Hehe, I imagine a lot of you are trying to bleach some images out of your head now, right? Just like poor Hank.
What I didn't expect was how many of you asked whether everything Hank heard was another prank or not. Short answer is, no. All of that was true. You will hear a little more about that later (this isn't going to become a main feature of this fic, it is very much a side issue). Where you will hear a lot more about it, is when a certain character makes a return to this series – someone who has become somewhat of a favourite despite his one appearance in this universe.
Special thanks for reviews: Minecraft Guardiansaiyan, xNarielx, SheNoob, MugetsuPipefox, ConnorTheMemeBot, AnUnorthodoxDecision, HK800, lordvaatithewindmage and Britt30.
And now, for what has suddenly become the most popular pair in this universe (bar Hank and Connor obviously). How did this happen exactly? Your guess is as good as mine.
There's a small glimpse into the events at the end of Under My Skin, more specifically on how Gavin and Connor's relationship evolved to where it is now. A few things here might surprise you.
Time for revenge!
"You know, something has been bugging me about that whole fuck up yesterday."
"Only one thing? I can assure you, Gavin, that there are many things that happened yesterday that I would happily purge from my mind."
"Oh fuck you, Connor. That's not what I was getting at and you know it." Connor simply chuckled in reply.
It was the day after their unfortunate 'handcuffing' incident, and everyone in the precinct had been chuckling at them for the entirety of the morning. Tina had even gone so far as to toss over a spare pair to Gavin in case he and Connor wanted a 'repeat performance' as she'd put it. Of all the pranks that had not only happened in the precinct, but also been relayed through stories, this one seemed to be a favourite.
Now into the next day, Gavin was not quite so sour about the whole affair, but he'd pointedly not gone to see his girlfriend the previous night after her hand in it. Katie had turned up with food as a peace offering, but he'd really not been happy. There was no forgetting some of what they'd been forced to endure.
Gavin scowled slightly at Connor over his coffee, the two having taken a short break on their return from a crime scene to the precinct. While on the outside everyone else might be waiting for the two of them to have a spectacular falling out, the pair of them were actually quite relaxed around each other now. After the chaos of the undercover op in Zlatko's messed up sex/murder club and the events which brought about its downfall, Connor and Gavin's dynamic had greatly changed.
Then again, it was maybe little wonder after Gavin's all but breakdown and their attempts to batter some sense back into each other in an attempt to cope. Literally. Even now, Gavin could still vividly remember the thumping his body took from the android opposite him, but he still took a little pride in recalling how he had Connor pinned and was punching the shit out of him. Now that he could think clearly, rather than being swallowed by a vortex of rage, guilt and despair, it was clear to see that Connor had let him get the upper hand, but it didn't matter.
For those few moments, Gavin had found control again – and the human detective was infinitely grateful to Connor for it. In fact, his debts to the android were never going to be repaid now. Never mind how Connor had stopped him breaking apart both on that case and after it (and still was, to a large degree thanks to their frequent midnight spars), Gavin would never forget what Connor did for Katie. That was the kind of shit which defined a person's character and heart, and Gavin could see that Connor had changed from it. Not much, it was only a few moments where it was visible, but it was enough.
He'd never thought he'd be comfortable being indebted to an android, yet here he was. Luckily, Connor had already made it clear that he never expected anything in return. Which was good, because Gavin wouldn't have the faintest idea on where to start.
Well…other than playing a willing accomplice to Connor's pranks. That he could completely get behind.
"So, going back to my original point," Gavin said after taking sip of his coffee, "why the fuck didn't you just detach your arm? You could have saved us a hell of a lot of awkwardness in doing that."
Connor's LED spun yellow for a split second, which had Gavin's interest. "There was a worm implanted in the cuffs, which I was sadly unable to work around. It disabled the automatic and manual release mechanisms for all of my limbs. Trust me Gavin, if I could have done anything to avoid the eventuality that was being in the DPD bathroom together, I would have done so."
Gavin shivered at the memory. "Goddammit, whose fucking idea was that?"
"I am unsure as to whether it was Simon or North's suggestion, but it could have been either of them. What I am more curious about, is how Katie learned about the existence of those bindings."
The human gave Connor a long look. "Hold the fuck up. Katie's mentioned about how Markus, North and Simon have a threesome thing going; are you seriously telling me that those things were something they devised for their kinky sex games?"
