A/N: This chapter is filled with headcanons galore.

Chapter 17.

There were many advantages to being an android, besides the lack of age impacting his physical appearance there was no need for food, drink or sleep.

Still Carl kind of missed those things when he was still a human. He was one of the only androids with most of his memories intact.

Only thing this machine body lacked was the ability to process emotions. He knew he felt emotions, he knew why. Still sometimes it felt like Carl was feeling them because that was how he had felt when he was a human when happiness and sadness was something he actually felt.

To be honest, happiness and sadness always felt hollow even though he was certain he should be feeling them. Carl had a feeling that rejecting that part of himself though would hurt everyone around him.

There was a part of himself that was contemplating what would happen if he had killed the people he was supposed to care about. What would happen if he killed Markus, if he killed Leo or if he killed Connor.

It would be easy to do and it felt almost like squishing a bug under his shoes because there was nothing preventing him from doing so other than his memories.

The idea that one day he might be able to form genuine attachments to other human beings was one of two reasons why he hadn't done so. He'd be betraying what he stood for if he killed just because he had no incentive not to, and while he could bare the idea of being a prisoner what kind of purpose would it serve.

Even if his interactions were somewhat hollow, he needed something to make him feel important. He needed a purpose in life.

So even if he didn't love his kids the same way that they did him, Carl had always been willing to try in spite of himself.

That's what Carl told himself as he observed Markus throughout the night. From his memories and reflecting on his past experiences, he was certain through their interaction Markus had developed an attachment to North.

Still he could only hope Markus would be happy.

The next morning, Carl saw Simon heading out with Josh.

Curious about this exchange, Carl followed them outside.

He spotted Josh who had joined up with him as they waited outside of the fence bordering the city.

Sometime later, he spotted a tall figure walking towards them. Carl scanned them. The gait and stature looking very familiar.

What was Connor doing here?

"Hey. you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah."

"How's Markus been doing?"

"Recovering. We're afraid to move him to the hospital in his condition," Simon said. "You also look worse for wear. How long were you intending to hide that bullet wound?"

'Connor was shot?'

Even when he forced most of his emotions, he still felt honestly annoyed when Connor did these kinds of things.

"Is it really that important?"

"Yes, actually. I can't send you out looking like that. It's too risky."

"I've worked with far worse."

Carl snorted.

"How do you know? I bet you didn't even stop by the hospital," he said.

Simon's eyes widened.

"What are you doing out here?"

"I was checking to see what you were up to," Carl said. "Have to know what my sons are getting wrapped up in."

Connor snorted.

"Satisfied?"

"No, I'm not but nothing I say is going to prevent you from doing whatever you like will it?" Carl asked.

"You didn't even get it checked out?" Simon asked.

"It's not your concern," Connor said shortly.

"You shouldn't be out and about with that kind of injury. You don't even know the extent of the damage."

"Are you talking about the bullet? The hospital could remove it anytime."

"That isn't the problem," Simon said. "The bullet's fine. It's the damage that I'm concerned about."

Connor sighed.

"I'll be fine," he said with a stone face.

"Good, I'll need you to go in with Josh and investigate a drug dealer around these parts."

"Drug dealer? Why?"

"I believed for a time that there might have been a connection with Cyberlife's stock of thirium and the conception of red ice. According to the news, no one can report where Cyberlife gets it's thirium for it's androids. President Warren had stated that all the thirium reserves here have been drained dry," Simon said. " Recently though I've had reason to believe that there was never any thirium reserves."

"What makes you say that?"

"Don't you find it strange that there is more mention of thirium preserves now then there was in the early 2000s. According to Josh, the first thirium reserve was found in 2020 but prior to that there was no information about it. So where do they get the thirium? The only physical ways to obtain it is through androids and through red ice," Simon said. "There must be a connection. If any connection can be made between red ice and the way Cyberlife acquires thirium we might be on to something controversial that could take down Cyberlife..."

'Because there is something definitely shady with the president and Cyberlife.'

"Even if there was a connection, there's no way of knowing Cyberlife acquire thirium through red ice."

