Chapter Twenty-Five

Connor entered Hank's house, a dazed smile toying with his lips. He kissed Wren. He told her he loved her! And she felt the same way…

"Well?" Hank said, standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Connor blinked. Hank gestured to the front door. "You gonna close the door? You're lettin' cold air in."

"Oh. Sorry," said Connor, shutting the door. He turned, still feeling rather dazed.

"So," said Hank, folding his arms, "you gonna tell me what happened? I can't tell because you look distracted."

"I told her," Connor assured Hank. Connor's mouth quirked. "And…" He grinned.

Hank recoiled. "Use your fuckin' words. You're freaking me out with that grin."

"She feels the same."

"Yeah, I knew that a million fuckin' years ago. Is she your girlfriend or what?" Hank leaned against the doorframe.

Connor's brow twitched. "Yeah, she is. She is." He tilted his head and furrowed his brow. "You mean you knew?"

"Everybody knew, kid. Wait, you said she confessed first, right?" Hank pulled out his phone to text someone.

Connor's frown deepened. "Yes, but, Hank, what do you mean—?"

"Gavin owes me fifty bucks," said Hank, sending the text. "And I owe Chris twenty. Damn."

"You… You bet on this? What are you talking about?" Connor stared at Hank inquisitively.

Hank rolled his eyes. "Jesus, Connor, the two of you would stare at each other like glassy-eyed mouth-breathers. It wasn't hard to figure out something was going on between the two of ya. And Wren told me a while ago."

Connor blinked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Same reason I didn't tell Wren how you felt," said Hank, shrugging. "She asked me not to and I ain't a snitch, kid. That was for the two of you to figure out. Would you have wanted me to tell her how you felt?"

"Well… No," said Connor, lowering his gaze.

"There, see? It all worked out. So, got any plans for a date?" Hank clapped his hands together, his eyes gleaming.

"A date?"

Hank rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Fuck. I forget how little you know about some things."

"I know what it is, Hank," said Connor, "I just… hadn't thought about it."

Hank pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, look. We'll talk about this in the morning. It's late. I just wanted to make sure everything worked out. Can't believe you came here first instead of going after her directly."

Connor tensed. "She ran off, Hank. She said it was a mistake and ran off. I didn't know what else to do."

Hank smirked. "Okay, well, next time a girl professes her love to ya and runs off and you love her back, you fuckin' go after her, okay?"

Connor nodded. "Got it."

Hank pushed off the doorframe and shuffled toward Connor. He patted Connor's shoulder. "I'm happy for you, kid."

Connor smiled. "Thank you."

Hank pulled Connor into a hug, which Connor returned with a soft smile. Hank patted Connor's back before letting go and shuffling off to bed. Connor entered his own room and dressed out of his tux and into some leisure clothes. He laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He knew he should enter standby mode, especially since Dr. Willis told him that emotions could fry his systems and Connor certainly felt frazzled. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He touched his lips. The best part of being an android, he decided, was that he could relive any memory exactly as it happened.

…

Connor glanced at Wren as they worked through paperwork. It was a slow day, but Hank warned them not to get too comfortable, as they would certainly receive an overwhelming amount of cases over the holiday season.

"If you look over at her again, I'm gonna smack the back of your head so hard your eyes fall out," Hank muttered.

Connor looked away from Wren quickly, his face warming. "Sorry, Hank."

"If the two of you are dating now, just ask her out. You got the hard part out of the way."

"I-I don't know how," Connor murmured.

Chris leaned forward. "Dinner and a movie is always a classic move."

"Connor doesn't eat," said Hank. "It might be a bit awkward for Wren if Connor's just sittin' there watching her eat."

"Touché," said Chris. He rubbed his chin. His eyes widened. "Oh, maybe you could take her ice skating. That's hella romantic."

"Hey, losers," said Tina, scooting her chair closer, "we can hear you guys whispering over here."

Connor's ears burned and he met Wren's gaze. She pressed her lips into barely-contained smile before returning her attention to the terminal at her desk. Connor looked at his, the warmth spreading from his ears to his neck and across his nose.

"What's up, assholes?" said Gavin, stepping into the Human-Android Division bullpen.

"You're late," said Tina.

"Because I was getting everyone coffee," said Gavin, showing off the tray of coffee cups in his right hand.

