A week of progress and changes to the city had remained relatively quiet, yet everything was hectic as the returning humans continued to try to rally against the peaceful androids out of a misguided rebuttal. The police were busy keeping angry people out of the streets and maintaining their delicate peace while the deviants were attempting to hold their ground against the potentially unstable humans who were threatening them. With the air thick with tension and a mounting cold as autumn slowly transitioned to winter Connor and Hank found themselves being assigned a special task of protecting the meeting between Markus and the mayor, Walter Nero, and act as their personal bodyguards in secret.

The idea of protecting Markus had made Connor visibly uncomfortable and with that discomfort his posture turned rigid and his L.E.D. cycled on a deep crimson red in his right temple. Unwilling to protest the assignment as he didn't want to cause any problems with Captain Fowler the steadfast deviant remained quiet while Hank spoke up on his behalf without betraying his personal grievance with Markus in the process.

"Jeffrey, this assignment reeks of political bullshit." Hank snapped bitterly as he and Connor sat in their Captain's office across from the commanding officer who was sitting behind his desk. "You just want us to play bodyguard because Connor's a deviant, too."

Quick to respond Captain Fowler tried to defuse the situation before things got too heated. "Connor being a deviant has nothing to do with this assignment."

"Oh, really? Then please," challenging the claim Hank made it clear that he didn't believe the statement whatsoever. "enlighten me. Why us? Specifically, why him? After all, Connor's still a consultant and won't be an official detective for another three weeks."

"You are both being assigned to this case because you two are the only detectives in all of Detroit who have any experience with helping deviants as opposed to just arresting them or shooting them for being deviant."

"Uh-huh... Sure. What about Ben?" Motioning to the seasoned detective through the transparent wall of the office Hank tried to bust Fowler in the middle of his lie. "Ben and his C.S.I. boys have handled far more deviant cases than anyone else, and each case revolved around figuring out why the deviant was dead instead of just opening fire and dragging them off to the dump."

"Oh, for fuck sake." It was clear Captain Fowler didn't appreciate Hank trying to call him out and was losing patience. "Hank, this is your assignment, too. You AND Connor are both going to go to the appointed location and work undercover to ensure no one tries shoot the mayor or Markus. Now go and do it without bitchin' about."

"What if we refuse?"

"Now why in the hell would you do that?"

Connor, who had been silent ever since he was informed of his assignment, finally spoke up and defended himself. "Because I don't appreciate being used as a political catalyst to improve the precinct's image."

Hank was stunned into impressed silence as Connor snipped back. Leaning heavily against the back of his chair Hank crossed his arms over his chest and gave Captain Fowler a smug grin. "You heard him."

Looking over at Connor as the deviant slowly came out of his shell and began speaking up more to define himself as a person Captain Fowler sighed and admitted defeat. "Alright, I won't try to deny you being a deviant is a key factor in assigning you to his case." Leveling with Connor respectfully the commanding officer did his best to try to elicit some form of cooperation from his two detectives. "But I wouldn't assign you to this case if you weren't qualified to handle it."

"My deviancy is still a factor."

"Yes." There was no point in trying to deny it. "Connor, you saw the streets this morning and you've seen how full the holding cells are. Humans are returning and they want to fight with deviants because in their mind we're still at war and they think they can change things to make it how it used to be. They can't do that, but that doesn't mean they aren't going to try. You're the most qualified detective to protect Markus, and you're one of the few detectives I trust to not be harboring any bigoted feelings against deviants."

"What would you have done if I never came back?"

"I don't know, Connor. I don't know much about anything these days."

Crossing his arms over his chest Connor closed his eyes and cybernetically checked through the precinct's current roster of officers and detectives to try to locate a potential replacement for himself. While Ben Collins was proven to be qualified, trustworthy and unbiased he worked more with the C.S.I. teams as opposed to traditional detective work. Tina Chen was an up and coming officer in her own right, but she didn't have enough experience to qualify for such an assignment just yet. The same could be said for Chris Miller as he spent more time on patrol than working more intricate assignments. The only other detective currently on the clock at the precinct that day was Gavin, and his hatred of androids was well documented which disqualified him instantly.

There was no one else available to work the assignment leaving the case being discussed resting on Connor and Hank's shoulders.

"...Very well." Accepting his assignment with a begrudging tone Connor stopped refusing and awaited his next orders. "What do we need to do?"

A small stretch of closed down and renovating businesses lining the Detroit River had been set up a designated meeting place until the city resumed normal activity.

Pacing about the secluded office building nervously Markus kept in cybernetic contact with his allies back at New Jericho Tower while he and North awaited the mayor's arrival. Despite being asked to wait alone the deviant leader knew better than to let himself become isolated while meeting with someone under such important circumstances, especially with angry humans walking about the streets in angry protest of their perceived 'loss' in the light of the peaceful android Revolution.

The location of the meeting had been purposefully kept secret to prevent violence or any assassination attempts. With that secrecy came tension and a feeling of isolation, even when he knew that the police were patrolling the area and watching the building.

"When do you think the mayor will be here?" North asked as she stood beside the closed doorway facing the street just out of sight of people walking past the building a few feet away.

"I don't know. I was requested to come here at noon and expect the mayor shortly after."

"It's almost one in the afternoon already."

"I'm aware."

"I don't like this, Markus. Humans are very sneaky and I have no doubts that you're being set up."

"We can't assume the worst of people."

"I'm not assuming the worst, I'm speaking from experience."

Pausing mid pace Markus look over at North and could see the pain in her cinnamon brown eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall near the door as she stared out the glass layer of the door itself. "I'm sorry. I keep forgetting what you've been through."

