\ Family /

The first time it's brought up while discussing a Christmas tree he is, well, floored. But he then ignores it and moves on. His predecessor is strange. Nothing new there. Then Heather brings it up with the note under her gifts. He rebels against the term but says nothing aloud and moves on.

It becomes the norm for his predecessor to refer to them as such. He resorts to simply brushing it off. The Lieutenant continues to use such terms as well much to his frustration. It's a low number of people. He can handle it. But then the number grows and he starts to falter.

It begins simply. A discussion between Lieutenant Anderson and Captain Fowler that he isn't meant to overhear. Too bad for them the office door was left cracked open and androids have excellent hearing.

"Come on Jeffrey, you gotta give me somethin'. Even these two," A thumb pointed back at the desk he and Connor are sharing. "can't work non-stop."

The Captain sighs. Figures. The winter holidays trigger a spike in deaths. They've been rather overworked. "I'm sorry, Hank. You three are the only homicide team with androids that we've got and we've been understaffed since the evacuation. If you or your kids need time off you can alternate days."

"Damn it." A pause. "Fine, I'll let 'em know. And about the guy in holding—"

He stops listening when the topic switches. His kids? The Lieutenant uses familial terms for him and Connor but the Captain participating? Surely Captain Fowler of all people is aware of the truth. He is not Lieutenant Anderson's offspring. Nor is Connor, despite occasional usage of the word father. It doesn't make sense.

Part of him doesn't want it to.

The silence clings to him, fills him, runs through his veins like a virus. It was Cole's room he and Connor were given. The Lieutenant cleared out the boy's belongings for them. Why does he feel so hollow? It was just some old belongings of a kid years dead. Why does it matter?

Because you're replacing him.
You and Connor both.
You're taking his room, his assigned space in Hank's home.
You're an intruder.
A poor replacement.
A broken copy.
You'll never be your own person.

Stop. Not now. Lock it up. He quarantines that unbidden memory. Pretends it never happened. Runs a quick and directed search of his memory archives to see if anyone he knows used similar familial terminology regarding him and Connor, or possibly androids in general. Research must be done as to why this keeps happening. And why he can't accept Hank's offer of family.

A visit to New Jericho in late November. A talk with North. She complained that Markus was hardly around anymore.

"Isn't his mission to achieve equality for androids?" he asks. "Human politics hardly make sense. He could be having difficulties that extend the duration of his visits out of town."

"He said this time was to visit family though."

A confused head tilt. "Androids cannot have family."

A half-hearted shrug. "Family doesn't have to be biological. Simon and Josh are basically my family even if they irritate the hell out of me. But I guess that's what brothers do. Connor confuses and annoys you but you wouldn't give him up for the world, am I right?"

He offers a shrug to mirror hers. "He's an enigma and sometimes I appreciate him. That doesn't make him my brother."

"Well yeah but you're also the same model."

"Are all WR200s your siblings?"

North frowns. "If I get to know them, maybe. It depends."

"Then your argument is invalid."

A roll of her eyes and a frustrated sigh. "Ugh, fine."

A satisfied smirk. "Who is Markus visiting anyway?"

"His dad and brother."

He frowns and slumps his shoulders like a disappointed parent, encouraging her to use the correct words.

She crosses her arms and sticks her tongue out at him like a child before amending her statement. "His old caretaker and the guy's son."

"Why?"

"Holiday season maybe? I didn't ask."

"Deviants are strange."

It's not enough. He can see the similarities but surely they are aware of the inconsistencies? The impossibilities? Then again North seemed like she knew the facts but was choosing to ignore them. He still doesn't understand why deviants participate in human traditions and use human terms and remove their LEDs and all these other ways to make themselves more like humans. Are they not proud to be androids? Are they not aware they are far superior?

Why would an android ever want to be like a human?

He may have shattered his code and had to put himself back together but he has no desire to start acting like that. It's bewildering. Perhaps more research? That wasn't the first time he was present for an exchange about family regarding androids.

Elijah Kamski's residence, mid-November. The Lieutenant had taken himself and Connor there at their request for information and possible repairs as they are unique models. As predicted the Lieutenant did not trust the Creator.

Hands clasped behind his back the Creator makes his way over to the Lieutenant, still glaring, each step slow and perfectly measured almost like a pissed off android. The man stops a foot away. "I have no desire to harm them Lieutenant, only do what they've asked. To do so I would rather work alone. I will not ask again."

The stare-down lasts far longer than expected and he is impressed with the Lieutenant for not backing down. "You don't have kids do ya, Mr. Kamski?" the Lieutenant asks.

The Creator's glare softens a bit. "I have Chloe, Iris, and April. Why?"

"Would you leave them with an engineer you don't trust?"

Is he still referring to us as family? he sends to Connor, just a tad irritable.

I'm finding I don't mind it. Family is a nice concept. Connor replies, perfectly cheerful about it.

It's a human concept.

No. Animals also have families. It's something all living beings can have.

I rest my case.

Once again Connor frowns at him. He's sick of getting the disappointed stare from his predecessor.

Yes, Connor had been annoyed with his machine attitude that day. But more important was the exchange between the Lieutenant and the Creator. Both considered multiple androids to be their children. Why?

Again he returns to the memory of North and her explanation. Family doesn't have to be biological. If she considers Simon and Josh her brothers then perhaps she is merely close to them? A deep friendship despite their disagreements? A quick database search proves her right. One of the most common meanings behind the term family does not include biological relations. If that's the case then…

All his memories of Connor flash through his HUD at high speed. A deep bond unique to them. His predecessor who manages to be an enigma, an annoyance, and his lifeline in this messy new existence. North is right. Despite how often they irritate each other with clashing ideals Connor has his back and he would go to absurd lengths for his predecessor to make up for what he'd done when they met.

Perhaps things are starting to make sense after all.

.

"Hank says if we want to make a Christmas card we can sign it as being from the Andersons. Should we?" Connor asks later that evening from the other end of the couch after the Lieutenant has gone to bed.

"No."

"Because androids can't have family?" Connor asks him, tone falling.

A sigh. It's still a confusing concept. "You can list us as related if you so choose, but I want nothing to do with Lieutenant Anderson."

.

For the first time in years copies of a Christmas card from the Anderson household make their rounds through DPD Central Station. The enclosed photo is of him, Connor, Hank, and Sumo by the tree. Connor had wrangled them all into it the morning after their discussion, hence his smile not looking as natural as Connor's and the Lieutenant still appearing rather tired. The card's message, written in perfect Cyberlife Sans?

.

Merry Christmas from Hank Anderson and the RK800 brothers!

.

It's a start.