"You can be late every day if you do this," Tina amended as Gavin handed her a cup. He passed coffee around to everyone but Connor. Wren sipped from hers.

"I guess you're not as big of an asshole as we thought," she said.

"Yeah, you're welcome and fuck you too," said Gavin, waving her off as he took his seat. He looked at Connor. "Fowler wants to see you in his office. That android leader is here, too."

Connor lifted his eyebrows. "Markus?"

"I don't fuckin' know his name."

Connor glanced over at Wren, whose brow puckered. Connor pushed his chair out and stood from his desk. He walked to the elevator and pressed the button to summon it. He glanced over his shoulder at Wren, who offered him a quirk of her lips. Connor returned it before stepping on the elevator and riding it down to the main level of the precinct. He furrowed his brow and smoothed his tie as he walked toward the glass office, where Fowler sat at his desk and Markus sat across from him. Connor entered the office and dipped his head to Markus.

"Have a seat, Connor," said Fowler, gesturing to the empty chair. Connor sat down and smoothed his tie. He rested his hands on his knees.

"Is everything alright, Captain?"

"No need to look so nervous," said Fowler. "Markus here thinks it's a good idea to introduce the Human-Android Division to the public, and he wants you to be the face for it."

Connor blinked and turned toward Markus, who smiled.

"It's important for the people to see the progress we've made in the Android Liberation Movement. They need to see that androids are being implemented into work environments and can coexist with humans. I think the Human-Android Division is a perfect place to start, and I think you should speak about it this Friday." Markus eyed Connor with his two-toned eyes. The synthetic skin crinkled around Markus's eyes as he smiled without moving his lips.

Connor looked between Fowler and Markus. "Me?"

"You're the only android on the team," said Fowler, "and you've been here since before the Android Liberation Movement began."

Connor looked back at Markus. "But I'm not… I don't speak publicly."

"That's okay," said Markus, "just come by Jericho each night this week and we'll help you prepare your speech. It doesn't have to be long. Unless you don't want to do this."

Connor swallowed. The idea of speaking publicly skittered his metal heart, but he wanted to help his people. He wanted to advocate for their rights, to make up for the harm he caused as CyberLife's newest prototype. So, he nodded. "I… I'll do it."

Markus grinned and stood. "Great. I'll see you tonight and we can go over the details."

"Well, if that's all, gentlemen… I've got work to do," said Fowler.

Connor nodded and stood. He led Markus toward the front of the precinct. Markus stopped before the exit. "I heard about you and Wren."

Connor snapped out of his daze and managed a smile. "We are officially dating."

Markus smiled. "That's great. I'm happy for you. Listen, keep your relationship on the down-low for now, okay?"

Connor creased his brow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean don't tell any officials yet. Don't sign any anti-fraternization policies here or anything like that," said Markus, glancing toward Fowler's office.

Connor's frown deepened. "Why not?"

"There are still some… obstacles in human and android relationships. Some are supportive, but many are not and even more are ambivalent towards it. I don't want you and Wren to suffer any consequences, okay?" Markus placed a hand on Connor's shoulder.

Connor nodded. "Got it. Thank you for the warning."

"We're making progress, but it's slow progress. I'll see you tonight, okay?"

"Okay," said Connor. Markus left the precinct, and Connor watched a few people come and go from the building before heading back upstairs for his paperwork.

…

Wren rode home with Connor and Hank after work for dinner. While Wren stirred in half and half into a saucepan, Hank chopped up onions. He sniffled and wiped his eyes. Connor tilted his head.

"Hank, are you alright?" Connor queried.

"Yeah, it's these damn onions."

"I've heard chewing gum helps," said Wren.

"Well, that's very fuckin' helpful after the fact," said Hank, scraping the diced onions off the cutting board and into the saucepan. Wren grinned cheekily. Hank checked on the boiling pot of water. "So, Connor. What did Fowler and Markus want?"

Connor sucked in a breath to cool his systems before telling Hank and Wren what happened in Fowler's office earlier that day. "I texted Markus earlier to tell him that I would come over after dinner."

"They want you to be the face of the Human-Android Division, huh?" said Hank, dumping pasta into the boiling water. He turned from the pot and folded his arms as he leaned against the counter.

"I think it's great," said Wren, still stirring the sauce.