"That's okay. It means you see me as me and not as a victim."

Approaching North slowly Markus took her hand in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be okay by myself. Go on and head back to the tower."

"Are you sure? I don't trust you to be here alone with someone as strange as the mayor."

"Strange?"

"Remember what I said about experience? He used to frequent the club in the secret rooms concealed in the rear of the building."

"Maybe I can use that as leverage."

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but I'm sure a few of the other 'Tracis' from the club can provide some very interesting photos for you to hold over his head."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Be careful, Markus." Giving him a kiss on his cheek North pulled her hand away from Markus and walked toward the front door of the office to take her leave before the meeting began. "I'll see you later."

Seeing North leaving the building and walking down the sidewalk made Markus's heart sink. He hated being alone and he didn't want to see North walking about alone either, despite knowing she could take care of herself.

Stepping deeper into the office Markus heard the sound of a car pulling up in front of the building and come to a stop. The door car door opened up and the mayor himself, along with two personal security guards, walked into the building through the same door where North had just exited to meet with Markus at long last.

"Finally."

"I'm sorry for being late." Nero stated with an insincere smile on his face as he extended his hand for Markus to shake. The mayor was in his mid forties, a little short and portly and had thinning gray hair that complimented his steel gray eyes that looked beady atop his sharp rat like nose. "It's difficult to get about these days without the media following me."

"Right." Accepting the handshake Markus gave the mayor a kind smile then eyed the two security guards warily. They were armed and they didn't seem at all thrilled to see Markus. "I don't mean to offend but I thought this meeting was supposed to be just between the two of us."

"It will be. My guards are just going to keep the building secure while we talk."

"Okay. I can understand that."

"Come." Motioning toward a secondary office within the building Nero insisted that he and Markus speak in private. "Let's hash out the new laws and rights for deviants and keep this peaceful Revolution on track."

Parked just outside the office building and along the opposite side of the street as the mayor's car Hank and Connor watched the office building with great interest as ordered, the cold water of the Detroit River flowing behind the building a few yards away. They had seen North leave and the mayor arrive, but refrained from revealing their presence. While Hank stared at the office building itself Connor tracked North as she walked to the end of the block, only to turn around and return to the office building where she knew Markus was now alone with the mayor and his two security guards. Her body language spoke of concern and not hostility, which in turn put Connor on his guard.

"What's with that chick?" Hank asked as he too took notice of North skulking about the building. "Is she a threat?"

"Doubtful." Dancing his new coin over his right knuckles; the quarter was minted in 2029 - the same year Hank was promoted to Lieutenant and far less worn out than the previous quarter, Connor answered the question without taking his eyes from the deviant of interest. "That's North."

"North. She's Markus's girlfriend, right?"

"Based on his urge to protect her during the Raid on Jericho I believe that's an accurate deduction."

"Why do you think she's sticking around? The meeting between Markus and the mayor is supposed to just be between them."

"My guess is North doesn't trust the mayor."

"Yeah? Well, I don't blame her."

Turning to face Hank as the senior detective sat behind the steering wheel Connor gave him an odd look. "Have you met the mayor before?"

"Yup. He's a royal ass-kisser, serial cheater, loves to pander to the voter with hollow promises, and he just thrives in the spotlight."

"It doesn't sound like the mayor is as professional as he should be."

"You got that right." Leaning back in his seat Hank adjusted the heat in the car to stave off the building wintry cold swirling around outside the car. "The weasel and all of his assistants can just go right ahead and fuck off."

Returning his attention to North in the distance Connor watched as she slipped through an alleyway between the office building and its neighboring department store to creep around back. "Something's wrong."

"What?"

"I don't know yet." Giving Hank a stern look and nod of his head Connor pocketed his coin and opened up his door. "But I'm going to find out."

"Careful, kid."

Turning to give Hank a somewhat surprised glance over his left shoulder Connor closed the door behind him and trailed after North down the alleyway between the two buildings. Remaining in cybernetic contact with Hank's phone Connor sent Hank a text to detail his current location and actions as he located North at the rear of the office building trying to peer inside the shaded window connected to the smaller office where Markus and the mayor were speaking.

Watching North from around the corner of the alleyway Connor remained silent and didn't give away his position. 'It appears North is merely keeping tabs on Markus without intruding.'

It took a moment before Hank could type a reply via text message. 'Paranoia?'

'No. I believe she's just being protective.'

'Why do I get the feeling she's aware of something we're not?'

The response made Connor's blue L.E.D. flash to a cautious yellow. 'How so?'

'Some people call it women's intuition, but I personally call it a gut instinct. She must know something shifty's going on but can't explain it.'

'Interesting. I'll stick close by and monitor activity behind the building while you remain up front.'

'Good plan.'

Keeping to the narrow alleyway in the shadows and remaining silent Connor watched as North kept low and peered through the window using the drawn shade over the interior of the glass to keep herself hidden as she tried to read the lips of Markus and the mayor as they discussed the future of deviants within the city. Her cinnamon brown eyes were fixated on the two occupants within the private office space with clear focus and attention. By all account North herself was working as Markus's private bodyguard alongside the mayor's own guards.

Scanning the area Connor detected the life signs of Markus and the mayor inside the office building, North outside the building, and the two private guards under the mayor's orders patrolling the interior of the building diligently. A sixth life sign was suddenly detected by Connor as another human who appeared to be another one of the mayor's personal guards approached North from behind and drew his weapon on her without provocation.

'Hank, someone is threatening North.'

'I'll call it in.'

'Don't do that. I suspect that this is a ploy by the mayor.'

'What're you going to do?'

