~Hank~

"Lieutenant?" Chris called, rushing over to the driver's side of his vehicle. "I need your signature on one more document," Chris added, holding his tablet toward Hank.

Hank sighed as he took his foot on the break and put the car into park. "Okay."

"Sorry for the interruption, Lieutenant," Chris said humbly.

"Nah, don't worry about it. Just get that shit to Connor so that he can submit it to Fowler. If you need anything else, call me, okay?" Chris nodded before adjusting his tablet to interface with Connor.

"Reed!" Hank shouted, "Tomorrow we're going to Jericho, you'll have to ride with us." Gavin's eyebrows nose-dived as his upper lip hitched with irritation. "Try to be on time, will ya?" Hank added before shifting into drive and peeling off.

Connor sat quietly in the passenger seat, Hank realized that his attention was miles away. There was a coldness to Connor's distant look. It did sit right with Hank, but he gave Connor the space he needed as they drove home in silence.

It was near dust as he drove along the slightly emptier roads. He noticed something in his rearview mirror, catching the hues of the setting sun. He figured it was the light bouncing off the tinted windows of a large delivery van passing by. Rubbing the heel of his neck, Hank could not escape the feeling that he needed to say something to break the silence. But quickly backtracked on the idea, realizing how socially inept he was.

"Connor?" Hank started as he raked his fingers through his shaggy beard.

"Yes, Hank." Connor's positive response made Hank seize up.

"Never mind," he said, shielding his face from view as if it made a difference. A quick scan would give him away in a split second.

Even after spending all this time together, Hank still could not just come out and say what he wanted. With three weeks until Christmas, he wanted to do something for Connor. Something to show him how much he appreciated everything he had done. But, he did not know what Connor liked or disliked. He was not even sure androids could like or dislike anything. Hank rested against the back of his chair, losing himself in thought.

Connor, who had not let up his gaze, seemed curious by his silence. He watched Connor's LED turn yellow. He wished he had the power to read minds, knowing that it would not help him feel any less depressed. The holidays brought with them a degree of sadness that only brought out the worst in Hank. In the past, work had always been a great distraction from thoughts of holiday traditions and family gatherings, but now work was not the same. And Hank was okay with that for the most part.

Hank had traded catching druggies and murders for self-aware androids. In addition, he was not been drinking as much, which was great in hindsight. He had not been squandering money on gambling and burgers over at Gary's either. His home was the cleanest it had ever been. Moreover, he had a partner that made him want to get out there and try. It was natural that he wanted to thank Connor. It was natural that he wanted to give back to someone that had restored him to a suitable form of human.

But what he did not know was if Connor felt content or happy at all. That might have had something to do with his programming, but Hank was not sure.
Something he did know, however, was that Connor was being pulled in different directions. Markus wanted Connor to come back to Jericho with his kind, Kamski wanted another pet, and Hank...Hank wanted...well he did not know exactly. He just wanted what was best for Connor.

As they pulled into the driveway, Hank watched as the fleeting daylight disappeared under the skyline. The unsettling feeling of being watched crept up Hank's back, and he wasn't alone. He looked over at Connor inquisitively.

"Hold on," Connor stated, gesturing for Hank to stay still.

"Yeah," Hank replied, slamming the door shut. "Somethings not right."

It was too quiet in their neighborhood, not that it had ever truly been out of control noisy. It was just not normal. The streets that typically lit up the main road were flickering, and there had been little to no cars. Connor raised his hand in protest as Hank walked towards the front door.

"I'll take care of it," Connor added as he requested a police drone to circle the neighborhood.

"I don't need another detail, we already spook the neighbors as is," Hank groaned as he unlocked the front door.

Sumo came darting outside, he licked Hank's hand before tugging at Connor's pants leg.

"Since when do you care about your neighbors?" Connor asked reaching around Hank to grab Sumo's leash. "Besides, it's better to be safe than sorry."

After Hank had been lured out of his home by Connor's lookalike. Fowler made sure Hank had police stationed around the neighbor to ensure his safety. Hank's identity had been leaked online, but nothing had ever come of it. People were more concerned with androids causing harm than some old-school detective.

Thanks to Connor's disappearing act, the tabloids and journalists dissipated rather quickly. They had only been interested in Hank because of his closeness with the deviant hunter. They all wanted the same thing, an insider's account of the events that took place, especially considering Markus was not talking to anyone other than Connor. Hank watched Connor from the doorway as he walked Sumo around the yard and scanned for any suspiciousness.

