Markus found himself a bit nervous as he helped Connor out of the cab. Part of him wondered if it would have been a better idea to call ahead, give Lieutenant Anderson some warning before showing up on his doorstep with a half-sized former deviant hunter. But, it was too late now.
Despite the odd hesitance Connor had displayed before leaving New Jericho, he ran ahead of him excitedly, stumbling once over the hem of the too-long pants he wore. He reached up to ring the doorbell before Markus could join him on the step. "Maybe I should talk to him first," he suggested. "He probably isn't going to recognize you."
He looked over his shoulder at him, face falling just a little. "I suppose you're right. This will take some explaining."
Markus couldn't resist patting him on the head as he took his place in front of the small detective. He heard shuffling from inside the house, and assumed Hank was making his way to the door. After waiting a full minute with no response, however, Markus grew worried. He rang the doorbell for a second time.
A soft 'boof' from Sumo was the only response.
He frowned, pressing the doorbell one more time, sustaining the note for several seconds. This time, loud banging and heavy footsteps followed. The door wrenched open, revealing a disheveled and clearly annoyed Lieutenant Anderson.
"The fuck do you want?" He demanded. Seeing that it was Markus did nothing to improve his mood. "The hell is wrong with you? It's ass-o'clock in the morning, you bastard! When you said you'd stop by today, I thought you meant at a reasonable hour."
Belatedly, Markus realized it wasn't even dawn yet. No wonder the Lieutenant was in a foul mood. He knew he would forgive him soon enough, however. The man wouldn't have wanted to wait to see Connor again.
"I'm sorry it's so early, but I assure you it is important," he told him. "There's someone who wanted to see you." He indicated to Connor, drawing him to the man's attention for the first time. Hank's expression melted from anger to confusion at the sight of the small child.
"Uh.. hey?" He turned his bewilderment to Markus. "Who is this?"
Markus smiled, settling his hand on Connor's shoulder affectionately. "This is Connor," he said.
He expected to see the Lieutenant overjoyed at Connor's return. Instead, his expression pinched and took on a note of sheer anguish. He looked away, as though the sight of the child was painful. "Ok, and why did you bring him here?" He asked, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke.
Markus's expression fell a bit, realizing that Hank didn't understand. He opened his mouth to speak, but Connor beat him to it.
"It's me, Hank," he said. He stepped forward, just barely. A small, crooked smile spread across his tiny face hopefully. "I understand I look a little different, but it's still me."
Hank looked back to him, clearly still confused.
"This is Connor," Markus said, realizing that he needed to explain further. "Our Connor."
He didn't take his eyes off of the child in front of him as though he were trying to make sense of what he was seeing. He crouched down, to be more at Connor's level, taking in every familiar detail. Reaching out an unsteady hand, he gently brushed aside the unruly lock of hair that was perpetually out of place, only for it to spring back immediately. "Connor?" he said, voice barely above a whisper.
"I apologise for any distress my death may have caused you," Connor said, folding his hands behind his back politely.
"Holy shit, it really is you," Hank said in disbelief. He reached forward again, this time cupping Connor's face gently before pulling him into a hug. Connor reciprocated eagerly, nearly disappearing entirely in the larger man's arms. "How the hell?" he breathed.
"His memory upload," Markus supplied since Connor's face was currency muffled by Hank's shirt. "Apparently it was still active. Simon found his surver last night, we just completed the transfer."
Hank pulled back from the hug just enough to be able to look at Connor. "Shit, that creepy body-jumping thing you told me about?"
Connor's face brightened, and damn if it wasn't adorable. "I'm surprised you remembered that," he said, sounding far more excited than he should considering the topic.
"It's all kinds of fucked up, of course I remember," Hank insisted. "I'm not senile yet."
"At least the feature has proved useful," Markus reasoned.
Hank ruffled Connor's hair affectionately, causing the small android to squeak in protest. "I guess so," he admitted. He looked back up at Markus. "But why the hell is he a kid?"