'Disarm the man and ask him questions. Please remain up front.'

'Do NOT put yourself in danger!'

'I''ll be careful.' Ending the cybernetic contact with Hank's phone Connor approached the man just as he pressed the barrel of his gun to the middle of North's back in a threatening manner. "Hey! Detroit Police!"

The man turned to face Connor and wrapped his left arm around North to pull her up against himself as a barrier between himself and Connor. With the gun still pressed to the middle of her back North knew she couldn't move without the very real threat of being shot shutting her down permanently.

"Let her go, now."

Within seconds the man honed in on Connor's yellow flickering L.E.D. as the deviant detective put himself between office window and North as she was being held captive by the man and his gun. "You're an android."

"My name is Connor." Showing the man his badge from his pocket Connor identified himself as a representative of the Detroit Police Department. "Let her go."

"Plastic saving plastic." Pressing the cold barrel of the gun firmly into the middle of North's back the man sneered with a wicked amusement. "How cute."

'North.' Cybernetically connecting to the deviant being held hostage Connor instructed her on what to do. 'I'm going to disarm the man and restrain him. You need to run.'

'And go where?' Staring at Connor with wide but calm eyes North tried to understand the deviant detective's logic on the situation. 'I won't leave you or Markus here with this lunatic!'

'Just get out of sight. My partner's out front and knows what's happening.' Holding up his right hand to show that he was unarmed Connor approached the gunman and ran a facial recognition scan. The man was not one of the mayor's bodyguards but was in fact a confirmed drug dealer who had been one of the mayor's friends until the man had been arrested and shamed in the news. "Your name is Steven Rayburn. You were friends with the mayor until you were arrested for possessing and selling 'red ice'. You were in prison for two years and during that time the mayor tried to sweep your previous friendship under the rug to protect his own reputation."

"Shut the fuck up!" Tightening his left forearm over North's chest Steven pressed the gun so forcefully into North's back that he left an imprint on her artificial skin as the barrel pushed against her body. "What's going on is between me and that fuckin' traitor, Nero!"

"So why are you trying to harm her? What has she ever done to you?"

"She's snooping around like one of Nero's little whores always do... I'm going to make her tell the world about Nero."

"By shooting her?" Stepping closer to Steven at a slow pace Connor cybernetically instructed North to get ready to run and hide. "She's innocent. She's done nothing to you."

"Back off! Why do you care about this whore?"

"I'm a detective. I care about everyone regardless of who they are or where they come from."

"Then why don't you go ahead and-" Unable to finish his insult Steven stumbled backward as Connor rapidly grabbed onto his left forearm wrapped around North's chest and pushed on Steven's right shoulder to push the gun away from North's person. "You fucker!"

'North, run!' Issuing the order cybernetically Connor wrapped both of his hands around Steven's wrists to hold him back and give her the space to flee.

Staggering away from Steven in mild shock North just nodded and ran down the alleyway behind Steven to get away from the deranged human and began heading back toward New Jericho Tower in the distance. She ran toward the water and used the surrounding buildings to shield herself from the gun.

'Hank, the gunman is named Steve Rayburn!' Reconnected with Hank's phone Connor informed the senior detective of what was happening behind the office building. 'He's trying to shoot the mayor!'

'I'm on my way! I'm requesting back-up and moving to your location.'

"Steven! Drop the weapon!"

"Fuck off you plastic-pig!"

Wrestling the gun out of Steven's right hand Connor managed to pin both of Steven's arms behind his back, force him into a kneeling position on the ground and then pushed Steven face first down onto the pavement behind the office building. He didn't have any handcuffs on his person yet, but he did have the strength to keep Steven down on the ground until Hank arrived with his own cuffs to do the job.

"You're under arrest, stop resisting!"

"FUCK YOU!"

"Police are already-" A strong and unexpected blow to the back of Connor's head stunned the deviant enough to cause him to fall to his right side away from Steven as his ears began to ring, and his vision flickered in and out for a moment.

"Back off, asshole." One of the mayor's bodyguards who had been inside the office building had noticed the fight out back and had arrived to investigate. Seeing Connor pinning Steven down on the ground and seeing that Connor was an android put the guard on the wrong side thanks to his own misguided prejudice. "Don't move!"

Connor rolled from his side and onto his back to stare up at the guard as he tried to explain what was happening. "I work with-"

"Shut up! You assaulted this man you defective machine! I'm going to drop you off at the dump myself!"

Steven got back to his feet and grabbed onto his gun once more. Without any hesitation Steven shot the guard in the back of his head and watched him drop into a bloodied limp heap on the ground. Redirecting his aim toward Connor as the deviant managed to get back up to his feet Steven sneered at Connor with a vile tone to his words. "...You're next."

From behind Connor a stray brick came flying down the alleyway and struck Steven in his right shoulder causing him to stumble back and look around in shock.

Unwilling to wait for Hank or chance Steven getting another shot off before back-up arrived Connor turned toward the alleyway where North had fled, and had surely thrown the brick to save Connor from the distance, and sprinted down the alleyway as fast as he could run. As he reached the end of the alleyway Connor could sense Steven moving in on him from behind, and he saw North standing beside the water wait for him.

"Connor! What's-"

"Watch out!" Pushing North out of the line of fire Connor let out a pained gasp just milliseconds after a second gunshot rang out loudly.

Stumbling forward as the bullet pierced his back just below his right shoulder blade Connor managed to catch himself on the guard railing beside the water with both of his hands just as his world began to flicker into darkness and spun around him.

"Connor!?" North caught her own balance after Connor pushed her out of harm's way, and was rushing up behind the wounded deviant to help him. Just before her hands reached his shoulders Connor lost consciousness, his body slumping forward over the guard rail, and toppled into the cold river below. "Shit!"

