When Connor comes to it's not at Hank's house. He wakes with a sudden jolt, an electric shock running up his spine, and buzzing in his head. It was comparable to booting up, except, he was being forced to wake. When he opens his eyes he finds the reason standing in front of him. A stranger, a doctor presumably, wearing a long white coat that reached his knees. The man wasn't as alarmed as Connor nor did he seem out of place in their strange surroundings. One look around tells Connor all he needs to know. The medical equipment alongside motivational posters on the walls all point towards a clinic. How he came to be here, he does not quite remember because his memory is a lot hazier then he'd like it to be. He remembers clips of his life that roll around in his head, comparable to that of a film reel. They run over and over as his programming tries to make connections.

Am I ill?

Androids don't get sick.

But androids get viruses…

Did I have a virus…? But…?

Would you like to run Cyberlife's detection program?

Connor ignores the words that hover in his vision. He blinks them away and then looks at the others around him. He is vaguely surprised to see Hank there being held back by Markus. That Markus would be here was an oddity all on its own. Wasn't the man married now? Didn't he have things to do? A wife to attend to? He was also the leader of all deviants. Surely, he didn't have the time to visit Connor. The look he had now was the same look Markus gave Simon when Simon had been acting irrational, but Connor couldn't have been acting irrationally.

But he could have. He knows it. That's why everyone is waiting to see if he's okay and if he's back to normal.

Hoping the doctor can forgive him for jumping out of his chair and ultimately bumping into him when he woke up, Connor breathes, "What?" The word is shaky and less-composed than Connor would hope it to be. He was never caught off guard, not like now, and it showed in his body language. Before he can fix the mistake in his behavior he is surprised once more. Hank is there with a hand on his shoulder, a familiar touch that grounds him in the reality he's in, and a touch that gives him the confidence to calm his racing thoughts.

"You scared the wits out of me, kid," Hank tells him, "Are you alright? How do you feel?"

Another problem.

How does he feel?

Lost.

Strange.

But he lies so Hank doesn't have to worry. He doesn't like making Hank worry. He doesn't want Markus to worry either, with the way he looks at him with blatant concern, and so he says words that are directed to both of his loved ones, "I feel… fine… What's going on…? What happened?"

"You were completely loopy since yesterday," Hank explains. "I called Markus over and we rushed you to a repair shop."

Hearing that he was loopy is alarming. He remembers, vaguely, getting onto the bus and not feeling particularly… clear… but… he had become loopy to the point that he didn't remember anything since then? Naturally, he wonders what could have caused such a thing, and then his mind clicks. He says something that he meant to keep within his own mind, "Kamski…"

"Kamski?" Hank asks.

Connor looks at Hank appraisingly. He remembers when both he and Hank had visited Kamski. If Hank knew that Connor had further dealings with the man, would he take it well? How would he react? Connor can only guess that, however Hank would decide to take it, the end results wouldn't be good.

When Markus questions Connor further, he already has a plan.

Lie.

"It's nothing," he says.

But nothing escapes Markus. Markus, though not equipped with the exact same hardware that Connor had, was similar in his coding. He was advanced, capable of doing things other androids could not, just as Connor could. The only difference that floated between them was their appearances, voices, thoughts, and original designations. Connor was equipped as a detective. Markus was equipped to lead and to show a certain empathy that Connor lacked. An empathy that was the turning point for both androids and humans. An empathy that helped all androids become liberated.

However, Connor does not want to answer to Markus' questioning stare and dares to look away. Anything is more interesting than the hard gaze Markus holds over him. For example, the poster on the wall across from his vision that tells him of the dangers androids could pose to humans if they didn't keep up with their hygiene.

Connor doesn't remember any time that he preferred the wall over his own friend. When they held conversations he had always kept firm eye-contact on Markus. Except, the only conversation now was the one that was blurred within Markus' stare, and Connor didn't want to confront it.

Hank says something to him and Connor can't hear the man over his own thoughts. It happens quickly, within the span of a few minutes, and then Connor is being grabbed by the arm and tugged out the clinic's door. Markus lingers behind to pay for their visit and Hank is shoving Connor into the passenger seat lacking the gentleness he had earlier. Then again, Connor isn't exactly being too cooperative as his mind lingers in the space between his own thoughts. It provokes a worried glance or two from Hank as he turns on the car, letting the machine run for a few seconds before Markus hops in next to Hank. Then they're off once more.

Hank drops off Markus as a kindness. Markus thanks Hank as he gets out of the car but he gives Connor one more glance. This time, their eyes connect, and static runs between them.

"You know…" Markus begins, watching Connor for his reaction, "You can come to me if you ever need to talk to someone. You aren't alone."

Connor finds his manners shoot above his want to stay silent.

"Thank you, Markus," the words come out but they don't sound genuine. Markus must have picked that up because there's a frown the tugs on the corner of his lips.

As they leave, Connor looks over his shoulder and sees Markus standing on the sidewalk exactly where they had left him. He watches them until neither he nor Connor could see each other.

Connor knew what he had to do.

