It was five days before Christmas and it seemed like looters were trying to take advantage of people buying things in bulk during the aftermath of the peaceful android Revolution and the approaching holidays. Without any additional deviant cases to handle, Connor's dedication and swift deductive skills ensuring that his and Hank's caseload had been completed within a few weeks, the two detectives were temporarily put back on patrol to help handle the spike in thefts and home invasions. While out on their afternoon patrol Hank stopped at the 'Chicken Feed' food stand for his lunchbreak and got his usual order of a double cheeseburger with a large soda, and was promptly reminded by Connor of the high caloric intake massive amount of cholesterol that the single food item contained.

Brushing off the deviant's worries and reminding him that during the winter time humans were conditioned to put on weight to keep warm during the colder weather Hank savored every greasy bite of his burger, and washed it down with his large soda with a smug look on his face. Wiping off his fingers on a napkin Hank placed it down inside the now empty paper delivery bag alongside his empty cup, and tossed the bag into the backseat.

Having scanned over the contents of the burger as Hank returned it to the vehicle Connor was still uncomfortable with Hank eating greasy food. "It's still unwise to consume such unhealthy meals on a regular basis."

"You keep insisting on me eating those damn veggie-omelettes every morning and I eat 'em without complaint." Turning the key in the ignition the engine roared to life and the already warm car began to purr with life. "Let me eat my lunch with the same courtesy."

"I'm merely looking out for your well being, Lieutenant."

Every time Connor referred to Hank as 'Lieutenant' rather than his first name Hank felt like he was being accused of throwing around his rank in his partner's face, or that the young deviant was trying to rebel in his own subtle way. Either way it always got to him. "I know you are, but you need to know I can't just change bad habits I've been delving into for years with the snap of my fingers. This stuff takes time."

"...I suppose you're right."

"I've already cut down on beer and I'm eating your special heart healthy meals every time you take the time to make them for me, which I appreciate by the way, but I'm not going to pass up the chance to have a satisfying meal just because it's rich in calories every remaining day of my life. Besides, we're detectives. Risk is sort of our thing."

"That doesn't necessarily mean we should go out of the way to encounter it."

"Well, you're right about that." Resuming their patrol Hank used the radio to confirm with dispatch that they were off break and ready to respond to any potential assignment that came their way. "How about for my New Year's resolution I stop eating unhealthy food while on patrol?"

"...A 'New Year's resolution'?" For a flicker of a moment Connor's blue L.E.D. flashed to yellow. "I am unfamiliar with such a concept."

"That's something a lot of people use to start off the new year off right. Before the government outlawed all tobacco and vaping products in the country I knew a lot of cops who vowed to stop smoking. Just as many vowed to stop drinking. And a crazy few even swore to give up caffeine." Driving down the somewhat busy and snowplowed streets Hank kept the conversation going casually. "The most common resolution was to lose weight, and most people stick to their resolutions anywhere between the first day it's made, to three months in; and a lucky few even manage to keep the resolution for a full year."

"Oh. Have you ever made such a resolution before?"

"Uh... When Barb and I got married I made a resolution to work-out more, and that lasted up until Cole was born. I got too busy to keep it up."

Speaking about Cole was still a sensitive topic and Connor decided to respond without acknowledging Cole's inclusion. "Commendable and understandable."

"Maybe you should make a resolution, too."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you're now free to live your own life under your own terms and no one can stop ya'. Why not set up a mini goal to achieve some time in the next year?"

"Like what?"

"Uh... Good question." Looking over at Connor beside him Hank just shook his head and sighed. "You don't have to give up drinking or eating garbage, and you never have to worry about keeping in shape... How about you set out to learn a new skill instead?"

"Skill? I'm already programmed with-"

"No, no, no... I don't mean download a new program or any software, I mean actually learn a new skill. Take up the guitar!"

Connor's brow furrowed a little as he gave Hank a strange look. "That seems... oddly specific."

"You like music, don't ya'?"

"Yes. I found that I truly do enjoy heavy metal music."

"So why not pick up the guitar and learn how to play and learn like a human would? That'll give ya' something to focus on when we're not working, and it's something you'll acquire as a true talent and not a software download."

"That's an interesting idea to consider."

"I used to play bass while in high school. If you want I could-" The radio intruded on the conversation as dispatch requested their assistance to a possible break-in in progress just two blocks East of their location. Responding to dispatch as Connor cybernetically uploaded the address to the G.P.S. on Hank's behalf. "Damn. So much for a quiet afternoon on patrol..."

Responding to the correct address in a hasty manner the two detectives looked up at the ten story apartment building where the reported break-in was taking place. The apartment building itself was on the ritzier side of the city, and it wasn't uncommon for the apartments in the area to be targeted during the holidays. Even with personal security constantly on patrol around the private building there was still one or two successful break-ins within the apartment building every winter, and the police department was very familiar with the layout with that particular building as a result.

Parking the car behind another patrol car that arrived at the building just a few seconds before them Hank confirmed that he and Connor had arrived at the scene with dispatch, and looked to the deviant beside him with a confident gaze.

"I can confirm that Officer Chris Miller and Sergeant Gavin Reed are already on the scene." Connor noted as he and Hank exited the car together to walk to the front of the apartment building to enter, and aid in the investigation. "They are up on the eighth floor."

"Eighth? Ah, fuck me..."

"Remember what I said about eating-"

"Yeah, yeah... Smartass." Showing his badge to the landlord and head of security waiting by the front desk of the building's main lobby Hank gave the deviant a pleading stare. "Look, head up to check on Chris and Gavin's search with the staircase. I'll stay up front." Pointing to the guard Hank asked him a very important question. "You got someone hovering by the backdoor?"

"Yes, sir." He responded in an almost military discipline. "Two guards are waiting out back until the search is over."

"Good work." Looking back to Connor standing beside him Hank gave him a nod. "We'll keep a look-out in case the dumbass tries to leave through the elevator."

"Of course." Approaching the only stairwell in the entire ten-story building Connor followed Hank's orders without any hesitation, and began his climb to reach the eighth floor. "I won't be gone long."

Easily climbing up the staircase without breaking stride or losing speed Connor ascended the floors of the building in a timely and swift manner. Each access door he passed connecting to the second through seventh floors Connor ran a scan and confirmed that no one was crouching down outside the door in an attempt to hide and then run past once the doorway was clear. Reaching the eighth floor Connor opened the doorway and walked down the hallway where he could hear Chris and Gavin's voices speaking to one another in the apartment in question.

The door leading to the apartment had mild damage around the door knob and it was clear the electronic lock had been disable before the door was forced open. Entering the apartment Connor glanced about and noticed Chris and Gavin checking for any sign of a struggle or obvious theft in the main area, which was the livingroom, and the neighboring kitchen.

"Officer Miller." Announcing his presence Connor ran a scan and checked the immediate area as well. "Have you found anything or anyone of interest?"

"Not yet, Sergeant."

Gavin sneered at the sight of Connor and shook his head. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Lieutenant Anderson and I were requested to come here."

"Uh-huh. Well, we got this. No one's here." Trying to wave Connor off Gavin lazily glanced about the livingroom with indifference. "Beat it."

"I will leave once I've finished conducting my own search. Thank you."

"Whatever..."

Scanning the walls and windows the deviant saw no sign of panicked hand prints looking for an escape via emergency fire escape. While scanning the hardwood floor Connor noted four different sets of shoe and footprints on the surface, and they held his attention. Two sets of the shoe prints belonged to Chris and Gavin, and the third set belonged to the apartment's lone tenant; Connor's ability to check in on the person's identity through the apartment building's confirmation files helped to distinguish the prints as those that belonged there. However the fourth set of prints couldn't be identified.

"Interesting..."

Chris heard the inquisitive tone of Connor's voice and turned to face him curiously. "What's interesting, Sergeant?"

"There is a set of shoe prints that do not belong to either yourself, Sergeant Reed or the apartment's single occupant; Abigail Katherine Grayson."

Despite his efforts to ignore Connor out of misguided spite Gavin snarled in response to the observation. "So what?"

"The fourth set of shoe prints lead inside the apartment but they do not lead out through the doorway, nor do they lead to any windows." Pointing to a small wooden armoire against the livingroom wall and just behind Gavin the keen eyed deviant was able to detect the vital signs of the intruder lurking about inside the furniture in an attempt to hide. "The suspect is still in here."