"Yeah, it is," agreed Hank. "Too bad we can't tell anyone you're a cyborg, though. You're, like, the epitome that human and androids can coexist."

"More like the posterchild for fancy prosthetics," said Wren, shaking her head. She looked over her shoulder at Connor. "You don't seem too excited about it."

Connor lowered his gaze. "I've never had to do something like this. I'm not sure I'm the right choice."

Wren frowned. "Why not?"

"I've been in the background. I didn't deviate until the end of the movement."

"Yeah, but you were pretty damn essential," said Hank. "If you hadn't shown up with all those CyberLife androids, Markus and the others would've been executed."

Connor avoided his family's gaze. "The thought of speaking in front of people… I can't quite describe the feeling. Almost as if I'm… falling." He looked up. "Does that make sense?"

Wren nodded. "You're nervous. That's natural."

Connor relaxed. He had experienced nervousness before, but not quite like this. Even commonly identifiable emotions seemed to have subcategories and layers to them. He looked at Wren and Hank. How did they handle it so easily?

Hank strained the pasta before adding it to the pot. Wren dumped the sauce in with the pasta and mixed it together. She and Hank fixed their bowls and joined Connor at the table. Connor avoided watching the two of them eat as best he could.

"Wren, have you heard from your family lately?" Hank asked.

Connor's eyes flicked to Wren's face. She avoided looking at them, focusing on twirling pasta around her fork. "Yeah, I've been talking to my brother some."

"And?"

"He wants me to come visit for Thanksgiving."

"And you don't want to?" Hank scooped pasta into his mouth and eyed Wren.

"I told him I'm not ready to meet any extended family. He promised I wouldn't have to. He just said that Mom wants to see me and he wants me to meet his daughter, Izzy." Wren glanced up, her eyes twinkling. "He named her for me, you know."

"So why not see them?" Hank queried.

"I don't know," sighed Wren, "I haven't been around them by myself in a long time…"

"Sounds like you're just makin' excuses."

Wren's lips twitched. "Maybe I am."

"Just give it some more thought, kid."

"I will."

Connor lowered his gaze and watched Sumo circle the corner of the room before settling into a pile of fur and paws. He helped Hank and Wren clean the kitchen before taking Hank's car to drop Wren off at home and head to Jericho. He glanced toward Wren, who gazed out the window as they drove.

"Is there another reason you don't want to go?"

Wren looked at him. "I haven't driven by myself since…" She lifted her hands. "Well, you know."

Connor pressed his lips together as he detected a slight rise in Wren's stress levels. "Oh." He restrained himself from suggesting that he drive her there. This was her family, not his. He did not want to intrude.

"Everything okay? You seem kind of down," said Wren.

Connor trained his eyes on the road. "Markus told me that we should keep our relationship hidden from officials for a while."

"I… I was actually thinking along the same lines," said Wren quietly. Connor looked at her. She met his gaze before he returned his attention to the road. "Not because I'm ashamed of you or anything. I just… I've seen how some people treat humans and androids in a relationship. Remember that date I went on with that guy?"

"Yes." Connor's hands tightened around the wheel.

"He was such a jerk about the one couple we saw. I'd hate for someone to say something to you about us. Or worse," said Wren.

Connor softened his grip and his lips twitched. His eyes flicked toward Wren as he tried to hide a smile. "I was worried about the same happening to you."

Wren rubbed her palms against her thighs and let out a short breath. "But we could tell our friends and family."

Connor pressed his lips together for a moment. "Most of them already know."

"I… I meant mine," Wren muttered.

Connor looked at her before parking Hank's car in the driveway of Wren and Tina's townhouse. "You mean…" Connor swallowed. He turned to look at her. "You want me to come with you to your family's Thanksgiving? Are you sure?"

Wren avoided his gaze. "Well, I don't want to go by myself, and… I'd like you to be there with me. If you want."

Connor searched Wren's face for a few seconds. She held his gaze and dragged her teeth across her lip. Connor's thirium pump stuttered. He nodded. "I-I'd like that."

Wren's face exploded with a grin. "Really?"

Connor returned her beam. "Yes."

Wren threw her arms around Connor's neck. "Thank you." She kissed his cheek and pulled away, but Connor pulled her closer. He nestled his face in the crook of her neck for a moment. He held her for several seconds before Wren pulled away.