Looking back down the alleyway behind her North watched as two officers, one an older man with gray hair and the other a younger man with a darker complexion and dark hair, tackled Steven to the ground and fought to disarm him.

One threat had been neutralized but now Connor was at risk of drowning and freezing to death in the river below.

Climbing up onto the railing North took in a deep breath and dove down into the churning murky water to locate the deviant detective that had just saved her life not once, but twice!

Swimming through the dark and icy cold water North managed to hone in on Connor's life signs and could just barely see the crimson glow of his red L.E.D. breaking up the smothering darkness all around them. Grabbing onto Connor's right arm North pulled his limp and unconscious body up toward herself as she began kicking back toward the surface of the river. Wrapping both of her arms around his chest just under his arms North pulled Connor's back up against her chest as she broke through the churning surface of the river and regained her bearings.

Too mistrustful of humans to ask for their help and reacting solely on instinct North began swimming along the river toward the industrial district very near the harbor where Jericho had once been docked in search of a secondary shelter.

Struggling to keep Steven pinned to the ground even with Chris's help Hank used all of his strength as he pressed his right knee into the middle of Steven's back to finally get him to submit. Chris had wisely restrained Steven's right wrist and pulled the gun from his grip as he secured a cuff around the same wrist. Bending both of Steven's arms forcefully behind his back Chris finally managed to handcuff the dangerous man while Hank continued to keep him pinned down on the pavement until he stopped struggling.

"Hold still, asshole!" Hank barked loudly as he looked down the alleyway where he knew Connor had fled to get out of harm's way. He didn't see his deviant partner anywhere near the alleyway or the river. "You're under arrest for murder, two counts of attempted murder, abduction, assault and a shit-ton of other offenses! Don't add resisting arrest to your charges!"

"GET OFF ME!"

"Shut your fucking mouth!" Only when two other additional officers converged on the scene did Hank stand up and let the younger cops wrestle with the man and hold him down. "I'm going to check inside and look for Connor. Chris," motioning with his right thumb over his right shoulder Hank gave the bold officer another order. "call this in and take this asshole to the precinct to calm down."

"Right, Lieutenant!"

Taking in a few calm breaths Hank walked down the alleyway beside the office building and approached the front door warily. Knocking twice to let the occupants inside the building know he was there Hank held up his badge against the glass surface of the door for everyone inside to see. The door was unlocked by the remaining bodyguard and Hank stepped inside to check on the trio who were wisely staying locked away from Steven after he pulled his gun on North, and then Connor.

"I'm Lieutenant Hank Anderson. Is anyone in here injured?" Hank asked as he watched the bodyguard open up he door to the secondary office and let both the mayor and Markus outside. The two occupants were shaken but unharmed. "Did you see anything out back?"

"N-No." Nero was stammering nervously as he looked around and noticed he was one bodyguard short. "Where's Tim?"

"Is Tim your guard?"

"That's right."

"Sorry. The gunman got him."

"...Shit." Nero paled for a moment and he let out a theatrical sigh. "He was a good man. Always around when I needed him."

"Uh-huh. Does this 'Tim' guy have a last name or a family that needs to be notified?"

"Oh, uh... Yeah. His name was Tim VanBrant."

The second guard spoke up in a low voice to correct Nero's name. "...VanDamme."

"Right! VanDamme!"

Hank turned away from Nero and looked at the second guard to get more answers since the mayor wasn't much help. "Do you know how to contact Tim's family to let them know what happened?"

"Yes, sir. I'll call Lorraine myself."

"Thanks."

Nero spoke up again and tried to save face. "I'll send flowers and pay for the funeral myself. Let Lauren know I have everything covered."

Sighing a little the second guard just shook his head a little and forced a grin to his face. "Right, I'm sure Lorraine will be grateful."

Ignoring Nero entirely as the insufferable weasel kept trying to look like a noble hero Hank then turned his attention to Markus. Knowing that the deviant leader had murdered his partner with no just cause Hank had to make a conscious effort to not snap at the deviant, or call him our for his horrible decision that killed an innocent deviant in the middle of the abandoned church with hundreds of witnesses. "...Markus. Are you harmed?"

"No, I'm okay." The admission was honest and despite his fear Markus still appeared confident where he stood. "I am worried about my friend who might've been nearby when everything went down."

"Are you referring to the female deviant known as 'North'?"

"Y-Yeah!" Markus's mismatched eyes went wide as he approached Hank nervously. "Do you know her?"

"It's a long story. You're coming with me to the precinct for questions. You," pointing at the bodyguard Hank gave him instructions as well. "escort the mayor to the precinct and ask for Captain Fowler."

"Yes, sir."

"Come on." Motioning for Markus to follow after him Hank led the deviant leader to the Oldsmobile parked just down the street outside the office building while the bodyguard and the mayor followed to get to their own personal vehicle to head out to the precinct. "We need to find my partner and then we'll head out to the precinct."

"Your partner?"

Hank gave Markus a knowing glance as he opened up the driver's side door and watched as Markus did the same for the passenger's side door of the car. "He's a deviant. In fact, I think you two know each other..."

Struggling with Connor's dead weight North managed to heft Connor's limp body out of the river and up onto the concrete dock of the mostly deserted harbor as she used her arms to pull herself out of the water. While Jericho itself had only partially sunk into the harbor and was far too deteriorated to use as form of shelter whatsoever. Shivering from the cold water and icy air North pulled Connor's right arm around her shoulders as she wrapped her left arm around his waist to support him. Half carrying and half dragging Connor along the harbor North honed in on an abandoned medical clinic just one block away.

