Coughing lightly and feeling rundown Connor sat on the exam table in the Zeta Facility as he let Abby give him an examination after falling into the lake three nights prior. Despite his full recovery from the hypothermia Connor had apparently caught 'Groupware Blight v1.0', otherwise known as the 'android-flu'. Sitting still on the edge of the exam table Connor watched as Abby used her audioscope to listen to his Thirium pump and ventilation biocomponents, and he kept running scans over Abby's body to monitor her own condition. She was now four, almost five, weeks along and was sure to soon be feeling the effects of a first trimester pregnancy at that point in time.

Keeping his silence as he breathed slowly Connor felt Abby slowly running the bell of the audioscope over his chest under his white dress shirt and his scanner detected a small influx in her vital signs. It wasn't anything severe, but it was enough to hold Connor's attention.

"Your Thirium pump sounds good." Looking a little pale Abby noted his vitals as she draped her audioscope around her neck and took a step back. She pressed her left hand to her hip and rubbed her right hand over her brow as if fatigued. "Ventilation biocomponents need a little more time to dry out."

"It's been three days since I inhaled the water."

"You were unconscious and inhaled... Uh... You..." Paling further and turning green Abby suddenly lost her words. "Shit-"

Reacting quickly Connor grabbed a nearby trashcan and handed it to Abby just as she threw-up her meager breakfast into the bin. Sliding off the table Connor guided Abby over to the nearby rolling stool and sat her down as she continued to be sick into the trashcan. Responding on instinct Connor made sure Abby's long brunette hair was pulled away from the bin and then slowly rubbed her back between her shoulder blades in a comforting manner.

As she spit the last of the foulness from her mouth Abby put the trashcan down and looked up at Connor with teary eyes and a runny nose. "...I thought you were supposed to be the patient here."

"Doctors can sick as well."

"You're right about that." Letting Connor rub her back a while longer Abby sniffled a little and was then handed a tissue by the helpful deviant. "Thanks."

"I believe if you tell people you work with that you contracted a stomach ailment you can keep your condition hidden a while longer."

"Yeah, that's the best part of wintertime. You can blame anything on the flu." Wiping her eyes and nose Abby balled up the tissue then threw the used tissue into the trashcan beside her foot. "Even you have the flu right now."

"I had assumed as much. I was made aware of such a condition the year before."

"It should pass in a few days as long as you keep warm and rest." Standing up from the rolling stool she walked toward the far storage cabinet and opened up the glass and metal doors to retrieve a plastic bottle of bright green liquid to hand over to her deviant patient. "That is designed to work with your thermal regulator to ensure your core temperature doesn't spike as you recover."

Accepting the bottle of android medication Connor eyed it warily. "I have to drink this?"

"One tablespoon every six hours. Once its opened it needs to be refrigerated, so wait until you get home before you take your first dose."

"Thank you, I think."

"No one likes taking medicine." Still looking pale and a little green Abby sympathized with her patient and friend. "Including me."

"If you drink ginger tea it should ease your nausea without needing to medicate."

"I'd... I'd rather not do anything." Returning to the stool Abby sat down slowly and let out a heavy breath. "It's just easier to pretend I don't have anything happening to me."

"I take it you haven't decided yet."

"No, not yet. I'm aware of my 'time limit' with this thing, but it's just so hard to think and decide. There's no do-over when it comes to something like this."

"Have you spoken about it with Skye?" Knowing that Abby had allies supporting her Connor asked another logical question. "I'm sure she has a better idea of what you're going through than I do."

"We talked and she said everything you said. It's my decision alone and I... I'm just torn with what to do."

Covering his mouth behind his hand as he coughed again Connor stayed beside Abby and tried to help her feel better. "What have you been thinking about in regard to your condition?"

"Well, as you know I've thought about how it'd affect me and in return how I'd affect 'it'. With my hectic schedule as a potential single parent I already know things would be stressful. Then I did some digging into Hector's family. I told you I'm not the first woman he's done this to." As she spoke Abby made a conscious effort to not put her hands to her belly as if afraid to touch it. "Turns out he has four children from four different woman, all of whom he claimed as his own but fought against paying child support thanks to his family's affluence. His mommy and daddy are both high-power lawyers, hence his obnoxious sense of entitlement and immunity from the law. It also explains how he had the money to fund his lucrative construction business so young."

"I see. And you've refused to let his family know of your condition to avoid dealing with them."

"Yup... But the idea of actually protecting 'it' because of the genetic Hellscape that spawned 'it' seems so wrong. If I do keep 'it' how am I supposed to explain why I never let 'it' meet 'its' father or other family members?"

"I'm not sure."

"Hell, the kid would eventually come across their birth certificate and notice that their father's name is curiously absent..."