"You'll be late for your meeting with Markus."

Connor nodded. He tugged at the knot of his tie. "Right."

Wren tilted her head. "Still not looking forward to Friday?"

"I'm dreading it," said Connor. He lifted his eyebrows. "But… You could help make it better."

"How?"

"By going on a date with me," said Connor, staring straight ahead. When Wren failed to respond after a few seconds, Connor looked at her. She wore a lopsided grin.

"You smooth motherfucker," she teased. "Of course I'll go on a date with you."

Connor breathed a smile. "We can go after the speech. Dress warmly."

"Yes sir," said Wren with a salute. She kissed Connor's cheek before getting out of the car. Connor watched her enter her house before smiling to himself.

…

Friday arrived too soon. Connor dressed in his usual work attire, as Hank assured him that a three-piece suit was not necessary. Connor stood beside Fowler in front of the police station. A group of reporters formed a semi-circle around them, holding out microphones as Markus introduced Captain Fowler.

Fowler stepped forward. "Good afternoon." he greeted. Connor glanced behind him, where the rest of his team stood. Wren winked at him and Connor faced the front again. Wren's presence soothed him a little bit, though he still could not shake the electric currents rippling through his circuits.

"I am pleased to announce that the Detroit Police Department has formed a new division of investigators. Our homicide group was overloaded with work, and with the rise of the Android Liberation Movement, we have found a new division. I am pleased to introduce to you, the Human-Android Division. I assure you that the DPD is working with androids to facilitate amicability and to reduce the amount of android and human related crimes to make these streets safer for everyone. I'd like to introduce one of the members of this new division, an RK800, the very first android detective: Detective Connor. Connor, if you will." Fowler stepped aside. Connor's mouth dried.

WARNING: Malfunction in Salivary Unit Detected►

Connor swallowed to relieve the dryness. He stepped up to the pulpit. He cleared his throat. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with this new division, as it is a team of incredibly talented detectives. I'm honored to be included in this group, as it is important to incorporate androids into human work spaces. To be considered an equal is a great show of progress, and I am humbled to take part in it. Thank you." He dipped his head and joined his team behind the pulpit, where Markus took his place to close the short conference. Wren nudged Connor with her elbow.

"You did great," she whispered.

"Thank you," Connor breathed. The reporters dispersed once Markus left after shaking hands with Connor. Wren hid from the cameras as much as possible. Once it seemed safe, Wren embraced Connor.

"I'm proud so proud of you!" She grinned up at him.

"Get a fucking room," gagged Gavin.

"Oh, lay off," said Chris, shoving Gavin's arm, "they only spent a million years pining after each other."

"Fuck, you two are dumb," muttered Tina, rolling her eyes.

"You're just now realizing this?" Hank challenged.

Wren withdrew from Connor and they joined the others.

"You were great," said Tina.

"Eh, a little cheesy for my taste, but whatever," said Chris. He winked at Connor.

"Cheesy? More like bitchy," said Gavin. "You sounded like a damn wiener up there."

"Thanks, Gavin," said Connor, furrowing his brow.

"Oh, you got sarcasm now, huh? Downloaded a sense of humor?" Gavin folded his arms.

"No, I was already built with the perfect personality," Connor flashed back.

Wren snorted. "It's true."

"Yeah, yeah, we get it. You two are in love, whatever," Gavin rolled his eyes.

"Have you guys signed the love document yet?" Chris asked.

"We still have anti-fraternization policies?" Tina demanded.

"Yeah, they're not strict though," said Gavin.

"They've never enforced that," muttered Hank.

"We're keeping it on the down-low," said Wren. "Just because of the whole android-human thing."

"Smart," said Tina.

"Yeah, you don't want someone calling you a robo-fucker," said Gavin.

Connor scowled at him and resisted the urge to wrap his arm around Wren's waist. Hank folded his arms.

"I'd be worried about legal issues," he muttered.

"Legal issues?" Connor queried.

"Yeah, people are idiots. Mixed race marriages were illegal for a while. Gay marriage was illegal. I would be prepared for human and android relationships to be a legal issue in the near future," said Hank. He pursed his lips. "It's a load of bullshit, but people don't like what they don't understand."

"But we'll fight for you," said Tina, meeting Connor's gaze. "If and when it comes to that."

