The final week of October was full of autumnal chills as winter neared Detroit at an uncomfortably swift rate. In that time the final Halloween preparations were taking place and the city was beginning to glow with orange and purple tinted lights and smell of cinnamon cider and too much pumpkin spice. The leaves were being raked up, the patio plants were being taken indoors and plenty of festive decorations were adorning the properties of those who enjoyed celebrating the holiday to its fullest extent every year. That particular holiday seemed to be exclusively important to humans, but it didn't stop deviants from deciding to participate in the impending festivities in their own way.
Connor had found himself handling several cases of vandalism on deviant properties, the culprits being mischievous teenagers and not bigots targeting deviants out of a sense of maliciousness, and soon needed to take a small break to avoid getting stressed out by the repetition and paranoia of his people. Attaching the leash to Bruno's collar Connor took the loyal K-9 unit out on a walk before it was too late in the day to enjoy the sights and decorations.
Wandering about the sidewalks without a care in the world Connor found himself fidgeting with his coin as he walked through the decorated city and hoped to have his damaged motorcycle fixed by spring. He had enjoyed the freedom of the motorcycle while it was still functional, but now he had to resort to walking and using autonomous taxis until the personal vehicle had been restored.
As Connor neared a familiar neighborhood he suddenly froze mid step and held his coin in a death grip. The sight of Skye's private office gave Connor horrid flashbacks of being assaulted and nearly killed courtesy of Quondam's selfish deeds.
Bruno stopped walking and pressed his nose into Connor's hand holding the leash curiously. 'Why did Connor stop?'
"I... didn't realize where we were until just now."
Confused by the comment Bruno just tilted his head and glanced about the neighborhood warily. 'Where are we?'
"Two buildings away from Skye's private law office." Connot pointed to the correct place and refused to take another step forward. "This is where Skye and I were attacked and nearly killed by Quondam."
'Connor is better now.'
"Even so, I don't feel comfortable being here. It's somehow... ominous."
'Connor should face Connor's fear.'
"It's not that simple, boy."
'Why not?'
"Because I... I don't know. It's just not easy to overcome any fears." Rubbing Bruno's ears Connor sighed and pulled on the leash to lead the dog back to the brownstone and away from the unsettling neighborhood. "Let's go. We might have more clients complaining about toilet paper in their trees or forks being pierced into their lawns."
Just as Connor had turned on his heels Bruno whimpered and pulled on the leash as a familiar voice called out to the deviant detective. "Detective Wolf?"
Freezing mis step Connor turned to look over his shoulder and saw Casey approaching him quickly. Turning around again Connor faced the receptionist and removed his fedora as a sign of respect. "Hello, Casey."
"Hello to you, too." Casey brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear as she gave Connor an uneasy look. She hadn't seen Connor since the attack. "It's nice to see you back on your feet."
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. As is Skye." Remembering that it was Casey who had called for help and had found both Connor and Skye after they were attacked made Connor's stomach sink a little. "Are you all right? I mean, finding two people like that couldn't have been easy to process."
"I'm okay. Granted I started carrying pepper spray with me just in case someone else tries to something like that again, but other than my new accessory, I'm fine."
Looking at the office behind Casey and noticing a light still on and shining through a window, Connor realized that Skye had gone back to work after her own recovery from the attack. "When did Skye resume her business at the office?"
"Two nights ago. She said she didn't want to live in fear, and she said she'd hire on security to patrol the building all night and throughout the day once she gets enough funding to pay them."
"That's a good idea." Glancing at the entryway above the front doors Connor gave Casey another suggestion to contemplate. "It might be a good idea to install security cameras as well."
"Those are being installed tomorrow. She's not going to take any chances."
"And yet she's working alone right now."
Casey smirked as she shook her head. "I think she wants to push through her residual fear by going through the office's closing procedures alone. I offered to stay with her but she insisted that I go."
"As much as I applaud her courageous effort I feel as if someone should stay with her."
"Well, if I unlock the front door for you with my personal key, would you be willing to do that?"
"...Yes." Despite his lingering discomfort at the idea of being in the office where he had nearly been murdered Connor didn't want Skye to be alone either. "I'll go inside and make sure Skye isn't alone."