"All's clear," Connor informed Hank as he returned with Sumo.

Hank nodded, relaxing his grip on his firearm. He had not even realized that he grabbed it until Connor and Sumo had crossed the threshold of his home. Sumo was excited to see them. He jumped around with what little energy he had at his age and demanded Connor's attention.

"Down, Sumo," Hank ordered as he pulled Connor close for the sole purpose of keeping him from toppling over.

Hank met Connor's bright brown gaze. Instantly, he went weak at the knees. Hank did know what to do with himself as Connor placed a hand on his chest. He felt his blood run hot and his cheeks flush with apprehension. Connor pushed Hank away and unleashed him. Hank darted to the kitchen and fed Sumo. He needed the space to collect himself, otherwise, Connor would read him all wrong.

"Hank," Connor said, standing directly behind Hank as Sumo ate his dinner.

Hank turned around the face Connor, noticing the yellow and red of his flickering LED. He knew exactly what that meant. Connor was thinking, processing, maybe even scrutinizing something that he did not want to share. It could have been the threat of his lookalike, or the disheartened reality of the child that had been left behind. Hank had seen enough death, horror, gore, malice, and violence to flood Lake St. Clair. At times like these, he only knew one thing that he could do to make his friend feel better.

Hank placed his arms around Connor and pulled him into a hug. Connor's head fell into his chest with ease. For a moment, he felt self-conscious about his weight but when Connor reached around him. The thought faded and only a wave of guilt remained. Hank wanted to be everything that Connor needed him to be. Because Connor had been exactly what he needed during his darkest hours. Before November Hank had not about what happened to him. He had been blinded and numbed by it. Then, out of the blue came Connor. He did not want to acknowledge how lonely he had been since Cole's death. Yes, he had co-workers and old friends, but they had their bullshit to deal with. Hank embraced Connor with all his might, burying his nose in Connor's dark brown hair. He swore that he would make it up to him. That he would be better because Connor deserved that. He deserved that as his friend.

~~the next day~~

Hank woke, feeling a little on edge but determined, to the smell of breakfast as usual. Hank walked into the living hoping to see Connor in the kitchen but he was there neither was Sumo. He assumed they had gone out for a walk. Breakfast sat on the table, four pieces of bread perfectly toasted, scrambled eggs, and bacon. He smiled but instead of eating, he walked over to the couch and stared at the space he had given Connor.

It was woefully inadequate. Connor kept his belongings confined to the corner of the room. Of course, everything was neat and in order, but Hank's face scrunched as he took inventory. Besides a rack of clothes that he bought for Connor weeks ago, there was not much. Connor's CyberLife attire was folded on the lounge chair, four pairs of shoes lined the wall under the window, a painting he had received as a gift from Markus sat propped against the window, and Hank's baseball cap that Connor had taken a liking to.

Hank idled there for a moment, trying to figure out what he could or should do. Urgently, he walked over to Cole's bedroom and placed his hand on the doorknob. But that was all he did. He stood there idly, not turning the handle because he did not want to. The door had not been opened in three years. And frankly, Hank was not ready to face those particular demons just yet. His chest ached with the memories of his son. It ached as if the loss was still fresh. He had thought the worst was behind him. That the pain had gone, but here it was again. Consuming his mind and body as he slipped to the floor.

"Hank!" Connor shouted in surprise.

Hank looked up to see Connor rushing towards him, he had not heard them return. Hank covered his face in embarrassment.

"What happened?" Connor asked, his voice high with panic.

Hank could only shake his head like a lump formed in his throat. The words he wanted to say were still locked up somewhere deep inside him. He tried to shut out the flood of memories. But the gates to his past had been opened just enough to fill him with dark imagery and regret.

Hank felt Connor nestless between his legs and his precise touch on his head and then back. Sumo curled up next to Hank and moaned concerned.

"Tell me what I can do Hank?" Connor asked softly.

"Don't fucking move," Hank said through gritted teeth as the tears refused to stop.

After what Hank believed to be an eternity of sitting and sniffling on the floor, Connor helped him up. He went and sat at the table without a word. Connor followed and seemed to understand that he was not ready to talk just yet.

"How much time before Gavin gets here?" Hank asked, picking away at his food.

It was delicious Hank just was not in the mood to eat, he wanted a drink, but he did want to disappoint Connor again. It was dreary enough outside with a thick overlay of clouds and fresh snowfall. Hank watched Connor as he walked over to the living room window. At least Hank was not the only one having a hard morning.