"Abby," carefully monitoring her words Connor discovered something enlightening about her speech patterns. "you're speaking as if the child has already been born."

Leaning back where she was sitting Abby let out a small sigh and grabbed the trashcan by her foot as if afraid she'd be sick again. "...I know."

"Perhaps you should speak to a trauma counselor regarding this scenario."

"No. Way." Abby's words were stern and focused. "Absolutely not!"

Such a strong reaction made Connor's brow arch inquisitively. "Why not?"

"Because when I worked as an E.M.S. in Chicago I had helped a couple of women go to those very counselors after they were sexually assaulted, and I once overheard those counselors gossiping among themselves about their clients. They even admitted that they were all about talking the women into keeping the kid since they were, and I'm quoting here: 'Asking for it, what did they expect to happen dressing like that?'" Pressing her left palm to her face in frustration Abby sighed to herself and sniffled once. "That was one of the many reasons I left that city. After I reported those bitches, of course..."

"I'm sorry." Kneeling down beside Abby as she struggled to remain emotionally composed Connor continued to be a shoulder for her to cry on. "You shouldn't feel so isolated from the world during this moment. You need to have someone to trust."

"I do have someone to trust. You and Skye."

"Do you want to go somewhere and talk?"

"No, I have to finish my shift and I know you need to go back to the precinct. Don't think I didn't notice that you're wearing your uniform."

Tilting his head a little Connor admitted he had planned on going to work and stood back up with the bottle of medicine still in his right hand. "That is true. Maybe I could visit again during my lunchbreak so we can continue to talk."

"Thanks, but no. This is still my dilemma and I need to handle it. You being my rock is more than what I could ask for." Motioning to the green medicine in Connor's hand Abby sighed and then walked him to the door. "You take care of yourself. I'll... I'll let you know when I make my decision. You said you'd be by my side no matter what I choose, right?"

"I did and intend to stand by my promise." Connor stated as he passed through the exam room door. He turned to face Abby and locked his eyes with her gaze in a reassuring manner. "You're my friend and I care very much about you."

"You're sweet." Standing up on her tiptoes Abby kissed Connor's left cheek and gave him a lost stare. "Go save the rest of the city while I try to figure out how to escape from being stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have to do it soon, otherwise I might get too big to move."

The rest of the day was thankfully quiet as the sick deviant sat at his desk and tried to ignore the bright green bottle of medication sitting on the top left corner of that same desk mocking him. He hated the idea of taking medicine but there was nothing he could do about it. Not only did he suffer from hypothermia just three days prior, he nearly drowned. Despite Hank's insistence that Connor stay home to rest the stubborn deviant wanted to go back to work and resume some form of normalcy as he focused on his cases during the day, and tried to help Abby in secret at night. In an attempt to keep warm even while inside the safe precinct Connor was wearing the blue scarf that Tina had given him the Christmas before, and occasionally pulled on the material as his throat began to bother him every now and then.

Feeling a dry tickle in the back of his throat Connor coughed into the bend of his left elbow and hoped no one had noticed. Unfortunately it seemed everyone had noticed and just as many people were ready to help remedy the situation.

Before Connor even had the chance to open his mouth to try to dissuade Hank's worries a mug of Thirium-based tea had been put down on his desk courtesy of Tina. "Drink this." Wearing a pair of snowflake earrings, a matching silver snowflake bracelet on her right wrist and a bright smile, Tina was clearly in the holiday spirit. "It'll help your sore throat."

"...Thank you," Connor politely acknowledged the offered drink. "but my throat isn't sore."

"Is that why you're wearing an attractive blue scarf indoors and have a fever?"

"I don't have a-"

"Kid." Hank spoke up quickly as pulled a bottle aspirin from the top left drawer of his own desk to medicate his building headache. "Don't deny it. You're a little pale, your eyes are glassy and I can feel a steady heat radiating off of you from where I'm sitting. You have a fever."

Sighing in defeat Connor picked up the mug of tea and sipped it slowly. It was chamomile flavored and very soothing to his dry throat. "...Thank you, Tina."

"No problem." Placing two Thirium cough drops down on the desk Tina kept her smile on her face. "If you feel better before your shift ends I could use your skilled hands and gift of height to decorate the breakroom with garland again."

"I'll consider doing so."

"You're a peach. Feel better."

Tasting the tea again Connor noted that while he didn't hate it the flavor wasn't one of his favorites either. "...I honestly don't have a sore throat." Whether he was trying to convince Hank or himself of his current condition neither could be certain. "It's merely dry in such a way it makes me cough."

"It's fine, kid. We're both feeling a little under the weather." Popping his two aspirin into his mouth Hank chased the white tablets with a gulp of his lukewarm coffee. "But, Christmas is in a week so we should be feeling better by then."

"I hope so. I don't want to see anyone else falling ill."