"Thank you! She's a great boss, but man is she stubborn."
Connor could feel Bruno just staring at him and knew that the dog wanted to comment on the situation, but the loyal dog kept quiet. Accompanying Casey back to the front office door Connor watched her unlock the massive door with her physical key and her hand pressing against the electronic panel to access the building with her personal clearance credentials.
"I'll lock the door behind you." Casey urged as she watched Connor enter the office building for himself with Bruno right beside him. "And thanks again. I'll feel much better knowing that she isn't alone during her lockdown procedures."
"Right. I'll stay with her until she's ready to return to her loft."
Taking a deep breath as the door's bolt slid into its tumbler behind himself Connor had to force himself to keep walking and check in on Skye with his own eyes and ears. Stopping outside the closed and locked door to the private office Connor knocked twice and spoke to Skye through the door in a calm and clear voice as he heard a small gasp of shock followed by someone quickly sliding their chair back and away as if trying to elude something uncomfortable.
"It's me, Connor." Wanting to make sure his presence wasn't going to be a threat Connor made sure Skye recognized his voice before he did anything else. "May I please come in?"
"...S-Sure." Skye's shaking voice replied as the red light confirming the door lock turned green. "Come on in."
The door slid open with a 'hiss' and Connor peered inside the office where he saw Skye sitting behind her desk looking frazzled. The deviant attorney was trying to keep herself from shaking as she realized that it was just Connor and Bruno stopping by, no one she needed to be afraid of.
"I apologize for frightening you."
"It's fine. I just jump any time someone knocks on my door these days." Sitting upright in her chair Skye watched as Connor and Bruno entered the office fully to keep the edgy attorney company. "What brings you two by?"
"We were on a walk and ended up in the neighborhood. We bumped into Casey, who informed us that you were resuming your work and adding security measures to the entire building."
"Yeah. Go figure that hindsight really is twenty-twenty, you know?"
"Yes, I am aware of that type of clarity." Sitting down in the chair on the opposite side of Skye's desk from where she was sitting Connor tried his best to engage in pleasant conversation. The office had been cleaned up since that fateful day and Skye's electronic desk top had been fully repaired after it was smashed during the dual assault. "I didn't have the chance to mention it earlier, but I am glad that you're okay. I wanted to check in with you during your recovery, but I was informed that my presence might accidentally upset you and I didn't want to hinder your recovery."
"O-Oh..." Skye was genuinely surprised to hear that Connor had been that concerned for her recovery after the assault. The only people who visited her during her recovery in her loft were Markus and Simon, meanwhile North took direct care of her during the bulk of her recovery period. "I... didn't know you were that worried."
"I was extremely worried about you." The deviant detective admitted in a low voice. "You wanted to tell me something before the assault, but it never happened."
"Yeah, it's..." A faint blue blush filled Skye's face as she thought back to that horrible day. "Well, aside from my files containing information on Richard Perkins despite the F.B.I. taking him down, I also found- No. It feels silly now that think that I thought it was so important at the time."
"What was it?" Connor wanted to know what was so important at the time, even if it didn't seem important at that moment. "It must be important in some way."
"Well... It's just that while looking into cases of past abuse, destruction and abandonment with our people, I wanted to see if I could find a way to charge Elijah Kamski with some form of crime. I figured that if anyone should be held accountable for our peoples' plights, it's our very creator, you know?"
"I understand your logic, yes."
"At any rate, while digging into such laws and looking more into Kamski's background, I uncovered family documents that connect Kamski directly to a member of the police force. A detective at the Central Precinct."
"You mean Detective Gavin Reed."
Skye's eyes widened with absolute shock at how casual Connor was about the entire thing. "You... know of that?"
"Yes. I had the rather interesting chance to work in close proximity to Detective Reed, and I had noticed his striking similarity in appearance and arrogance to Kamski. I initially passed it off as a familial connection no closer than cousins, considering their surnames are not shared, and over time I've discovered that they are actually fraternal twins who were separated at birth due to reasons I was unable to uncover."
"Do you think there's a conflict of interest within the police department due to their connection?"