At that moment, Connor was very grateful that Katie had at least been discreet enough to not mention everything about the intentions of the handcuffs. "Correct. Which is why I am intrigued as to how she came by the knowledge of them."
Holding up a hand in warning, Gavin took another long sip. "I'm really not that fucking curious, Connor, I've been scarred enough by the shit that Katie's told me already."
That had the android chuckling. "Remind me to introduce you to North and Simon properly at some point, since I'm sure you would have avoided them at my birthday. If you think Katie is bad, those two will have you threatening to combust from embarrassment."
"Noted," Gavin shuddered, but was curious to Connor's LED flickering yellow several times in frequent bursts. "You getting something?" he asked, recognising that now as incoming messages.
Connor smiled while his LED continued to flicker. "Not work related. I suppose you could say I have somewhat of a protégé when it comes to pranks. Her name is Alice, and she is asking for my advice in whether it is wise to try and attempt to catch out her parents."
Gavin raised an eyebrow. "From how quick you're flashing, I'm guessing she's an android too?"
At that, Connor was mildly impressed. Gavin worked that one out very quickly, and seemed completely nonplussed by the idea. Changed days indeed. "Correct. She and her parents are all androids. I…I actually ended up crossing paths with Alice and her mother, Kara, during the uprising twice. Kara is the AX400 we were sent after in the Ravendale district, they are the ones that Hank stopped me from chasing across the highway. I met them again after Jericho was destroyed, before they fled to Canada. Markus brought me back in contact with them not long after Katie joined us, and I was fortunate enough that they held nothing against me for my part in the uprising. Something not all others do…"
Realising Connor's slightly sad tone, Gavin paused for a moment before speaking again. "Does it bother you?" Connor quirked his head at Gavin's question. "That people still think of you as CyberLife's deviant hunter?"
"Not as much now as it used to, the number that do have that opinion is certainly a minority," Connor admitted. "I do still hold a certain…I'm not quite sure how to phrase it. I am irritated that my past is something that I cannot shake, especially when it was something outside of my control and has no bearing on who I am now."
"Sounds like resentment to me," Gavin offered while draining the rest of his coffee. "And I get that better than you think I might. Reputations can be shitty, but yours hasn't stuck you in nearly as awkward a position as mine has."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, you don't have to deal with your evil twin watching your every move like a fucking hawk," Gavin deadpanned.
That caused Connor to smirk. "Has Richard threatened to bodily harm you yet?"
"Not in so many words, but the fucking choke he put me in that night is not something I'm gonna forget in a hurry." Connor shook his head with a smile. "Fuck knows I'd much rather not deal with that asshole, but it's a little unavoidable since he's fiercely protective of Katie. At least some of her other siblings are decent," Gavin chuckled.
"Only some?" Connor asked in interest.
"I've met them all, but only really spoken to four of them. I've got enough goddamn issues with one sibling, couldn't imagine having twelve of them." Connor laughed lightly, but their privacy was broken when two drunken men burst out of the bar next door in a tangle of limbs. The public around them murmured at the spectacle but no-one was choosing to get involved. Gavin sighed while looking at his watch. "It's only 2 in the goddamn afternoon, didn't reckon we'd end up coming across a wasted punch up." He threw his paper cup at a nearby bin and Connor raised an eyebrow when it landed perfectly. Gavin smirked at the android with a glint in his eye. "You want the old git or the scrawny one?"
"I think I'll leave you the younger one, you may have enough strength to at least deal with him," Connor taunted with a wink.
Gavin snorted. "Bitch." The pair walked away from their standing table and approached the scrapping pair. "All right, break it up you two! No-one needs to deal with your drunken antics this early in the day."
The pair ignored them, to which Connor and Gavin each approached their chosen targets and wrestled them apart. Gavin leant back to avoid a wobbly swing and swiftly yanked the flailing arm up the guy's back, effectively immobilising him as Gavin cuffed that wrist before wrestling the other one into position. "Here's a hint: next time, don't get drunk off your face and try to pick a fight. It never ends well," he snapped as the guy tried in vain to struggle out of Gavin's grip. A yelp of pain from the other man had Gavin's head snapping over, and he was a little bemused by what he found.