"Connor," Hank called in a croaky which had not yet recovered from his fit earlier.

Hank rubbed the back of his neck, knowing that he had no idea how to console an android. He did not even know how to console himself, except with alcohol and other poor life choices. Connor's eerie stillness only made it hard for Hank to think about self-destructive alternatives. Hank placed his half-eaten plate of food in a container, his little effort to clean up after himself, and walked over to the living room where Sumo was in a deep sleep and petted him gently.

The TV had been at its lowest setting as news of more anti-android protests butted heads with android supporter protests. It was ugly. He compared it to the presidential campaign of 2016, Hank grimaced at the thought. That had not only been turbulent a time for the country, but it had also caused a spike in crime across the city. Race fueled crimes that Hank felt inadequately prepared for; much like this situation. He had no clue what he was doing. Folding his thick arms across his chest, he leaned back and sighed loud enough to gain Connor's immediate attention.

"Hank, is everything alright?" Connor turned in a robotic manner that caused Hank's arm hairs to rise.

"I should be asking you that," Hank replied as his head fell back over the couch.

Connor scanned his vitals.

"Stop looking at my insides and tell me what's on your mind, Con."

Connor's head slightly tilted as he went to join Hank. "How do you think the infant is doing?"

Hank sat upright and stared at Connor. "Is that really what's bothering you?" Connor folded his hands, then looked at Hank. "No, I'm worried about you."

"Fuck, Connor," Hank hissed. "I'll be fine."

Hank hoped his words would come true because he was tired of feeling like he was drowning in the past. He may not have been able to deal with his trauma, but he could agree to a visit. Perhaps that would bring Connor some peace of mind. There might have been more to Connor's dim mood than his odd fascination with that infant, Hank realized as Connor's LED switched between yellow and red.

"Let's go see her," Hank offered.

A small curvature etched Connor's lips, making Hank jitter.

"All you had to do was ask," Hank said, patting the top of Connor's head with reassurance.

Hank watched as Connor leaned into his touch. A tiny fluttering feeling filled his chest and lungs as Connor's face softened. It was a pleasant and light feeling. Something he had not experienced in a long time. Hank snatched his hand away and raked his bread, fully aware that Connor was watching him.

"Hank?" Connor almost whispered.

"What is it?" Hank stood awkwardly as he avoided Connor's watchful gaze.

Hank had hoped to make it to his bedroom before the situation escalated. But then like a wave of unwanted "what ifs" Connor opened his mouth and asked...

"What am I to you?" Connor's bluntness saturated the air and demanded honesty.

Hank froze, gripping the frame of his door as the tips of his fingers turned red. He could tell that Connor trying to figure him out, trying to decipher what he could from looking at his insides. He hated that, mostly because he could not do it himself, truly it was cheating. Hank's heart pounded in his chest, because he knew exactly what he wanted to say, but like before his mouth had other plans.

"My partner," he replied in an impartial tone.

"Hank?" Connor questioned with obvious displeasure in his response. "You know that's not what I meant. Perhaps, I should phrase my question differently." Connor paused, then stood and took several steps towards Hank. "How do you feel about me?"

Hank looked away, his body steaming as he slammed his bedroom door in Connor's face. It was childish, but Hank was damn near crimson from all the blood rushing to his face. Damn it, he muttered as he heard Connor knock gently on the door.

"Sorry, Hank," Connor said calmly.

"Let's not do this right now," Hank responded coldly as he mentally berated himself for being emotionally stunted. "Emotions always screw everything up."

~Connor~

Connor wanted to bust down the door and demand an answer, but that was not the rational thing to do. Hank had been disturbed all morning, bothered by Cole's room for some reason. He did want to make things more complicated, but he had a sudden urge to know how Hank felt about him.

Something about Hank's gentle brushing of his hair made him feel things. It had not been the first time, he recalled watching Hank the day he met Gary for the first time. Not appropriately of course. But that day he had watched Hank so intently that he felt alive at the moment. A genuine interaction as he tried to understand who Lieutenant Hank Anderson was as a person.

Then again at the Eden club, Hank's awkward interaction with the female android had caused him to be...jealous and amused. Funny, how it was those exact words on that day that he had repeated.

Connor decided to let it be. Nothing good would come of him pushing the matter. Besides, he knew how he felt. So, for a moment, he occupied his thoughts with cleaning as he waited for Reed to arrive.