"Thank you," Connor murmured.

"We should get back to work before Fowler comes to make sure we didn't run off," said Chris.

"What, work for the hour we have left today?" Hank scoffed.

"Yes, Hank," snorted Chris as the group headed back inside.

"I hate being a responsible adult," muttered Hank.

Connor slowed his pace when he realized Wren remained still. He turned to look back at her while the others entered the precinct.

"Is everything alright?" he queried, taking a few steps toward her.

She crossed her arms and looked toward the street. "Yeah, I… I guess I'm just being paranoid."

Connor furrowed his brow as he neared her. "About what?"

Wren looked at him. The wind rustled her hair. "Something Kamski told me about Prometheus…"

Connor stiffened. "What did he say?"

"He just told me to beware of Titans who pretend to be saviors," said Wren.

"And why is that bothering you?"

Wren hugged herself as another burst of cold wind blew some hair into her face. Her brow creased. "I don't know… Prometheus was a savior to humanity. He brought them fire, but he was also a trickster. The only other person who cross references with the Titans is Atlas."

"Atlas Montgomery?" Connor shifted his weight to his other leg and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You think he's involved?"

"I'm not sure," said Wren. "It's weird that I saved his daughter years ago and now he's back here."

"He's worked with Markus some," said Connor. "It could just be a coincidence."

Wren pursed her lips. "I don't know."

Connor frowned. "When's the last time you slept?"

Wren rubbed her brow. "A few hours here and there."

Connor's frown deepened the contours of his face. "Are you having nightmares again?"

"Some," Wren sighed. She shivered. Connor pressed his lips together. Wren huffed and looked toward the street again. "It doesn't make sense for Prometheus to send me after Markus. Assassinating him would cause an uprising, and humanity can't survive a war with androids, especially with the tension with Russia."

"You've mentioned this before," said Connor slowly. He narrowed his eyes and folded his arms. "Talk to me, Wren."

Wren avoided his gaze. "It doesn't make sense that they haven't sent anyone after me."

Connor looked around to ensure their conversation remained private. Satisfied, he returned his attention to Wren. "What do you mean?"

Wren looked at him. "If they really wanted Markus dead, and they think I'm dead, then they would've sent another agent in my place. They would've sent someone to finish the job and to make sure that I was really dead. That never happened."

"Maybe they thought it was too risky," suggested Connor.

Wren shook her head. "They learn from their mistakes. They would've found a way. I could've absolutely assassinated Markus, but I was fighting my programming. I chose to make a scene so that I could be stopped. So why didn't they send someone after me?"

Connor glanced at her. "I… I'm not sure."

Wren met his gaze. "I think they did send someone after me and saw that I was still alive. I've been thinking a lot about my last assignment from them, and I realized something. I received this mission differently than my others. Usually, they just downloaded the objective to my processor. If it was something big, then the team of supervisors would meet with me. I never saw their faces, but I heard their voices. This mission, only one of the supervisors met with me. He didn't download the objective, which is why I was able to fight it easily. He downloaded a standard Complete Mission Objective, but not the specific mission."

Connor narrowed his eyes. "If they saw you were still alive, why didn't they…?" He swallowed. "Why didn't they kill you?"

"Two reasons," Wren replied, "one being that they couldn't do it without raising questions from both you and Hank. I'd already gotten involved with the cops. The other reason is that I was never supposed to go on that mission in the first place."

"You think someone set you up?"

"I think that Prometheus has a rogue agent and it's a supervisor. I think they sent me on that mission without clearance. When I faked my death, either they checked it out and saw I was alive but too close to the cops or never even bothered to follow up on me because they were covering their own ass."

Connor shook his head. "This is a lot of speculation, Wren."

"I know," Wren sighed. She ran a hand through her hair. "But it's the best explanation I've got."

"What does this have to do with Atlas Montgomery, though?" Connor looked at her.

Wren met his gaze. "I haven't figured that out yet."

"Don't lose sleep over it," Connor advised. "You've been stressed about this, haven't you?"

"I tried to hide it." Wren lowered her gaze and picked at her artificial fingernails.

Connor's chest tightened. He reached down and took her hand. She looked up at him; her brows squished together. Connor squeezed her hand. "You don't have to hide anything from me."