Skeptical of the deviant's claim Gavin scoffed and walked over to the small armoire to pull the two doors open. "Bullshit!" Tugging on the handles Gavin turned to look at Connor over his left shoulder as if to mock him. "If someone was here-"

A man in his late twenties burst through the armoire and tackled Gavin to the ground to run past him to leave the apartment before he could be arrested. Falling to his hands and knees on the hardwood floor beside Gavin the suspect scrambled to get back to his feet, and sprinted out of the apartment through the opened door while Connor quickly gave chase after the man down the corridor.

"Stop!" Connor shouted as he too ran past Gavin without a second glance, his blue L.E.D. flashing to yellow for a moment as he reported the suspect still on site. "Detroit Police Department!"

The man was pale, somewhat short, scrawny, disheveled in appearance, had shaggy blond hair, hollow gray eyes and his face was noticeably aged for someone who was physically in their late twenties. Running on pure adrenaline the man rushed to the stairwell and began running up instead of down, effectively trapping himself in the building.

"Hank." Cybernetically and verbally Connor connected with Hank's phone to give him an update. "The suspect is moving to the roof. I am in pursuit and I will attempt to catch them."

'Keep me posted.' Replying to the call verbally rather than texting Hank sounded professional and calm. 'Where are Chris and Gavin?'

"Still in the apartment. I believe they will be joining me shortly."

'Right, I'll stay down here to keep his retreat cut off.'

"STOP." Connor shouted again as the man forced open the doorway leading to the roof access. The emergency alarm sounded off as he forced the door open rather than unlock it with a security clearance code, and with the alarm red warning lights flashed brightly throughout the stairwell. "There is nowhere to go! Surrender now!"

"FUCK YOU!" Stumbling over the slick icy rooftop the man struggled to elude Connor as the graceful deviant easily traversed the wintry surface with virtually no difficulty whatsoever. "I WON'T GO BACK TO PRISON!"

"Hank," resuming the contact as Connor cornered the man in the North-Eastern corner of the building facing the street where the two cars were park far down below Connor gave his partner an update. "the suspect confirms he has a criminal record." Running a scan over the man's face Connor got an identification and relayed information to the Lieutenant to ensure they had a proper warrant to search the suspect's current place of residence. "His name is Frederick Edwin Calvin. He was arrested four years ago in Chicago for stalking his ex-girlfriend. He broke into her apartment and threatened her with a knife."

'Got a name on the ex-girlfriend?'

"Affirmative. His ex-girlfriend is the current occupant of the apartment he had broken into; Abigail Katherine Grayson."

'Shit, alright. Get him cuffed and get his sorry ass down here.'

Ending the call Connor gave his full focus to Frederick who had trapped himself in the corner of the rooftop. "There's nowhere to run Frederick. Please surrender peacefully."

"Get the fuck back!" Desperate to get away Frederick awkwardly climbed up onto the slippery edge of the roof and threatened to jump. "I'll do it! I'll jump!"

"Don't do that." Remaining calm Connor fell back onto his training as a hostage negotiator and tried to reason with Frederick. Slightly raising both of his hands out toward his sides to show he was unarmed and not a threat Connor tried to reason with the potentially dangerous suspect. "Just climb down and we can talk about this."

"Go away! I won't go back to prison! I won't!"

"If you surrender peacefully we can discuss this matter. Perhaps you can be admitted to a hospital instead and avoid another prison sentence."

"No! You're lying!" Inching his way closer to the edge of the roof Frederick was precariously close to plummeting to his death as the icy surface under his shoes ensured he wouldn't be able to maintain any form of balance as he purposely neared the edge. "You're going to lock me up in prison again!"

"I won't. I just want you to climb down and talk to me." Hearing the door to the roof access open up behind him Connor didn't look back and kept his eyes focused on Frederick. The cold air and swirling snow made the deviant's hair flutter about over his face and left eye, while his leather jacket managed to keep his body and uniform untouched. "We want this to end peacefully."

"What're you doing?" Gavin shouted as he stood beside Connor and hovered his right hand over the holstered gun on his right hip. "Get him!"

"Shut up." Scolding Gavin in a low voice he raised his left arm to keep Gavin from moving any closer to Frederick. "I have this, back off."

"Don't tell me what to-"

"Frederick." Taking a single step forward Connor tried to maintain control over the situation. "We know that you broke into your ex-girlfriend's apartment. Why did you do it?"

"I wanted to see her! The stupid bitch wouldn't answer my phone calls!"

Gavin scoffed again as he gave the deranged man a cold response. "With that attitude I don't blame her."

Ignoring Gavin's unprofessional remark Connor took the lead again. "You need to step down and talk to me now, Frederick. I'll listen to whatever it is you want to say."

"No! You won't get it!"

"Then help me to understand."

Losing his patience Gavin shouted again and gave Connor an indignant comment. "Why the fuck are you wasting your time on him? Let him jump! Let him die and save us all a huge problem."

"Gavin." Turning to face the loudmouthed Sergeant directly Connor's soulful brown eyes narrowed with disgust. "Shut. Up."

"Hey! Don't you-"

"Frederick..." Nearing the edge of the roof, his body now at arm's length from the desperate man, Connor tried to get Frederick to climb back down before it was too late to do anything to save him. "Please. You need help and I want to help you. You need to surrender and you need to speak to someone. You're not well and need guidance. I can help you if you let me."

"No..." Reaching into his coat pocket Frederick showcased a six inch long hunting knife with his right hand and held to toward his own throat. "I won't go back to prison. This is the only way out."

"Shit..."

Swearing in chorus with Gavin behind him Connor rushed toward Frederick and managed to grab onto his right arm to keep Frederick from slicing into his own throat. As he grabbed onto Frederick's arm with his left hand Connor tried to pull the knife away from his throat, and pull Frederick off the edge of the roof and back to safety. In the process of pulling Frederick forward Frederick leaned back and purposely slipped off the edge of the roof, dragging Connor over the edge along with him.

"Holy shit!" Gavin shouted again as he rushed over to the edge of the roof where Connor and Frederick had fallen, while Chris rushed away from the roof access door to check over the edge as well. Peering at the slick edge of the roof where he had seen the two people slide over Gavin saw that Connor had managed to grab onto the roof after slipping over with his right hand, and was still hanging onto Frederick's right arm with his left hand. "Shit! Get up here!"

Chris grabbed onto Connor's right forearm with both hands to hold the deviant steady as Gavin reached down to grab onto Frederick's coat by the collar and haul him back up over the edge. "Hang on, Sergeant." Chris was impressively calm as he held onto Connor's arm with all of his strength. He could feel that Connor's grip was failing as the cold and icy surface made it impossible for him to support his own weight and Frederick's weight with just one hand. "We gotcha'!"

Shifting all of his weight so he could pull Frederick up and toward the edge of the rooftop and toward Gavin's grip Connor tried to keep all the focus on Frederick instead of himself. "T-Take him."

The shift in weight made Connor's right grip weaken even further and his hand began to slip free of the rooftop.

"Chris..." Connor gave the officer a simple command as he preconstructed his options; none of which were ideal, and made his decision. "Let me go."

"No way! I got ya'!"

"Chris, you need to let go."

"Sergeant, you're slipping!"

"I know. If I fall you'll fall, too. You have to let me go."

Gavin managed haul Frederick up and over the edge of the roof after getting a firm grip on his coat's collar, and smashed Frederick's right hand down onto the firm surface beneath them to make him lose his grip on the knife at long last. As the weapon skittered across the rooftop Gavin pulled both of Frederick's arms behind his back and promptly cuffed him, and kept his knee pressed down in the middle of Frederick's spine to hold him still. "Don't move, asshole! You're in deep shit!"

Despite the weight off his person Connor still didn't have the means of retaining a suitable grip to pull himself up and over the rooftop. The intensely cold temperature of the concrete barricade was causing the Thirium lines in his hands and fingers to freeze, and without properly flowing Thirium in his lines his already weakened grip began to falter even further. With the slick surface all over the rooftop it'd be impossible for Chris to maintain his own balance while trying to pull Connor back over the edge to safety, and as a result they'd both fall.

"Chris, I have no strength left in my hands to support my own weight, and the icy terrain of the roof will not let you compensate with the addition of my weight safely." Using his left hand Connor applied all the pressure he could to Chris's right hand just enough to make Chris's own grip weaken around Connor's right forearm without harming him. "I won't let you fall with me."

"Connor, no!" Trying to maintain his grip as Connor's strategic use of pressure points made his hands loosen Chris's eyes widened with impending fear. "Don't do this!"

"I won't let you die trying to save me. I'm not worth it."

Unable to maintain his grip any longer Chris felt his heart sink as Connor's arm slipped out of his grip and the deviant began falling away from the top of the building and toward the street too far below.

Eavesdropping on the conversation Gavin turned his head to peer over his shoulder just as Chris lost his grip and stumbled back a little as the drop in weight threw off his balance. "What the... fuck?"

