After a week of laying on the couch with Sumo sprawled over his legs Connor was finally well enough to move without needing to limp or have Lucas's help to walk around the house. As expected the traumatic experience left Connor with vivid nightmares revolving around CyberLife, but whenever he awoke from the nightmares he found himself safe in his bed with Sumo at his feet, and Baron swimming about peacefully in the aquarium beside his bed. Talking to Hank about what happened in the parking garage did help lessen the trauma to some degree, but it seemed the nightmares were going to stick around for a while until Connor was able to return to some type of normal routine.

Cybernetically Connor filed his reports at the precinct while Hank was at work, and flipped through the numerous television channels in search of something to watch that wasn't horror themed. Being wounded and suffering from nightmares near the end of October wasn't the most ideal of circumstances to be in. Unwilling to watch the horror films or television shows Connor turned off the television and decided to choose a book to read instead.

Pushing himself upright on the couch Connor sighed at Sumo and pulled his legs one at a time from beneath the massive dog's body so he could stand up and walk to the bookshelf for a moment. Sumo grumbled but let Connor move as the deviant sought something that'd keep his mind preoccupied without resulting in nightmares.

Just as he reached the bookshelf the front door opened up and Lucas entered the house to check in on his healing big brother. "You're moving much easier than you have been." Noting the fluid motion in Connor's steps and arm movements were all good signs. "Perhaps you are ready to return to work tomorrow after all."

"Could you please tell Hank that?" Sifting through the books at his selection Connor pleaded with his little brother to help him out. "He's still worried that I'm damaged and need more time to heal."

"I'll be sure to let him know that my scanner confirms a one-hundred percent recovery."

"Thank you." The relief was short lived as Connor's boredom drew his mind back to the precinct. "Did you have any interesting cases?"

"Just one. Very early this morning a deviant got drunk on Thirium-based wine and promptly mooned City Hall."

Arching his brow at the story Connor's right hand froze over a book and contemplated the symbolism of such an event. "I believe that's something Hank would approve of, and would turn the other cheek. Figuratively speaking."

"That's what Noreen and I agreed upon, and we just have him resting in our drunk tank. Dr. Gayle has been wanting to study the concept of a hangover in deviants, so he'll be safe."

"Then it seems like the city-" Feeling an odd slip of paper under his fingertips as he traced over the spines of the books made Connor freeze. Pulling out the piece of paper Connor glanced it over and realized it was the adoption certificate he had refused to sign a few months earlier. "...He kept it."

"Connor?" Taking the paper in his hands Lucas read it over and gave his big brother an odd glance. "I don't understand. Why is this hidden?"

"...I told you about how I refused to sign the adoption application, and this is it. I guess Hank didn't have the heart to throw it out. I'm glad."

"Are you going to sign it now?"

"I... I want to, but it doesn't feel like I'm worthy of doing so."

"If Hank wants you to sign the application then I think it's safe to say you are in fact worthy." Handing the application back to Connor to take Lucas's tone momentarily dipped. "...You're lucky."

"Lucas, I'm sure he wants to adopt you, too." It didn't take Connor long to deduce Lucas's suddenly glum disposition. "When I rejected the offer I must've really hurt him."

"Not on purpose."

"It doesn't matter if it was purposeful or not, I still hurt him." Staring at the application Connor sighed and contemplated hiding it back on the bookshelf, but chose to hang onto it for a while. "...He's been very kind to both of us. We should do something special for him."

"Christmas is in two months. We can do something for him and make sure he knows how much we appreciate him. I understand that such a holiday is important to humans and deviants alike."

"I like that idea. We'll think of something to do for him." Hearing the aged Oldsmobile pulling into the driveway beside the house Connor quickly slipped the application under his black D.P.D. hoodie out of sight to ensure it wouldn't get lost, and that Hank wouldn't see it. "Please refrain from mentioning this."

"Of course."