"Unless thirium is an element that is chemically based," Josh supplied. "Humans were noted to create man-made elements from the periodic table of elements."

"So Cyberlife dabbles in narcotics. They haven't done any crime," Connor said.

"Unless we can prove that there was never any thirium reserves to begin with and they get their thirium through the same process in which red ice is made. I figure you two might be able to figure out the exact chemical components of red ice. There is a famous red ice dealer around these parts that goes by the name of Dennis Ward."

"I've heard of him," Connor said. "He can get very violent. With that in mind why is the PJ-500 coming along? Carl has all the necessary capabilities of doing this on his own. PJ-500s have limited self-defense capabilities."

"That is the very reason he can't do it," Simon said. "The only people who are qualified to tend to Markus is me and Lucy. There are also other people who are counting on us. Carl has said he was programmed with every medical protocol. We need all the hands we can get."

"So Carl can't come along. What's the purpose in sending an android when I can just do the job myself," Connor said.

"Last I checked you're not an android programmed with facial recognition are you?"

"No but what does that have to do with anything."

"You're on the lookout for Cyberlife employees. If you don't know who they are you can't really tail them can you?" Simon said. "If we can find out whether or not there is any connection between red ice and Cyberlife-"

"So this is just a hunch? You don't even know if there is a connection."

Simon shrugged.

"I'm sending Josh as a precautionary measure nothing more."

"I have a scanner for facial recognition that is connected to the internet databanks," Josh said. "So spotting them should be a cinch."

"You are there in case things start to get heated," Simon said. "That's why I'd feel awful sending you out like this-"

"It's fine," Connor cut off. "What time do we set out?"

"Later in the evening," Simon supplied.

"Alright. I'll remain with you then for the time being."

The four headed back to Jericho.

Markus awoke to see Simon hovering over him glancing at him in concern.

"Are you feeling any pain?"

He ignored Simon's loaded question.

"I see you finally paid me a visit."

"I've been busy."

"Then why did you rescue me?" Markus asked. "You clearly are more interested in the connection Carl has to Cyberlife than me."

"What gives you that idea?"

"North seemed to believe that you brought us here to obtain information on Cyberlife from Carl."

Simon frowned his arms folded.

"Is that what you really think?"

"What was I supposed to think? There's no reason you could have possibly saved me. I'm useless dead weight and you know it," he said.

Simon chuckled.

"Well you're not wrong."

Markus snorted avoiding his eyes.

"Then why bother with me at all?"

"Because you're hot and sexy."

Markus sighed.

Carl smacked Simon on the back of his head.

"What the-? Where did you come from?"

"I'm never far behind so don't get any funny ideas, stud muffin," Carl said.

Simon winced as he stroked his head.

"You know you brought it on yourself," Markus said. "You shouldn't rescue someone just to give yourself an excuse to be a pervert."

He snorted.

"I'm not a pervert. I just have an appreciation for the male anatomy."

"Just call it what it is. It's pity nothing more nothing less."

Simon frowned and opened his mouth about to say something when laughter came from Markus' left side.

"Aw, you two are so cute. Y'know Markus I think Simon likes you," Solomon said.

"Oh is that what you see? I think he's a jerk who likes to look down at people who look inferior to him."

Simon made a kissy face inching closer to Markus' cheek.

Markus pushed him away with his right hand.

"See you love me too," Simon said.

Solomon chuckled.

"Say Solomon, has Lucy checked your vitals yet?" he asked.

"She said I've mostly stabilized."

Simon smiled.

"That's good. How's the rap been going?" he asked.

"I thought of a couple of verses yesterday after talking to Markus," Solomon said.

"North and I helped him come up with some words," Markus supplied.

"Wanna hear it?" Solomon asked.

Simon smiled.

"Sure. Knock yourself out."

I'm beginning to realize though life is short

I have good memories of the time I spent here

You never realize what you have until it's gone

That's why I'll embrace as long as I have until it's all done.

"You made a lot of progress."

Solomon smiled.

"Markus helped me with the fourth line and North added the third line."

"It's beautiful," Simon said.

"Thanks."