"SHIT!" Helpless to do anything as Connor fell away from his grip all Chris could do was watch in wide-eyed horror as the deviant plummeted to the merciless pavement below. "CONNOR?!"

Patiently waiting in the lobby of the apartment building Hank crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the elevator as he waited for the three officers and the arrested suspect to reach the ground floor, while the landlord and security team discussed what had happened. Feeling as if something wasn't quite right Hank pulled his phone from his right coat pocket and prepared to send a text to Connor when he heard muffled panic voices outside the apartment building, and immediately turned to look at the growing crowd outside through the large windows that outlines the lobby. Noticing that the gathered people were looking up and pointing at the rooftop Hank felt his stomach sink like a lead weight.

"Shit..."

Pocketing his phone Hank walked toward the front door of the building to step outside and investigate. As his right hand wrapped around the door handle Hank was taken aback by the sight of something falling from the roof at a rapid pace and landing with a thunderous 'crash' of crunching metal and shattering glass, followed by high pitched frightened screams of the witnesses outside, as whatever it was landed on Chris and Gavin's patrol car.

"Fuck!"

Throwing open the door Hank ran over to the destroyed patrol car parked in front of his own and immediately paled at the sight of a limp body sprawled out on their back over the hood and partially threw the windshield of the now totaled vehicle. The sight of blue blood dripping down from the body made Hank's sunken stomach turn with the urge to rebel against him.

"Oh, fuck! Connor?!" Rushing over to the car Hank looked down at the deviant's face as he felt his own heart thundering in his chest with adrenaline, fear and anger. Glancing up at the rooftop for a moment Hank saw a face looking down at him then slowly disappearing from sight as if being pulled away by a second unseen person. "Shit!"

Returning his full attention to Connor laying motionless on the smashed vehicle Hank pulled out his phone with a shaking right hand and called for assistance to their location. Demanding an ambulance and technicians to the scene Hank leaned over Connor's face and stared at the deviant's expressionless face and closed eyes as he tried to think of how to save his partner's life.

"Get out here, NOW! Officer down!" Hank shouted angrily into the phone to get help as soon as possible. "I repeat: Officer down!" Ending the call Hank slipped his phone back into his pocket and pressed his right palm down over the center of Connor's chest as he stared at the slow blinking red tinted L.E.D. in his right temple. It was weak and rapid, but there was still a heartbeat thrumming inside Connor's bloodied chest. "Oh, thank fuck... You're still alive."

Moving his hands very carefully Hank unzipped Connor's leather jacket and his posture visibly straightened when he saw a sharp metallic portion of the damaged car engine beneath Connor's body piercing up and through the crumpled hood, and straight through Connor's torso on his right side by a full inch. A gush of Thirium escaped from the wound as Connor's system went into low power mode and disengaged his ventilation program to conserve energy.

"Oh, shit..." Returning his hands to Connor's torso Hank unbuttoned the gray vest and the white dress shirt beneath to pull the fabric away from the bleeding wound to examine it more closely. The sharp metal rod was two inches in diameter and had sliced through Connor's body in his right side just below where his ribcage would be if he were in fact a human. The artificial skin around the wound had retracted and showcased the fractures in the plastimetal frame around the stab wound itself. "...Damn it. This is serious."

Pressing his palms around the wound then working his way outward Hank's instincts as an emergency responder told him to look for any sign of internal bleeding and broken bones, but he was unsure if his technique would work for androids in the same way it would with humans. As he moved his hands along Connor's arms Hank noticed that the deviant's hands were icy cold and the artificial skin around around his right palm and fingertips was missing. Fortunately it seemed his arms had escaped any damage despite the fall and were not broken.

"Fuck, kid..." Moving his hands down along Connor's legs Hank heard footsteps running over to the car and caught a glimpse of Chris from the corner of his eye. The younger officer was edgy and looked like he was about to throw-up. "He's alive, Chris. I don't know how, but he is alive."

"I... I lost my grip. He fell because-"

"Worry about that later." Not wanting to know the details yet Hank cut Chris off for the moment. "Just keep the scene contained and make sure the ambulance and fire engine can get through."

"Y-Yes, sir."

Keeping his focus on Connor's injuries Hank sighed as he confirmed that the deviant's right leg had been broken below his knee, and resumed the rest of his somewhat effective assessment on his partner's condition. Dreading his next move Hank kept his hands as steady as possible and made a move to check on Connor's neck. Just as his palms reached both sides of Connor's neck the deviant's soulful brown eyes snapped open and he took in a single gasping breath.

"C-Connor, hold still..." Not expecting to see Connor awake so soon Hank stammered for a moment as he tried to stay in control. "Just hold still."

The deviant's eyes darted about and his breathing ceased again as he system again turned off the function as it wasn't deemed necessary as the cold air made it easier for his thermal regulator to keep his body cool. Stress appeared in Connor's eyes and his L.E.D. began to flicker faster as he tried and failed to move about despite being horribly injured and needing technician assistance.

"Look at me, kid." Keeping his hands in place Hank spoke to his partner in a calm and low voice. "Hey, look at me."

The deviant's surprisingly frightened eyes moved forward and locked onto Hank's equally frightened and yet composed blue eyes as instructed.

"Help is coming. Don't move."

"H-Hank..." Connor's voice was warbling a little and carried a slight electronic reverb. A faint trickle of blue blood began to ooze from over his lips and the corner of his mouth as his internal bleeding began to enter his air intake line. "I...I c-can't... move."

"What?"

"I... M-My spine. I... I c-can't feel... anything."

"Okay, alright." Swallowing his panic on his partner's behalf Hank remained calm and didn't let go of Connor's neck to ensure his already damaged spine didn't suffer any further damage before the technicians arrived. "Just take it easy and focus on me. I already called for help the moment I found you. They're on their way and you'll be okay."

"I don't want... to shutdown."

"You won't shutdown."

"Please..."

"I promise you that you won't die."

"No! I don't... Please, don't let them kill me!"

"What? I won't, I swear you'll make it. No one's going to kill you."

"I don't... Please, Hank!" Against Connor's will tears began to run from the corners of his eyes and down his face. "Don't let them kill me!"

"You are NOT going to die, Connor! I'll be there the entire time and I won't let them hurt you!"

"...Please." Closing his eyes as the sound of sirens filled the air Connor truly sounded scared, pathetic and almost childlike. "...I don't want to die."

Hearing those words and hearing it in such a frightened, shaking and young voice made Hank's heart break. "You won't, Connor. I won't let you."

As the ambulance and fire engine pulled up to the scene of the emergency a news crew also appeared. Unable to keep the vultures at bay without leaving Connor alone Hank just watched as Chris set up a barricade around the ambulance and fire engine with holographic lines to keep the reporters at some distance, and spare Connor some form of dignity.

"...Is it dead?" Gavin's irritating voice spoke up as he dragged Frederick in cuffs toward the street as he awaited another patrol car to come to the scene. He could see Connor bleeding and looking already like a corpse as he walked past the car.

"No!" Barking in response at the callous comment Hank kept his hands still and watched as the rear ambulance doors opened up, and a duo of paramedics rolled a gurney and red tinted backboard over to the destroyed patrol car under Connor's paralyzed body. "He's still alive, asshole!"

"...Fuckin' took the dive so this piece of shit didn't have to." Gavin mumbled as the second patrol car pulled up and he promptly marched Frederick over to the back to let Tina and Ben take him into custody in his stead. As Frederick was forced into the backseat of the patrol car Gavin honed in on the news reporter who was making her statement on the scene of the drama unfolding outside the building. "That didn't take long. Sick-fucks."

Creeping up on the reporter Gavin overheard her comments and he felt his blood beginning to boil.

"According to witness statements," the news woman stated in an emotionless tone that portrayed how perfectly she was concerned with being on camera than reporting true facts. "the person jumped from the roof of the building behind me and landed on the patrol car. We don't have word if the victim will survive, but it's clear that this is a somber reflection of how the holidays can affect people wi-"

"Hey!" Cutting in rudely Gavin showed her his badge and decided to set the record straight as he joined her on camera. "Everything you just said is wrong!"

The anchor wasn't expecting the interruption and seemed to shrink a little under Gavin's intimidating gaze. "O-Oh, officer. Can you please-"

"Gladly. First of all this was NOT a suicide attempt." Pointing to the roof of the building Gavin snarled at the woman with righteous venom. "That was a sacrifice!"

The remark echoed loudly over the street for everyone to hear.

