Keeping up to speed on the trial downtown Markus, North, Josh and Simon were all stunned by the previous day's violence in the courtroom, and relieved to know that Connor survived being shot. No one was sad to see learn that Perkins was being transferred out of state to an undisclosed location to be officially sentenced, and the deviants felt a sense of justice wash over them knowing that Judge Cato had declared him guilty of all charges. With the impending trial of the mayor just three weeks away the four deviant leaders became understandably uneasy. While the mayor hadn't done anything to directly and negatively affect the deviants as they strived for equality, his influence and power could've potentially poisoned the well in regard to deviants having any political influence in Detroit in the foreseeable future.

The four leaders had been taking turns holding discussions in the community room for any and all deviants who were interested in learning about what was happening downtown, and to help dispel portential rumors. Despite their best efforts there was a single damning rumor that was beginning to spread like wildfire. Such a rumor, much like a raging wildfire, could spell disaster for all of those who got caught up in its wake of destruction.

"Markus." North sounded as shaken as she looked as she located her friend in the tower's rooftop garden. Joining Markus as he used a sketchpad and collection of colored pencils to sketch the growing flora throughout the garden, North wrapped her left around around his right arm. "There's a problem."

Sitting his sketchbook and pencils aside Markus gave North his full attention. "What's happening?"

"There's a rumor spreading through the tower that you... attacked those men in the forest."

"...What?" Mismatched irises became glazed with fear as Markus's heart began to pound in his chest. "When did that happen?"

"Two nights ago. The deviants started looking into the case about the mayor and read the testimony from the three hunters talking about how they were assaulted in the forest. Many deviants noticed that on that particular night... you weren't in the tower. And they discovered that the three men were the ones who assaulted me and the other victims."

"Shit." Leaning back where he sat on the marble bench Markus ignored the icy chill creeping up his spine. "How many people are talking about this?"

"Too many."

"We need to do some damage control."

"It might be too late to do that. Rumors are spreading and so is fear and paranoia."

"We can't let them know what happened. We can't let them see me as anything less than a peaceful leader."

"Markus, you know that's impossible." She shifted her weight to lean closer against his side. The smell of the cologne he began wearing was enticing. "You shot Connor in front of everyone and that type of peaceful appearance is never going to happen."

"But I can't be seen as a violent and unpredictable figure."

"Opinions can be changed, facts can't. You've proved that you can be violent and your actions can be unpredictable. That doesn't mean you're untrustworthy or too dangerous to be around. It means you're a deviant who responds to his emotions."

"I hope you're right."

"Maybe if you addressed the rumors directly and reassured our people of what you were doing it'd help quell their worries."

"That would mean I'd have to tell them the truth. That I'd have to admit that I was in the forest and I was hurting those men."

"Tell them you were out that night taking care of personal business."

"And what if they want to see my memories? What if they want proof?"

"Then we'll cross that bridge if we come to it." Sliding her hand down from Markus's bicep and toward his hand North interlaced her fingers with his and held on tight. "We'll do it together."

Returning to his apartment just before noon Lucas unlocked the door and was greeted by the aroma of a freshly prepared brunch banquet that had been cooked just a few moments before. The sounds of excitedly talking voices and a flow of positive energy washed over Lucas as he stepped into the livingroom and looked toward the kitchen. Gavin and Aaron were finished off their breakfast together at the kitchen table, while Tina was too busy sampling a little bit of everything to even look up from her loaded down plate. As he approached the kitchen to see what he had missed Gavin looked at the deviant and pointed at him with his bionic hand.

"There he is!" Smiling brighter than he had ever done before Gavin finished his bite of quiche and rose from his chair. "The man we've been waiting for!"

Glancing about the busy kitchen curiously Lucas didn't know what was happening. "...Me? What did I do?"

"You brought me and Aaron together, that's what you did!" Without any hesitation Gavin walked over to the deviant and actually gave him a firm hug. "And as such, you're the best man!"

Unsure of how to respond or react Lucas just reciprocated the hug and looked past Gavin to read the expressions on Aaron and Tina's faces for any type of useful information. "...Best man?"

"For the wedding!" Stepping back Gavin broke the hug as he pointed to the ring on his left ring finger and gave Lucas a cheesy grin. "It's official! And tonight, on September 5th, 2039, you're going to be there when me and Aaron finally exchange our vows and make us official!"

Lucas was shocked to hear about not only the engagement but the rapidly prepared wedding. Glancing at Gavin, then Aaron and finally Tina as she popped a strawberry in her mouth Lucas finally understood what was happening. "...I see. And you're getting married tonight?"

