I think a few people's hearts melted if the response to the last chapter is anything to go by. And I apologise for any heart attacks caused.

Special thanks for reviews: DyeTheSheep, Minecraft Guardiansaiyan, Maria Annette, KaguyaAmaterasu, gipsypipsy, Celestic1234, Crashrox92, lordvaatithewindmage, MagicalWitch92, Roseheir, Dungeon30, SilkySilky, Subtle Shenanigans, DemonSkitty, SheNoob, xNarielx, Magic Myu, AnUnorthodoxDecision, less-sugar, Hallilujah, Neyane, JusTiNSaNiTy, sarahlucylu, Kata and one Guest!

Contrary to popular belief, it was possible for androids to get bored. It was unusual for those who lived among other androids, and even more uncommon in those who lived with humans. They had plenty of practice in finding ways to occupy the times their humans were asleep or away, so boredom was a rarity.

Which is why Connor often found his eyes drifting across to the desk adjoining his, missing the easy banter he shared with Hank. It had been just over a week since his car accident and while Connor was relieved that he was healing at home, things were taking time to return to normal. Connor was glad to have the freedom to return to work now that Hank was being looked after at the house, but he found himself bored without the older man's snarky commentary.

And lonely.

A package soon meandered its way on to Connor's desk and appeared in his eyeline, with a soft voice chirping through his brief melancholy. "Mail for one Detective Anderson." Connor's face broke out in a broad smile and he turned it towards the female owner of the voice. Katie beamed back at him and sat at the side of his desk, watching as Connor stood and opened the box. "So, it's finally official?" she asked happily.

Connor laughed lightly. "Yes, it is," he started as he pulled out the brand-new name plate for his desk, smile growing at seeing the writing there. "And I believe you played a part in it." Katie shrugged as she looked over at the white plate, her smile growing.

Det. Anderson

"I just answered all the Lieutenant's questions, that's all," Katie continued as Connor set it on his desk. "He did all the hard work. Turns out trying to surprise you with it required the pulling of a few strings."

That earned a raised eyebrow from Connor, and as he sat back down he chuckled at seeing Katie's new hair for the week. It turned out the female android had an affinity for changing her hair colour frequently – at least humans did it commonly enough so that the constant changes didn't alert anyone to her android nature – and this week's colour was a luscious burgundy. Their colleagues had found it a highly amusing quirk, and they frequently had bets on which colour would next be featuring. Katie gave him a playful flick with the folder she was holding, at which Connor continued. "How so?"

"Well you may not be aware, but androids normally have to consent to being adopted. For the Lieutenant to get around that little loophole, he needed two people to confirm that he had no malicious intentions - one android and one human. I guess the Captain and Markus were convincing enough."

Connor could swear his heart warmed at hearing the story. "In that case, I'll have to express my gratitude to the both of them."

Katie nodded at him before her expression turned slightly more sombre. "How is the Lieutenant doing?"

"As well as can be expected, really. He has both good and bad days." It was a fair assessment, though Connor wasn't really willing to go into detail. As much as he liked Katie, he didn't feel how could let her into the whole truth yet; and she definitely didn't need to know that most of Hank's bad days were due to psychological issues from the fact it was a car crash which had left him injured. "I think he's bored though, he's unwisely decided to begin challenging Markus as chess."

A smile tugged at her lips. "Oh boy, that can't be going well."

"At last count, I believe the score was 36-0. North is finding it incredibly amusing."

She paused thoughtfully. "And how about you?"

Connor looked at her strangely. "Why would I not be well?"

"Not what I meant, Connor. How are you coping?"

"I'm fine."

Katie grinned. "Suuuuure, that's why you keep staring forlornly at his desk." Connor gave her an unimpressed look. "If you're looking for company, I'm sure you can find some."

That earned a devilish smirk from Connor. "Is that an offer, Katie?"

She winked at him. "Could be, if you want it to be."

The pair stared at each other for a few more seconds before Katie started giggling, Connor chuckling along a few seconds later. A loud voice soon burst through their bubble and caught their attention. "Katie!" Both of them turned towards Gavin at hearing his shout from the other side of the precinct. "Ignore the tin can, we've got a body on the other side of town. Let's move it!"

Connor's glare was icy while Katie gave her own, slightly more neutral, version. Despite initial reservations, it turned out Katie was a good compliment to Gavin. Her gentle nature meant he was less inclined to snap at her, and the times that he did, she had enough snark hidden away to put him back in his place. And she actually kind of liked him when he wasn't being an asshole; with one big exception.

She despised his blatant hatred for androids, and his attitude towards Connor in particular. The pair had fought frequently regarding his opinions.

Katie gave Connor an apologetic smile and stood, following Gavin out. Connor watched her go with a slight sadness, having enjoyed the brief company. He turned his attention back to the cases under investigation, hoping it could distract him for a while from the combined boredom and loneliness.

Which was why he was surprised when he got a message over the android network a few minutes later.

Connor…you know how you and the Lieutenant have your prank war going on?

Yes, why do you ask, Katie?