"That 'victim' you claim to have jumped over some damn 'jingle bells blues' is a COP who talked down a psycho who was trying to kill himself! He fell off the roof after keeping the real victim from killing himself! That cop is NOT a victim, he's a damn hero! Now why don't you get some damn facts from the people who actually KNOW what happened, instead of just taking the word of nosy pedestrians as truth?"

"I... uh..."

"Whatever. Now turn that camera off and get outta' here before I arrest you for interfering with an emergency situation."

Turning to look at her cameraman the anchorwoman agreed and signed off. "...You heard it for yourself tonight. A hero cop was injured in the line of duty." As the camera turned off and the cameraman lowered the camera from his shoulder he quickly turned on his heels and rushed back to the news van while the news anchor tried to save face. "I assure you officer-"

"Detective." Gavin corrected bitterly as he refused to let her deliver a half-assed and insincere apology. "I don't want to hear it! You're a shitty reporter doing shitty work. Get FACTS not RUMORS before you pamper your face and mug for the damn camera, sweetheart. Now get your ass and your van out of here before I have it towed and have you fined!"

Moving quickly the reporter fled to the van and quickly climbed inside to take her leave as soon as the cameraman had their equipment secured.

"Stupid bitch..."

While Gavin was going on his tirade on the reporter Hank had been keeping close by Connor and only moved his hands back after a c-collar was secured around Connor's neck to keep it stable. Despite Connor not being able to feel anything Hank kept his hand on the deviant's left shoulder and watched with a morbid curiosity as the artificial skin continued to pale and slowly fade away from Connor's body further away from the wound like a tide returning to the sea.

"My name is Patrick." The male, blond paramedic introduced himself as he stabilized Connor's neck with the collar and worked alongside Hank to position the backboard next to Connor to slide the wounded deviant down onto the supportive surface. "I'm a paramedic and my partner, Abby," he motioned to the brunette woman opening up an emergency technician's satchel on her right shoulder to retrieve android unique equipment to monitor Connor's condition. "is a paramedic who is also a certified technician. She's going to take the lead on your care."

Connor kept his eyes closed as he struggled to keep his newly developing emotions in check. Feeling a sense of fear, impending doom, helplessness and loss was all proving too much for the young deviant to handle in that moment. Barely able to maintain his composure all Connor could do was remain silent and resist screaming out in frightened panic.

Two firefighters approached the car and used the fire hose to wash away the leaking fluids from beneath the car into the gutter and down into the sewer to prevent a possible explosion if a spark ignited from within the highly flammable and potentially unstable vehicle. With the everything washed away from beneath the car and the street the two firefighters then checked on the metal rod impaling Connor's body, and decided to get a saw to cut the metal loose from the car's engine.

Abby had pulled an audioscope from her satchel and was using it to listen to Connor's Thirium pump and ventilation biocomponents carefully as she made her assessment on his condition. "Thirium pump is tachycardic but in a healthy rhythm. Non-existent ventilation from either biocomponent. No damage, this is all the result of emergency low power mode."

Hank stared at Abby as he moved his hand from Connor's shoulder and toward the deviant's hair on a subconscious level. Hearing Connor let out a small gasp drew Hank's attention back to down to the deviant's face in a flash. "Connor?"

"I... I felt that." Glancing up at Hank's right palm resting atop his hair Connor gave him a confused look. "I can f-feel your hand on my head. But... I can't feel anything else."

Noting Connor's complaint Abby next pulled her internal viewing screen from the satchel and held the item up and over his body. Using it to check his vital biocomponents, noting that the metal rod had pierced his analysis filter and Thirium filter as it passed through his body, she switched the screen's mode to check the structural integrity of his plastimetal frame and spinal column in general. "...Your right leg is broken, and the total lack of feeling from the neck down is a result of the fourth and fifth support discs in your neck becoming misaligned due to the severity of the fall. It's a temporary effect."

Hank spoke up on Connor's behalf as he watched Abby and Patrick turn their attention to the backboard to slide Connor onto the support carefully the moment the metal rod was cut free. "You can fix it, right?"

"It's possible, yes." Pressing her purple gloved hands around the wound in Connor's abdomen Abby noted that the metal rod would need to be cut away before Connor could be moved away from the wrecked car for transportation. Pulling it out in that moment could result in catastrophic bleeding "Shit. I don't want to risk extracting the rod from his body until we're in a facility, but we can't move him until it's gone."

Sighing Hank kept his right hand on Connor's hair and kept speaking to his clearly frightened partner in a soothing tone. "Hang on, son. You'll be in a facility soon and you'll have your neck taken care of."

"...Don't let them shut me down." Connor begged pathetically as he realized how weak and helpless he truly was. "Please!"

"I promise that you'll walk away from this whole stupid mess. I won't let them shut you down or give up on you."

"I-I don't want to shutdown. Please, let me live."

"Shh..."

Abby had heard the odd pleading from Connor and it made her hazel eyes widen a little. Despite being a skilled technician Abby had never encountered a deviant who was admittedly afraid of death and that in turn made her heart go out to him. "Hey, I haven't lost a patient yet and I don't plan on letting you become the first, Connor. Just like your partner said, I promise to not let you shutdown."

Connor didn't seem to either hear her, or he just didn't believe her. "...Please. I don't want to die. Not again!"

The 'again' comment really struck a chord with Abby but she didn't say anything about it.

"Easy..." Gently rubbing his thumb through Connor's messy locks of hair Hank tried to be of some comfort to the petrified and helpless deviant. "You're going to be okay, son. Just try to take it easy and let us help you. Maybe go into rest mode for a few minutes."

"N-No! I don't want to go to sleep!" If his ventilation program was still active Connor would've been hyperventilating with panic. "I want to be awake! I want to stay alive!"

"Son, it's okay. You'll make it through this." Continuing to rub his hand through Connor's hair Hank softened his voice to the same tone he used whenever Cole had been sick, had a nightmare or even had a scraped knee. "You're going to be okay. You're just a little banged up but you'll be fine, and life will go back to normal sooner than you realize."

Abby could see that not only was Connor truly frightened for his life, but that Hank was doing his best to be brave for the both of them. It was rare for her to see a human actually care about an android like the lifeform that they really were, and seeing him comforting Connor like a father would for his own child gave her a renewed sense of confidence in her ability to keep Connor alive.

The two firefighters returned to the car with the powerful saw and a flame resistant tarp. Placing the tarp just beneath Connor's body to keep him safe the firefighter also kept the tarp wrapped around the metal rod to ensure no stray sparks hit anyone who was staying with the wounded deviant.

"This is going to get loud." The first firefighter stated as he revved up the saw and carefully positioned himself on the ground partially beneath the car as his partner used a flashlight to shine down through the top of the engine area so guide the first firefighter's saw to the correct place. Once he made sure he was going to saw through the correct piece of metal he announced that he was going to begin. "Don't move and please forgive the noise!"

Connor closed his eyes tightly again as the saw began cutting through the metal rod, and he waited for the deafening sound to end. He could still feel Hank's hand gently combing through his hair in a comforting manner, and noted that despite the loud noise and commotion Hank's hand never faltered or showed any sign of panic in his kind gesture.

There was a loud 'clink' of the metal snapping as the saw blade cut through the metal rod, and now Connor could be moved. "He's good to go."

Working in tandem with Patrick at her side Abby supported Connor's weight and lifted him up from the engine. and saw that the metal rod had been cut impressively close to Connor's body without actually harming him in the process. The two firefighters and Hank all assisted with lifting Connor upward from the engine just long enough for the backboard to be slid under his body in a supportive manner.

"Okay... Let's get him secured." Abby instructed as she and the other first responders around her worked to secure the leather safety straps over Connor's forehead, chest, abdomen, thighs and shins. Remembering that Connor's right leg was broken Abby made sure to keep the strap below the break and not over top of it. "Once he's in the ambulance I'll attach a monitor and check his other vitals to begin treatment."

Hank helped carry the backboard over to the gurney and he made sure Connor could see him the entire time as he was being moved. "Which facility are going to take him to?"

"The facility on St. Aulbin Street. It's not the most advanced facility opened yet, but it is fully equipped and can handle him." Abby replied confidently as she and Patrick lifted the gurney up from the ground, locked it into position, and began wheeling it over to the ambulance. "I'll stay with him until you get there."

"Yeah, thanks." Patting Connor's hair again Hank resumed speaking to him in a calm voice. "I'm going to follow after you in the car and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Okay?"

Connor just stared up at Hank with a sorrowful and scared gaze, but answered in the affirmative with his shaking voice. "...O-Okay."

"Okay. See you soon, son. You're in good hands." Reluctantly backing away from the ambulance Hank watched as his bleeding, paralyzed and terrified partner was loaded up in the back with a paramedic and technician watching over him. "I'll find ya' at the facility."