"It's wintertime, everyone's going to get sick at least once." Pointing over to Gavin as the abrasive detective huddled under his jacket and shivered where he sat Hank clearly made his point. "Today it's you, me and Gavin. Tomorrow it'll probably be Tina down out, and the day after that it'll be Ben. Chris was smart and got his flu shot early, but that doesn't mean he won't get screwed over having to cover everyone else's shifts."

Studying the bullpen as Gavin blew his stuffy nose, Chris shrugged off a few rogue snowflakes from his jacket upon his return to the bullpen, Ben walked past his desk and placed a small box of tissues down and of course Tina making her way into the breakroom to tend to her ill partner, Connor realized Hank was right. "Is it hard to work while sick?"

"I wouldn't say it's hard, but it sure as Hell isn't fun. Don't worry about me, kid. I can handle a headache and a little cold."

"That's good to know." Glancing over at Gavin again as he was handed his own mug of tea and a few medicine tablets from Tina, the curious deviant couldn't help but wonder how such negative weather affected those with physically taxing conditions. Seeing the soon-to-be father ill at his desk gave Connor the perfect lead into asking his question with betraying Abby's secret in the process. "...Is it wise for people to be around pregnant women if they are ill?"

"Gavin and Aaron aren't visiting their baby's mother. It's a private adoption, son." Leaning back in his chair Hank stared at his terminal screen as he became engaged in a truly enthralling game of solitaire since he and Connor had no active cases to handle at the moment. "There's special medication that pregnant women can take to boost their immune systems, so it's not like being pregnant during flu season is guaranteed misery."

"Interesting to note."

"And if you seriously think that someone can somehow infect a pregnant lady through text messages or just thinking about them, then I'm going to drag you up to the dispensary to see Joel and make him check your processor for errors."

"...Right, sorry." A little embarrassed by his question Connor quickly stated a plausible excuse for such a strange thought. "I'm just curious since this is the first time I've had to endure something as mundane yet inconvenient as the flu."

"Consider yourself lucky, son. Oh, but, uh..." Clicking off his game for a minute Hank gave Connor a worried look around his terminal screen. "Can you get Lucas sick by being in contact with him?"

"Only if we cybernetically interact. He's already aware of my sickness and so he knows to refrain from connecting to my processor at the moment."

"Okay, cool." Resuming his game Hank sunk down in his chair and tried to not worry too much about the deviant being sick with the flu. "One less problem to worry about. I hope..."

In spite of his best efforts Connor couldn't seem to get warm or shake off his flu. The infection to his software wasn't nearly as bad as it could've been as he only had a cough, mild fever and lethargy as his main symptoms, but Connor still felt entirely rundown. Doing as instructed and taking his first dose of the bright green liquid medication Connor grimaced openly at the offensive taste, and wrapped his left arm around his now aching stomach. The portent medication left his artificial stomach feeling tight and like it was burning as the green liquid promptly began to enter his system.

Leaning heavily against the refrigerator after placing the rest of the disgusting medicine inside the appliance Connor sighed, and buried his face against his left forearm. A gentle pat to his right shoulder made Connor lift his eyes from his arm and look at Hank standing beside him.

"You good?"

"...The medicine hurts my stomach."

"Are you going to throw-up?"

"I certainly hope not." Straightening back up Connor walked away from the refrigerator and placed both palms down against the kitchen table as he leaned heavily on his arms as he waited for his stomach to settle. "If I expel it from my system I'll have no choice but to take a replacement dose."

"Yeah, that's the worst part about getting sick. Half of what you manage to get down won't stay down, and then you have a mess to clean..."

Needing a distraction Connor changed the subject. "Where's Lucas?"

"He went to the store to grab you some of the newer android medicine that's been put up on the shelves lately. I think he's also wisely stocking up on medicine for himself just in case he gets sick, too."

"I assure you deviants aren't contagious in the way humans are."

"Yeah, yeah. Superior immune system, I know." Grabbing onto Connor's right bicep Hank led the sick deviant out of the kitchen and into the livingroom to sit down and rest. "Remember, if you're sick you get to choose what's on television and you get the whole couch to yourself."

As Connor sat down and became bundled up in the navy blue blanket he was quickly swarmed by both Sumo and Lucky as they sought their own warmth during the chilly winter month. Giving Hank a skeptical glance Connor pet their heads and sighed, only to cough again. "I don't think I truly get the couch to myself anymore."

"You know something? You're right." Dropping down into the recliner Hank stared at the corner of the livingroom where Connor and Lucas had placed their much taller artificial Christmas tree and let out a soft of his own. It was nice to see the deviant brothers excited for the holidays, and in a way Hank was envious of the way they got to experience each holiday for the first time and remember every detail. "When do you two want to decorate the tree?"