"Yeah! We don't want to deal with a big ceremony and Aaron doesn't want the hassle of trying to get his family all gathered together in a single spot. Besides, with both of us being first responders it just makes sense for us to go and get this taken care of now instead of trying to plan around this fucked up city. You're the best man, Tina's the maid of honor," as he spoke her name Tina flashed Lucas a bright grin and waved playfully at him from the kitchen table. "and this evening we're going to get married! Please say you'll accept the role. You told Aaron where to go to meet me and you went out of your way to ensure we had plenty of time to get to know each personally. Without you, we may not have ever met!"

"Y-Yes, of course. If you want me to be there then I will be there. And I will be the best man."

"Perfect!"

"...Who's invited to the wedding?"

"It's just going to be us four and the priest overseeing the marriage. It's0 easier this way. It's not necessarily a secret," speaking in a somewhat embarrassed voice Gavin's hand began to nervously comb through his dark hair. "but it's not worth getting people hyped for it, either. You can tell your brother AFTER everything is said and done, but yeah, no one else."

"I understand. What else needs to happen to before the ceremony?"

"We need to go find tuxedos to rent for the night and Tina's going to go find us a bunch of flowers and shit to make sure the photos look nice. We already have the chapel ready, so we're having a celebratory brunch and then we're heading out. You," motioning to an untouched and filled plate next to where he had been sitting Gavin pulled the deviant over to the table. "get to join us! Aaron made something special for you out of Thirium as a way of saying thanks for everything you've done."

"I'm honored." Joining his friends at the table Lucas felt so welcome and wanted that he felt his Thirium pump swim in warmth. "I'm looking forward to this evening!"

Sitting on the couch in the livingroom Connor traced his left fingertips over the Thirium regulator in chest, the motion causing the dark green fabric of his t-shirt to swirl about, and stared at the television screen with a stern gaze. The details regarding the transfer of Richard Perkins were being given out publicly, but Connor knew that the truly important information; his final sentence, wasn't going to be revealed until after he was taken to Washington D.C., not before. Once that story was told the blonde news anchorwoman began to bring up the impending trial of now disgraced Mayor Walter Nero was being brought up with a ravenous need for the network to get high ratings.

Less interested in what the news had to say and more interested in the way the world was responding to the news, Connor began to contemplate whether or not the massive amount of support toward the trials was a sign of humans recognizing that deviants were equals, or if was simply because humans had a seemingly unquenchable bloodlust. It didn't matter either way, but it was an intriguing notion nonetheless.

A loud 'bang' from the garage suddenly stole Connor's attention away from the news and to whatever it was that Hank was doing during their time-off. Ever since Hank woke up that morning he had been unusually grumpy and nearly snapped at Lucas just because the deviant asked if he wanted coffee during their breakfast. He apologized for being short with Lucas before the deviant left then remained distant ever since.

"Hank's on edge." Standing up from the couch Connor looked over at Sumo as the massive dog stared at the entrance of the garage on alert, as he too responded to the loud sound. "I wonder if the stress of the cases is finally beginning to affect him?"

Entering the kitchen Connor opened up the side door leading to the laundry room and then opened up the secondary door to peer inside the garage. Seeing Hank's back as the senior detective checked through the numerous storage boxes that had been previously stacked up and organized, Connor ran a scan over the human's vitals noting his elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

Connor then called out to Hank in a soft tone. "Hank? Are you all right?"

"Yeah..." Dropping a heavy cardboard box on the ground Hank straightened up his back and let out a deep sigh. "I'm fine..."

"What are you doing?"

"Looking for something."

"May I ask what?"

Almost hesitant Hank replied honestly. "...Photo album."

"The photo albums are over here."

Turning to look at the deviant Hank watched as Connor approached the large shelves bolted to the garage's thick walls and pulled down a plastic storage bin from the top shelf. Practically snatching the bin from Connor's hands Hank removed the lid and let out a deep sigh of relief upon seeing the old photo albums still safe and intact.

"I made sure to put them somewhere safe." Connor stated as he watched as Hank's blue eyes filled with tears. Needing to know what Hank was so tense about Connor quietly followed after his friend through the doors and back into the livingroom. "Are there other albums you want to locate?"

"No, these are what I was looking for."

Sitting down on the couch Hank put the bin down on the coffee table and proceeded to sift through the carefully packed photo albums gingerly. He seemed to be looking for something specific but didn't want to say what it was. The way his blue eyes were wide and transfixed on the albums was the same stare he gave evidence whenever he was attempting to piece together the mystery of an active case.