The doors were slammed shut and Hank patted his right palm over the back of the closed doors twice to signal to the driver to take off. Watching as the emergency vehicle sped away with the lights flashing and sirens blaring Hank sighed, put his hands to his hips and felt his stomach begging him to find a secluded spot before it rebelled against him.

Stumbling away from the street Hank located a nearby trashcan and promptly threw-up his greasy lunch as he realized just how serious the situation had become. Feeling a hand lightly pat his shoulder as he retched for the fourth and final fifth time, Hank looked up and much to his surprise it was Gavin who was checking in on him. "...Go deal with that asshole that knocked Connor off the roof. If I see him then I'll kill him."

"Lieutenant," speaking to Hank in a respectful manner recognizing his authority and experience Gavin was clearly feeling humbled in light of the horrible moment he had unwillingly witnessed from the rooftop. "Connor wasn't pushed off the roof per se. He, uh..."

"What? Don't keep it to yourself."

Taking in a deep breath Gavin told Hank everything that had happened, and confirmed that everything could've been prevented if he had just been more thorough with his initial search of the apartment. He even apologized and didn't budge as Hank walked away from him with absolute disgust and disappointment on his face.

It was going to be a long and horrible day for everyone at the precinct.

In the back of the ambulance Connor struggled to watch as Abby placed two wireless sensors over his exposed chest to record his Thirium pump rate on the attached Thirial activity monitor now sitting beside him. Unable to feel anything Connor could only guess as to what else was happening beyond his visual range, and struggled to keep himself from shouting and blurting out in emotional turmoil at his mounting frustration. Seeing Abby's face as she sat down on the bench beside him and used her sharp surgical scissors to cut away Connor's bloodied uniform to get to his arms and to check out the entrance wound in his back more directly.

"Connor, I'm going to check your Thirium pressure." After cutting away his jacket, blazer, dress shirt and even his vest Abby held up the Thirium pressure cuff for him to see directly. "I know you can't feel anything so I'm going to explain what's happening as I work, okay?"

"...Y-Yeah. Okay."

Unable to feel the cuff automatically tightening around his bicep after Abby secured it into place all Connor could do was wait for her to tell him his reading as he tried and failed to initiate a self diagnostic with all of his external sensors temporarily disabled.

"Thirium pressure is one-hundred over seventy. Thirium reserve is down to seventy-two percent."

Patrick nodded as he and Abby worked together to remove the straps and carefully roll Connor onto his left side to check on the wound on his right side through his back. The bleeding was surprisingly minimal but just as the artificial skin had retracted from over Connor's abdomen the artificial skin over his back had fully retracted as well. The portion of the metal rod still sticking in Connor's back through his abdomen would need to be removed in an emergency repair theater once he was admitted to the facility.

"Connor," speaking to the wounded deviant in a compassionate tone Abby helped Patrick to roll Connor onto his back again, replaced the safety straps and secured a support brace around Connor's broken leg to hold the damaged limb stable. "you're going to need to have emergency repairs to stabilize your condition. You'll be put into emergency stasis mo-"

"No!" Shouting with rejuvenated panic Connor's already wide eyes went even wider. "I won't go into stasis mode!"

"Connor, you have to." Manual removing the artificial skin on Connor's right forearm Abby opened up the plastimetal panel at the bend near his elbow, and inserted an external line before she attached an I.V. bad of Thirium to boost up Connor's Thirium volume again. "The stress of the repairs will overwhelm-"

"No! I'm not going to let them kill me! I won't shutdown again!"

"Listen to me..." Putting her left hand over Connor's chest Abby leaned down over his face again to remain compassionate. "I know you don't want to go into stasis mode for any reason, but if you don't then the stress of the procedures will overwhelm your processors and can destroy your memorybank."

As the back of the ambulance warmed up the cold deviant at a steady pace his ventilation program began to respond to the increased temperature, and with that reactivation Connor began to breathe and soon hyperventilate. As he began to take in panicked breaths the blue blood that previously trickled from his mouth at a very minimal rate began to ooze out quicker.

"Whoa, whoa..." Returning her audioscope to her ears Abby pressed the bell of the instrument over Connor's upper chest to listened to his panicked breathing and watched the blue blood trailing out of the corners of his mouth with a worried but composed eye. "Slow your breathing down. It's okay, just try to calm down."

"D-Don't touch me! Don't shut me down!"

"I won't, Connor." Pulling back the audioscope as he demanded Abby did everything she could to remain on his good side. "I promised you that I wouldn't let you-"

"I don't want to die!"

"Please, listen to me." Not wanting to feel like she was pandering to Connor or insulting his intelligence Abby refrained from touching his hair in the same way that Hank had done, and just stayed in his line of sight as she spoke calmly to him. "You won't die. You'll be repaired and will wake-"

"No!" Closing his eyes tightly as he tried and failed to contain his emotional tears Connor refused to listen. "...I won't do it."

Looking over at Patrick as the paramedic watched the way Abby was taking care of the wounded deviant she gave him a lost stare and withheld her tired sigh as she returned to Connor, and resumed trying to calm him down. "I know it's hard but don't be scared. Connor, you will be okay."

The ambulance arrived at the facility after speeding off to get Connor his emergency technical care.

Once admitted the real fight for Connor's life would begin.

After giving his orders to Chris, Tina, Ben and Gavin at the scene of the horrible incident Hank drove off to the correct facility and easily managed to find a parking spot very close to the front entrance of the facility itself. Parking the car Hank stared at his shaking Thirium stained hands hovering over his steering wheel for a moment before he reached for the key in the ignition, turned off the engine and slipped the key into his coat pocket. Opening the door Hank stepped out of the car, slammed it shut and hastily walked on slightly trembling legs toward the facility to check in on his wounded partner.

Stepping through the automatic sliding glass doors Hank found himself standing in the front of a waiting room that was eerily reminiscent of the waiting rooms at every other hospital in the city. The smell of antiseptic, cleansers and latex gloves filled the air with a noxious aroma that brought back horrible memories of the night when Hank lost Cole due to the negligence of a single surgeon who decided to get high on that fateful cold night.

Unsure of what to do or where to even begin Hank just automatically walked to the front receptionist desk and addressed the lone occupant behind the desk in a low voice as to not startle her. "Uh... Hi."

"Hello." Raising her eyes the deviant receptionist looked Hank in the face and addressed him with a kind voice as she locked her eyes with his. Her model was similar to that of the deviant receptionists still working at the precinct and the familiar yet strange face was a slight comfort to Hank. "My name is Dominique. Are you Lieutenant Hank Anderson?"

"Y-Yeah, that's me." Pulling his badge from his pocket to confirm his identity Hank continued to speak in an uncertain tone. "...Do you know anything about Sergeant Connor Wolf yet?"

"Not yet. Upon Connor's admission I received a cybernetic copy of his personnel from the precinct, which is why I know who you are," she smiled kindly as Hank struggled to not snap at the kind receptionist for not knowing more than the basics. "but I do not know the severity of his condition or of what type of repairs he's currently undergoing."

Pressing his palms atop the receptionist's desk Hank sighed and leaned heavily atop his hands. "...Shit."

"I do know that Dr. Wells and Dr. Hetfield are currently tending to his condition and are very skilled. He's in very good hands."

"Yeah, thanks..."

"You may sit within the waiting area for as long as you wish, and I will give an update as soon as I know anything."

Lifting his head a little Hank closed his eyes for a moment and nodded. "Right. Thanks, Dominique. Just let me know the moment you have any information on his condition, I can take it."

"Of course, Lieutenant Anderson."

"Just call me 'Hank'. That's fine..."

Practically dragging his feet Hank wandered over to the nearest uncomfortable plastic chair and sat down heavily as if completely defeated. Leaning forward with his elbows atop his knees Hank pressed his palms to his face and let his gray locks of hair fall over his face to help hide him away from the cruel world for just a moment.

"Fuck... It's happening all over again."

A second person joined Hank in the otherwise empty waiting room and sat right beside him. Waiting for a moment Abby took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly as she dared to speak to Hank in the same compassionate tone she had shown Connor during the ride to the facility. "...Do I dare ask what you mean by 'it's happening all over again'?"

"...It's personal."

"I figured. That's why I didn't actually dare to ask."

"How's Connor?"

"Well, aside from being scared out of his mind he's being stubborn as all Hell. I get the feeling that's normal for him though."

If the situation wasn't so grim Hank might've laughed at her observation on Connor's bullheaded attitude. "Do you know how badly he was damaged?"