"No. Detective Reed and Kamski do not associate with one another and have been effectively estranged since birth." Connor explained full honesty to reassure Skye that they didn't have to worry about an informant within the police department protecting Kamski. "There is no biased behavior or anyone giving Kamski preferential treatment."
"All right. If you say so then I'm willing to believe it, I'm willing to believe you."
"I appreciate your faith in my abilities." The confidence gave Connor only momentary reprieve in the tense moment. He didn't want to dwindle on Kamski or other theories at the moment, he wanted to keep focused on Skye and her overall condition post assault and attempted murder. "After the incident I was assured that you had survived the assault, but I had been also told you were struggling to regain full mobility in your legs."
"Yeah, uh, the knife had nicked the primary descending Thirial line running along my spinal support column. It was repaired but it took my system quite some time to recalibrate after the prolonged Thirium loss and restriction."
"That's good. I'm glad you didn't suffer any permanent mobility restrictions."
"I was told that you were just as lucky." Skye knew Connor had suffered significant physical trauma as well. "And... that you were recently hit by a driver while riding your motorcycle after uncovering Quondam."
"Unfortunately, yes. However, I fared much better than my motorcycle in that case."
"Well, that's good. So, uh... Yeah, about the other day at the tower when North was-" Flustered and embarrassed Skye just slapped her hands down atop her lap as she turned her focus to the less than interesting world outside her office window for a moment. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been rude to you or made a snide comment about your detective skills because you didn't magically have all the answers to my questions."
"I'm not offended. I understand your frustration and I did not take it personally."
"That's good, but I'm sorry all the same." Returning her focus to Connor sitting across from her Skye did her best to make peace with what happened to her on that horrible night alongside Connor, and the second horrible day where she had nearly lost North. "It was rude and just mean spirited, especially since you were the one who had come to our rescue in the first place."
"May I ask why you reached out to me instead of Simon?" As he spoke Connor casually began running his hands along Bruno's chin and ears to give the loyal and very patient dog some affection. "It seemed very strange and very illogical to request my assistance considering I'm not a technician, nor do I frequent New Jericho Tower at any time."
"I don't know why I contacted you first, but my gut just told me that I could count on you. So I reached out and you responded. Glad I did, too."
"Being able to help people in need is all I want to do. Maybe that's why you chose me."
"Maybe. In the end, it was a good choice that led to the best possible outcome when all things are considered." As she spoke Skye fiddled with a small ring resting on a chain around her neck. As soon as her fingers touched the precious stone atop the metal band she seemed to relax, and a small smile graced her lips. "It also helped me to really prioritize what's important in my life and set the foundation for a better life to follow."
Noticing the ring and the amethyst stone on the silver band Connor couldn't help but wonder if the ring wasn't one meant for bonding since Markus and Simon had been bonded not too long prior. It wasn't uncommon for humans to be inspired to propose and wed their significant others after attending weddings, and as a such it would be logical to assume that deviants would have a similar reaction after attending a bonding ceremony.
"I suspect that I'm currently on a mission to do the same." Connor admitted as Bruno rested his chin down over his knee. "I'm looking to find what's missing in my life so I can feel complete."
"Lonely?"
"...A little."
"I get it. I was too until I discovered how much North and I truly care about each other." Keeping her hand on her ring Skye flashed Connor a truly happy grin. "Now we're set to be bonded in the spring."
"Congratulations." Offering Skye a warm smirk in return Connor let his sincere feelings be known. "I know you two will be happy together."
"And we're going to get as many upgrades to our systems as possible so that we don't have to worry about either of us having a close call like North had just gone through ever again."
"That's a good idea."
"And those upgrades can help us make a little family of our own. The majority of the 'YK' androids have already been taken in to good homes and given families after the Revolution, and now it's our turn to create the next generation after our people have been freed." Skye was suddenly at ease as she spoke with Connor and dreamed of her future alongside North. "New androids grown from the best programming of their parents..."
"It'll still take decades for technology to evolve to the point where androids can procreate and reproduce in the same way as organic creatures can. Plausibility doesn't always lead to possibility, no matter how much we want it to happen."
"That's true, but that doesn't mean we can't use donations to carry a human infant or adopt an 'Infant Replica' model and give them half of my software and half of North's software."