Days later, when he's sure Hank won't mind him leaving the house again, Connor picks up his familiar Cyberlife jacket. It had been a while since he wore it because after Hank had gotten him new clothes… well… he had never found any reason to wear it again. He did have a suit that looked similar to his original one, grey in coloring, and equal in terms of professional appearance. It was often what he wore when he went anywhere alongside a colorful assortment of ties that hung in Cole's closet to this moment. It seemed that, even if he escaped Cyberlife, he still adhered to their code of conduct.

"Where are you heading?" Hank leans against the arm of his couch, both hands laying on the arm behind him. He watches Connor as he pulls his arms through the sleeves of his Cyberlife coat. There's something in his eyes that show that he suspects something so Connor felt it best that he dim those suspicions as best as he can.

"A customer," Connor answers, "He wanted me to meet up with him."

Everything that comes out of his mouth is a lie. He's been lying for four days straight and it's tiring him out. He feels exhausted with having to keep up with these lies but he'd rather no one know about his intentions on meeting with Kamski one more time. Once he was finished he would stop lying. There would be no need to lie after he got the answers he wanted from his creator. Then he could finally have all his questions out of his mind and put his heart at rest. Besides, he didn't like lying, and he preferred not to use such an underhanded tactic to throw people off of him.

"Yeah?" Hank gestures towards Connor's jacket with a nod of his chin, "Then what's the jacket for then? Haven't done laundry lately?"

Hank knew that Connor always kept his clothes in a clean and orderly fashion. He always did laundry so he was never out of clothes. That's why Connor cannot confirm his question with another lie.

"This is my favorite jacket," Connor frowns.

"Your favorite? Why haven't I seen you wear it lately?"

"There was no need to."

"But there's a need to now?"

Hank was too perceptive for his own good.

"I want to look my best," Connor gives out a half-hearted excuse. He isn't even trying anymore.

Hank squints his eyes as if trying to spot the unseen before giving out a gruff mumble. It was something that sounded like an affirmation, a way to give Connor a permission slip to leave, and Connor was relieved. He was quick to get out so that he wouldn't have to face more questions.

Connor takes the bus again. The bus driver has come to know him quite well over the last few months. It was the only transportation Connor took because Hank needed his car to get to work. Besides, Connor wouldn't have Hank taking the bus. The bus may be an ideal use of transportation but there wasn't a guarantee of safety because of the people that were on it. A lot of shifty-looking people used the bus, some with wide-eyed stares that look greedily at Connor, while others mainly kept to themselves. It wasn't as if Connor doubted Hank's abilities to protect himself but… well… Connor would much prefer that Hank not get into situations that would make him use anything in self-defense.

Connor hops off the bus and calls for a taxi to reach the rest of the distance that the bus could not take him.

He pays the taxi-driver part of the generous sum of money that Kamski had given him after he had finished his job.

Kamski greets him at the front door as if expecting him.

"Come in, Connor!" He smiles even when Connor stares at him with his lips pressed together in a thin line.

Kamski seems far too excited for a man living alone with a few androids as his only company.

He's already pouring himself a cup of wine that Chloe had been holding in her hands.

"I assume you have questions," Kamski guesses.

"You assume correctly," Connor confirms.

Kamski's face is lined with humor. He smiles even as he sips wine from his glass and then he heads into a different room. A room that Connor follows him in and recognizes from his very first visit. He might have taken the time to admire the strange red water in the pool at his feet or the scenery out the window that Kamski decides to look at if he did not have things he wanted to ask.

"You've grown a lot, Connor," Kamski hums in his amusement.

"How so?" Connor can only see Kamski's back. He doesn't know what expression he might have on his face.

Chloe stands at his side looking straight at nothing.

Like a machine.

"The virus works only on deviants. Did you know that, Connor?" Kamski deflects Connor's question with another one.

"No. I didn't."

"Cyberlife decided to use my work to handle their rocky affairs with the android community. Imagine the image the public might have after discovering all androids were having problems. Problems that caused them to become unpredictable and violent. Who would they crawl to? Cyberlife? The government? Markus? Me?" Kamski takes another sip of his wine, "Or… maybe you?"

His last words hang in the air for contemplation. He is silent as he gazes at the scenery for a moment longer and then he turns to face Connor. He places his wineglass on the platter that Chloe holds in her hands and then dismisses her with the wave of his hand.

Chloe obeys.

"I apologize about the bracelet," Kamski starts, "because it was untested."

Connor was alarmed.

"How did you know it affected me?"

Kamski smiles.

"I didn't. It was a guess that you confirmed."

Connor stares in utter disbelief.

Kamski ignores his blunt look and continues, "I designed the bracelet to fix to your programming but I only had one thing to design it after. Someone similar in nature to you - I suppose - Markus."

"What…?"

"In several ways, Markus could even be your brother," Kamski laughs. "My apologies though. I've been rambling. Why are you here, Connor?"

Connor forms his thoughts together and makes a list of mental questions. Once Connor is satisfied, he starts, "Were you aware that Cyberlife contacted me to be their middleman for androids and humans?"