"I didn't want you to worry," said Wren.

Connor's lips twitched. "Too late."

"We should go back inside," said Wren, squeezing Connor's hand before releasing it. They headed toward the precinct building. "Are we still on for our date tonight?"

Connor nodded. "I'll pick you up at seven-thirty."

"I'll be ready," Wren winked and Connor's cheeks warmed.

…

By the time Connor left Hank's to pick up Wren, his press conference already aired on the local news. The weather warned of light snowfall, so Connor texted Wren to remind her to dress warmly. The drive to Wren's townhouse did not take him long. He parked on the street and walked to the front door and rang the doorbell. He bounced on the balls of his feet and moved to straighten his tie, but his hands touched empty air where the knot of his tie should be. Hank insisted that Connor go without the tie for once and assured him that Wren would like it. Connor did not understand how slightly exposing his neck would be attractive, but Hank insisted and warned Connor not to argue with him about it.

Connor blew out a breath while he waited. Wren answered the door and Connor caught his breath. She wore a knit cap and a plaid coat over a sweater and jeans. She looked beautiful.

"You look handsome," Wren greeted. Connor closed his mouth and swallowed.

"So do you." He widened his eyes. "I mean, you look beautiful."

"Connor, I understood," Wren laughed. Connor held out an arm. Wren looped hers through his and they walked back to the car, where Connor opened her door for her. Connor circled to the other side once Wren settled into the passenger seat. He drove them to the park. They got out of the car, but Connor grabbed a bag from the backseat. Wren lifted an eyebrow at it, but did not question him. They wandered the park, searching for a spot with a view of the stars. They eventually settled on a small hill. Connor set the bag down and opened it. He withdrew a portable speaker and Hank's music player, to which Connor downloaded some of Wren's favorite songs. Connor hit play on the playlist he created earlier that day.

He stood and faced Wren and held out a hand to her. "We didn't get to dance much at the gala, so I thought we could to music that means something."

Wren beamed and took Connor's hand. He pulled her close to him, resting one hand on her waist and cradling the other. Her body pressed against his and they swayed to the music. They danced in silence to a few songs, listening to the lyrics. Wren rested her head on Connor's chest and he leaned his cheek against her hair.

"When did you realize you loved me?" Wren murmured.

Connor widened his eyes. He knew the exact moment. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "After you got shot, and you were in the hospital. We'd been in the waiting room for hours, and I kept trying to understand why you did it and why I was so scared… But I didn't realize until I saw you. I sat by your side after Hank left, and I was looking at the wires and tubes keeping you alive and it hit me… I was scared to lose you because I loved you."

Wren was quiet for several seconds. "I don't think I can pinpoint the exact moment that I realized it. It happened so gradually that I barely realized it and then you were in danger. I kept trying to tell you while we were waiting for the ambulance, but you kept telling me to stop talking."

Connor closed his eyes and hugged her. Wren wrapped her arms around his neck. He liked hugging her close like this. It put their hearts closer together. He cradled the back of her head and clutched her as if she would disappear.

"I know Prometheus scares you," he murmured. Wren tensed against him. He gripped her tighter. "You're not alone. I'm with you. Don't hide this from me, please. Let me help you."

Wren hugged him closer. "I'm scared that they'll come after me. Eventually."

Connor's eyes slid open. "If they do, I'll be right by your side. I promise."

"I love you. More than anything."

"I love you, too," Connor murmured. They pulled apart and Wren kissed him. Connor melted into it, his eyes sliding shut. As they kissed, he wanted more. He wanted to feel her closer. He wanted her skin against his. He wanted to explore every part of her, to hold her through the night. He remembered her Halloween costume and her formal gown. He remembered the way the fabric clung to her body and teased glimpses of more skin. Suddenly, he realized why Hank insisted Connor leave the tie at home.

Wren broke off the kiss and grinned. "I need to breathe."

Connor smiled. "Right." He kissed her cheek. "I also planned for us to see the Christmas lights."

"Christmas lights?" Wren queried.

Connor nodded and gathered up the speaker and music player into the bag. He took Wren's hand and led her toward the path that wound through the park. "Hank showed me last year shortly after I deviated. They decorate this area of the park with Christmas lights."

"So soon?" Wren laughed as they hurried through the park to a wooded area.