Connor was staring, rather unimpressed, at his cuffed man as blue blood ran freely from his nose and on to his shirt. The man was howling in pain, and it didn't take Gavin long to work out what had happened. Evidently, being drunk meant that Connor's man had developed blindness to the fact that Connor was an android – so when he'd slammed his head back into Connor's face in an effort to get away from the detective, he'd collided with the android's plasteel frame rather than bone.
Gavin chuckled in sympathy, he knew from plenty of experience that striking Connor's chassis fucking hurt. Connor was not so inclined towards the man's pain, and rather unceremoniously shoved him towards their car, Gavin and his catch right behind.
"You know, it's not quite as satisfying since I didn't do it myself, but I still think the busted nose is a good look on you," Gavin snickered.
Connor turned to give Gavin a blank stare before flipping him off. Gavin just laughed as they bundled their drunken duo into the back of the patrol car.
It didn't take long for them to get on the road, Gavin sniggering at the sight of Connor having some tissues shoved up his nose. "Does that even work on you guys?" he wondered aloud.
"It will at the very least stop the thirium from staining my shirt any more than it already has done until my self-healing kicks in," Connor grumbled back, to which Gavin smirked.
"Hate to break it to you Connor, but I think that one's had it," he supplied usefully, staring at the large blue stream which had run down Connor's grey shirt. It was days like this that Gavin was so glad he went for the ultra-casual look, at least it was a hell of a lot easier to just switch out a t-shirt rather than a full-smart shirt.
Blinking at Connor's temple had Gavin's attention, and the android smiled from behind the wheel as he veered away from their previous trajectory of returning to the precinct. "Hey, what gives?" Gavin asked at seeing them make a very strange turn.
"Apologies, Gavin, but I've just had a message informing me that our supplies are ready," Connor told him with a smirk, deciding to just dump the tissue and let the thirium run until his self-healing protocol stopped it.
At that, Gavin's smile became cruel. "Fucking hell, that was fast. Do I even want to know how you managed that? We only came up with this idea two hours ago."
Connor smiled knowingly at him. "It helps to have friends in high places…or ones at the very least that are more than willing to assist us in a prank."
Gavin's face fell as something registered. "Shit, we're going to the Jericho apartments, aren't we?"
"Yes, and?"
"Awww fuck, I'm definitely not going to be able to look at Markus and co without being able to keep a straight face now that I know what those fucking handcuffs were meant for."
Connor just managed to bite his tongue and not inform Gavin that they were very thoroughly used the night before.
Just. His face would have been an absolute picture though.
As it was, Connor got to see that image anyway since North was the one who handed everything over, with Simon for help. Those two were as subtle as ever – as in, not in the slightest. North was still smirking like a Cheshire cat, and couldn't stop herself from winking at Connor when Gavin wasn't looking, while Simon couldn't help but laugh softly at her antics. It took only a few minutes to load everything up in their patrol car, but even that little time had Gavin's face scrunched in anguish with his cheeks flaming in embarrassment.
North had a talent for humiliating people, and Connor would be lying if he wasn't deriving immense amusement from it at that moment.
Following their plan, Gavin dropped Connor off with everything for constructing their prank in the DPD garage before coming back up top to drag their perps inside to sober up before dealing with them later. They were actually going to come in very handy.
Hank and Katie were both in the precinct at that time, and they both noticed the lack of Connor, especially when Gavin shouted over to his girlfriend. "Yo, Katie!" The android looked up at the calling of her name, scowling when Connor didn't appear. "Got another one in the back, I'm parked out front. Fancy grabbing him for me?"
Katie nodded quickly and went to retrieve the other man as Hank went up to speak with Gavin, following him as he threw his man into a cell. "Gavin, where's Connor?" he asked gruffly.
"At Jericho, getting fixed up," Gavin lied smoothly. "This asshole here got in a lucky shot and did a number on him. Simon said he'd be ready in an hour or so." Well, that was how long Connor had told him he would need to get ready. Once Gavin had started the next phase of their plan that is. He needed to get away from Hank and back to his terminal before anything could really start.
"Fucking hell, that kid has a habit of getting himself hurt," Hank lamented, which had Gavin feeling a little bad about the lie. Well, it was more a stretching of the trust since Connor did get socked in the nose, but he was completely fine. At least when Connor re-appeared their story was going to be believable. "He coming back here afterwards?"
"Yeah, Connor said he'd meander back over once he was ready. Fowler already knows."