"W-We have to try t-to make it." North sighed as she shifted her own weight to maintain balance as she helped guide Connor toward the quiet building in the distance. "...W-We can't st-stay out in the c-cold. And N-New Jericho is t-too far away."

Unconscious, bleeding and unaware of what was happening to him Connor had no choice but to let North protect him until he awoke.

Reaching the building without anyone seeing them in the process North checked the front door already knowing it'd be unlocked and pushed it open with her right hand. It wasn't much warmer inside the old building but it had been stocked up with a few emergency supplies by other deviants who had used the old building to hide out after fleeing dangerous humans.

"It's n-not much." North shivered as she guided Connor inside the empty building and over to a small foam mat already laying on the floor in the corner of the clinic's waiting room. Old plastic wrapping, ragged clothes and used Thirium pouches littered the floor all around the mat. "But we'll b-be safe here."

Kneeling down slowly on the floor beside the mat North carefully guided Connor down so he was laying on his back on the mat to rest. The movement and sudden pressure to his wound was enough to bring Connor back into the waking world.

Blinking his heavy brown eyes a few times Connor locked onto North's face with his clearing vision and his brow furrowed with confusion. "...North?"

"It's okay." Shrugging off her wet brown leather coat North rushed over to a nearby cabinet were a few old fleece blankets had been tucked away inside by other deviants who stocked up the clinic while hiding from humans. Taking one of the blankets she wrapped it around herself and then brought a second one over to Connor to help him warm up. "...W-We're safe."

"...Wh-Where are we?" Shivering as the cold began to make its horrible presence known within his core Connor coughed a few times as his ventilation biocomponents began expelling the collected river water from his artificial lungs in a sickening torrent. Rolling onto his left side Connor spit out and coughed up the murky water with painful retches as North knelt down beside him and held him as steady as possible. "...Fuck."

"It's okay, Connor. This is an old cl-clinic." North replied as she gently peeled away Connor's soaked gray blazer and tried to do the same for his white dress shirt and black tie. "D-Deviants used to hide here when r-running from humans. I h-hid here for a night before I f-finally made it to J-Jericho."

Wincing as North pulled on the fabric covering his wound Connor did his best to not move. The frantic red flashing of his L.E.D. indicated that he was in great pain and that he was restraining his instincts to push North's hands away as she removed his wet jacket, shirt and tie.

"Sorry. I'm tr-trying to be careful."

Nodding a little as he continued to shiver violently where he was laying Connor acknowledged North's act of kindness.

With the damp clothing that had covered Connor's wounds removed North draped the dry blanket over Connor's chilled body. "...How b-bad is the d-damage?"

"...Not cr-critical." Connor replied honestly as he ran a self diagnostic and noted that the bullet had pierced his body but it hadn't struck any biocomponents or large Thirium lines. The bullet fortunately didn't enter his body, it was merely wedged into the surface of his plastimetal frame. "The bullet m-missed everything v-vital."

Running her right fingertips over the wound in Connor's back under the blanket North located the bullet and grimaced on Connor's behalf. "I can feel the bullet." The thin blanket was enough to stave off the cold so she stopped shivering, but she'd still need to take measures to warm up to a more nominal degree. "I can get the bullet out."

"...Do it."

Nodding a little North helped Connor roll from his left side and onto his back before he could rest on his right side with his back now fully facing North instead of the wall beside him.

"We swore to keep an emergency technician's kit stored here and in all the other unofficial deviant shelters in the city." Returning to the cabinet North looked at the shelf beneath the blankets and retrieved the emergency repair kit. The kit had a bottle of incrassation compound, extra Thirium, special android unique gauze, medical adhesive, metal forceps, silk thread and a curved needle to be used for repairs. "Looks like there's still a deviant keeping supplies at hand."

Connor closed his eyes as he used his internal G.P.S. to locate the clinic's exact address and sent a cybernetic message to Hank's phone to let him know where he was, that he was injured but safe, and that North was safe as well. Falling silent Connor could only hold his breath and try not to move when he felt North's hands return to his injured back under the blanket.

"The bullet is right at the surface." Pushing the blanket up to reveal the wound in its entirety North took the forceps from the kit and used the metal instrument to grab onto the end of the bullet and begin pulling. The artificial skin around the wound had retracted as a result of the bullet, but fortunately the wound itself wasn't bleeding too badly. "Hold your breath and don't move."

Doing as he was instructed Connor held still and let out a weak groan as the bullet was pulled out of his back just under his right shoulder blade. The bullet's removal caused a gush of Thirium to erupt from the wound and the artificial skin tried to regenerate over the bullet hole, but couldn't cover the frame where the sensor's were no longer active.

"I got it."

"...Thanks." Moving slowly Connor tried to roll onto his back again only to have North unexpectedly hold him still. "What're you doing?"

"I need to clean and bandage the wound."

"I'll heal on my own."

"Connor, let me help you. You saved me and I want to help you."

"You don't owe me anything."

"I know that, but I still want to help."

"I'll be okay. My partner is going to locate me soon and I'll see the precinct technician for treatment."

"Don't be so damn stubborn." Keeping her left hand on Connor's upper back North used her right hand to drench the wound in the incrassation compound, ignoring the pained hiss that escaped Connor's lips in the process, and then proceeded to thread the needle to stitch up the wound. "...You know, you're lucky."

Letting out a slow breath as the pain faded Connor decided speaking with North might help distract him from his wound. "...Lucky how?"

"That bullet could've killed you. If it struck your Thirium pump you would've shutdown before I got you above the surface of the water."