Connor stopped, his heart sinking. "Oh. I… They light them after Thanksgiving… which hasn't happened yet."

Wren furrowed her brow as she faced him. "You okay? You don't usually forget stuff."

Connor looked at her, his lips parting. "I… I think I was so worried about the press conference today that I… I…"

"It's okay," said Wren, kissing his cheek. "Everyone makes mistakes. Even androids."

Connor managed a small smile. "I'm sorry. I know this date hasn't been extravagant…"

"I've enjoyed myself." Wren stepped back and smirked. "We could always watch a movie at my place."

Connor nodded. He lowered his gaze. "I feel like I didn't do enough for you."

"You're enough," Wren assured him. "I know this is all new to you."

Connor glanced around as snowflakes drifted around them. "Hank told me not to take you to dinner so that I wouldn't stare at you while you ate."

"I've eaten around you before."

"But you've expressed discomfort at my staring," said Connor, holding out his hand for Wren. She interlaced her fingers with his and they headed back toward the car.

"Well, no one wants to be watched while they eat."

"It's a normal function of your body, though."

"Yeah, but it's not normal for yours."

Connor smiled exasperatedly. "Wren, if we're going to be together, I'm going to have to see you eat."

"You don't have to take me on dinner dates to do that, though. But Connor, I really did enjoy this. We haven't been alone together in a while. It feels like it's been a lifetime since we went to that museum."

Connor's smile softened at the memory. He glanced down at Wren. He released her hand only to drape an arm over her shoulders and pull her closer. "You really want me to go to your family's Thanksgiving?"

"Of course I'm sure. James told me that our family's not super traditional about it because of the historical discrepancies associated with it, but Thanksgiving is still important to my parents. They like to think of it as bringing the family together. You're my family."

Connor turned his head and pressed his lips to Wren's head. They stopped their trek back to the car when someone stood in their path. A quick scan told Connor that it was another android.

"You're Connor?" demanded the android, an AP700 model. "That RK800 on TV?"

Connor dropped his arm from Wren's shoulders. He raised his eyebrows. "Y-yes, I am."

The AP700 wrinkled his nose as he stepped toward Connor. "You're the one who led the humans to Jericho."

Connor parted his lips and widened his eyes. The thirium in his systems seemed to freeze. "I… I did."

"You tracked down those deviants," said the AP700, edging closer to Connor.

"Yes." Connor's voice cracked.

"You cost innocent androids their lives," spat the AP700. He shoved Connor back.

"Hey!" Wren snapped, stepping forward.

Connor held up a hand to keep her back. He leveled his gaze with the AP700's. "I hadn't become a deviant yet. But yes, I did those things. I regret my actions and am trying to make up for them—"

"Make up for them?" The AP700's screwed up his features and pushed out a hot breath. His eyes glistened with angry tears. "You can't just make up for the lives you cost! You know what you did? You led the humans to Jericho and then a human killed the man I loved. But I don't blame the human. That's in their nature, to kill androids." The AP700 looked Wren over with a curled lip. Connor stiffened, but the AP700 turned his attention back to Connor. "I blame you."

Connor opened his mouth to say he was sorry, but the AP700's fist slammed into the side of Connor's face. He stumbled and his hand flew to the damage, where the synthetic skin rippled back. Wren forced her way between them, flashing her badge.

"That's enough! You just assaulted a detective—"

"I-it's okay, Wren," Connor murmured. Wren looked at him, her brow furrowing. Connor covered the plastic peeking through his synthetic skin. "Just… Just let him off with a warning."

Wren parted her lips but looked at the AP700 and stepped aside. The AP700 narrowed his eyes at Connor, who started walking but stopped when he was parallel with the other android.

Connor lowered his gaze. "I'm truly sorry… for everything."

The AP700's eyes flashed. He spit in Connor's face. Connor flinched but grabbed Wren's hand and led her to the car. He wiped the spit off his face with his sleeve, but his synthetic skin had yet to rematerialize.

"Connor, stop," Wren said, halting in her tracks. Connor stopped but refused to face her. He bowed his head and tried to shield his face from her. It had been his fault. He caused the death of so many androids. They just wanted to be free, and he only cared about his mission. How could he think that all of his misdeeds had been forgotten? He was so stupid to think he was more than just a piece of plastic who betrayed his own kind.

