"Fine-... blue…"

Connor hears words, clips of things, and it takes him a moment to get his systems to boot up. Full words soon became audible which proved that he was still functioning. His eyes flicker open and he examines his surroundings. One look tells him that he's in Cole's room and the fabric underneath him tells him that he's on Cole's bed.

Cole's room was clearly the room of a child. There was a toy box pushed into one of the corners, comics stacked up in Cole's old bookshelf, and other silly trinkets were lying around. Hank probably left this place exactly as Cole had left it…

Then Connor focuses on the two people conversing with one another. They stand a few inches from Cole's bed, talking about his condition, and then the stranger hands Hank a package of blue blood. Connor wracks his memory for any clue as to how he came to be here and remembers being in a strange drowsy stupor.

He had called Hank dad.

Connor suppresses the urge to bury his face into his hands.

Instead, Connor makes the effort to get up and finds himself feeling a lot better than earlier. The bullet in his body had been removed and placed on Cole's nightstand.

"Now, until you get him into a repair shop, I would suggest keeping a watch on him especially if he starts acting funky. That's why I want you to save up to get him there."

"What do you mean funky," Hank can't believe his ears, "who even says that anymore?"

The mechanic ignores him.

"I did what I could on short notice. Repairs are expensive. Unless you think you can do it yourself then I would suggest getting him into a repair shop."

"And leave him there?"

"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?"

Hank scowls and makes a move that suggests he will keep talking but his eyes turn to Connor. Hank's scowl grows deeper once he sees Connor is up again.

"I'll be heading out," the mechanic says, "it looks like you two have some stuff to work out."

The mechanic does as he said and grabs his tools from the bag placed next to Cole's door. He gives one last look to his customers before leaving the room altogether.

Hank explodes.

"Connor! You come home, bleed all over my couch, and I don't even have the money to get you into a repair shop!"

Connor is silent as Hank yells at him.

"How did you get shot in the first place!? What'd you do to have this happen to you, huh!?"

Hank falls quiet even though he is still fuming. Connor understands that this is his clue to explain himself, and so he does by saying, "I was attending a counseling gathering with Markus and other androids. We prepared a place where androids can talk about their problems and connect with others. I then left the building to follow two androids who said they had a question for me. The androids assumed falsely that I was still apart of Cyberlife."

Hank sighs in exasperation and collapses on the side of Connor's bed. His back was facing Connor now so the android couldn't determine what Hank was feeling.

"Only you, Connor," the man sounds so tired, "now I can't let you out of the house."

Connor blinks.

"What?"

"I can't let you out of the house-... the man who took a look at you said something would be… 'funky'..." Hank snorts, "with you."

Connor tilts his head.

"What does he mean by that?"

"Hell if I know," Hank shakes his head.

Connor says, "but what if I receive a response from the police department for a position?"

Hank shrugs.

Connor stares.

"I dunno'..." he sniffs, "I'd probably have to go with you."

"What if Markus needs me?" Connor asks next.

"Markus can wait," Hank assures.

"But he-..." Connor remembers how Markus had made him his best man for a wedding that wasn't even going to happen for a while. That's why he stops himself. Hopefully, he would be back and running in perfect condition when the time arrived.

"But he what?"

"Nothing. I resolved my own question."

"Whatever you say," Hank doesn't bother pressing on it. He makes a move to stand back up and face Connor. For a moment the two regard each other and then Hank raises his hand. Connor wouldn't find it far-fetched for Hank to use the same hand to knock him upside the head but he is pleasantly surprised that he does no such thing.

Hank ruffles Connor's hair fondly.

"You scared me, kid," he admits and he doesn't say anymore after that.

Connor watches him leave.