Hank paused for a moment in the doorway, just watching Connor sleep. He looked so peaceful, breathing softly, clutching that damn pillow pet. It was a nice sight, especially after the chaos of yesterday.

He could feel his heart rate increasing just remembering the kid running out of the house like that. He'd been terrified. One second he was standing there, the next he was gone, and he'd had no clue what was wrong. Thank god he had tiny legs or there was no way in hell he would've caught him.

He sat down on the bed, Connor still not stirring. Hank was glad he'd finally told him what was wrong, but it still broke his heart. The thought that he believed the only reason he would want him was as a replacement for Cole… it was too much. He knew Connor had calmed down, but those thoughts were the sort of thing that didn't just go away.

Regardless, Hank was determined to make sure Connor knew he was wanted, just the way he was.

"Hey, kid. Time to get up," he shook him gently.

Connor's eyes blinked open and settled on him quickly. "Good morning," he greeted.

"Mornin'. Gotta say, it's still kinda weird waking you up instead of the other way around," Hank chuckled, leaning back so Connor could sit up properly.

Connor nodded, rubbing at his eyes as he woke up completely. "The rest mode requirements of this body are a bit cumbersome. Simon will likely need to make a few edits before it goes into production." His face fell suddenly and he looked up at Hank with an utterly dejected expression. "I missed half the movie!"

Hank couldn't help but laugh. "We can always watch it again, don't worry," he told him. He almost mentioned how Cole would watch the land before time on repeat, but stopped himself. He figured it wasn't a good idea considering the circumstances.

"I know," Connor pouted. "I just wish I hadn't fallen asleep. It's annoying."

He brushed at the kid's hair affectionately. It was mussed from sleeping and had dried funny after being wet in the rain. Where it wasn't sticking up at odd angles, it was downright curly. A far cry from the near perfectly put together look he usually went for. "Yeah, I bet it is," he agreed.

"Well, we should start getting ready for work." Connor stretched, yawning as he did so, before sliding out of the bed.

Hank helped him down but stayed where he was, watching as the kid went over to the dresser to select his outfit for the day. "I was thinking," he said, trying to make it sound casual. "Maybe we should run some errands after work today."

"Alright, that sounds fine." Connor pulled out a green polo, holding it up for a moment. He had apparently not noticed the stegosaurus on the back when he put it into the yes pile. He pulled a face and selected a solid blue one instead. "What did we need to get?"

Hank bit the side of his cheek, wondering if it was a good idea to bring up last night's conversation. He'd already made the suggestion though, there wasn't really a convincing way to backtrack. "Figured we could get you some new clothes," he said at last.

Connor froze, processing the layers to what Hank was saying. "That's really not necessary, Hank," he responded softly.

He couldn't hold in his sigh, not surprised that was the kid's reaction. "It bothers you, Connor. I know we talked shit out, but that sort of thing doesn't just go away. Least I can do is get you something different to wear."

"It's not practical," Connor countered. "I'm not going to be a child for very long, it doesn't make sense to buy new clothes." He started picking at the hem of the shirt absently. Hank made a mental note to get him a coin to fiddle with, his quarter still probably tucked into the pocket on his adult body. "I… it does still bother me, a little," he admitted. "My mind is telling me that you were just saying that stuff last night to make me feel better, that you didn't actually mean it."

"Connor, that's not-"

"I know," he cut him off, looking up at him with a small smile. "I know it's irrational. I know you don't lie to me."

Hank got up, moving over to his kid to give him a hug. Connor reciprocated, tucking his head beneath his neck. "I don't know what else I can do to convince you," he lamented. It shouldn't be this hard. Connor should know how much he loved him by now, shouldn't he?

"You don't need to do anything else," he insisted. Hank's heart swelled as he felt the kid nuzzle closer. "I'm serious, it's ok. I just… I trust you more than I trust my own mind right now."

"Ok," Hank relented. He gave him a soft squeeze before letting the hug end. "But seriously, if it'll help, we can get you new clothes."

"I think I'd rather come home and finish the movie," Connor said, smiling.

"Alright, fair enough." He ruffled his hair again, chuckling. "Just let me know if you change your mind, ok?"

"I will," he promised, running his own tiny hand across his head in an attempt to flatten his unruly locks. It was really a lost cause but without a mirror, Connor didn't know that. "We really should get ready for work," he reiterated. "We have a lead to follow."

"Yesh, yeah. I guess we do." Hank stood up reluctantly. As much as he would love to spend the day watching movies with his kid, they did have work to do.

-o-

It was amazing how excited Connor could get about finally having a lead. It was adorable really. The whole car ride to the precinct was filled with his enthusiastic chatter.

"There really aren't a lot of ways to tell that an android is unregistered," he was saying. "Without them just admitting to it, of course, but I doubt Sawyer just asks them."

"Yeah, that wouldn't make much sense," Hank agreed. He pulled on the kid's hand, guiding him away from a large puddle in front of the curb. Connor looked far too interested in it and he was not going to deal with a soggy android for the rest of the day. The little pout that showed up on his face proved he'd made the right call.

"So, in theory," Connor continued as though he hadn't been distracted. "If we can find his connection to one of the municipal facilities that would have access to the information. Locating how he chooses his victims, maybe we can locate him."

"Or at least stop him from hurting anyone else," Hank nodded. "We might need to look into some employment places too. Some people hire androids illegally and pay them under the table." He held the door open so Connor could head in easily, then followed. "Wouldn't put it past this asshole to be targeting them. Maybe he got replaced by his boss trying to save a buck."

They walked by the receptionist who waved at them both politely as they went through to the bullpen. "That is a potential motive," Connor mused. "But he was still employed, so not very likely."

"Yeah, guess so," Hank conceded. Arriving at their desks, he lifted Connor up and settled him into his chair. "Still shouldn't rule it out though. How 'bout I look at the employment angle, you start sorting through the public services?"

Connor pulled himself forward, activating his terminal. "Sounds good to me. I'm willing to entertain any connection Sawyer has at this point."

Hank rounded to his desk and switched the computer on before sitting down. For once, he actually felt motivated. They had an actual lead, rocky as it was. It was refreshing actually feeling like they were making progress. He should have known it wouldn't last.

Reed made his way into the precinct, followed by several of their coworkers. Judging by his rumpled look and gas station coffee, he had been called out on an early morning case. Hank sure as hell didn't envy him in the slightest.

He slogged his way over to his desk looking ready to collapse into his chair and nap the rest of the day. He didn't though. Instead, he diverted course and made his way over to Hank's desk. "Hey, Anderson," he called.

"Yeah, what is it Gavin?" Hank asked, readying himself for whatever bullshit the detective was about to say.

He stopped when he was a few feet away, taping what he assumed to be a casefile tablet against his palm. He almost looked nervous. "That guy you're after. What was his name?" He asked.

"Anthony Sawyer," Connor responded, not looking up from his work.

Hank swiveled his chair towards him, crossing his arms. It squeaked in protest at the motion. "Why the hell do you want to know?"

Reed handed him the casefile he was holding and Hank took it, confused. "We just pulled an Anthony Sawyer out of the Detroit River," he explained. "That your man?"

"Shit, yeah. That's him." He didn't need to look long at the picture to know it was him. It was the same profile picture they had followed to the lead that got Connor killed in the first place. It was accompanied by several detailed and gruesome crime scene images of how he looked now as a corpse.