"I imagine once I'm over this flu it'll be the appropriate time."

"Sounds about right."

The front door opened as Lucas returned to the house with shopping bags in his hands and a few items tucked into his leather jacket to try to stay out of sight. Walking into the kitchen Lucas placed the bags down on the kitchen table then hurried up to his bedroom on the second floor to undoubtedly remove his jacket and to put whatever else he had bought away without anyone seeing it.

"I think Lucas bought ya' a gift, son." Hank whispered as he watched Connor cybernetically flipping through the television channels in search of something suitable to watch. "But we didn't notice that he had something hidden in his jacket, right?"

"Yes, of course." Understanding the need to feign ignorance Connor readily played along. "He was very discreet."

Returning to the ground floor in just his jeans, long sleeved white shirt and socks Lucas removed the artificial skin from his right palm before placing it against Connor's forehead. "You're overheating at one-hundred point two degrees. It's not extreme, but notable nonetheless."

Brushing his brother's hand aside Connor sank back against the couch cushions while Sumo and Lucky snuggled down over his lap. "I'm fine, Lucas."

"You took the medication as prescribed to you by Abby, correct?"

"Yes. The full single tablespoon as directed."

"Would you like to try the Thirium-based teas I've purchased as well?"

"I don't need Thirium at the moment." Coughing lightly into his closed left fist Connor to ease his little brother's worries while trying to ignore his own angry stomach. "Thank you."

"Cough drop?"

"I assure you I'm fine."

"Very well." Sitting down on the couch near Connor and next to Sumo as the massive dog stretched out his body as much as possible to cuddle on the ill deviant's lap, Lucas decided to let his brother alone for a while. "I purchased tea, cough drops, milder forms of medication and refreezable ice packs in the event you begin to overheat."

"Thank you, but I'll be fine."

Hank tilted his neck a little to the side to loosen the stiff muscles, then rose to his feet. "Now that you're back and can keep an eye on Connor in case he's actually sicker than he'll admit," he spoke to Lucas as if he and the deviant were a team of two against one. "I'm going to go shower off and get this damn kink of out of my neck and back. I need a new chair at the bullpen, my ass would be truly grateful..."

Waiting until the senior detective was down the hallway and behind the closed bathroom door Lucas addressed his big brother in a coy tone. "I managed to pick up the gift for Hank while I was running errands, it's safe."

"Good." Using his left hand again Connor contained his cough and cleared his throat. "...I'm glad that's taken care of. We should work on the tree once I'm over my flu. We can then slowly add the other decorations without it bothering Hank too much."

"I agree, but I strongly suggest you see Abby again if your cough doesn't clear up by tomorrow morning. Your ventilation program should've removed all of the lake water by now. I don't like that you're still coughing."

Pressing his left palm over his chest Connor closed his eyes and ran a self diagnostic. The cause of his cough wasn't from anything disturbing his ventilation program, it was the result of the air intake line being aggravated by the cold lake water and contrasting warm air causing a thermal irregularity. "...Perhaps you're right." Wanting an excuse to visit with Abby again Connor agreed to see her for a simple technician's assessment of his now sore throat. "I will see her tomorrow if my coughing persists."

"Thank you for being agreeable. It'd be unfortunate if you remained ill until Christmas."

"Yes, I agree entirely." The sight of the undecorated and unlit Christmas tree was a little depressing, but that soon would be remedied. "It'd be a shame for anyone to spend the holidays feeling unwell."

After convincing his family that he'd be able to see Abby without needing an escort to the facility, Connor arrived fairly early in the morning and learned from Barry that the technician had called off sick that day. Politely declining to see Dr. Banner or anyone else Connor drove over to Abby's house and knocked on the door in hope she'd answer. Waiting for a few minutes Connor ran a scan over the property and detected Abby's vital signs up on the second floor and in the bathroom. Suspecting she was in fact ill again Connor managed to pick the front door lock by using his scanner to locate the tumblers in the lock and manually adjust them with the metal keyring from the car keys.

Opening the door quietly Connor stepped inside the house's livingroom and locked the door behind himself. The sound of Abby throwing-up on the second floor confirmed his suspicions that she was in fact feeling nauseated from early onset morning sickness.

"Abby?"

Calling her name to announce his presence Connor walked up the staircase and let out a soft cough that he again contained in his left fist.

"Abby, are you okay?"

Another painful bout of sickness answered Connor as he peered through the opened bathroom door and eyed his friend kneeling over the toilet looking absolutely miserable. Abby was still pale with a green flush to her cheeks, and she had sweat beading at her hairline from stress. Standing back a few inches Connor waited for her to acknowledge his presence before saying or doing anything else.

Reaching up with her shaking left hand Abby flushed away her sickness and fell back on her left hip to give Connor a pathetic stare. "...Hi."