"I've been shot before." Tightening his hands into fists as the needle pierced his artificial skin Connor stared blankly at the wall just inches from his nose. "I'll survive."

The comment stung North on a personal level. She had been a witness to Connor's execution at Markus's hands and had done nothing to prevent it.

"...Yeah. We've noticed that you're a survivor."

Falling silent Connor just laid still as he let his eyes slip shut and let North finish stitching up his back before she applied a layer of gauze, and held it in place with medical adhesive.

"Lay on your back." North whispered as she pulled on Connor's shoulder and helped him to lay flat on his back and atop the fresh bandage. Draping the blanket over Connor's body North sat down on the floor beside him with her own back pressed up against the nearby wall. "The pressure will help stop the bleeding."

Sighing as he received a confirmation text from Hank at last Connor confirmed they'd be out of the area soon. "Help will be here in fifteen minutes."

"...By the way," North spoke up in an uncharacteristically timid manner. "thank you."

Opening his eyes a little Connor looked up at North as she sat beside him. "For what?"

"For saving my life."

"All I did was push you out of the way of being shot. There's no way prove that it saved your life."

"And you saved me on Jericho during the Raid. Thank you for protecting me."

The memory of being on Jericho and saving North with Markus at his side was a blurry memory as the transference of the memories from his previous body to his current body wasn't a flawless process. Being shot in the head, his intracranial processor being destroyed, made sure of that. As the memory returned to him the chip on Connor's shoulder seemed to lift for only a moment before it doubled. He had risked his life to save North and had worked alongside Markus to protect her.

And yet Markus still saw it necessary to execute him in cold blood for all his efforts.

It wasn't North's fault and so Connor had no reason to hold a grudge against her whatsoever. "...You're welcome, North."

"Get some rest." North insisted as she made cybernetic contact with Markus and let him know she was safe and unharmed. Pulling the blanket tighter around herself North pulled her legs up toward her chest and huddled down to try to keep warm until help arrived. "We're safe here."

With Markus and the mayor now safe in the precinct and under close observation Hank drove out to the odd address that Connor had sent to him, and located the abandoned clinic just as he was informed. Parking the car in front of the building Hank kept the engine running and the heater blowing at full temperature and speed to ensure the car didn't get cold while he was inside the building looking for his missing partner. Opening the front door Hank slowly entered the clinic and glanced about curiously.

"Connor? Are ya' here?"

"...Hank."

Recognizing the voice as Connor's the senior detective moved in quickly and spotted Connor laying on the mat under a thin blanket with North sitting beside him with her own blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Hank's every paternal instinct suddenly kicked on with full force as he saw Connor as a sick kid in need of a warm home, and not his deviant partner who foolishly put himself in harm's way.

"Kid?" Kneeling down beside Connor without any hesitation Hank put his left hand on Connor's chest as he looked at the deviant's heavy brown eyes. "Shit, how in the hell did you end up out here?"

"North brought us here. ...I took a bullet and fell in the river."

The word 'bullet' made Hank's blue eyes go wide with fear. "You were shot?!"

Nodding a little Connor propped himself upright on his elbows, his red L.E.D. flickering faster as the motion pulled on his freshly stitched up wound, and let Hank see the bandage on his back. "It didn't hit anything vital."

"Shit..." Checking over the bandage on Connor's back Hank noted that it was covered and not bleeding, and decided that it was safe to move him. As his right hand pressed against Connor's right shoulder Hank could feel how cold Connor's skin had become, and he could smell the stench of the river clinging to his hair and jeans. "You need to see a technician."

"I'll see Joel when we go back to the precinct."

"That works for me." Shrugging off his heavy dark coat Hank draped the garment around Connor's shoulders to help him feel warmer for a moment. Looking past Connor and over to North still sitting beside the wounded deviant Hank then asked if she was injured as well. "What about you? Are you hurt?"

"No. I'm just cold."

"A November swim in the river will do that. Come with us back to the precinct, Markus is waiting for you."

"Sure." Seeing that Hank was a human who actually gave a damn about Connor was enough to push North forward and accept the offer. "As long as your precinct is warm."

"I can guarantee it." Helping Connor to get up to his feet Hank offered his hand to the North to offer her the same courtesy. Slowly wrapping his hand around North's hand as she accepted his help. "The car's warm, too."

Leaning heavily against Hank's left side as the senior detective helped North up to her feet Connor let out a slow breath and tightened the warm coat around himself before he took a single step away to stand under his own power. The pain in his back wasn't severe but it was persistent enough that it made him very uncomfortable. Turning to watch as Hank picked up his ruined clothing from the floor Connor noted that the senior detective was behaving as if the entire situation was somewhat normal.

"Come on. You two need to get warmed up." Hank motioned for the two deviants to accompany him outside to the car. Noting the ripe odor of the river water soaked into Connor's clothing Hank gave his wounded partner a coy glance. "...And a shower."

Sitting inside Captain Fowler's office Markus gave the seasoned detective a full and honest statement regarding the incident behind the office building, and confirmed he did not see what had happened when the shots were fired. Openly offering Captain Fowler a visual account of his memories to corroborate his statement Markus remained honest and cooperative as the details of the failed assassination attempt of the mayor was recorded with every fact taken into deep consideration.

Still worried about North even after she confirmed through cybernetic contact that she was safe Markus anxiously awaited for her arrival at the precinct so they could finally be reunited. Sitting quietly in the chair with his hands folded neatly atop his lap Markus stared through the transparent wall of the private office for any sign of North's arrival.