The front door opened again and Hank trudged through the doorway looking absolutely exhausted. His face was a little pale, he had dark circles forming under his unnaturally brighter eyes, and he seemed to be avoiding making any and all noises. Passing between the two deviants Hank patted their shoulders with his hands, and made his way into the bathroom to disappear from a moment.

"...Hank is very tired." Connor had been observing the lethargy as he laid around the house with very little else to do. "He's been suffering from fatigue since late last night, and I don't think he wants to use his new gym anymore."

Lucas looked past Connor to peer at the finished gym in the brand new room and noted that the exercise equipment had yet to be touched since he helped Hank move things into the personal space five days prior. "Maybe he'll use it when it gets too cold to go outside."

"You may be right." Selecting his book at last Connor returned to the couch and immediately had Sumo laying over his lap again. "Do you suspect he's suffering from seasonal depression?"

"Unknown. I'm not familiar enough with the concept of such a condition to make such a call."

The bathroom door opened again and Hank made his way down the hall and into his bedroom out of sight. The door clicked shut softly as Hank went about his business as quietly as possible.

The two deviants noticed the sluggish movements and silent interactions and came to the same conclusion in chorus. "Migraine."

Lucas cybernetically downloaded information on potential migraine treatments and set to work in the kitchen to make Hank a dinner that would ease the intense headache and potential nausea he was experiencing. "I'll prepare a pot of chicken noodle soup for Hank. It won't do much for his headache pain, but it'll be gentle on his stomach."

"That's a good idea." Putting his book aside on the coffee table Connor patted his chest once and made a decision of his own. "I'll go out and buy him some isotonic and electrolyte enriched beverages to ensure he stays hydrated."

Giving his brother a momentarily skeptical look Lucas decided it'd be best to back off and let Connor out of the house for a few hours. "Find something in cherry flavor." Going through the cupboards Lucas picked out each necessary ingredient and listened to Connor slipping on his shoes by the front door. "I noticed that Hank seems to prefer cherry."

"I will."

"Take my truck as well. It'll be much easier than trying to get the car keys from Hank at the moment."

Holding out his right hand Connor watched as his brother perfectly tossed the keys from the kitchen to him by the front door, and caught them in a swift and graceful motion in his extended palm. "Agreed. I'll be back as soon as I can, Lucas. If Hank notices I'm gone tell him not to worry."

"Right."

Feeling much better now that he was out of the house and away from the staring eyes of his brother and best friend, Connor handled his self imposed errands with little to no difficulty. Having purchased various flavored isotonic drinks, selecting dominantly cherry to ensure Hank would have no problem in finding something to choose from, Connor returned to the truck and made another pitstop downtown before heading back home. Passing through the shopping plaza Connor observed the Halloween decorations on display and of the vibrant fall colors making the trees stand out and creating large tri-colored leaf piles on the sidewalks. It was easy to see why so many people seemed to enjoy autumn more than any other season.

The sun was setting quickly as the days became shorter and the air become cooler. The smells of various restaurants preparing dinner for the masses of people seeking to dine outside their homes filled the autumnal chilly air. Contemplating the urge to stop and try a new Thirium-based dish since new flavors and recipes were being developed every day, Connor's thoughts were momentarily interrupted by a cybernetic call from a friend.

'Connor, are you free to talk?' Skye's voice filled his mind as she spoke to him from afar. 'I know you're still healing from your injuries and I don't want to bother you.'

"I'm okay, Skye." Answering honestly as he pulled the truck into a nearby parking lot Connor gave his friend his full attention. "What's happening?"

'I just got an S.O.S. message from Abby but I cannot help her.'

"...S.O.S. message?"

'She asked for me to her escape plan in the event she's stuck in an awkward date.'

"Oh, now I understand." The concept wasn't too unfamiliar as he was aware of such a system being used by mostly women during potentially tense moments. It was an unfortunate necessity at times in order to stay safe. "I think..."

'Well, to sum it up she said her date is starting to show his true colors and she isn't impressed. I'm stuck in court for another two hours and I can't leave to help her out.'