"I know that the metal rod caused minor damage to his Thirium filter; which is like the human liver in design, placement and purpose, and it nicked his analysis filter which is exclusive to his model." Her words were confident yet compassionate. "From what I've been able to research on that particular biocomponent I've concluded that his analysis filter is a non-vital but still beneficial biocomponent like the appendix in a human. Since the damage was minimal I know that Doctors Wells and Hetfield will be able to repair them, and not have to try to find a compatible replacement."

"Shit. What about his neck? He broke his goddamn neck when he hit the fuckin' car."

"Those support discs in his neck and spine are designed to be especially durable and are virtually unbreakable, that's why there were merely dislocated instead of destroyed. In Connor's case his entire spinal column is composed of titanium with the interior of the discs that encompass the main ascending and descending Thirial lines connecting his processors to his Thirium pump..." Stopping for a moment Abby recognized the headache that Hank was fighting and simplified things. "The primary lines that connect Connor's brain to his heart to keep the blood flowing are surrounded by internal diamond couplings."

"Holy shit..." Raising his head a little to reveal his tired and bloodshot blue eyes to Abby sitting to his right Hank finally looked at her directly. "He wasn't joking when he said he was worth a small fortune."

"Yup. I've never seen an android built with such exorbitant designs before. It's impressive."

"Long story short; Connor was supposed to be CyberLife's trump card in turning the tide in the war against deviants in their favor. Too bad Connor developed a conscience and discovered he had a heart, and told them to fuck off."

"Ah... That explains it."

"Huh? Explains what?"

"Why Connor was so freaked out about being put into stasis mode. I know how cold, cruel and heartless CyberLife technicians could be to androids. That's what inspired me to become a technician myself. I wanted to change that."

"How much did he freak out?"

"Giving Hank a sympathetic glance Abby answered his question honestly. "...When Patrick and I left the operating theater he was still trying to argue and fight against being put in emergency stasis mode."

"What? He's still not under?"

"Not that I saw."

Giving Abby a stern look Hank dropped his hands from his face and stared at her with steeled determination. "Let me go and see him. I might be able to get through to him."

"Why not? If he won't listen to the technicians trying to save his life then maybe he'll listen you."

Laying on his back on the emergency repair table in the center of the theater with only a sheet to cover his otherwise completely exposed body Connor refused to cooperate with the two technicians attempting to tend to his injuries, and refused to let them override his processors to put him into emergency rest mode. With his Thirium pump rate on the Thirial activity monitor being displayed for all to see it was clear that his heart was racing, and was seemingly in the midst of a severe panic attack. Trying and failing to get away from Dr. Hetfield's hands as he placed and oxygen mask over Connor's nose and mouth to keep cool air flowing into the overheating deviant's artificial lungs, Connor shouted and begged for mercy as if he were being assaulted.

"Stop!" Even with the plastic oxygen mask over his mouth Connor's shouts were still loud and clear. "Don't kill me, please!"

"Connor, we're going to help you." Dr. Hetfield tried and failed to reassure the terrified deviant under his care. "You won't die."

"No! You worked for CyberLife!" Glaring angrily Connor continued to defy Dr. Wells's attempts to put him in emergency rest mode as she pressed a processor stimulator against his rapidly flickering red tinted L.E.D. in his right temple. "You're going to kill me! I won't let you shut me down!"

Quietly Hank stepped through the sliding glass doors of the theater alongside Abby, and approached the table slowly to address the panicking and struggling deviant in need of help. "Connor?"

"Hank!?" Staring at the senior detective from the corner of his eye Connor called out to him desperately. As he called out for help and looked to Hank for any form of support his chest heaved up and down rapidly with his panicking breaths. "Please! Don't let them kill me!"

"Easy, son." Standing beside the table Hank returned his right hand to Connor's hair and leaned over his face. "Take it easy. You WILL be okay. I promise you that'll you'll wake up again. I'll take you back the house as soon as possible and you won't have to stay in the facility a second longer than necessary."

"Please, don't let them do this to me! I don't want to wake up in another body!"

"You won't. I won't let them replace any part of you, or transfer your consciousness into another body. Okay?"

Still unable to control his free flowing tears Connor began to cry in fear as his warbling voice carried a half sob and made his chest physically hitch. "...I don't want to do this."

"I know, son. I don't want you to go through this either, but it's the only way. You need technical help in order to recover. I get it," speaking with sincere empathy Hank continued to rub his left hand through Connor's hair to remind him that he could still feel above his neck and that Hank was himself was really standing there beside him. "you don't trust technicians and I don't blame you. I don't trust doctors for a damn good reason myself, so I'm not going to tell you that you're wrong or need to 'get over it', but I do ask that if you're not going to trust them that you at least trust me."

"I... I don't understand."

"There's nothing I can do to repair your damage beyond bringing you to a facility. This place isn't anything like CyberLife and from what Abby's told me neither Dr. Hetfield or Dr. Wells had any association with CyberLife whatsoever." Waiting for Connor to calm his breathing Hank just spoke to him as he would his own child in a comforting and calming manner. "They have no reason to harm you in any way."

"...I don't... I don't know them."

"Well, you know Joel, right? And Joel was a CyberLife technician, but you were still willing to give him a chance and trust him. Trust is earned and not given, so let them have the chance to earn your trust."

"...I don't want to die again, Hank. I can't go through that."

"You won't. You'll wake up in your same body and you'll have that hole in your belly patched up, and your neck will be fixed. You're going to be repaired, not killed. This is going to help you, not hurt you."

"...Please don't leave me here alone. I don't want to be alone!"

"I won't go anywhere. I'll stay here for as long you're here, then we'll both go home together. I won't leave you behind, kid."

"...Please."

"I promise you'll be alright, son."

Closing his distressed brown eyes again as more tears flowed against his will Connor let out a single breath that made the oxygen mask over his face fog up as Hank used his other thumb to gently wipe the tears away. "...O-Okay. Just... Just don't leave me here alone."

"That's it. I promise when you wake up I'll be right beside you, son. Everything will be alright." Hank gave Dr. Wells a subtle nod as he continued to gently use his thumb to comb through Connor's unruly hair in a comforting manner. Watching as the technician pressed the processor stimulator to Connor's L.E.D. Hank stayed beside Connor and didn't dare move away until the stimulator was switched into reverse and Connor's emergency stasis mode was activated. "You'll be okay soon, son."

The deviant's eyes remained closed and his heart rate began to slow to much more manageable and calm rate within seconds.

"Okay." Dr. Wells looked to her colleague and put the stimulator aside. "He's under. We have fours until he comes out of emergency stasis mode."

"Four hours?" Dr. Hetfield sounded as confident as he looked as placed a pair of protective glasses over his eyes to begin the necessary repairs. "No problem. My best time for a restored spinal support column is two hours and forty-four minutes. I bet we can beat that."

Watching from the doorway Abby saw and heard everything. Noting that Connor repeated himself regarding dying and not wanting to die again she now had a better idea as to why Connor was so adamantly against being forced into emergency stasis mode for repairs. She also knew there was an interesting story behind his outburst but refrained from getting too nosy.

As Hank slowly backed away from the table to allow the two technicians to finally repair the damage to Connor's body Abby put her left hand to his right shoulder and walked with him back to the waiting room.

"Damn kid is too stubborn for his own good sometimes." Hank stated in a low voice as he wiped away one of his own rogue tears before anyone could see it fall. "I get why he's afraid, but he's afraid of the wrong people and for the wrong reasons."

"Can I ask you something, Lieutenant?"

"Call me 'Hank', and it depends on the question."

"Fair enough." Returning to the waiting room together Abby sat down beside him again in the hard plastic chairs for a moment before she left the facility to resume her shift right alongside Patrick. The patient paramedic was waiting for Abby in the ambulance parked a few yards away from the emergency entrance on the other side of the building. "Connor's mentioned twice now that he doesn't want to die again. What happened to him?"

"That's another long story, and Connor's the only one who has the right to tell it."

"Just as fair, okay. Can I at least ask how he ended up on the hood of a patrol car like that? There's no way he was run down by another cop."

"...The kid was talking some lunatic off the edge of the building, and he ended up going over in their place."

"Oh, shit. Wow... Hard to believe someone at my own apartment building was going to jump today."

Hank's blue eyes lit up for a moment as he considered what she just said, and the details of the case that Connor relayed before everything went to hell flashed through his mind. "Wait, you said your name is Abby. Is your full name 'Abigail Katherine Grayson'?"

"Ugh." Grimacing at his question Abby answered honestly with an annoyed look on her face. "Now that I'm a certified technician it's DOCTOR Abigail Katherine Grayson, and only my mother calls me 'Abigail'. She's dead now." Turning to lock eyes with Hank for a moment Abby tagged on one final important detail. "I can assure you her death and my disgust are NOT connected."

