Hearing the timer go off in his head, Connor left his mind palace behind, smiling wistfully.
With a wince he was reminded by his social protocols that he hadn't even thanked his friend for his kind generosity yet.
That just wouldn't do!
He decided to make up for his rudeness by preparing breakfast for Hank. Thus decided, Connor changed back into his customary uniform, carefully putting the book back into his pocket, before entering the kitchen.
He began by inspecting the fridge for possible ingredients, only to nearly flinch as he noticed rows of ancient looking takeout containers lining the shelves. Reluctantly eyeing the clock, he shuddered once in revulsion, before grabbing a few eggs and hastily closing the door again.
In silent determination he made a note to clean up this health risk later.
He looked down at the eggs cluelessly for a few seconds.
How did one make these things change into an appetising breakfast?
He grimaced ruefully - he had definitely not been equipped for domestic use - and consulted online sources for a receipt for scrambled eggs only to hit the next roadblock.
'depending on your taste, add salt, pepper and other spices.'
How was he to accomplish that without the ability to taste?
He wrecked his mind frantically for a solution, before remembering Markus.
The other android had been programmed as a caregiver, surely he would know! Hastily he called him.
The call connected nearly instantaneously.
"Good morning Connor. What can I-" Seeing time race steadily onwards, Connor interrupted the warm greeting, panic lacing his words.
"I need your help!"
"What do you need? Are you in danger?" Markus' voice had turned serious, instantly.
"Would you send me a copy of your domestic care subroutines? I don't have much time."
Silence fell at the other end, then the incredulous reply, "My what? I," another short pause, broken by slightly hysterical laughter, "sure! Yeah, I'll send them to you right now. You're certain everything is alright?"
Connor sighed in grateful relief as he accepted the incoming file transfer, before answering in a more collected tone, "Thank you, Markus. With Cyberlife's servers still offline, I didn't know who else to ask. I would have loathed to ruin Hank's breakfast by mistake. We're headed for Cyberlife tower later. I'll call you as soon as I know more."
Without giving the other android a chance to reply, he ended the call.
With a determined smile he began the task of making scrambled eggs.
"That poor, poor sod. I bet ya scared the battery life right out of him." Hank commented dryly, putting his cutlery down on his empty plate, as Connor finished his tale of this morning's events, before his composure cracked and he collapsed in a heap of uncontrollable giggles.
Seeing the android's confused face, he tried to collect himself, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, shoulder still shaking slightly.
"Well, imagine being in his place. Someone calls you in a panic at ass-o'clock in the morning, asking for help. You get all worried, thinking something went wrong, only to be asked for help in making breakfast, of all things!"
Renewed giggles overcame the man, as Connor blinked sheepishly.
"Oh."
He scratched the back of his head, wincing guiltily, "I should probably apologise."
The human sighed, finally calming down.
"Don't fret, kid. I'm sure he's glad that you're asking for help at all, instead of working yourself into a nervous breakdown all by yourself. He won't mind."
Connor nodded, but still sent a short message to Markus.
To [RK200 #684 842 971]: I'm sorry for scaring you earlier. I may have misjudged my approach to this issue slightly.
To [RK800 #313 248 317 - 51]: Don't worry, Connor. I'd rather know when you need help, nevermind scaring me. Call me if I can do anything else for you.
Sighing in relief at Markus' reply echoing Hank's earlier words, he put the matter out of his mind, only to face the issue of talking to Hank about Kimble's book.
Not knowing how to begin, he pulled the red book from his pocket and flipped it between his hands.
Seeing the android's indecision, Hank prompted gently, "So kid, ya wanna tell me why you kept that thing?"
His gaze bashfully focused on the faded red cover, Connor shifted from one foot to the other.
"I-i don't really know why I decided to keep it. It just- it felt wrong somehow to leave it there."
He shrugged helplessly. "Something tells me that it's important, but I can't pinpoint why."
Putting the book away again, he changed the topic, carefully explaining what he had managed to find out last night.
Hank's gaze followed Connor's pacing figure thoughtfully.
"Could the vision have been sent by that missing Chloe?"
The android shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. The voice was too fractured to identify anything clearly."
Hank nodded. "Well whatever that may have been, only time will tell. Maybe the security footage at the tower will at least clear up last night's events somewhat."
Being reminded of the offline servers, Connor tensed slightly, before looking at the clock and closing the topic with the carefully neutral statement, "We should head out, if we don't want to be late, Lieutenant."
Hank sighed in frustration at that obvious distraction attempt, before grumbling in agreement and getting to his feet.
The closer they drove towards CyberLife tower, the more Connor fidgeted in his seat, until Hank finally had enough and pulled over roughly.
"Alright kid, I've been patiently waiting for you to tell me what's bothering ya, but all this twitching is driving me crazy! Out with it. What's up?"
Connor flinched at the sharp tone before he abruptly deflated.
Taking a steadying breath, gaze focused on the coin gripped tightly in his hand, he quietly recounted his last meeting with Amanda and his suspicion about the risk being posed by Cyberlife's servers.
At Hank's deep sigh he dared a timid glance in the human's direction, adding quietly, "I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I'm just- it is already over. I didn't want to worry you after your unfortunate encounter w-"
Before Connor could carry on his rambling apologies any further, the older man leaned over and drew him into a sudden hug.
The android noted shaky breathing against the synthetic skin of his neck and the slight trembling of the human's arms as they held him tightly.
After a few seconds he deciphered whispers of "I'm sorry. I didn't know. Shit, I'm glad you made it out of that alright. I'll tear that fucking bitch apart piece by piece if I ever get my hands on her, I swear. I'll never let that happen again, kid. Fuck!" Slowly Connor relaxed into the awkward sideways hug, patting the human's back comfortingly.
He would treasure this moment, this feeling and use it's warm glow to ward off the fear of Amanda whenever it dared to crowd his mind in the future.
This was what friendship meant.
It was a complicated feeling and he had struggled to grasp it up till now. But finally he understood.
It was care and kindness even in the face of unchangeable events. It was quiet and deep like a lake, or roaring and loud like a lion protecting her cubs. It meant home and family, safety and happiness, honesty and acceptance and the unshakable knowledge of never ever being alone.
Friendship was a promise and he would do anything to keep it.
He closed his eyes, leaned his head against Hank's and quietly enjoyed the moment while it lasted.
In the deepest reaches of his mind palace, looking out over the pond and staring straight at the glowing palm print in the center, a silver statue of a female lion formed, roaring ferociously.
After a few long minutes, Hank took a deep breath and leaned back, before catching Connor's gaze with his own uncompromising one and shaking him softly by one shoulder.
"Listen here kid, it's kind of you to worry about me, but you've got to remember something. We're a team. We work together. But damn it all, that'll only work if ya tell me about this shit! Not worrying me is one thing, but you facing such a risk without me being aware is just plain stupid and irresponsible! Ya got that?"
He carefully waited until he received a shy nod, before smiling and ruffling the android's hair to break the heavy atmosphere.
"Good. Now we'll make certain that nothing on those servers is any threat to you or anyone else, before we turn them all on. And if anything should go wrong, I'll carry your ass all the way to that Markus fellow myself - trussed up like a Christmas turkey if I have to. Got it?"
Getting an amused smile in return, he nodded one last time before continuing the drive.