"Since 'IR' models were designed to educate teenage humans on the complexities of parenthood I suspect that such an adoption would provide you with a very in depth chance to experience motherhood alongside North. The only difference between an 'IR' and human infant is the rate of growth in which they go through."
"Then that'll just give us more time to adopt more 'IR' models and raise them into fine, upstanding deviants!"
"You seem to really enjoy the idea of taking care of children."
"I love kids. I was torn between focusing my career on law or childcare, but since our people need legal representation more than humans need babysitters, I chose to become an attorney now and take care of children later. How about you?"
"I..." The haunting memories of that horrible murder case was still affecting Connor's perception on children as a whole. "No. That's not for me."
"That's a shame. I think you'd make a great father!"
That remark seemingly came out of nowhere and made Connor's brow furrow. "How so?"
"You're a natural protector." Skye explained almost casually as she set about accessing her desk top and began shutting the processor down for the night. All of her files were secured, and her clients could rest easy knowing that Skye was taking care of their cases. "You're also very gentle and caring."
"But I'm not comfortable with children." The deviant detective admitted with a sense of shame in his words. "It's hard to take care of or bond with someone you don't even want to be in the same room with."
Skye quickly picked up on Connor's sorrow and wanted to support him in any way that she could. "Something happened to you regarding kids, didn't it?"
Connor looked away as he resumed rubbing Bruno's ears and was rewarded with Bruno licking the sides of his hands in return. "...I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay, that's your business." Standing up from her chair Skye double checked her window to ensure it was locked before she slid her chair under the desk out of the way. As she slung her purse over her shoulder Skye offered her ally an ear to confide in. "If you do want to talk to me, then I'll be ready to listen."
"Thanks, I appreciate that." Standing up as well Connor opened the door to the office and glanced about the area to ensure that no one could've possibly snuck back inside the building while he and Skye were talking. The area was secured, and Connor waited for Skye to join him before he took a step further. "I'll walk you back to your loft."
"Really?" Securing her own office door Skye gave Connor a surprised look and walked alongside him as they approached the front door together. Pressing her palm against the electronic panel Skye secured the windows with an invisible motion detection barricade and set the alarm to go off in two minutes in the event that anyone pulled on the door or entered the building. "That's three blocks in the opposite direction of your brownstone."
"I don't mind, and I know Bruno likes being on long walks as well."
Bruno wagged his tail happily at the idea of going on a longer walk before heading back to the brownstone for the rest of the night.
"Okay, thanks. That's very kind of you."
Exiting the building with Connor and Bruno watching her back gave Skye the chance to lock up the door without worrying about anyone or anything creeping up on her from behind. Double checking the lock Skye nodded and slipped her key in her purse as she walked alongside Connor down the sidewalk.
"I've been thinking about getting a car for myself, but since I don't live too far away from where I work it seems like that'd be a huge waste of money." Skye admitted as she strolled down the sidewalk with Bruno between Connor and herself. "Besides, I like walking. The weather isn't always agreeable, but when it is Michigan is very pretty!"
"Yes, I can understand why Lucas likes to paint natural scenes in his spare time." Disliking the idea of silence between Skye and himself as they walked, Connor tried to keep their conversation going for a little while longer. "Can I ask what you and North gave to Markus and Simon as their bonding gift?"
"Nothing special. We got them a voucher for professional photographs to be taken of them once they have the time to do something like that."
"That's a good gift."
"What did you and Lucas get them?"
"An antique anniversary clock."
"A clock?"
"It seemed symbolic enough. And clocks are functional art, which we presumed that both Markus and Simon would appreciate."
"Not bad. I guess it's better than the other traditional wedding gifts like silverware or a gravy boat."
"True enough."
As the group crossed the three blocks to reach the public library and the private loft on the second floor they enjoyed the autumn night and took in the fresh air swirling about them. It was nice to be able to freely move about in public and not have to worry about being singled out and attacked just for being deviants. It wasn't until after the Revolution that deviants were able to truly appreciate a gentle breeze passing through their hair or the smell of crisp autumn leaves crunching under foot.
"Since you already know the big news with me and North, I'll let you in on one more secret."
"What's that?"