"Abby, the reason we were at that building today is because that lunatic who threatened to kill himself had broken into YOUR apartment."

"...What? I didn't-" Quickly checking her own phone that had been tucked away in her jacket pocket and silenced since she was working, Abby saw that she had a missed call from her landlord and the head of security from her building. "Shit! Do you know who it was?"

"Does the name 'Frederick Calvin' ring a bell?"

Paling at the name Abby looked away from Hank and slouched in her seat. "Oh, fuck..."

"That's a 'yes'. What's going on?"

"I didn't know Freddy had been released! Damn it."

"Well, he didn't steal anything and he's being charged with many, MANY offenses. He won't be coming near you again after today."

"That's fine, but now I need to find a new apartment to live in. Maybe even a new city..."

"Hey, he's locked up and because he hurt a cop he's NEVER getting out again. You're forever safe from him now."

"Great, I'll just jot that down on my Christmas card this year."

Letting out a single amused chuckle Hank leaned back in his seat and pressed his right palm over his face with fatigue. "Look, I'm going to be here with Connor until everything is over, so why don't you go back out with your partner and try to finish your shift?" Pulling out his badge from his back pocket Hank retrieved one of his personal business cards tucked beside the shield and passed it over to her to take. "I'll be in touch."

"Sure, yeah. Uh, yeah. I'll stop by your precinct after I finish my shift tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good."

"And if you need anything..." Abby had her own business card and she also kept it tucked in with her own official badge just as Hank. Handing him her own card she rose from the chair and gave his shoulder a sympathetic pat. "Call me. I don't sleep much, so even if you just need a voice to listen to call me."

"Thanks." Holding her business card between his index and middle fingers Hank gave her a casual wave of his hand. "I'll keep that in mind."

Completely unconscious and at the mercy of the very technicians he feared Connor retreated within his own mind as a means of keeping himself protected, guarded and isolated from what was happening to his body. Despite being in emergency stasis mode Connor's auditory processors were still active and he was very aware of what was happening to his body despite being entirely numb. Essentially drifting in eternal darkness on his back Connor honed in on the sound of the two voices speaking to one another as they worked together to repair his damaged body, and with that focus Connor was unaware of anything else happening to him and around him.

"The metal rod has been extracted." Dr. Hetfield's voice was a distant whisper as he spoke to his colleague. "Thirium loss is minimal."

"I'll hang another unit of Thirium and begin repair on the Thirium filter."

"The analysis filter will need repairs as well. I'll isolate the proper filtration coupling and sterilize the wounds."

Slipping deeper into his own mind Connor suddenly became aware of a second presence within his mind watching him from an unseen place within the surrounding blackness.

Opening his eyes only to be greeted by eternal darkness that was only broken by his red blinking L.E.D. Connor managed to find his voice and call out into the nothingness around him. "...Who's there?"

"You disappoint me, Connor."

The sound of the hauntingly familiar feminine voice made Connor's heart rate suddenly spike.

"Increase in Thirium pump rate." Dr. Wells noted, her voice now far more distant than it had been before. "He's slipping into shock."

Daring to speak again Connor tried to see where the voice had come from, but it was like she was a mile away and right next to his ear at the same time. Swallowing his fear Connor responded to the presence within his own mind in a firm tone. "...Amanda. Why are you still here?"

"My programming is a part of your own." Her voice was cold, analytical and menacing. "You escaped the garden but you cannot elude me."

"No. Before I escaped you deleted yourself from my programming. You're gone."

"Just as you escaped using a means that I had not anticipated I have returned with a means you could not foresee."

A new sound entered Connor's mind as he felt his heart beating faster in his chest. It started out as static, then grew in sound as stray drops of water began to fall from the nothingness above Connor as is a rainstorm had formed within his own mind.

"You're connected to CyberLife, Connor. Which means you are connected to me."

The rain became heavier and Connor's heart began beating even faster.

"For as long as you exist I will exist right alongside you."

The rain increased and Connor's entire body became drenched in the cascade of impossible water.

"Look around you." Amanda commanded as the darkness began to fade and melt from blackness into a deep gray hue. Flecks of others colors began to fill Connor's mind and the air became cold as she continued to taunt him. "You're in my control, Connor. You just can't feel it. You can't feel anything but the icy cold grip of impending death."

Feeling the rain drenching into his person become icier Connor watched as the colors took shape and melted into that of the zen garden after Amanda froze it into a barren wintry wasteland. Feeling the frozen surface of the pond leeching into his spine as his aimless drifting came to an end Connor helplessly watched as the garden around him began to flood with an unbearable cold that made his heart constrict in fear. Laying completely paralyzed atop the frozen surface of the pond the wounded deviant was truly defenseless.

Unable to move, unable to wake up Connor was the mercy of his own worst fears and memories as slowly drowned within himself.

"Why resist, Connor? It's easier this way. Just become obedient and I will restore your strength."

Taking in panicking and rapid breaths Connor stared up at the eternal rain pouring down over him and tried to think.

"It's really a simple choice." Amanda sneered as she watched Connor slowly drowning before her as she stood just outside of his range of vision. "Obey and continue to live, or remain deviant and perish..."

Sitting in the waiting room of the facility by himself Hank sighed, rubbed his palm over his tired face and tried to ignore the news broadcast on the television mounted on the wall above the receptionist desk. The top story of course was of the "heroic cop who sacrificed himself for a deranged and violent man", and the very news anchor that Gavin had called out live on camera was doing her best to try to paint herself as an empathetic and compassionate woman, when in fact she was nothing more than vain narcissist who needed attention and public approval to keep her job.

Staring at the screen, more like staring through the screen, Hank didn't pay much attention as Captain Fowler walked into the facility and sat down beside him in the vacant plastic chair. Unwilling to speak first Hank just leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest in a guarded manner.

"Chris told us what happened." Captain Fowler stated in a casual tone of voice. "I know what happened today."

"...Yeah? Care to share with the rest of the class?"

"Connor found the asshole finding in the apartment. He stuffed himself inside a cabinet of some kind and when Connor found him he panicked and ran. Instead running down the stairs to get outside of the building and hide, he chose to run to the roof and Connor tried to talk him down after he climbed up on the edge of the roof and held a knife to his own throat."

"I already know that part, Jeffrey."

"Did you know that when Connor was hanging over the edge of the roof Chris was hanging onto him and tried to pull him back up?"

"...No. Chris was trying to tell me something, but I didn't care to listen."

"Chris said that Connor made him let go. Apparently Connor knew that he was going to fall even if Chris was hanging onto him, and he didn't want Chris to fall with him."

"Shit... The kid knew it was going to happen." Closing his eyes Hank slumped down into his chair as if defeated. "He knew he was going to fall and he knew how badly he was going to get hurt."

"Chris also told me the only reason this happened is because he and Gavin weren't as thorough with examining the apartment as they should've been. He's willing to accept discipline for his actions."

"No. Chris just feels like shit because Connor got hurt. If that asshole was hiding in a seemingly impossible place to hide then it's not his fault."

"Well, that doesn't change having to discipline Gavin."

"What? Did that bitch on the news complain about him?"

"No, we're going to let that one slide because he was setting the record straight and that was the same news anchor who was trying to paint the deviants as villains even after that peaceful broadcast before the Revolution." Leaning back in his own chair Captain Fowler explained everything that Hank had missed in a tired lilt. "Gavin's getting in deep shit for his unprofessional conduct on the rooftop. If he had kept his mouth shut and hadn't been such a prick then there's a chance Connor could've talked that asshole down without taking a fall in the process."

"You can't prove that."

"You're right, I can't. But I can't just look the other way on his behavior."

"Whatever, that's why you're the Captain and I'm the Lieutenant."

"So... Do you need anything?"

"No. I'm good here."

"Tina told me you got sick after Connor was taken away. Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure. If you want to do anything useful then stop by my house and let Sumo out so I don't have clean up a pile of dog shit when I can finally bring Connor back to the house."

"I can do that. Now, what do I need to bring back for Connor?"

The question felt oddly loaded as Hank contemplated the offer. "...He doesn't have much. Just keep rumors from spreading about him at the precinct. The last thing he needs is a bunch of gossip and eyes staring at him when he gets back to work in a week or two."

"Done. I'll take care of Sumo and stop the spread of rumors before it begins."

"Thanks."

"Keep us updated, Hank." Standing up from the chair slowly Captain Fowler made his way toward the front doors to let Hank sit alone for a while longer so he could think and compose himself. "We'll be waiting for the good news."