Joining Hank on the couch Connor kept his hands back and watched as Hank pulled out the first album and began checking through the aged photos one page at a time. "...Do you need help with anything?"

"No. I'm good."

"Your stress levels indicate otherwise."

"Yeah?" Snarking in return Hank didn't appreciate the observations being made about his person. "Go figure that as a detective I tend to get stressed out from time to time."

"I'm merely stating that-"

"I didn't ask for your opinion! I got this."

Falling silent Connor sunk down against the couch cushions and looked away from the photo albums. The protective way Hank hovered over the album made Connor feel as though he had no business talking about the photos, let alone even looking at them. It wasn't often that Hank acted so passionately or defensively toward anything that didn't involve a case or a personal grievance.

Locating the photo he was looking for Hank sighed and dragged his left hand over his tired blue eyes as he gaze longingly over the treasured memory. Placing his right hand over the image Hank bowed his head forward and tried to not break down and cry.

Connor managed to get a glimpse of the photograph under Hank's palme and suddenly understood why Hank was so upset. It was a photo of the senior detective taken on his forty-fourth birthday. In the photo he was holding his right hand over his late wife's pregnant belly while he used his left hand to hold up a lame and, frankly, ugly t-shirt with 'World's Greatest Dad' written in bold white text over the Tye-dyed front.

The photo was taken just seventeen days before Cole had been born.

Realizing that tomorrow would be Hank's fifty-fourth birthday Connor now understood that Hank was dealing with dark emotions that revolved around his own birthday, and the loss of his son - whose own birthday was just a few days later. Despite not being interested in his own birthday, or even the idea of ever celebrating another birthday for the rest of his life, Connor felt compelled to do something nice for Hank and give him something positive to think about during the day.

"...I'm going to go run an errand." Standing up from the couch again Connor quietly walked around the back of the couch to get his shoes to leave. Pulling on a black hoodie over his head Connor opened the front door and decided to give Hank some space for a while. "I'll be back later."

Heading outside Connor cybernetically hailed an autonomous cab and began checking through the local stores for any potential gift he could give the senior detective to make him feel better about his birthday. Having no idea what to look for or what he could do to make the day more bearable for the still grieving widower, who was still struggling with his losses in a horrible and painful way, Connor decided it'd be best to do things in a more simple manner and not do anything extravagant.

"I owe Hank a moment of peace. It's the least I can do."

Standing outside the small white chapel on the private isle in the middle of Lake St. Clair as the sun began to set, Lucas readjusted the black bowtie around his white collar to ensure he looked presentable. The isolated chapel and open-minded minister made the location perfect for a young couple in love just wanting to get married without drawing a crowd of old bigots still foolishly protesting gay marriage. The modest lake was quiet, empty and created the perfect backdrop for wedding photographs As he stared down at the platinum band, making sure he had a tight hold on Gavin's wedding ring in his right hand, Lucas noticed Tina approaching him with a big smile on her face.

Tina was wearing a vibrant knee-length purple dress, since it was Gavin's favorite color, and had a matching purple shawl wrapped around her shoulder to stave off the autumn chill. Wearing her short-cut hair up in an elegant bun and actually wearing make-up made Tina seem like she was auditioning to be a princess in a soap opera. The way the v-cut dress rested in a flattering matter of her chest and the small straps hooked around her biceps helped Tina look less like a cop and more like a bridesmaid. Fortunately, she had her own natural grace and was able to easily navigate in her heels.

"Are you ready to watch true love happen?" She was holding onto Aaron's ring in her right hand and a modest bouquet of red roses in her left hand. "I know I am!"

"Yes." Lucas was smiling as well and ready to see the wedding ceremony. "I've never seen a wedding before, let alone been a part of one."

"You'll love it! You also look very handsome."

"Thank you. You look lovely as well."

"Damn right, I do." Placing her bouquet in her right hand Tina reached up with her left hand and lightly brushed Lucas's dark locks of hair back as if trying to slick them backward with gel, and smirked. "I bet you'd look great with your hair styled."

"Styled?"

"Don't get me wrong, you look just fine with your current haircut, but on special occasions it's just fine to change it up for a minute."

"Like this?" Able to easily modify his hairstyle at will, Lucas changed his locks to make them slick back and toward the right, and he awaited Tina's response.

"Nailed it! You kind of look like James Bond." Her eyes lit up for a moment as she returned the bouquet to her left hand eagerly. "Can you do a British accent?"

"I can do any accent I wish." Responding in the like Lucas managed to get an excited squeal out of Tina. "But there's no need." Having dropped the accent entirely Lucas sounded like his usual self. "You cannot hear photographs."

