Prologue

Connor felt Hank seize up. Silence bound them in a moment. A moment that Connor had not believed to be possible. Not in his wildest dreams, had he dreamt at all. He had betrayed Amanda, hunted down his own kind, and tried to assassinate his friend, Markus. Those thoughts and others filled him up with anxiety, which would only eat away at him if he allowed it. So, he pushed the thoughts back and rested his head on Hank's shoulder. In time, he would find a way to thank him for everything he had done.

"Connor…I can't breathe," Hank slurred as Connor's grip relaxed.

"Oh, sorry, Lieutenant," Connor released him and took a giant step back, giving Hank a minute to collect himself.

Connor could see that he had not made it easy for his friend to breathe in the frigid temperature. The streets were empty and they would probably remain that way until all androids had been rounded up for zoning. Riots were still taking place around the city despite the unofficial end to the android revolution.

It had been a week since Connor had last seen Hank. He looked exhausted and grayer somehow. The air around him still reeked of alcohol and something else. Perhaps smoke, but Hank did not smoke. Thankfully. Connor's nose was picking up something other than the fresh scent of bourbon, a smokey and burnt something that took him out of their moment together. He peered over his shoulder as an odd feeling of being watched lingered over him. He had been positive that no one had followed him. Both Markus and Hank insisted that he be overly cautious on his way here; which he had done, all considering.

Connor still was not sure what life would look like now, but he was eager for the unknown, or so he told himself. President Warren had made it clear that humans were not permitted to harm or deactivate androids, but laws were meant to be broken. After all, that's why consequences existed. Those who refused to acknowledge her words were heavily fined or arrested. With things still unmanageable around the city, Connor knew that Hank and Reed must have been pulling double duty somewhere.

"Connor, did you fucking hear me?" Hank asked as his keys dangled from his fingers.

"Sorry, Lieutenant, I was…processing. Shall we go?" Connor walked past Hank, patting him on the shoulder before climbing into the passenger seat of Hank's car.

It was nice to be back in a familiar setting. It was too bad the Chicken Feed was closed, Connor would have liked to treat Hank to a meal. It would have to wait. Connor heard Hank mumbling something under his breath before returning to the car. He did not dare ask Hank to repeat it. As the car revved to life, Connor could only hope that this would be a good decision.

"If you don't mind me asking, can we stop by the station?" Connor asked as Hank cocked a wild eyebrow at him.

"What the hell for? I'm still on administrative leave thanks to the stunt we pulled on Agent Perkins. Not to mention, Reed has been harassing me about you assaulting him in the evidence room. The kid has a bruise the size of Texas where you karate chopped him." Hank let out a gutty laugh that filled the car.

"Yes, sorry about that. I'd like to make a formal apology to Captain Fowler and Detective Reed as soon as possible." Connor's head dropped as he examined his attire.

Connor had traded in his Cyberlife suit for a pair of black slacks and a baby blue collared button-up shirt with a navy blue tie. He liked ties. But he also had dressed in the hopes to make a good second impression.

"Fuck 'em both," Hank replied, seemingly taking notice of Connor's rigid body language. "You okay?"

Hank drove cautiously through the streets of Detroit. Though everything looked the same, so much had changed; including himself. This city meant so much to so many. And now the entire world was watching them.

"Optimal," he replied, removing his tie and folding it across his lap. "No office. When are you scheduled to return?"

Hank paused for a long moment, running his free hand through his long frizzy gray locks.

"Monday," Hank sighed before pulling into his driveway. "Come on. I...I cleaned."

Connor's face lit up like a Christmas tree as he exited the car. He could hear Sumo barking with excitement. Instead of rushing to him, he waited and followed Hank inside. Everything was in its place, just as he recalled it to be. Though it was slightly cleaner, but not by much. There was still a thin layer of dust just about everywhere, but the kitchen table was visible. Sumo's fur clung to the cushions and blankets on the couch.

As Connor bent down to rub behind Sumo's ears, he noticed that Hank had been sleeping on the couch or at least falling asleep there most nights as evidenced by the sizable groove on the right cushion. He looked over his shoulder to see Hank smiling, that in turn made him smile. The empty bottles of bourbon that lined the kitchen counter were concerning, but for now, Connor ignored them. He would take care of those things later.

"Lieutenant, this wasn't necessary, but I appreciate it." Connor noticed a sudden spike in Hank's heart rate. "Lieutenant, I been alerted to a rapid increase in your adrenaline levels, should I soothe you with some relaxation techniques I've downloaded from the web?"

"Shut the hell up, Connor," Hank said sharply as Sumo moved between Connor's legs. "Sumo!" Hank cried before pulling Connor closer to him. "You'll stay here."

Connor watched Hank's gaze take him in. If he could dream Connor would have surely thought the last seven days had been a fever-fueled nightmare. Not all his time had been bad, but he was happy to be here with Hank and Sumo now. It all felt worth it. Connor could see that Hank had something on his mind as Hank watched him with curiosity. Connor felt exposed by the intensity in Hank's gaze, but as the door slammed behind them, the hint of awkwardness faded away. Connor knew he wanted nothing more than to be right here.

"This is your home now, so make yourself fucking comfortable," Hank ordered.