Well, that bit was true at least. Connor and Gavin were both convinced that Fowler was just amused at all the pranks by now, and that there probably was no stopping them. If anything, it at least kept he spirits in the precinct high. And having Fowler in the know meant that their little 'hacking' into the DPD systems wasn't going to cause too much alarm.
That's what Gavin hoped, anyway. If this was all some grand scheme to nail him, though, Gavin was going to find a way to string Connor off a building and leave him there, Hank and Katie's wrath be damned.
It was just then that Katie came in with their other drunk, who was grumbling an ask about 'why cops had to be so hot?'. When she shoved him inside rather venomously, Gavin raised an eyebrow while Katie slammed her hand a little aggressively on the hand scanner. Hank and Gavin both watched her in muted amusement at her anger. "Let me guess, he hit on you?" Gavin asked with a smile.
He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he found a pissed off Katie rather attractive – and since they were keeping their relationship on the down low from the DPD to avoid Internal Affairs crawling all over them, they were making a point of trying to keep their outward appearance to 'touchy feely' friends, as Chris had once called them. At least Katie had the same type of friendship with Connor, so no-one was raising any eyebrows yet. They knew it wouldn't last forever though.
"No," she growled, "he was asking if you or Connor were single. He didn't believe me when I said no." Without another word, she stormed out.
Gavin watched her go in a strange mixture of arousal and hilarity, while Hank just laughed. "Damn, didn't think of Katie as the possessive type," he snorted out, to which Gavin just shook his head fondly while following her out. He deftly strode back to his terminal, and found a message from Connor on his phone.
I'm ready. Start the upload whenever you're ready, Gavin.
You sure thisll work? Youre not using this as an excuse to get the book thrown at me are you?
I don't think I'll ever get used to your abominable message etiquette. Yes, this will work, I am well aware of how the DPD systems operate now after all my experimentation in there last time. Try to make sure Hank and Katie stay distracted.
Fuck you just get on with it. Last one aint going to be a problem.
I somehow doubt you intended that statement as an invitation, Gavin, and I already have plenty of choice of sexual partners. Your interest is noted, however.
His cheeks burned and Gavin shuddered while slamming the end of his phone cable into his terminal with an angry snarl.
Just fucking do it already dipshit! Fuck did you really just say that?!
It will have been worth it for your reaction, I will be sure to download that from the CCTV footage as I root around in the system.
Oh get fucked asshole!
Watch your context, Gavin.
"Pain in the ass android…" Gavin grumbled under his breath, watching as his phone flickered before his terminal briefly glitched, confirming Connor's successful upload to the DPD mainframe. After the New Year, Katie had convinced Gavin to modify his phone to be compatible with the android backup system, which was slowly becoming more widespread. While it was intended as a backup space for Katie, it was technically compatible with any android who had Gavin's details in the system – which also included Connor. And they were beginning to realise it had a very handy side effect.
Hacking suddenly became a lot easier when Connor could just upload his mind to a computer system to work around it. Gavin pretended to be filling in paperwork for their two perps as Connor got to work on the alarm system for the fire exit in the garage which linked up to the evidence archives. It was the least likely place for anyone to be, and it meant that Connor could hopefully sneak in undetected.
Eleven seconds later Gavin saw the blueprints of the security system flash up on his terminal, along with the warning of the alarm being deactivated on the correct fire escape. He smirked as the monitor glitched and then his phone, indicating that Connor had extracted himself from the DPD systems successfully. Another message appeared a second later.
I'm in.
Not gonna lie dipshit, im envious as fuck about that trick.
Connor didn't answer him, but Gavin didn't need it. He'd find out soon enough if Connor was successful. It took another few minutes before Connor messaged him back, to which Gavin had to fight down a smirk.
Interrogation Room 1. Have you devised a way to get them there?
Oh yeah im all over this.
Now he just had to wait.
Fortunately, it wasn't unheard of for the Interrogation Rooms to be locked down for hours at a time, so no-one bat an eyelid when they couldn't access the room. It was just under an hour later that Connor came back in through the main security gate, having quickly exited via the fire escape once more to keep their story consistent. Katie spied the dried thirium on Connor's shirt due to her android sight and her eyes widened when she saw him. "Connor, are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
He smiled at Katie warmly. "I'm fine," Connor reassured her, angling his smile up at Hank when the lieutenant approached. "I simply require a change of clothes is all. Have they sobered up any?"