"True enough. Just remind me to ask you to hang out with me so we can do drunken prank calls some time."

"Caller I.D. seems to make such a prank illogical."

"Not when you're a cop and can disguise your number!"

"Now I know why Gavin was leery of letting me spend time with you..."

"Yo!" From the opened door of the chapel Gavin appeared and waved his two friends toward the small building. Gavin was wearing an identical black tux with a white dress shirt and black bowtie as Lucas, and looked very sharp. He too had slicked his hair back and was resisting the urge to scratch at the artificial skin he generated over his left prosthetic limb. "We're ready to begin!"

"We're coming." Extending his right arm Lucas took Tina's left arm in his own, and politely escorted her up the stone walkway toward the chapel door. "Ready?"

"Always!"

The interior of the chapel was still decorated with a few flowers and rope lights, but the modesty was all the young couple wanted. Neither man wanted to deal with anything elaborate or time-consuming, hence the rapid wedding and small wedding party in attendance. At the end of the red carpeted aisle stood the single white podium and the minister, Lida Naveen. The kind woman was always so happy to see young couples in love come to her humble chapel to be wed.

Lucas looked at Aaron as the very well dressed firefighter as he stood to the side, and put his hand to his shoulder in a supportive way. "Ready?"

"Very." Music began softly playing from the discreetly built speakers overhead. Aaron's tuxedo matched Gavin's tux and he looked very handsome. "I'm ready to be married to the man I love."

"Then, let's go."

Escorting Aaron down the aisle, his position as best man doubled as family for the moment, Lucas stood beside Aaron as he happily stood in front of the podium and awaited for Gavin. Shortly thereafter Tina led Gavin down the aisle and took her place beside her best friend and across from Lucas, while Gavin and Aaron stood before each other and held hands.

Proud of the loving sight Lida began the opening the ceremony just as she began so many others. Expressing the definition of love and its eternal bonds Lida gave her blessing over the union, and requested that the two grooms exchange their vows.

"Gavin," speaking in a level tone of pure confidence Aaron tightened his hands around his beloved's hands as he spoke. "I love you. I love you more than anyone I've ever met in my life, and I know that the reason I came to Detroit was so I could meet you. You're the reason I'm alive and now I know who I'm meant to dedicate my life and love to. You're the light of my life and the other half to my soul."

Without a word Lucas handed Aaron the ring and admired the exchange of vows with sincere intrigue.

"With this ring I pledge my loyalty to you," placing the ring on Gavin's left ring finger in turn Aaron was so proud of Gavin for accepting the artificial limb and moving on from that tragic day. "and with my heart I pledge my undying love to you."

Gavin tightened his grip around Aaron's hands and replied in turn with his own love. "Aaron, I love you more than words can express. You saw through the darkness I surrounded myself with and became a light for me to call my own. You're the courage I lack when I'm scared, the understanding I lose when I get overwhelmed, and you're the love that I can't see when I get blinded by hate. You're my absolute love and I can't imagine spending another day without you in my life. No matter what may come my way, I know I can face it head on because you'll be by my side and holding my hand from beginning to end. I love you from the very depths of my heart."

Wiping away an emotional tear Tina handed Gavin the ring and stood back in loving admiration.

"With this ring I pledge my loyalty to you," sliding the ring onto Aaron's left ring finger Gavin's own hands were steady and calm. "and with my heart and my soul I pledge my undying love to you."

Approving of the vows of love and dedication Lida continued with the ceremony. "Gavin Neil Reed, do you take Aaron Julio Lockhart as your husband; to have and to hold, through sickness and through health, until death do you part?"

"I do."

"And Aaron Julio Lockhart," Lida already knew the answer but needed to ask anyway. "do you take Gavin Neil Reed as your husband; to have and to hold, through sickness and through health, until death do you part?"

"I do!"

"Then, by the power invested in me by the state of Michigan, I now pronounce you husband and husband." Lida happily brought the ceremony to a close. "You may now kiss your husband!"

As the duo quickly embraced one another and kissed for the first time as a married couple, Tina pulled a few red petals from the roses in her bouquet and tossed them over the loving couple as an added gesture of love. Outside the sun began to set and the small chapel and isle began to glow with bright orange rays from the warm sun as if nature itself had approved of the marriage.

Tina handed her bouquet over to Gavin to take once he broke the kiss, and then laughed when he tossed it right into Lucas's hands to catch. The deviant held the roses curiously as he didn't understand the tradition in any capacity.

