly pulled his gun out. I took another step forward, reaching out to grab onto the man. But neither he nor Connor seemed to see me. Connor remained calm, but I was trying not to freak out.

"I could kill you," Hank mused, "And you would just come back as if nothing happened. But are you afraid to die, Connor?"

Another hesitation, "I would certainly find it regrettable to be... interrupted before I could finish this investigation." He was trying to say things like an android would. But he just admitted to not wanting to die.

"What would happen if I pull this trigger?" Hank asked. I could only look on in horror at this point. "Hm? Nothing? Oblivion? Android heaven?"

Connor stepped forward, making me squeak, "You know you're not going to shoot me, Lieutenant. You're just trying to provoke a reaction." The gun was now against his forehead. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you."

"You think you're so fucking smart..." Hank mumbled. "Always one step ahead, huh? Tell me this, smartass. How do I know you're not a deviant?"

"I self-test regularly. I know what I am, and what I am not," Connor explained curtly.

I finally reached Hank, grabbing onto his gun and tossing it in the snow. He saw me, saw my face contorted in pain, and mumbled something about needing another drink. I watched as he pulled away, shivering.

I felt an arm come around my shoulders and looked to see Connor's face above mine. He gently led me to the bench and helped me sit down, looking over me.

"Will he be back?" Connor asked.

"Probably not. I just texted Vivian, she's going to come to pick us up," I said.

It was quiet for a moment. I watched as the snow fell around us, and some landed in Connor's hair. He seemed unbothered.

"Can I ask you a personal question, Mae?" Connor asked quietly.

I smiled, "Sure."

"Why did you not like me?" Connor's voice was slow, and he looked at me as he finished the question.

I thought for a moment. Should I tell him?

It'll make you two closer.

I sighed, looking at my knees. "A couple of years after I started at the station, a deviant android broke into my parents' house while they were on their way home from a date. I was there, babysitting the kids. When he broke in, I got the kids into my parents' room and went to go deal with him. He, however, had different plans.

"As soon as I got downstairs I ended up getting tackled by him. I didn't expect him to be so strong, so I ended up getting tied up in a chair. As soon as my parents got home, they saw what had happened, and as my mom was untying me the android came in... and shot them both," I took a shaky breath since I hadn't really talked about this since it happened.

"I'm... sorry," Connor said.

I looked at him, "It's not your fault. You don't have to apologize."

A gust of wind blew hard, and I shook. Connor's arm found its way around me and pulled me close to him. He was so warm.

"Connor, can I ask you a personal question?" The wind had died down.

"Of course."

"Have you ever felt any emotions?" I looked up at his face.

He thought for a moment, "I'm not entirely sure. Emotions are something a deviant would feel, but since I am programmed to not be one, I do not think so."

My heart sunk, but I figured that response was going to be said sooner or later.

I heard a honk behind us and turned to see Vivian waiting in my car. Connor helped me stand up and walked me over to the passenger side as Vivian crawled in the back. Connor climbed into the driver's seat and drove off, not seeing the tears that rolled down my face.