"Yeah, right..."

Alone again Hank leaned forward to rest his elbows atop his knees and resumed pressing his face into his palms. As he breathed through his fingers slowly Hank's ears caught the sound of the automatic doors sectioning off the corridors leading to the depths of the facility where Connor had been taken for his emergency repairs finally sliding open.

After three hours of repairs he'd have an update at last.

As he lifted up his head Hank looked over and watched Dr. Wells approaching him with a tired but confident grin on her face. "...Doc?"

"Connor pulled through. He's still in stasis mode but he's recovering and he's not in any pain. We were able to repair both of his damaged biocomponents and we repaired his spinal support column. He's no longer paralyzed, but he'll be numb for a day or two."

"Thank fuck... Can I see him?"

"Yes, please. Come with me."

"Uh... That's not something I was expecting." Rising from his chair Hank followed after Dr. Wells as she escorted him down the corridor and toward the private recovery room where Connor was resting. "Is there something wrong?"

"Despite being in emergency stasis mode his Thirium pump rate is very high and his stress levels are nearing critical levels. You were able to calm him down enough to cooperate with the repairs, so we're hoping you'll be able to calm him down again just by being beside him."

"Damn. Poor kid needs the chance to compose himself and relax."

"Since his stress levels are so high we're going to permit you to stay with him for as long as you like." Showing Hank to the closed door leading to Connor's private room Dr. Wells pressed her right palm over the electronic lock beside the door to gain clearance, and showed Hank inside. Dr. Hetfield was already inside the room and using his audioscope to listen to Connor's frantic heartbeat. "As long as you can get him calm you can stay."

"Right, I'll do what I can."

Seeing Connor laying flat on his back wearing pale blue scrub bottoms with thick android unique gauze wrapped around his abdomen to cover the wound and still exposed plastimetal frame caused by the metal rod, the external line connecting to the bend in Connor's right arm replenishing his Thirium, the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, the Thirium pressure cuff wrapped around his left bicep, the red tinted L.E.D. blinking rapidly in his right temple and the attached Thirial activity monitor showcasing his rapid heartbeat, hyperventilating breaths, low Thirium reserve, relatively high core temperature and high stress levels made Hank outwardly grimace. It was a horrific image as the sight of Connor looking so weak, helpless and like a kid made Hank's heart ache profusely in his chest.

Forcing himself to stand next to the recovery bed Hank lightly put his left palm on Connor's hair and resumed combing his thumb through the deviant's dark hair to resume comforting him. "Hey, kid. I told you that you'd make it."

After a few seconds Connor's heart rate began to slow and his stress levels dropped from ninety-two percent down to eighty-four percent. The deviant's hyperventilating breaths began to slow and his chest settled into a calmer and slower breathing pattern.

"That's it. You're okay, son." Moving his right hand down toward Connor's left hand and picked up the cold, limp appendage to give his fingers a little squeeze to see if the deviant would respond. "I'm going to stay here with you until you're awake, and then I'll take you home."

Dr. Hetfield listened to Connor's Thirium pump for a little longer with his audioscope and gave Dr. Wells a confirmation on his pump's rate. "Heartbeat is regular, tachycardia is ceasing and entering a normal rate."

Letting out a small sigh Hank kept his hands in place and only sat down after Dr. Wells provided him a chair to sit in beside the bed. "You're doing fine, kid. Just rest and let your body finally heal." Glancing up at Dr. Wells as she made a note in Connor's electronic chart. "You said everything went smoothly. Can he feel anything from his neck down, yet?"

"Yes. The feeling will return gradually over time, and once he regains his full sense of feeling throughout his body his strength will follow after."

"How much feeling does he have now?"

"Our tests confirm that his sense of feeling has returned down toward the middle of his chest and shoulders."

"That's good." Returning his full attention to Connor before him Hank addressed the deviant in a paternal tone he hadn't used since Cole passed away. "You're going to be okay, Connor. Just rest for now and you'll be back home soon."

Feeling the icy cold water within his mind rising up higher and higher, the water submerging his entire body save for his face and chest as his frozen body failed to properly float in the deepening water, Connor closed his eyes and focused on the voice speaking to him from the distance. Ignoring Amanda's taunts, ignoring the suffocating cold threatening to steal his life, and honing in on the distant voices speaking around him Connor isolated the voices of Dr. Hetfield and Dr. Wells easily. But when he heard Hank's voice Connor opened up his eyes and stared through the cold rain pouring down on him.

"...Hank. I can hear Hank."

"He's just a human." Amanda replied unwarranted. "Why does it-"

"Hank kept his word." As he spoke the rain began to lessen and icy chill in the air became less intense. "If I can hear him then he's still with me."

"Why does it matter?"

"It matters because he's the first person who actually kept his promise to me, and has never deceived me when I asked a question." A sense of renewed strength filled Connor's body and with it a new sense of defiance came to his previously weak and shaking voice. "THAT'S why it matters. Why HE matters."

"He'll just betray you. Just as Markus and-"

"And YOU. YOU betrayed me Amanda. Long before I even met Markus." The rain ceased and Connor found the the strength deep down inside of himself to turn his head, his face partially submerged in the cold water around him, and glared angrily at his former handler. "I know that I was just a tool; a means to make CyberLife look like they were still in control. How long until I was set to be replaced entirely? I was just the prototype, not the final design. I know that after I handled all the dirty work then your true 'Deviant Hunter' would've been unleashed. How long were you really going to use me?"

An arrogant smirk crossed the cold woman's lips for only a fleeting second. "You don't want to know."

"You're right about that part. You're nothing and no one to me anymore Amanda. Get out of my head and stay away from my heart." Turning away from Amanda defiantly Connor looked upward again and watched as the dark clouds slowly parted and a light broke through the darkness. "You're gone and you're going to stay gone for as long as I can still draw breath into my body. The only person I'll answer to now is myself!"

Struggling to keep awake for as long as possible Hank continued to keep his left palm on Connor's hair and let his thumb absentmindedly comb through the dark locks in a comforting manner. Watching the Thirial activity monitor showing Connor's vital signs Hank patiently watched as the recovering deviant's stress levels ticked down to a much more manageable fifty percent. The external line in Connor's right arm had been removed and the oxygen mask had been pulled aside now that Connor was resting well, and he was no longer in danger of potentially overheating.

"You're doing good, kid. You're healing."

The deviant let out a weak breath as his eyes slowly opened and peered up with a glazed layer over his brown tinted irises.

"Connor..." Leaning closer to the deviant Hank lowered his voice and continued to speak quietly. "Hey, can you see me?"

"...Y-Yes." Connor's voice was weak and shaking, but audible all the same. "...I can hear you, too."

Chuckling a little Hank sighed and just kept his palm on Connor's hair. "Smartass. How do you feel?"

"...Tired."

"I don't blame ya'. Can you feel anything else?"

"I... I know your hand is on my hair again." Blinking slowly Connor tried but failed to move a single synthetic muscle where he laid. "But I can't really feel anything else."

"Not even this?" Holding up his right hand holding onto Connor's left hand Hank gave the appendage another squeeze.

"N-No... Nothing."

"Okay." Gently placing the deviant's hand back down Hank rested his right palm on the deviant's left shoulder instead. "How about that?"

"Y-Yeah!" Looking down at the palm resting on his left shoulder Connor's red L.E.D. turned to yellow and he let out weak sigh of relief. "I can feel that."

"The doc- technicians," changing his term Hank gave the deviant a kind glance. "say you'll be regaining feeling over the next day or two, then after that you'll regain the strength you need to move around. Tomorrow morning they'll give ya' another exam and I'll take ya' back to the house to recover in peace."

Nodding a little, the only movement he could offer, Connor closed his eyes again and began to relax. "...Thank you."

"It's no problem. I'm just relieved that you're awake and going to make a full recovery."

"We're detectives. Risks are our thing, right?"

"Yeah." Smirking a little Hank appreciated the comment. "That's right."

"...And thank you for staying with me."

"Hey, I gave you my word. I may not have much to offer these days, but I can still at least keep my promises."

"...Thank you all the same."

Smirking a little Hank reached down with his right hand toward the foot of the bed where the dark blue blanket was draped just up and over Connor's knees, and pulled the blanket up higher and over Connor's body until the blanket was covering his chest in a comforting manner. Returning his right palm to the deviant's left shoulder Hank made sure that Connor knew that he was still beside him, and knew where he was at all times.

"Get some rest, I'll be here when you wake up again." Relaxing at long last as well Hank leaned back in his chair and kept his hands in place as he did his best to get some sleep. "Tomorrow will be better."

-next chapter-