"Hello." Walking across the bathroom Connor slowly sat down on the floor beside Abby as he helped to scoot back and lean against the cool side of the closed shower door behind them. "I wanted to check on you."

"...I noticed I had a text from Barry saying you wanted to schedule an appointment with me." Sniffling a little as the vomiting spell made her nose run Abby pulled her legs up to her chest, and rested her sweaty forehead against her knees. "I don't think you understand how a house-call is supposed to work."

"I believe I once stated that even doctors can get sick. You need someone to look after you whenever you become ill, too."

With a slow but accurate motion Abby pressed her right palm against Connor's forehead and sighed at what she felt. "...You're overheating."

"Mildly so. I can detect your own body temperature at an elevated degree, which means we're both arguably feverish and sick."

"Well, unless you're throwing-up because of a tiny version of yourself is growing in your stomach, I don't think we're sick for quite the same reasons."

"No, I can assure you I am not gestating a smaller android inside my torso." Moving his arms very carefully Connor scooped Abby beneath her knees and around her back to pick her up from the floor. Being mindful to not bend her abdomen in any way the deviant carried his sick friend from the bathroom and back into her bedroom to recover after being sick. "You should rest until your nausea passes."

"From what I researched that won't stop unless I get rid of it, or make it to the second trimester." Laying down on her right side Abby buried her face in her cool pillow and relaxed when Connor draped her warm comforter and weighted blanket over her. "Thanks. Now, what can I help you with on this horrible morning, my overly kind and incredibly patient friend?"

"My air intake line is aggravated by extreme temperature fluctuations and is resulting in a mild cough."

"Uh-huh, and you and I both know such an aggravation will take care of itself when given enough time to be recalibrated by your system's self healing program." Glancing up at Connor with one bloodshot hazel eye as he sat down on the edge of her bed beside her, Abby knew he was up to something. "So why waste your time and energy coming to me for something that'll heal on its own?"

"I just wanted to check on you."

"Liar."

"I'm being honest." The deviant showed no hesitation in his words. "I care about you and I know that being alone during the holidays can be very emotionally taxing."

"Hate to break it to you, but I'm not alone. I have a little thing in my body that's keeping me from being alone no matter how much I try to hide from the world."

"It seems like you're leaning more toward going through with this after all. May I ask if you are?"

"...I'm just struggling with the lasting repercussions of such a choice. Yes or no is no longer a factor. How I can look myself in the mirror, and if I'll be able to live without the burning curiosity of wondering 'what could have been' constantly through my head, is what's holding me back."

"I see." Holding his palm down against her left arm Connor just remained by her side. "If you eat something you'll feel better. I know that whenever Hank has been feeling ill he would choose to eat chicken soup or bland crackers. You should also drink some water."

"Maybe later." Sighing in frustration Abby tried to ignore her twisting stomach as much as possible. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Yes, of course."

"Could you just... lay with me? I need to feel like the weight of this decision isn't going to crush me."

"I can do that." Repositioning himself so he could lay beside Abby atop her comforter Connor laid flat on his back against and her side. "Like this?"

"Not quite." Pushing her comforter back Abby motioned for him to join her under the blanket instead of on top. "You make me feel safe, I could really use that feeling right about now."

Sitting upright for a moment Connor politely removed his shoes then climbed into the bed and under the comforter to lay at his friend's side. Mirroring Abby's position Connor laid on his right side beside her didn't move when she inched closer to he could hold her in his arms. It was a comforting position and it made Connor feel like he was protecting Abby by curling up around her back.

Settling down a little Abby's tense body began to finally relax. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

"Let me sleep for a while longer and I'll see if I feel any better. I don't want you to spend your whole day caring for me."

"That's what friends do for each other, Abby." Stifling another cough to keep himself from shaking Abby around, Connor stayed beside his friend just as he had promised. "We care for one another."

A weak smile graced Abby's lips as she gave a little hum of agreement "Yeah, you're right."

Laying still as he curled around his ailing friend Connor gave her body a biometric scan to monitor her vitals and waited for her to fall asleep before he even thought about moving a synthetic muscle. Once Abby was deep in a R.E.M. cycle Connor slowly moved his left hand to wrap around her torso and gently pressed his palm against her lower belly as he gave a second scan over the second set of vital signs developing within her.

She was barely one month along and yet Connor could detect the very slight swelling of her lower belly beginning to grow to accommodate the tiny embryo.

"You'll be okay, Abby." Whispering sweetly Connor pulled back his hand as to not disturb her sleep. "I'm here for you. Both of you if it comes down to it."