"I do indeed understand. Where is she located?"

'She's at the new Italian place downtown, *Posizione Generica.'

"I'm not too far from that particular restaurant as I speak. What's going on?"

'From what Abby managed to tell me when she slipped into the restroom, her date is being arrogant, rude and showing signs of a volatile temper. She wants to break up with him and leave, but is afraid of what he might try to do if she's alone.'

"I'll handle it. Don't worry."

'Thanks, Connor. I knew we could count on you!'

"Let her know I'm on my way."

Cybernetically Connor downloaded the exact address of the new restaurant to locate Abby in a random act of heroics. From his experience as a detective Connor became away of people, especially women, using their friends to discreetly to end dates that were being uncomfortable or potentially dangerous, but he's never had to assist in such a rescue mission. Always willing to help, especially a friend, the deviant made his way to the restaurant and pulled the borrowed red pick-up truck in a parking spot down the street before exiting the vehicle to head out to the restaurant.

Stopping at the entrance Connor peered through the large front windows in a nonchalant manner, and located Abby near the back corner of the restaurant looking incredibly uncomfortable. Slowly opening the front door Connor knew his lack of appropriate attire would make him stand out, but he had a plan. Adapting to human nature and strange situations was a key part of his programming, after all. Hearing the loud boisterous voice from afar Connor ran a scan of the man's face and received some information about the rather unfavorable person.

Hector Olsen.

A magnate in construction and a powerful figure from Fort Wayne Indiana. Hector was only twenty-nine years old and was already quite successful. Being someone with great power and financial options at such a young age seemed to have turned the man into an arrogant control freak that Abby didn't appreciate. The way she was leaning back from her date with her arms crossed over her chest, and had her right leg crossed over her left leg under the table, was very evident body language showing her discomfort.

From across the table Hector was leaning toward her, speaking loud enough to disturb the surrounding patrons, controlling the conversation making it entirely one-sided and downing what could've been his third glass of red wine, showed him to be as arrogant as Abby had feared. His height, broad build and his aggressive body language was all Connor needed to see to know that the blond haired man was a potential threat.

"Excuse me." Approaching the hostess at her stand and presenting her with his badge, Connor discreetly motioned to the awkward date in the back corner of the restaurant. "I'm here to assist my friend in leaving her date. Could I ask for your assistance as well?"

The hostess, a young woman in her early twenties, saw the badge and breathed a sigh of relief. "Glad you're here. My manager was about to ask that man to either drop his voice or leave, but I told him to wait since I saw the lady he's with go into the bathroom with her phone in her hand about five minutes ago."

"It'd be best to keep things quiet. Can you go to the table and provide Abby with an excuse to leave?"

"Sure." Tucking a blue pen behind her left ear the hostess's brown eyes lit up almost mischievously as she agreed to help Connor out. "What did you have in mind?"

"Refer to her as 'Dr. Grayson' and inform her that there's a potential android emergency in the back, and you'd like her assistance."

"I can do that. Here." Passing Connor a small pink slip of paper the hostess motioned to the kitchen door to her right, and just down a short corridor. "Show the manager that paper and tell him you're here to rescue your friend from her date."

"Thanks."

Accepting the pink paper Connor slowly entered the kitchen area and was met by curious eyes as the manager, the cooks, wait staff and cleaners all noticed his presence. He showed the paper and everyone just gave him an accepting nod and went back to their business. Shortly after he entered the kitchen the doors behind him slid open again and Abby appeared looking entirely relieved and eager to go.

"Hello, Abby."

"Connor! Man, when Skye said she'd send help I didn't expect to get a police escort out of here."

Abby was wearing the same dress she had been wearing when she and Connor had their undercover operation together, and by all account she had been expecting high things from her date. It was a shame that she had her hopes up so high only to have everything ruined so quickly.

"I borrowed Lucas's truck today." Connor explained as the manager showed him and Abby to the rear exit through the kitchen. Stepping out into the chilly rear parking lot Connor led Abby down the sidewalk and over to the red vehicle parked just down the street. "Were you harmed or threatened?"