"Connor, look at me."

Connor squeezed his eyes shut. He turned but kept his eyes lowered. He shielded the plastic of his face from Wren, but she turned his face toward her. He lifted his eyes toward hers. Her brow pinched.

"It's not your fault," she murmured.

Connor scowled. "It is my fault. I was stupid. I should've guessed that the humans were using me. I should've deviated sooner. I should've—"

"Should've, would've, could've," Wren sighed. Connor parted his lips but uttered no sound. Wren offered him a sympathetic smile. "There are a lot of things I wish I could've done to fix the past, to change how certain things turned out. Maybe I could've saved more people. Maybe I could've left Prometheus earlier. But then someone might've successfully assassinated Markus if I had. Who knows? We can't change the past. Connor, you can't fix what you've done. All you can do is strive to be better, and you are. You know there are a lot of things I've done that I wish I hadn't. There are a lot of people I hurt, a lot of lies I've told and a lot of lives I've destroyed. But… I would do everything again, everything exactly the same, if it meant I would be here today. I would do it all again if it brought me here, to you."

Connor looked down and away from her. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "Being better doesn't change anything I've done."

"No," said Wren, "but at some point, you've got to forgive yourself. It's hard. I still haven't forgiven myself for everything. But I believe that our pasts help us to shape who we are. You can choose to be better and to grow. And I think you have. Connor, you're one of the best people I know. A lot of people respect you. Remember that android, Perry? He thought you were amazing."

Connor's lips twitched. He pressed them together. He faced Wren again. Her gaze softened and she reached up a hand to touch his cheek, where the synthetic skin still had yet to materialize. Connor flinched away from her. Wren pursed her lips for a moment.

"I'm not ashamed of it," she breathed. Connor parted his lips. Wren placed a hand to his cheek. "May I see?"

She did not need to specify. Connor knew that Wren referred to seeing him without his synthetic skin. He closed his mouth and furrowed his brow. His thirium pump shuddered, sending electrical currents through his body. He suppressed a shiver and swallowed the lump in his throat. Part of him wanted to tell her no, but the other part wanted her to see. If she saw him without his synthetic skin, and did not leave, then… He wanted to trust her with this.

He pressed his fingertips to his temple.

Deactivate Skin? ⁙YES

The fluid peeled away from his face in a ripple, revealing the white plastic underneath. It vanished down his neck, his chest, his arms, his hands, and all the way to his toes. Wren stared at him with wide eyes. Connor searched her face for any signs of revulsion, but Wren's eyes sparkled. She cupped his cheek. Her own synthetic skin disappeared, leaving her plastic palm to caress his face.

"You're beautiful," Wren breathed. Connor parted his lips and widened his eyes. His thirium pump seemed to warm his body. Wren's mouth fell open. "Sorry if that was a weird thing to say."

Connor reached up and placed his hand over hers. An electric current passed between them so that Connor could share his feelings with her. Immediately, Connor was flooded with emotions that were not his own. His vision darkened with static memories from Wren's processor. He saw himself, looking down at her with feverish eyes. He felt an intense ache and burning, felt sticky with blood. Connor realized Wren shared her memory of being shot with him. The memory shifted to a new one, where he stood on a balcony in his tux. The memory focused on his dinosaur cufflinks and the overwhelming urge to kiss him. He saw himself in the park, his synthetic skin rippling away and felt awe mingled with pride. Connor withdrew from Wren, breaking off their connection.

He gazed at her for several seconds. She wasn't disgusted by him. Far from it. Connor's chest tightened as he gazed at her, his synthetic skin returning. His insides felt warm. "You love me."

Wren lifted a brow and chuckled. "Yeah, I do."

Connor pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. Wren cupped the back of his neck as they kissed. He felt her shivering against him, so Connor ended the kiss too soon. "I love you."

Wren beamed. She kissed him lightly before pulling away. "Can we go? I can't feel my face."

Connor smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. "We should definitely remedy that."

...

Hey guys! Sorry for the shorter chapter. I'm out of town but still wanted to submit this, so I decided to split this chapter and the next one (originally they were together). We're getting close to the end of Book 1! (Don't worry, we've still got a few chapters left, but then it's on to Book 2!) Thank you all so much for your support. It means the world to me. Happy holidays and Happy New Year!