Any ideas for one against Gavin? He's really doing my head in.

Connor sat up with a broad smirk. Now he had something to keep him entertained.

It took another couple of days for Katie and Connor to come up with a plan they liked, and when Hank found out their intention he was gutted to miss it. He made Connor swear to show him a recording of the event. Connor was all too happy to agree.

This was when he was glad the Jericho crew had volunteered to keep an eye on Hank as he recovered, as it allowed him to ask Simon for help with ease. The android was more than happy to assist, but Connor was suspicious when it took Simon two days to give him the items he'd asked for. Simon had simply apologised, saying that he had another order to fulfil.

Connor had a distinct feeling he was going to end up on the wrong side of it when North had laughed at the explanation.

He sent a message to Katie when everything was ready, asking her to be at the precinct an hour early to get set up, and she seemed excited at the prospect of pranking Gavin. Connor found her enthusiasm infectious – not that he wasn't looking forward to seeing Gavin get a little payback.

A reluctant thought flew through his head that maybe he was being a little petty. And then the answer swiftly flitted after it much louder.

Nope.

Connor went with Katie through to the breakroom, opening a panel in his calf and showing her the final design. Her eyes gleamed, and once Connor had reconfigured himself, the pair made sure they were not attracting any attention before setting up their trap. Katie placing one half behind the leg of Gavin's desk while Connor delicately set the other half under hers in the same position

Now all they had to do was wait.

They retreated to Connor's own desk and spent the time awaiting Gavin's arrival idly chatting. Just before he appeared, Katie felt a vibration from her phone. While it was there solely to maintain the illusion of her being human, she had found an appeal to it. Namely when it came to taking photographs.

As she noticed it was a message from Gavin asking whether about two reports they were awaiting from forensics were ready, Connor took special note of the photograph in the background. Katie was knelt down with her arms wrapped around a sandy coloured dog, a beaming smile on her face. He quickly scanned it, the results showing that it was an Alaskan Husky, and looked at her in mild surprise. "You have a dog, Katie?"

She nodded happily. "Uh-huh that's my girl, Dust. I absolutely adore her."

Connor smiled slightly. "I completely understand, I have similar sentiments about the Lieutenant and I's dog, Sumo. We should have them meet sometime."

They continued talking for the next minutes, at which point Connor detected Gavin entering the precinct on the security cameras. He winked at her, which is when Katie started showing Connor various embarrassing and amusing photos of her family from her phone.

When Gavin entered, he swiftly scowled at seeing Katie sat at Connor's desk again. Worse yet, she seemed to be laughing along with him at whatever she was showing him from her phone. He was not impressed. "Katie," he growled, "I thought I asked you about the reports from forensics from last night?"

Katie and Connor took their time in responding, by which point Katie was holding up a folder sitting next to her. "Keep your shirt on, Gavin," she teased. "They're right here. Had to keep myself amused somehow until you arrived."

Gavin glared at Connor briefly before striding over, the male android making sure his LED was concealed when he established a connection with Katie.

Ready?

Absolutely.

The pair waited until Gavin was in the right position before connecting wirelessly to Simon's specially designed tripwire, each tapping into one half of the retracting stands. They pulled the fine wire which had been lying loose on the floor tight, it ending just at shin height. As Gavin collided with it, Connor triggered the additional electrical charge. Not enough to be harmful, but it would certainly be felt.

Gavin yelped loudly as he went tumbling, the noise breaking a new octave as the electricity shot through his leg while the coffee in his hand went flying.

And by pure chance, it headed straight towards his shirt.

Everyone watched stunned as Gavin ended up panting on the floor, the two androids barely having enough sense to complete the tripwire's programming. It was detached at one side and was quickly retracted into the other stand, as if it had never been there.

And then the laughter started echoing around the room.

Gavin sat up and glared at most of them, his look turning slightly sour at seeing Katie holding her sides in a fit of giggles. "What was that squeak, Gavin?" she asked breathlessly. "I know you said you like dramatic entrances, but that was maybe a bit much?"

His face went scarlet in embarrassment, which did nothing to avert everyone's hilarity. "Shut it, Katie," he snapped as he stood, his mood turning even more bitter when he looked over at Connor and saw the triumphant smirk on the android's face.

Connor wasn't even trying to hide it.

Gavin wanted to punch him.

He instead settled for skulking off and going to change, though he was more than a little unsteady from the pins and needles in his leg from the electrical shock. He almost fell twice more, earning even more laughs.

Oh my god, Connor, that was hilarious! I can't believe how well that went!

I must admit, I am surprised myself at the results. I'm beginning to think Gavin might stop consuming coffee for how often he ends up doing something other than drinking it nowadays.

…Should I be feeling bad for how much fun that was? He is my partner after all.

I wouldn't: Gavin has brought this upon himself.

You know, you can be quite evil when you want to be.

The Lieutenant has been finding this out to his peril for a while now.

It was safe to say that Hank was impressed when Connor showed him the recording that evening.

He barely managed to not burst his stitches in his hip from laughing so hard at Gavin's confusion and embarrassment.