Connor doesn't remember how he became like this. Something in the back of his mind rationalizes with him and tells him that it was the stray code he downloaded when shaking the hand of another android. Logically, he should be surfing his systems for that code, and terminate it before it did too much damage.
Except, Connor wasn't thinking logically.
He couldn't.
After shaking hands with the android Connor wandered around the new home base for Markus' people. They recently called it New Jericho since saying 'ex-cyberlife store' wasn't too catchy. He had arrived earlier that day to help set up a few new computers that the gang received for androids to organize and record the events of their people. It wasn't too much of a hassle to help set them up but then he shakes some guy's hand and things spiral down from there.
Connor is…
Emotional.
Extremely so.
Markus approaches him with the intent to bid him farewell. Connor can see it in his body language and in the way he interacts with everyone else. He waves his goodbyes, pats his friend's backs and shoulders, and then he turns to Connor with the resolve to do the same to him. Connor would have politely received him and say goodbye as well.
Except he doesn't do that because he feels so giddy.
So Connor does something that makes Markus stop in his tracks.
He gives him a wide toothy grin.
Markus raises a brow.
"Something got you happy?" Markus asks. Connor doesn't know why he's so put off. It couldn't be his smile, could it? Sure it was still on his face, and sure it had appeared rather abruptly without warning.
"These people-..." Connor begins, gesturing towards those surrounding them inspecting their newly obtained computers, "they're wonderful."
Markus' smiles, hesitantly.
"Um.. yeah…?" Markus is barely paying attention to anything Connor was saying. Instead, he was focusing on the pearly whites that Connor was proudly displaying in front of him. "Right well…" Markus' familiar smile returns, "I'm going to head off now. I'll see you later."
Markus looks like he's about to leave and Connor feels his system shake at the thought.
Connor reaches out and clutches his friend's arms with a death grip.
Markus is so confused and it's blatantly obvious when says, "Um… Connor… what?"
Connor isn't thinking.
He tugs Markus into his arms.
"Connor, are you crying?"
"I'm just so sad," Connor sobs into Markus' shoulder, "please don't go. It's not the same without you."
Markus opens his mouth but closes it just as quickly.
He was speechless.
Connor's crying stops in just a few seconds and he pushes Markus away harshly. Markus, in his shock, stumbles back a few inches. That alone gets the attention of all the other androids in the room and North is already near Markus' side to support him. She looks at him questioningly and the man's face says it all. He's in shock. Rightfully so, because something was off about Connor.
"You think it's okay to play with my feelings? To make me feel like I'm one of you - it can't be that easy. You want something don't you?"
"Connor… buddy… something's wrong with you," Markus states calmly, slowly outstretching a hand as if to offer it in help, "how about we talk about this someplace else…? I mean, where everyone isn't watching."
Connor takes one look around and his face morphs from anger to confusion and then settles for a look of horror.
"I…" Connor takes a few steps back in fear.
"I… no…"
Connor takes a few steps back and watches as everyone is deathly still. None of them can predict his next move, not even Connor, and that absolutely terrified him. He just needed to go. He just needed to run away to figure things out because he didn't have a clue as to what the hell was happening to him. That's why he takes a few more steps back toward the door.
Markus, understanding Connor's idea calls out to him, "Don't!"
Connor doesn't listen.
He turns sharply and swings the door open.
He shoots out with no intent to return.
"What was that?" North asks her sweetheart.
Markus shakes his head.
"I have no clue," he murmurs, "but it can't be anything good."