The deviant leader shrugged dismissively. "His other body is still in your evidence locker, as far as I am aware. We had to improvise."
"I can be transferred to my original body once it is repaired," Connor informed him. "This is just a temporary measure."
Hank just nodded. His head was spinning, overwhelmed by the situation. This whole thing was madness. But Connor was alive, and that was all that was important. Connor was safe. Connor was home. It made him happier than he had been in ages.
"He'll need to stop by New Jericho semi-regularly," Markus told him. "We aren't completely sure how everything will hold up. The body hasn't been tested before."
"That makes sense," Hank agreed. "Wouldn't want something to go wrong."
"If… if it would be preferable," Connor said quietly. "I could stay there."
"What?" Markus looked as confused but the statement as Hank felt.
Connor shifted from one foot to the other not meeting their eyes. "I understand that… given my current appearance...well…" he bit his lip nervously. " I figured you might find my appearance unsettling. Considering my projected age and many of my physical traits…"
Oh. That's what had him so worried.
Hank's heart clenched realizing that Connor honestly believed he would reject him. He wasn't blind, he had seen the similarities right away. There was no denying that he bore a striking resemblance to a different brunette six-year-old from Hank's life. But this was Connor, not Cole. His second son, not his first.
"I don't want you going anywhere. You'll be damn lucky if I let you out of my sight after this," he said with a soft chuckle before softening. "I can tell my kids apart, you know."
Connor's eyes widened and Hank knew he understood, at least he hoped he did. He wanted more than anything to put the kid's mind at ease, to let him know how much he was wanted.
"So, this is alright then?" He asked.
"That depends," Hank said. "Are you ok? All there and shit? Didn't lose any ones or zeros when you hopped bodies?"
His tiny face scrunched in a slight wince. "There is always some data corruption. I estimate I lost about fifty three seconds of memory in the transfer."
He chuckled again. "Well shit, I lose a hell of a lot more than that on a daily basis. You didn't answer the big question though. Are you ok?"
"I am ok," Connor said with a smile.
He ruffled his hair again, mirroring his smile. "Then everything is alright."
"Are you sure? It's not too... weird?"
Hank rolled his eyes, happy that the tension had fallen away. "You're a one-year-old android, with the mind of a twenty seven-year-old, in the body of a six-year-old. What the hell could be weird about that?"
Connor's smile brightened at the joke and Markus laughed softly from behind him. "Well," the deviant leader said. "I'm glad to see Connor is in good hands. I should really be getting back to New Jerico."
"Lots of shit to do?" Hank asked. He guessed that he wasn't entirely sure what all had just gone on, but wasn't about to ask, content that Connor was safe and happy.
Markus nodded. "Far too much I have been putting off. Plus, I have a farewell ceremony to cancel." He smiled down at Connor. "Don't hesitate to call if you need anything though. Anything at all."
"Is that an offer to babysit?" Hank couldn't resist teasing.
"Hank!" Connor complained. "I don't need a babysitter."
Markus laughed again. "I'd be happy too," he played along.
"Markus!"
Both Hank and Markus only laughed harder at the sheer, horrified look of betrayal in Connor's expression. "I know," the deviant leader conceded. "I know. You still have your adult mind. I just couldn't resist."
Connor continued to pout. He clearly didn't find the suggestion nearly as funny as the other two. "Don't worry, kiddo," Hank assured him. "We're just messin' with you."
"I do mean it though," Markus said, shifting back to seriousness. "If you need anything, anything at all. Let me know, alright?"
"I will," Connor promised with a sincere smile and a small nod.
With that and a brief farewell hug, Markus took his leave. The two of them watched him go, waving as he stepped into the automated taxi.
"Come on," Hank directed, gesturing to the front door once the vehicle turned the corner and was no longer in view. "Let's head in. Sumo missed you too."