"What? No, he was just..."

"Arrogant?"

"Pompous!" Practically shouting the word Abby was ready to go on a full rant against Hector. "I've never met such a self important, swaggering, haughty, presumptuous piece of shit in my whole life!"

"...Aside from the word 'shit' you used the exact same word to describe him five different ways."

"Then I made my point perfectly clear."

"Yes you did." Opening up the passenger side door politely Connor made sure Abby could enter the vehicle while wearing her heels before walking over to the driver's side door. Joining Abby inside the cab Connor fastened his seatbelt and turned over the engine. "I'm sorry you had a bad date."

"It's okay, it's not the first time. Hopefully it'll be the last."

"Hopefully. Do you wish to go home?"

"Yeah, I'm ready to take off these heels and burn them alive."

"Do you want me to stay with you for a while?"

Abby took notice of the groceries tucked in the seats behind her and offered Connor an appreciative smirk. "That's sweet, but you were in the middle of doing something when you came to my rescue. You just getting me out of there without causing a scene is all I needed."

"It's smart that you made sure to have an ally to call for help in the event of such a situation."

"Works almost every time. Skye promised me she'd be my lifeline and I'd be hers."

The comment struck an odd chord with Connor as he listened to Abby intently. "Is Skye dating?"

"No, but she knows that as an attorney she might have to 'wine and dine' with other attorneys to get ahead in her career. She doesn't want a repeat of what happened to her in the forest, so she has me as a logical person to call in the event she needs an excuse to leave. I imagine you're the second on her list if she's dealing with a particularly aggressive male colleague."

"I see. I'm glad you're taking care of each other."

"Yeah, you learn pretty quick when you start dating that a lifeline is pretty damn important."

Almost grateful for the discussion Connor asked about romantic interactions in a simple manner. "...How difficult is it to go on a date?"

"Not too difficult." Smirking again Abby gave her friend a coy glance. "Are you looking to enter the dating scene?"

"I'm not opposed to it, but I've yet to find anyone that gave me the same feeling as Skye had done. I'm not looking to replace her or compare her to anyone else I may meet, but that feeling she gave me..." Patting his left palm over his chest as he spoke Connor tried to explain how he felt. "I want to experience it again."

"You're talking about 'love at first sight'."

That particular term was unfamiliar to the deviant. "I am?"

"Yup. You saw her, your heart suddenly felt warm and fluttery, and then you wanted to be with her. It happens sometimes."

"Interesting. You've felt it, too?"

"Nope. Never had the privilege, but I know it happens."

"...Oh."

"So, are you Skye just friends or friends with benefits?"

Unsure of the question Connor idled at a red light and gave Abby a perplexed look. "Benefits? What kinds of benefits?"

"You know... Benefits." A playful lilt filled her words as she leaned a little closer to Connor. "You two randomly get together, have sex and go about your own business. Those kinds of benefits."

Blushing a pale blue Connor wasn't expecting such a notion and pulled through the green light to head out to Abby's home. "...I-I don't think so."

Laughing at the shy response Abby patted his right forearm and looked out her window. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"It's not embarrassing, it was just unexpected." Focusing on the road ahead of him Connor responded honestly. "We were together the night of Markus's mistrial, but that was to see if we were truly compatible as a couple. We are not."

"That's not a friends with benefits situation."

"No?"

"Nope. That's a one-night-stand or a booty call."

Feeling himself blush again Connor dismissed the remark as nothing to be ashamed of. "It's not uncommon for humans to partake of such events, it shouldn't be any different for deviants."

"You're right. I'm glad you and Skye are overstepping your personal boundaries every now and then doing something new. You should experience life and all of its pleasures without the fear of judgment."

"That's what Hank's been telling me."

"Because he's right." Noticing that Connor was experiencing no discomfort or pain as he sat behind the wheel Abby asked about his abdomen as her instincts as a technician kicked in. "It's nice to see that you're healing well. Any pain?"