Captain Fowler could see that Markus was worried for his friend and let him know that as soon as she arrived he was free to go. He had all the information he needed to handle the case and charge Steven with murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault, one count of attempted murder against a police officer, one count of assault against a police officer and many additional charges.

Walking a few paces in front of Hank and Connor as she entered the bullpen North could feel Markus staring at her from the distance. Stopping near the middle of the bullpen North locked eyes with Markus as he quickly rose from the chair and exited the office to reunite with her at long last.

"North!"

"I'm okay." Letting him wrap her up in a warm embrace North made sure the deviant leader knew she was unharmed. "Just cold."

Hugging North tightly Markus looked over her shoulder and watched with shock as Hank escorted Connor across the bullpen and toward the corridor on the opposite side of the bullpen so the wounded deviant could be seen the precinct technician. Without a word Markus watched as Connor, still huddled under the thick coat and sporting a yellow tinted L.E.D., silently exchanged a cold and grudge-filled stare just moments before disappearing down the corridor.

"Connor had been assigned to patrol the office building in case something like this happened." North explained as she could feel Markus tense up after seeing him walk by. "He saved my life, and I saved his."

"What?!" Letting up on the hug so he could look North in the eyes Markus gave his dearest friend a stunned glance. "What happened?"

"Let's go back to New Jericho," she replied in a patent tone of voice. "and I'll tell you everything."

With Hank's help Connor was able to make it up to the dispensary on the second floor and climb onto the exam table to allow Joel to check out his wound, and re-bandage the affected area under more sterile conditions. Fortunately North knew what she was doing and the wound had been cleaned out fairly well despite the dirty environment of the abandoned clinic, and the filth of the river water saturating the injury. Removing the stitches in favor of thoroughly cleaning out the wound Joel provided Connor painless treatment that still struck Connor as odd as he was still used to the cold and heartless treatment of the CyberLife technicians.

Leaving Connor alone to be treated Hank returned to the bullpen to file his report and tell Captain Fowler that there was a serious security flaw with the mayor's personal protection, and he was entirely convinced that the mayor himself was that very flaw.

"And... Done!" Snipping the white silk thread on the final fresh stitch Joel placed a waterproof bandage over the wound and secured it into place with waterproof medical adhesive. "Your Thirium level isn't too low, but you should top off your reserves to ensure your self healing program doesn't leave you too exhausted as it functions."

"Noted." Pulling Hank's coat back around himself Connor slipped off the edge of the exam table and stood before Joel patiently. "May I return to the bullpen?"

"Uh, sure. You should shower off and stay behind your desk for the rest of the day, but yeah, you're good to go."

Turning away from the technician Connor took a step toward the doorway to leave the dispensary and relocate Hank. "Thank you."

"Hey, Connor." Joel stopped the deviant before he got too far away. "For what it's worth I'm glad you weren't more seriously injured. I've seen how a bullet ricochets around plastimetal bodies, and it isn't pretty."

"Yes..." With his yellow L.E.D. flickering to red before returning to the cautious amber hue Connor acknowledged the honesty of Joel's statement. "I'm aware of the severity of bullet wounds in android bodies."

"If you need any help or extra Thirium just come and see me. I always have my door open."

"...Thank you, I'll remember that."

Typing up his lengthy report at his desk Hank sighed and looked longingly at his empty coffee mug as he contemplated getting another refill for the delightfully caffeinated beverage without Connor around to remind him of the dangers of too much caffeine and the added sugar. Too tired to even get up and walk into the breakroom Hank just sighed and leaned back in his chair as he glanced at the corridor leading to the elevator and waited for any sign of his wounded partner's inevitable return.

"Hey, Hank." Ben walked over to the senior detective's desk from his own desk and gave Hank a curious glance. "How's Connor?"

"Took a bullet to the back but he's going to be okay. It didn't get past his plasti- uh... Whatever that stuff is that makes up his body."

"It's called 'plastimetal'."

"Yeah, that shit."

"Well, good. I'd hate to see that kid taken down so easily because he saved another innocent person."

"Yup."

Glancing about curiously himself Ben noticed that Connor was absent. "Where is he?"

"If he's finished in the dispensary he's in the locker room showering off the smell of the Detroit River."

"Ah, man. I remember when I took an unexpected swim in the river during my rookie days. It doesn't matter how much soap and shampoo you use, you still smell the river on you for weeks."

"Trust me, I know. His shirt and jacket are in the trunk of my car and I could still smell them when I drove back to the precinct."

"Hopefully he has extra clothes to wear for the rest of the day."

Closing his eyes Hank let out another sigh and swore to himself. "Ah, fuck... The kid only has that one uniform."

"Jeez, just one?"

"Connor's only just become his own free person, Ben. He's been hiding out from the world who wants him dead, and trying to find himself at the same time. He hasn't had the time to go out and buy a decent wardrobe." Getting up from his desk Hank stretched his back a little and decided to track down Connor and give him clean clothes to wear after he showered off. "I'll go and get him something to wear, and encourage him to look for more clothes tomorrow."

Savoring the quiet of the locker room Connor sat on the bench near all of the personal lockers and stared at the locker that had been designated as his own with a resigned gleam in his soulful brown eyes. The pulsing of his yellow L.E.D. created an amber glow over the dark red paint over the lockers as Connor sat in quiet contemplation after the day's hectic events. Not only had he not wanted to take the assignment to protect Markus because he felt like he was being profiled and seen only as a deviant, but he had nearly died protecting North from an assassin that was more interested in harming the mayor than Markus himself. The sight of the mayor's bodyguard pointing a gun at him instead of the real threat all because he was a deviant made Connor's artificial stomach knot, and knowing that the bodyguard's prejudice and hatred led to his own demise was enough to make his stomach want to rebel entirely.