Simon turned to glance at Markus.

"You're smiling."

Markus felt the corners of his lips upturned in a smile. He frowned.

"No, I'm not."

"You were."

Simon smiled smugly.

"Wipe that smug smirk off your face."

"You have a cute smile. You should do it more often."

"What?"

"Smile."

"I'm calling Carl."

"Fine, fine. I'll stop teasing you. Let me know if you need anything alright."

Later that evening North dropped by with a little girl at her side.

Markus smiled.

"Hey good looking."

"Don't even get me started," she said with a sour look on her face.

"So who's the kid?"

"Her?" North asked glancing at the girl next to her.

"Yeah."

The girl cuddled closer to North who was frowning in obvious discomfort.

"Her name's Alice. Simon asked me to babysit her while her parents are gone."

"You look out of your element," Markus said.

"That's the understatement of the year. I've never been good with kids."

"Really, I couldn't tell," he said with a smile.

North felt her face heat up.

"You're teasing me," she said hotly.

Markus chuckled before glancing at Alice.

"Hey Alice. My name is Markus. Has this lady been mean to you?"

North snorted.

Alice blushed.

"N-no, North is a very nice lady."

North sighed.

"I was trying to get her to play with some of Lucy's dolls but she looked bored."

"You don't seem like that's your kind of spiel," Markus said.

"They looked so pretty," Alice said. "I didn't want to damage their clothes."

Markus looked at North in question.

She snorted.

"Lucy has a doll collection at her home. She loves to crochet outfits for the dolls," North supplied.

"There was this pretty red dress with the green stripe in the middle. She sewed lace on the corners," she said.

"She wanted to play princess but she quit before we got too far."

Alice frowned at North.

"North wanted one of the princesses to rescue the other princess from the evil dragon but I didn't want to."

Markus glanced at North with an amused smile.

"Why?"

"I was afraid that her clothes would be damaged."

North snorted.

"You can't just have a princess captured and not have a prince to sweep her away. If a prince is not going to rescue her, who else can rescue her other than another princess."

"The dragon wasn't evil in the first place. They were best friends."

"That's not a very interesting story. I tried to convince her to have the princess fight off the dragon but apparently princesses don't use swords. Who knew?"

"Girl don't use swords though. Girls play dress up and wear makeup. I always seen it on tv."

North whistled under her breath.

"Not all girls. I was never a fashion nut and I never wear makeup."

"Not once?"

"I tried it once and I never wore it again."

"For someone not fashion conscious you sure are looking beautiful."

"You wouldn't say that if you caught me in my t-shirt and sweat pants."

"So why don't you wear them then?" Markus asked smugly.

North rolled her eyes.

"They're in the wash. Simon insisted I clean them."

"You'd wear them even after they've been covered in sweat?"

"H-ll yeah, it's not like I'm trying to impress anybody."

Alice made a disgusted face.

"Ew."

"Hey North."

North turned towards Solomon who was looking very cheekily at them.

"Solomon, you still being treated?"

"Yeah, Lucy told me i should be out in a couple days."

North smiled.

"That's good."

"So who's the girl?"

Alice shyly hid behind North's legs.

"Her name is Alice."

"That's a nice name," Solomon said. "What's a young thing like her doing down here anyway? This is no place for a girl her age."

"Simon says she's in some kind of trouble and he assigned me to babysit."

"Y'know I think she likes you."

North felt her cheeks heat up.

"Don't tease me."

"I see Simon picked your clothes as usual."

"Of course he's the fashion guru not me."

Markus chuckled.

"So what type of girl are you then?"

North grinned.

"I'm more of a sporty type but I've been really getting into kickboxing lately."

"Why don't you show me your moves?" Markus asked.

"I'm sorry you don't know me that well," North said coyly.

"If you won't do it for me, would you do it for Alice?"

North turned and Alice was giving her the most puppy dog expression.

"Well, sh-t."

North showed her some things she had learned as Markus sat back and watched the show.

"If you're ever in a pickle, that move had always gotten me out of trouble," she told Alice.

Markus watched them with something similar to admiration in his eyes.