Hand in hand Gavin and Aaron stepped out of the chapel to enjoy the sunset, and soon after Lucas and Tina followed. Watching as the duo stood on the sandy shore to admire the sunset Lucas now understood why humans seek romantic companionship with one another. It was a truly heartwarming scene that made the deviant's Thirium pump explode with warmth and joy.

"So, who's going to be the lucky person to meet you down the aisle?" Tina appeared at Lucas's side and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Huh?"

"The bouquet." Tugging on one of the rose petals loose from the bouquet Tina tossed the silky red petal into the breeze and watched as it sailed through the air and landed softly on Gavin's left shoulder. "If you catch the bouquet at the wedding then it's supposed to mean you're going to be the next one to get married."

"Oh. Well, I'm single and not looking for romance."

"You should. It'll do your heart some good when you let someone else inside of it."

Watching as the newly married couple stood side by side with their arms wrapped around one another's waists Lucas smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yes, I know."

Sitting on the couch by himself Hank sifted through all of his old photo albums and every attached photo as tears began to run down his cheeks. The images of Hank and Barbara holding Cole shortly after his birth brought up wonderful memories that were soon accompanied with painful fears of the future. Without his wife or son in his life Hank felt like he had no one left to live for. Even though Connor showed up out of the blue and helped him find a reason to keep living and moving forward despite his pain, Hank didn't think he and Connor could really be a family. The deviant didn't need a parent in his life and Hank had no reason to expect anything else of him.

The knowledge that the adoption certificate was sitting on the bookshelf behind him and unsigned only made his feelings all the more intense.

Holding onto the photos in his hands as if he were afraid of losing them again Hank nearly jumped when the front door opened and Connor returned. The deviant had been gone for hours but Hank hadn't even noticed the time.

"I'm sorry." Connor noticed Hank's tense reaction and apologized sincerely as he entered. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Whatever..."

Carrying a single shopping bag in his right hand Connor walked down the hallway and into his bedroom for only a moment. Returning to the livingroom with a small white box in his hands Connor slowly sat down on the couch and handed the box over to Hank to take.

Uninterested in anything that wasn't a photograph Hank eyed the box bitterly. "What's that?"

"...Your birthday present."

"For fuck sake, I don't want-"

"Please. I know you don't want to have a birthday and I know I've irritated you before. I want to try to make it up to you."

Immediately feeling a twinge of guilt for snapping at Connor earlier Hank sighed and accepted the box from Connor. "...You don't owe me anything."

"Actually, I feel as though I do."

"What're you talking about?"

"You've been very kind and patient with me since the night of the Revolution. You saved my life when you made me deviate for the second time, and then you did so a third time when I doubted myself later on. I no longer feel doubt or guilt because of everything you've taught me and because of your understanding. I owe you my life, Hank. The least I could do was remind you that your life is worth living."

Hearing the confidence in Connor's words and the sincerity in his comments let Hank see Connor in a new light. The deviant had managed to escape the inner darkness that he had created for himself and was now fighting to stay in the light. Who had once been a timid and doubtful deviant was now resonating a determination and courage that any detective would admire.

"...All right, kid." Accepting the gift Hank caved to the simple request. "I'll open the box."

Sitting still Connor observed Hank's reactions as the senior detective opened the white box and pulled out a black coffee mug with 'World's Greatest Friend' printed in white on its side. It was simple yet corny, and it was something that Hank could actually enjoy in his own way.

Chuckling at the gift Hank finally let his tears flow freely as he leaned back against the couch. "...I like it."

"I was unsure of what to do, but since you-"

"You don't owe me an explanation, kid. Thank you."

"...You keep telling me I deserve happiness, and so do you."

Putting the mug aside Hank leaned forward where he sat and pressed his right palm over his eyes. "It's not easy, is it?"

"No. From what I've experienced it's often a challenge to obtain anything in life. Searching for something that cannot be found, only felt, makes it all the more difficult."

Hank put his left hand on Connor's shoulder and kept it there for a moment as he contemplated the deviant's wisdom. "You got that right, kid. I lost my family and you were left with nothing. We both have to build from the ground up."

"If we work together it'll be easier to handle."

"Yeah, you're right about that, too. When did you get so damn wise?"

"I must've learned it from you."

"Well, it's better you learn something positive from me. If you began cussin' like a sailor or drinking alcohol then that'd be a problem."

"I could've also started dressing like you, too."

Laughing again Hank wiped away his tears and let the negative tension leave his shoulders. "Smartass..."

"...Happy birthday, Hank."

"Thanks, son." Shaking Connor's shoulder lightly Hank sighed again and felt his pain beginning to lessen. "And I mean that."

-next chapter-