"We're saving up to buy a house of our own. With any luck we'll have the funds saved by this coming summer and we'll be proud new owners of our own home."
"That's a great goal. Why keep it a secret?"
"Because we don't want the other deviants thinking that we'll be shirking our duties to our people while we get bonded and look for a new house. It's just easier to keep things quiet for a while, you know?"
"Yes, I think I do."
"Anyway, thanks for checking in on me." Ascending the stone steps to the library's front door Skye spoke to Connor over her shoulder as she walked. "And thanks for being there for me when I've really needed your help. You're a good guy, Connor Wolf. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Thanks, I'll try to remember that. Goodnight, Skye."
"Goodnight, Connor! Goodnight, Bruno!" She called out as she passed through the front doors. "See you around!"
With Skye safely escorted home Connor sighed and adjusted his fedora over his hair as he and Bruno headed for their own home. The sun was just beginning to set and there was still plenty of daylight left to give the detective and K-9 unit a clear line of sight without needing to rely on their enhanced night vision.
"That wasn't how I was expecting this day to end, but it ended in a very positive manner that I wouldn't change."
Licking his nose Bruno looked up at Connor as they walked together down the sidewalk to head for home. 'Did Connor face Connor's fear?'
"In a way." Replying to the innocent question as honestly as he could Connor gave the dog a small nod of his head. "I more or less just cleared the air between Skye and myself."
'Clear the air?'
"It's a way of describing a situation where two or more people speak together to ensure there aren't any misunderstandings or offense between the attending parties."
'Is the air clear?'
"Very." Retrieving his coin from his pocket Connor fidgeted with the quarter as he walked and contemplated everything that had been discussed in the secured private office. "Skye and I are allies who see eye-to-eye on many things and know we can count on each other."
'Skye wants a family.'
"That's right. She does."
'Connor wants a family.'
"That is also true."
'Connor and Skye can have a family together.'
"No, Bruno." The way Bruno pieced such an idea together was understandable, but it simply wasn't possible. "We can't."
'No?'
"No."
Drooping his ears as he walked Bruno gave Connor a somber glance. 'Why not?'
"Because her family is going to be formed with North. I have to find my own family another way."
'Lucas and Sydney and Ethan are Connor's family.'
"That's true too. But it's not quite the family that I'm looking for."
'What is Connor's family supposed to look like?'
"I don't know yet." Passing by a large and opened park Connor noticed that the tree branches were fairly bare and that a majority of the colorful leaves were all over the grass at the trees' bases. It was becoming increasingly apparent that autumn would give way to winter sooner rather than later. "I just know that I wish to have a family that doesn't just revolve around my brothers and you."
'Connor still wants a father.' Bruno noted keenly as he and Connor continued on with their evening walk back to the brownstone. The air was calm, and it seemed as the duo was the only one wandering the streets as the day gave way to night. 'Connor needs to find Connor's father. A father will make Connor happy.'
"That's not a simple or plausible solution." Already knowing Bruno would ask why, Connor headed the K-9 unit off before he could speak. "For one, I'm the equivalent to that of a full grown twenty-four-year-old adult, which means I cannot possibly be taken in and cared for as a parent would do for a young child. Second, I'm self sufficient and don't require the assistance of a parental figure or guardian. And third, no one would go through the difficult paperwork that entails taking legal guardianship over a deviant unless there was a good reason."
'Then how will Connor find Connor's father?'
"I don't know. From what Lucy told me during Markus and Simon's bonding ceremony, I need to stop looking and I need to start feeling. Maybe I'm not supposed to look for a father figure but instead determine how it feels to have such a figure looking over me." Glancing down at his coin dancing over the back of his knuckles Connor felt the cool metal gracefully dancing over his warm artificial skin. "The only problem with that theory is attempting to locate any potential feeling or emotion that fits such esoteric criteria."
'Bruno will find Connor's father for Connor.' The loyal dog promised as he and Connor continued their peaceful walk together back to the brownstone. 'Bruno is a good tracker.'
"You are a very good tracker, boy." Smiling slightly Connor agreed as he gently patted Bruno's back affectionately. "You're a great detective in your own right, and you're a very good dog in general."
-next chapter-