Pulling the warm and thick fabric of Hank's dark coat around himself as he remained without his own shirt and blazer Connor felt not only cold, but exposed. That odd feeling made him want to disappear from sight altogether and remain in hiding for as long as possible.

Entering the locker room without making a sound Hank saw Connor sitting on the bench completely still. "Connor?"

"...Yes, Hank?"

"I brought you some clean clothes." Placing a neatly folded bundle of clothing down on the bench beside the deviant Hank studied the yellow L.E.D. glowing in Connor's right temple warily. "How're you doing?"

"I'll heal." Putting his right hand on the clothing Connor looked over the provided items and thanked Hank for bringing him clean clothes to change into. The pair of black uniform pants, a navy blue t-shirt with D.P.D. written in bold white text over the chest, and a matching black D.P.D. hoodie were the usual substitutions when an officer didn't have another uniform to wear. The extra pair of white socks and shoes came from Hank himself. They'd be too big for Connor to wear but at least they were dry. "Thank you for bringing me these clothes."

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Yes. I already said I'll heal."

"No, I'm not talking about you physically." Sitting down on the bench to Connor's left Hank sighed and gave the deviant a stern look. "I'm talking about you on a mental capacity."

"Mental capacity?"

"You were shot and would've drowned in the river if North hadn't been there. Fuck, I had no idea you went into the water and never would've looked for you down in the river at all!"

"...I'm fine. It wasn't traumatizing if that's what you're worried about."

"Well, I am." Noting how young and alone Connor was in the world; barely three months old by literal age yet barely looking twenty-four years old by human standards, Hank couldn't help but feel like Connor really was a kid and that he had been orphaned after CyberLife went bankrupt. "I know there's something bothering you and I don't think it's just seeing Markus and dealing with a bullet in your back."

Unsure of how he should be feeling as he was still new to his emotions and didn't have any previous experiences to work with Connor responded to the senior detective in a low and uncertain tone. "...That bodyguard who rushed out into the back of the building during the fight, did he survive the shooting?"

"No. He was dead before he hit the ground."

"Do you know how he got shot?"

"Not yet. We just know that Steven asshole pulled the trigger."

"The bodyguard got shot because he pulled me off of Steven after I had Steven pinned to the ground, and then the bodyguard pointed his own gun at me."

Hank's posture slumped with disappointment as he gave Connor stunned look. "...He what?"

"He saw me holding Steven on the ground and decided that I was defective machine that needed to be destroyed because I was attacking an innocent human. I tried to identify myself but he wasn't hearing it. He turned his back on the real threat, another human, and he paid with his life because of his own prejudice."

Dragging his right hand over his bearded chin Hank thought about how torn up and conflicted Connor must be feeling in that moment. "...I'll be sure to let Fowler know what happened."

"No need. I sent Captain Fowler a copy of my memories regarding the incident. He already knows."

"Well, hopefully his widow won't find out that hatred ended his life."

"Maybe she should." Feeling what he could only describe as cold and bitter Connor thought about the full extent of such negative repercussions and how they affect everyone around them. "Maybe she's also a bigot and this fact could spare her from an equally grim fate."

"Maybe. But that's not up for us to decide." Unsure of what he could do or say to offer any form of reassurance to the emotionally stunted deviant Hank just reminded Connor that he was still alive. "You did the right thing, he did the wrong thing and in the end you're the one who walked away alive. I think that asshole and his family have been punished enough."

Connor fell silent as he picked up the clothes from beside him and shrugged off Hank's coat to hand back over to the senior detective.

"Go shower off." Taking back his coat Hank walked over to his own personal locker, pressed his thumb to the electronic pad and put in his four digit combination to open up the locker. Reaching inside to the top shelf he tossed Connor a small bottle of shampoo and a fresh bar of soap to use, the deviant easily catching the two additional items with his right hand as they reached him. "You'll feel better once you're cleaned up and warmed up."

"You sound certain of that."

"Well, you'll feel better on a physical level at least. I can't guarantee anything for your mind."

"...Oh."

"We have tomorrow off, so you can just chill out on the couch and not worry about dealing with assholes for a while. You should also order some new clothes to wear since I don't think the stink of the river is going to get out of your uniform anytime soon. I know from personal experience."

"...More clothes?"

"You have the extra clothes I gave you back at the house, which you can wear and keep if you want, but you need more than that. You don't want to get stuck wearing hoodies and oversized shoes if you get dunked in the river again, do ya'?"

"I suppose not."

"Then order some extra clothes for delivery and I can help pay for your first few outfits if you want. You already paid for a replacement coffee table so I don't mind helping ya' out."

"I can pay for my own clothing. Thank you." Walking past Hank at a sluggish pace Connor made his way to the community shower and grabbed a clean towel from the nearby metal rack just outside the shower area. Placing the clean clothes down where he had taken the towel Connor removed his ruined shoes and disappeared from sight into the shower to clean himself up. "I'll be back in the bullpen in twenty-two minutes."

"Right."

Taking his leave of the locker room Hank gave the deviant a casual shake of his head as he realized that Connor had some serious trust issues to work through and it'd take a long time for the mistrustful deviant to let his guard down long enough to let anyone get close to his developing heart.

"Poor kid needs to take the time to figure himself out."

Scoffing at his own thought Hank returned to the bullpen and looked over the desks where Ben, Chris, Gavin and Tina were all going about their business and trying adjust to the new world they were living in. Within his own private office even Captain Fowler seemed to be far more tense that usual, if not wary of the new world as a whole.

"Fuck, we all need time to figure ourselves out."

-next chapter-