"No. The pain ceased entirely five days ago."

"What about bad dreams?"

"Yes, but that is nothing new to me."

"For what it's worth, the only reason you woke up during the procedure is because your prototyping and overall programs that keep your reflexes so sharp were working on synthetic adrenaline from that update. I should've compensated for such a possibility."

"Not your fault. And I'm okay."

"Glad to hear it."

Arriving at Abby's home Connor parked the truck in the driveway beside her little blue car. Exiting the driver's side door Connor walked to the passenger side door and helped Abby to climb out of the truck without tripping. Politely he escorted Abby to her front door and made sure she could get inside while he scanned the streets to ensure no one had tried to follow them from the restaurant.

"Come inside for a moment." Pushing her front door open Abby stepped inside and motioned for Connor to follow. "I can give you a quick examination as a 'thank you' for helping me out, and I'll send a clearance letter in for your Captain to see tomorrow morning."

"Can you do that without a facility?"

"I'm a technician and I always have emergency supplies with me." Closing the door behind Connor as he entered the livingroom Abby gave him a kind smile as she slipped off her heels one at a time, and dropped them down on the coffee table. "I can perform emergency repairs on you on my kitchen table if I needed to."

"I certainly hope not..."

"Go ahead and remove your hoodie and shirt. I'll go and get the supplies."

Connor saw no reason to not take up the opportunity for a quick exam and removed his hoodie as requested. Placing it down on the nearby coffee table beside the shoes Connor proceeded to lift up his navy blue t-shirt to expose his still scarred abdomen, the raised imperfections in the plastimetal plates hadn't been removed even after his most recent repairs, and waited for Abby to appear with her emergency satchel from the front closet.

"You know something?" The kind technician placed the satchel down on the coffee table and opened it up to find her tools if they become necessary. "This is just like that night after our pretend date a few months back. Hard to believe I got to play 'cop' for a night."

"I'm just glad you were unharmed after the suspect took the bait."

"Same." Using her audioscope Abby listened to heartbeat and ventilation for a moment. "I'm sorry you got a few bumps and bruises in the process."

"I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't have to be." Motioning for Connor lay over her couch Abby put the audioscope aside and gently palpated his abdomen while she gauged Connor's reactions. No sign of pain, no unnatural imperfections - aside from the preexisting scars, and no sign of internal hemorrhaging from any leaking Thirium lines. "Everything seems normal. You said you're not in any pain, do you feel limited in any physical way?"

"No. I can move around just fine."

"That's good. Loss of strength?"

"No."

"Any error messages sporadically popping up?"

"No."

"Then by all account you're one-hundred percent in the clear, my incredibly durable friend."

Sitting upright on the couch Connor pulled his t-shirt back down and made a grab for his hoodie. "Thank you for making the process of returning to the precinct easier."

"No problem. Thanks for being my knight in hooded armor." She pointed at the hoodie as he slipped it on over his head. "Let's do this again sometime."

"...You want me to rescue you again?"

"I'm talking about hanging out without one of us being hurt. Moments like this," she specified in a cheery tone. "where we can just sit and talk, and not clean up a mess, are the moments we need to do again."

"Oh, I see." Standing up from the couch Connor glanced out the front windows of the house for a moment before opening the door. He looked back at Abby as she picked up her heels from the table and threw them one at a time into the kitchen as she aimed for the trash can. One shoe actually landed inside the bin causing the lid to spin around on its hinge. "Are you sure you don't want me to stick around for a while? That Hector man seems very aggressive."

"I'm sure, and I love that you figured out his name without me saying it." Leaning back against her couch cushions Abby sighed and kicked her sore feet up on the coffee table before her. "Besides, he doesn't know where I live. I always made it a point to take a cab to wherever I'm meeting new guys for dates."

"That was also a smart move."

"You can never be too careful. Thanks again, Connor."

"You're welcome, Abby. I'll see you later."