After three hectic weeks of angry thieves getting caught in the act of breaking and entering or shoplifting and getting arrested, dealing with a few drunk people celebrating the holidays too much, and a few homeless deviants being escorted to shelters throughout the city, Christmas Eve finally arrived. Energetically Hank and Connor worked their final shift so they could go home and have an early Christmas with Lucas back home and hoped nothing stopped them on their way. Sitting at their respective desks the two detectives had tuned out the small party taking place around them and in the breakroom in favor of finishing their reports so they could go home as soon as possible.

Hank had managed to avoid getting a cold for once and Connor's flu had cleared up nicely after he let himself heal. Determined to see the New Year in good health and without something ruining their Christmas celebration, the duo only acknowledged the party when Tina snuck up on them with mistletoe and planted kisses on their cheeks, and of course when Ben's wife dropped off homemade treats for everyone to share.

"I don't want to jinx anything, kid." Hank spoke in a low voice as if afraid to disturb a sleeping bear. He was eyeing the party in the breakroom behind Connor with a wary glance. "But I just finished my report. Once I press 'send' we can clock-out and go home before ten tonight. How're you doing?"

"I've been finished for the past three hours, twenty-one minutes and forty-three seconds." Logging out of his terminal Connor slowly rose to his feet and slung his blue scarf around his neck and throat to keep warm as he shrugged on his leather jacket. Watching as Hank finished his report and turned off his terminal Connor did a cybernetic check on Abby to ask if she need anything beyond a quick soup delivery, and made his way toward the far side of the bullpen. "I'll drive tonight."

"That's fine with me." Walking at Connor's side Hank passed the deviant the car keys as they stepped outside of the precinct's front doors side by side. Being greeted by fresh snow falling from the sky Hank let out a small breath and watched the white mist fading away as quickly as it appeared as he tightened his dark coat around himself. "Before we head home do we need to do any errands?"

"Just one."

"What's that?"

"Abby is feeling unwell and I promised to deliver her some chicken soup from a local diner."

"What diner is open this late on Christmas Eve?"

"There is a small diner one block South of the Zeta Facility that caters to human and deviant clientele. As such a deviant is employed there and is keeping the restaurant open during the holidays to ensure any deviants in need of a warm place to stay or fresh Thirium can have shelter, while their human coworkers celebrate with their families."

"That's one hell of a way to make people feel some form of holiday cheer."

Just as the duo entered the parking garage they heard the all too distinct sound of someone throwing-up and a masculine voice trying to comfort whomever it was who had fallen ill. Peering around the concrete pillar of the garage's main entrance Connor and Hank spotted Chris throwing-up with Gavin watching over the younger officer protectively.

"Uh..." Hank crossed his arms and stared at the odd sight while keeping back a little. He didn't want his shoes to get dirty. "Do I want to know?"

Chris looked up and blinked tiredly at the senior detective as he tried to answer. "...Too much-" Throwing-up again Chris failed to reply in any succinct manner as he resumed being sick in the corner.

"Too much eggnog." Gavin finished on Chris's behalf as he used his bionic left hand to pat his back rhythmically. "Tina's secret recipe got to him."

"She's didn't spike it, did she?"

"Hell no, she just uses that addictive combination of nutmeg and cinnamon whenever she spices it."

"Oh, THAT secret recipe."

Chris took in a deep breath and dragged the back of his left hand over his mouth and nose. "...H-Haven't been able to eat many sweets since Julia is trying to hide them from Damian. I overdid it this time."

"Are you going to be okay?" Hank asked as he watched Gavin trying to not laugh at the sick officer he was hovering over.

"Yeah... As long as I stay out of the breakroom, I'll live."

"Good luck with that one. Ben's wife stopped by while you were on patrol and brought by her famous no-bake cookies."

"Aw, man... I'm going to have sneak those out in my pockets!"

Gavin sighed and waved the two detectives off as he continued to hover around Chris. "Get outta' here. I got him."

Happy to walk away from the pile of vomit and the precinct itself, Hank continued on his way to the car with Connor at his side. "Guess those paternal instincts are kicking in there, Reed."

"Yeah, yeah." Trying to not look proud of his reactions to Chris falling ill Gavin gave Hank a very weak threat. "Keep talking and I'll stuff a dirty diaper in your car!"

"Like that'd be the first time I had a pile of shit in that old girl..."

Connor's brow arched at the odd discussion as he cybernetically confirmed Abby's order at the diner. Seeing the way humans can take care of each other while also picking on one another only made the prospect of understanding emotions all the more difficult. Choosing to focus on his task at hand, helping his friend and then going home to be with his family, Connor didn't dare to question the seemingly odd behavior.

"All right, son." Opening up the passenger side door of the Oldsmobile Hank sat down and fastened his seatbelt while Connor did the same to the driver's side seat beside him. The duo were eager to leave and head on home as soon as possible. "Let's take care of Abby and then go spend our time with Lucas before duty calls us back."