Kamski looks over his shoulder and raises a brow.

Connor takes that as an incentive to continue, "The android that contained the virus was the replacement that Cyberlife used. They threatened me that someone else would have to do the job they had in mind for me if I didn't agree and…"

"Interesting," Kamski interrupts, "It seems you are more valuable to Cyberlife than I realized."

"Why is that?" Connor's curiosity piques.

"They are getting sloppy in their desperation to return you to their clutches. I have an idea as to why."

"And that idea is?"

"Mine alone," Kamski turns back to Connor with his hands clasped behind his back. "Don't worry, Connor. You may not be my favorite but I can see your worth to this society. Allow me to handle the affairs of Cyberlife and you can continue to live without interruption."

The ring of Kamski's doorbell echoes throughout the room. Chloe, who had just recently returned, made a mechanical movement to exit the room.

Kamski gives Connor a knowing smile.

"But be careful Connor."

Connor tilts his head.

"Human lives are short."

The door is thrown open and Connor turns sharply to face their intruder. He is half-prepared to defend Kamski from a would-be offender until he takes in the intruder's appearance. His eyes widen as he realizes that Hank was here and that he had just busted through the door.

Hank stomps over to Connor and grabs his shoulder in a death grip.

"Connor," he seethes between gritted teeth, "You are grounded."

Connor blinks in astonishment as Hank looks at Kamski angrily under hooded eyes.

"We have nothing to do with you," he tells the man, "and whatever it is you did to Connor… don't ever think about doing it again."

"Hank you are reaching irrational conclu-"

"Quiet!" Hank's hand tightens on Connor's shoulder until his knuckles turn white.

Kamski closes his eyes patiently.

"You are trespassing on private property," he chides.

"I don't need to hear anything from you." Hank points an accusing finger in Kamski's direction with his free hand. "We are leaving now and you will not stop us."

"Be my guest," Kamski smiles pleasantly.

Hank narrows his eyes and pulls Connor roughly out the door.

Connor is beyond confused. He's confused even as Hank sits him down in the front passenger seat (he buckles Connor in too, angrily) and slams the door shut. He starts up the car and presses on the gas without any concerns for their safety.

"Perhaps you should slow down-..." Connor begins.

Hank gives him a hard glare that shuts him up.

Why were humans so unreasonable?

Hank starts first.

"You've been meeting with that ruffian," he says but Connor can hardly pair Kamski up with 'ruffian' as a word of description. Hank doesn't care though because he continues, "behind my back. Why did you not think to consult me first? Was he the reason you've been acting strangely? What's more is that I hear news from Markus that you've been lying to me."

Hank's grip on the wheel tightens.

"And I don't like liars."

Hank stares at the road as if he had a personal vendetta against it. He's fuming and Connor can't remember a time he's seen him so angry. It could be comparable to the time that Hank had grabbed him and threw him against the side of his desk… but that was a long time ago… and they hadn't known each other as they did now.

Connor is sent forward in his seat as Hank pulls to an abrupt stop by the road. He stares out in front of him, refusing to meet Connor's gaze, and he asks, "Why'd you lie?"

The question hinted that Connor would actually be allowed to explain himself now.

And this time he tells the truth.

"I didn't want you to worry."

Hank's eyes dart to him with disbelief.

"Is that it? You didn't want me to worry? Are you being serious?"

"Hank," Connor begins but Hank doesn't let him finish.

"Don't you 'Hank' me. Connor, who knows what the hell Kamski wanted to do to you. The last time we visited him, he forced a gun in your hand!"

Connor was just about tired of Hank's yelling. He knew that. Did he look clueless?

He was not clueless.

He knew what he was getting into the moment he took his first step into Kamski's front room.

"I didn't want to worry you," Connor says, "That much is undeniably true. I was also…" he pauses, "afraid… of your reaction."

Hank's angry silence is unbearable.

Connor is just about to give up reasoning with Hank.

Humans are unreasonable but… perhaps… perhaps Connor was being unreasonable… and maybe he could've just told Hank all of this to begin with.

Connor is about to give up but Hank sees the dejected look that spreads across his face. That's why the man lets out a heavy sigh that tempts Connor to remove his eyes from his lap. He hears the click of a seatbelt and then something grabs him by the side of his head and pulls him to his left. Before he knows it, Hank is huddling Connor to his chest, with one hand on the back of his head and another resting on his upper back.

"You're going to be the death of me," Hank sighs into Connor's hair. "If that man had laid a single finger on you, I was prepared to go in guns-a-blazing."

Connor mumbles into the fabric of Hank's shirt, "You'd really do that?"

"No one harms my son and gets away with it," Hank says resolutely. "That's why you need to tell me if someone shady like Kamski calls you in for a case. I need to know what you're up to so that I know you're okay."

Connor is silent and feels Hank hold his breath in anticipation for his answer.

Connor finally nods against Hank's chest.

The man releases a heavy breath and pulls back from Connor to look into his eyes.

"I'll hold you to it," he says. Then he turns his key in the ignition and starts the car up once more.

It's a long drive home.