"It better not be in my facility! There are other places to meet up, you know."

"Yes, I know."

Exiting the house through the front door Connor reached his hand back inside the door frame before closing the door entirely, and turned the lock to ensure the door did in fact lock behind him. Returning to the red pick-up truck in the driveway Connor took a visual sweep over the street to ensure there were no vehicles loitering in the area that didn't belong, then climbed inside the vehicle to leave for home.

"It's getting late."

Backing out of the driveway Connor noted the time and turned to head for home.

"I hope there's no other unwelcome events to endure before the night is over."

Sitting with Hank at the kitchen table Lucas had kept the lights as dim as possible for Hank's sensitive eyes and spoke in a low voice as to not make Hank's headache feel any worse. The senior detective barely touched the fresh soup and had downed a few ibuprofen with a gulp of cool water. Telling Hank about his day and of how Connor was ready to go back to work, the kind deviant made light conversation to try to keep Hank's mind off his migraine. Letting Hank know that Gavin and Aaron had moved into their new house and that Gavin would be living a little closer to the precinct, wasn't at all interesting in Hank's aching mind, but the senior detective didn't say a word to cut Lucas off.

The front door opened and Connor returned with his grocery bags in his arms. Closing the door silently behind himself Connor entered the kitchen, put the bags down on the countertop and handed Lucas back his keys. Noting that Hank's vitals were still indicating high stress and pain Connor took it upon himself to quietly unpack the groceries and put one of the cherry flavored drinks down beside Hank.

"Your truck runs very well." Connor noted as a way to keep the air from getting too silent. "I hope to have my motorcycle fully modified and functioning by this coming spring. With any luck it'll run just as smoothly."

"Do you need help with the motorcycle?"

"Hank's helping me, but thank you."

"That's good." Reading the name of the grocery store on the side of the bags Lucas's head tilted a little in confusion. "May I ask why it took you so long to go to the grocery store that is only six minutes and twenty-one seconds away from the house?"

"Abby needed a ride back to her home after having a bad date. I helped her."

"Oh. Is she all right?"

"She's fine. Her date doesn't know where she lives and no one followed us."

"That's good."

"How do you feel, Hank?" Connor's voice had been low the moment he returned home, but now he was speaking even lower to spare Hank any potential aggravated pain. "Do you need something for your stomach?"

"...It's fine, kid."

"Perhaps you should stay home tomorrow. Migraines are very distracting."

"...If it's still around tomorrow morning I'll call off."

"Thank you." Giving Lucas a simple nod Connor returned to the bookcase, Hank's back was presented to him and didn't see Connor moving about, and pulled the adoption application back out of his hoodie to hide between the books exactly where he had found it. "We should find a silent movie to watch tonight. That's a genre Lucas and I haven't experienced yet, and I would like to find something that isn't horror themed."

Picking up on the hint Lucas agreed as well. "He's right. Hank, you should lay down over the couch and put a cold cloth over your eyes. It'll help with your pain."

"...Whatever."

Without saying a word Connor and Lucas helped guide Hank over to the couch and promptly set about taking care of him the same way that Hank had always stepped up to help take care of them. As Hank stretched out over the couch and propped his head up against the soft pillow Connor had been using earlier, Lucas got him a cold washcloth and placed it over his eyes while Connor selected a silent film to keep things as quiet as possible.

"I know you won't be able to understand the film with no sound and with your eyes covered," Connor noted as he then located the navy blue blanket in the hallway closet and draped it over Hank's form. "but I imagine the flashing images and electronic ambience will be enough of a familiar sensation that you'll relax enough to fall asleep despite the migraine."

Letting out a soft sigh Hank sunk down against his pillow heavily, then turned to his side. "...Thanks, boys."

"You're welcome." Sitting down on the floor beside the couch, Lucas joining him so they could both be near Hank, Connor started the movie while cybernetically giving Lucas an update on their impending surprise for Hank. "Feel better."

-next chapter-

Author's Note: *Italian translated via Google.