"Right. I'll try to be quick with my visit with Abby."

"No, don't do that. If she's sick take all the time you need, and besides," watching as the snow continued to fall Hank leaned back in his seat and tightened his seatbelt out of an unnoticed reflex. "it's Christmas Eve. You're supposed to spend time with your friends and family."

Delivering the chicken soup in a large heat guarded container to his friend Connor was relieved to see that Skye was already at Abby's house, and spending the holidays with her. Skye had even coaxed the technician into putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it as a means of trying to cheer up for a few minutes. The green tree was lined with multicolored lights and and numerous multicolored spherical ornaments that made the tree look very bright and lovely. There was a white star on top of the tree and few unopened gifts under the tree to be exchanged between Abby and Skye in the morning, making the tree really look inviting.

Sitting with Abby for a while Connor scanned her condition and could see that both her and the embryo were strong, and that her nauseated stomach was a result of her morning sickness and not an infection of the flu. He also noted that Abby had been relying on peppermint and tea to soothe her stomach to avoid taking any medication that could potentially harm her embryo.

"Thanks for doing this for me, Connor." Abby stirred a small bowl of the provided soup with a timid motion. "I can't believe a detective is willing to do extra steps like this on Christmas Eve for someone like me."

"It doesn't matter what day it is, you're my friend and you're unwell." Needlessly defending his decision Connor made it clear he had no problem with helping her whenever she needed it. "I promised to take care of you, and I will."

Skye agreed with the sentiment as she handed Abby a fresh mug of peppermint tea. "See? I told you it's not such a big deal for someone to go out and help you while you're not feeling so hot." Giving Connor a quick wink Skye sat down on the couch next to Abby to keep her company as well. "We may be busy but that doesn't mean we won't find the time to be with you if you ask."

"Thanks, you're two of the sweetest deviants I've ever met." Tasting the soup for a moment Abby put the bowl aside on the coffee table and decided she'd eat it later. "Tastes great, but my stomach isn't quite ready. I'll eat it in a few more minutes."

Connor nodded a little and decided to give Abby her space as she and Skye sat side by side on the couch. "If you're okay now I'll return home, but you can call me at any time."

"I know I can." Smiling appreciatively at Connor as he stood by the door Abby pointed to a small wrapped box tucked under her tree. "And I want you to take your gift with you."

"Gift? But I didn't-"

"You don't have to give me anything." Already knowing what Connor was going to say Abby dismissed it easily. "This was a snap decision when Skye was able to get me out of the house for a few minutes, so don't worry about it. Please take it and open it up tomorrow. Look for the blue wrapping paper."

"...Thank you." Locating the gift with his name on it under the tree Connor picked it up carefully and held it in his right hand. "I hope you feel better soon, Abby. Feeling ill is very distracting."

"Trust me, I know! One other thing..." Pointing toward the top of the tree Abby indicated the sprig of mistletoe hanging from her tree. "You owe us kisses!"

"I-" Blushing a bright blue Connor could only hold still and let Abby and then Skye kiss him on his cheeks as the two friends took part in the human tradition with great enthusiasm. "...Thanks?"

Laughing at the shy remark Abby patted his shoulder and returned to her couch. "You're welcome. Tell Hank and Lucas I said 'Merry Christmas'."

"I will. You two have a Merry Christmas as well."

"We'll try." Abby replied with a small sigh as Skye joined her on the couch and handed her a blanket to cuddle in. "Emphasis on try..."

Arriving home at long last just before midnight Hank and Connor, covered in fresh snowflakes, were met by Lucas as the deviant finished baking a special batch of Christmas cookies for Hank, and some Thirium-based cookies for Connor and himself to try. Lucas was excited to celebrate Christmas for the first time and had taken the liberty to put up the rest of the decorations around the house to make things seem extra festive. Garland and lights lined every doorway, more ornaments were hung on the tree's branches, candles were glowing on every clean surface, twice as many gifts were tucked under the tree itself and even Sumo and Lucky were provided with their own gifts waiting to be opened.

More than ready to have a few hours of family time while working their busy lives as detectives Hank helped himself to a freshly baked cookie and urged his deviant sons to join him in the livingroom to exchange and open their gifts. Gathering together on the couch Connor kept the gift from Abby to himself while Lucas opened up the gifts meant for Sumo and Lucky.

Tossing Lucky her brand new catnip toy, the fluffy cat actively rolling around on the floor and wrapping her paws around it, Lucas grinned at her reaction. Next giving Sumo a massive rawhide bone Lucas watched the dog's tail wagging happily as he carried the treat over to his pillow to chew on while his masters all exchanged gifts with one another.