Several minutes, Connor received several notifications at once. First, a notice from the CyberLife demolition site, stating that the excavation was complete. Second, a text from Gavin, who was on his way to the house. Third, a meeting approval with Kamski that Connor had kept secret from Hank to get his neck repaired. And lastly, an update from Captain Fowler as well as new case documents that required their immediate action.

"Come on, Sumo, let's go outside once more before we leave," Connor insisted as Reed pulled into the driveway.

"Morning, plastic," he acknowledged slamming his door shut as Sumo growled as Reed approached. "Get that giant away from me," Reed shouted, avoiding the canine.

"Not a dog person?" Connor asked.

"I prefer cats. They don't give a shit," Reed commented, retrieving a smoke from his jacket.

Reed leaned on the porch banister and glanced over Connor before clicking his teeth.

"You seem restless," Connor assessed, taking Sumo to the edge of the yard allowing him to complete his business.

Dark heavy circles rounded Reed's grey eyes. This morning, the dark circles were deeper and darker. Reed seemed more lethargic, a side effect of the concussion. Connor scanned Reed, something he had not done yesterday after his run-in with the RK900 model. He had to bruise on his tailbone and a mild concussion.

Neither Hank nor Reed were in a good enough condition to hunt down the RK900. Connor was rightfully concerned for their safety and health, less in Reed's case, but he was not completely void of sympathy.

Connor took Sumo back inside, while Reed smoked outside. He grabbed his jacket and a bottle of aspirin for Reed.

"For your pain," Connor said, placing four capsules in his hand.

Reed blew a bellow of smoke in Connor's face before downing the medicine.

Moments later, Hank emerged. He casually smiled at Connor and Reed before be-lining it towards his truck. He walked through Reed's haze of smoke and swatted it away. "Jeez, Reed, put that shit out."

"In a sec," Reed retorted, flicking the bud towards Connor, who was locking up the house.

Connor caught it and disposed of it without a word.

"Nice catch, tin can," Reed teased.

Hank blasted Twisted Sister – The Price on repeat on their drive to Jericho. It seem to bother Reed, who was tapping his finger the entire ride over. Connor sat in the back, hoping to give Hank the space needed to work up a reply. To Connor, it appeared that Hank was doing everything in his power to avoid looking at him directly. For now, it could not be helped. Connor had been panicked when he saw Hank crying in front of Cole's room earlier so much so that he would have done anything to rid Hank of that hurt. Maybe Connor had read Hank all wrong, but last night when he hugged him. Connor felt things, things that he had ignored before. While Hank needed time, Connor had nothing but time. So, he played out various scenarios in his head.

"Plastic!" Gavin shouted obnoxiously, waving for Connor to join them at the gates of Jericho.

"Coming," Connor replied, exiting the car.

Hank flashed his police badge to the android guards posted at the gates of New Jericho, which had been his home for all of a week. The abandoned shipyard had been converted into a small township for androids. Roughly 60% of Detroit's android inventory resided here now.

"Listen, Gavin shut the fuck up and let Connor and I do the talking," Hank warned.

"Not a fucking problem. I fucking hate these things." Reed attested, cocking a brow at Connor, who he noticed was walking behind him instead of with Hank. "Did you and Anderson have a lovers quarrel or some shit?" He asked only half-jokingly as they followed their escorts through the gate.

"No, why do you ask?" Connor questioned curiously.

"I'm not a fucking idiot," Reed scuffed.

Connor could detect the weight of a million stares on his back, and the mental clatter of androids that announced their displeasure with him. Nothing new, he reminded himself as he matched Reed's speed.

"Is that from experience?" Connor asked, catching Reed off guard.

"Shut your damn mouth," Reed replied defensively.

Connor had not meant to anger Reed, despite his good intentions his had. He had learned that early own. Reed's past was as much memory as Hank's, they were both reclusive when it came to their personal lives. Their disciplinary records were similar too and littered with red. Excessive aggression used during interrogations, assaulting fellow officers, violent behavior, destruction of police property, and failure to adhere to police protocol were just some of his discretions. Chris had mentioned that at one point in time Hank and Reed had been partnered together, and could easily see why that had gone as planned.

"Welcome, Lieutenant Anderson, Detective Reed, and Connor, it's so nice to see you all again," Simon greeted them with a blissful smile.

It had been weeks since Connor had been here, and part of him wished he had stayed away.