"Yeah, the pair of them are grumbling like fuck," Hank told him as Gavin approached. "Saw Gavin's report, you two going to interview them now or leave 'em to stew a little while longer? Would serve those assholes right to have a banging headache long term after what they did."
Connor couldn't help but chuckle at Hank's venomous tone. "I think we should handle them now, if for no other reason so that we can all leave on time."
"Well, if you want to tackle them now, why don't we scare them off doin' this again? A little good cop, bad cop routine ought to be fun," Gavin smirked, to which Connor smiled in reply.
"I'm taking the asshole who couldn't keep his trap shut," Katie stated, which had Hank snickering and Gavin smiling fondly. Connor looked at her in confusion before his LED flashed yellow from a data transfer, after which he chuckled.
"I want a crack at the dick who socked Connor, so who we taking first?" Hank told them.
"Tell you what, you two decide who's going to take a swing at who, Connor and I'll get 'em warmed up."
Hank and Katie bought it, and missed how the other two smirked when they went into Interrogation Room 1. "Which side did you set it up in?" Gavin muttered to him.
Connor winked at him. "What makes you think I picked only one? That would be leaving it to chance."
Gavin had barely smiled when they heard a screech and shout from the room in question, to which he began cackling. "I'm guessing that was you…?" The android continued smiling, and the pair began howling in laughter when Hank and Katie re-emerged from the room with twin scowls.
Unbeknownst to them, Connor had set up tarpaulins with a large amount of slime along the roof of each room, held aloft by ropes and hooks, and rigged so that any of the hooks can be ripped outwards to dump the contents on whoever lay below. Watching the CCTV footage, Connor was able to see when Hank and Katie were in an appropriate position in the interrogation side, and let loose. Both of them were now covered head to toe in fluorescent green slime.
"Holy shit, you set that up perfect, dipshit!" Gavin sniggered, laughing harder at feeling his phone vibrate like crazy in his pocket. Safe to say Katie was pissed, though he knew she'd cool off quick enough. Hank and Katie would have been well aware that Connor and Gavin would be looking for revenge.
"You lying bastard, Reed," Hank seethed. "You had me worrying for nothing!"
"Oi! Connor did get it in the face from the old shit in there!" Gavin argued. "But he's an android, so all he got was a bloodied nose. Katie's android scanners will prove it!" Katie let out a long breath as she nodded to Hank, confirming Gavin's story. "But, yeah, may have hammed it up a little. Needed a reason for you two not to go looking for him for an hour."
"Speaking of which, how the hell did you even set all that up, Connor?" Katie asked them while deciding to hug Chris from behind as the other officer laughed in his chair, earning a groan of annoyance in return.
"It helps to be intimately aware of the DPD's computer systems," Connor said with a smile, which had Katie shaking her head. While the backup system was meant only as an emergency solution, it was having added advantages that the androids had not considered up until that point.
Hank and Katie went down to get a change of clothes after being subjected to a few more teasing jibes, while Connor and Gavin started setting up the interrogation room for their drunken idiots. They weren't cruel enough to deprive the pair of that fun after their prank.
While they were at it, Connor received a few more messages from Alice with details of her 'grand plan', asking Connor if it was viable. It was certainly possible…if incredibly ambitious.
Connor was up for the challenge because it was far too good an opportunity to pass up.
Alice, this is an ingenious idea, but it will possibly take several weeks to set it all up. Are you sure this is what you want to do?
Yeah! I really want to! You think we can do it?
It will require some help, but I think we can expand this with said help. Would you object to me bringing others in to increase the amusement factor? I don't want to hijack your prank.
Nope, seeing others in this situation would be fun! Who do you want to involve?
We'll need Simon and Richard's help for this one…and I think we should have Simon and company be part of the testing, don't you agree?
Wait, do you want to get Markus, North, Simon and Josh too? Wow, that would be so cool to get all six of them!
Agreed, and as much as I would love to involve Katie and Richard, I don't think that would be possible. Still, six people would be plenty.
This is so cool! How are we going to do this?
Connor smirked with a glint in his eyes.
Give me time, I'll come up with something. Fire me all your plans, I'm at your command.
He laughed quietly at Alice's giddy reply.
This is gonna be so fun!
I couldn't agree more.