Being discreet Connor opened his gift from Abby and saw that the gift was a small blue guitar pick with white engraving over the surface. The inscription simply stated: 'You Are Loved', and that message made Connor's heart fill with much needed warmth. Slipping the pick into his vest pocket next to his coin Connor did his best to focus on his father and brother instead of Abby at the moment, as he wanted to spend time with his family.

Almost humorously Hank was gifted numerous dress shirts of the wildest designs and brightest of colors, some of which one would assume to be nothing more than a fever dream of the most psychotic artist, and a few simple dress shirts to balance out the outrages patterns. Once he was handed a new photo album filled with various images taken from Connor and Lucas's visual memory to act as photographs, Hank's blue eyes fill up with gracious tears of pure joy.

Images of Hank spending time with his sons at the cabin, around the house, in the garage, at the dog park and the precinct were all meant to commemorate their positive moments together. Seeing the way his adopted sons trusted him and enjoyed spending time with him made Hank's cold, bitter heart thaw into warmth and gratitude.

"Boys this is..." Flipping through the photos of him working with Lucas on his truck and spending time with Connor at the cabin truly made Hank feel like he had a family again at along last. "This is wonderful. I don't know what to say."

"Well, don't say anything just yet." Lucas insisted as he admired the brand new set of saxophone reeds, massive puzzles, old jazz records, new clothes, books and a large high quality camera he had been given. His gifts were as generous as anyone else's and he loved them all. "We have one last gift we wish to give to you, but we wanted to keep it for last."

"Oh?" Wiping the tears from his eyes with his right thumb Hank kept the album open as he watched his two sons enjoying their own gifts. "I can't imagine anything topping this."

"Just wait."

Connor had finished opening his other gifts, he too received new clothes and books, along with vintage metal records, guitar strings, and an antique coin from Greek mythology that was supposed to represent happiness. Looking over to Lucas with a sly gleam in his soulful brown eyes Connor handed his little brother a special gift that he and Hank made sure to leave last for him to open. "After you."

"Me?" Accepting the small and thin square package wrapped up in green paper Lucas held it with a grin on his face. "I have something special, too?"

Hank crossed his arms over his chest and gave him a smug grin. "Yup!" Pointing to the red and gold tree skirt at the base of the Christmas tree Hank made sure Lucas took notice of a slight change that had been made. "You noticed that the tree skirt has the names of the Anderson family sewn in there, right?"

"Yes. I noticed that when I helped Connor to set up the tree at the beginning of the month."

"Open the box in your hands and compare the two."

Doing as he was instructed Lucas unwrapped the box and peered inside to view his new gift. It was a photograph showing Lucas's name embroidered in gold thread on the skirt, and the date of the photograph was taken the night before. "I'm..." Rising from the couch Lucas looked down at where his and Connor's names had been sewn into the tree skirt and traced his fingertips over the name. It was right next to Connor and Cole's names as if it was always meant to be there. "...I'm, WE'RE, really a part of the family."

"Always have been, son." Without any hesitation Hank reminded Lucas he was a member of the family, no doubts about it. "That's our way of making sure it's official for the generations to come." Looking at Connor as the deviant's brown eyes widened a little as he too was shocked, Hank realized he managed to surprise them both by telling Connor the surprise was just for Lucas. "I didn't have the chance to do anything special for that first Christmas together with just Connor, so I made sure you both were included and know how much you mean to me as my sons."

Sitting forward on the couch Connor looked over to Lucas and nodded as his little brother revealed Hank's final gift from behind the tree. It was also thin and in a square box, but it was wrapped up in red paper and signed with both Lucas and Connor's names. "Then I suppose our gift to you isn't out of place after all."

"Out of place?" Confused by the comment Hank accepted the offered gift and opened up the paper slowly. "How could a gift be out of place?"

"I guess we'll never know... At least not right now."

As he opened the wrapped box Hank's blue eyes filled with new tears and he dragged his left hand over his chin in deep thought. "Really?" Inside the box was a piece of golden with a simple request printed out in black ink directed toward the father figure from his two sons. "You... You really want to call me 'dad'?"

"Yes." Connor confirmed as he and Lucas gathered around Hank on the couch and gave him a sincere response. "You called us 'son' long before you adopted us, and now that we changed our names to 'Anderson' it just... This feels right. We just wanted you to approve."

"You're absolutely right about that, son. I wholeheartedly approve." Hank wrapped his arms around his two sons' necks and pulled them in for strong hugs at his sides. "I'd like nothing more than hear that name again."

Lucas wrapped up Hank in his warm hug as he gave him a kind smile. "Merry Christmas, dad."

As Hank finally shed his tears he tightened his hugs even further.

Wanting to express his gratitude toward his father figure Connor reciprocated the warm hug as much as he could. "We're honored to have you as our friend, our mentor and as our father. We're proud to call you our dad."

-next chapter-