Chapter 5: Plans

Azure accompanied Del outside and down the street. They didn't say anything, both had fallen in a depressive state of mind. Azure followed Del into Ovaltine Café and they sat watching the telly at the bar, which, despite being a café, sold beer. Azure watched the TV disinterestedly as it broadcasted the news about the death of Lanning and his apparent suicide.

The robot barista came back with more drinks, Del's second beer or whatever he was having and Azure's hot chocolate. As she sipped it the warmth and release of endorphins helped to cheer her up a little.

"It's like Frankenstein," Azure said randomly, still thinking about what happened.

"What?" asked Del.

"I mean this whole case with Sonny. Guy created 'supposed' monster, monster kills creator, then everybody misunderstands and kills the monster. It's just… wrong."

"Hey you're not turning into a tin-lover are you?"

"Those 'Tin-men' are interesting."

"Don't you mean Tin-man?"

Azure said nothing and buried her head into her drink.

"You're really taken with this one aren't you?"

Azure spluttered into her chocolate, "What… huh… wait… what?"

Del actually laughed and decided to tease some more, "I've seen that look many times Z. Personally I wouldn't touch that with a 50 foot pole but to each their own."

Azure by now was bright red and laughingly pushed him in mortification.

"Well what about you and… Ms. Calvin?" Del nudged her back for that.

They eventually settled down again and Del said thoughtfully, "only, USR was real quick on wanting to destroy the robot, weren't they?"

"I suppose so."

"And what was the motive?"

"They would just tell you that you don't need a motive. That it's just a malfunction."

"It looked like it needed a motive. It could have just killed me Z. Why didn't it just kill me?"

"You're right. It could've just killed you... and me for that matter."

They were in comfortable silence once again, each in their own thoughts. Azure was mulling over everything that had happened when a thought occurred to her.

"Don't you think it's a bit strange, that you were the right guy for the right job?"

"What do you mean?"

"Del, think about it. You've been almost obsessed with finding a bad robot. What would be the odds that you would be the one to find one?"

Del thought for a moment, "I wasn't just the right guy for the job, I was the perfect guy for the job."

"Yes… what if you were supposed to find that robot?"

"Yeah, the robot said that Lanning was scared, what did he have to be scared of?"

Azure thought for a moment, "I don't know Del, but something isn't right. Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched, all the time?"

"No."

"Well I do, ever since this case started. Something just isn't right Del and I'm not just talking about Sonny."

"Look, we'll figure this out Z, but I think I'm gonna check out Lanning's house. See if he left some kind of clue."

"Ok, I might try and contact Susan, see if she can get me into USR for when she does a diagnostic of Sonny."

"Great idea, the more we know the better. You know I might just make a detective of you yet."

"Really?"

"No."

Azure made a hurt expression and placed her hand over her heart, "Oh that hurts Del, really hurts."

"Suck it up kid and just... be careful around that thing. No matter how you feel about it."

"Got it, I'll keep my non-existent emotions in check."

"Denial doesn't suit you Z, you're way too honest."

"I thought I was supposed to be the psychologist expert here?"

"Exactly my point. Stay safe girl."

"You too."

Del got up, scanning his card to pay for their drinks before he left. Azure stayed a little while afterwards but then headed home. She'd call USR in the morning.

Hey everyone! Really short chapter this time. A brief warning that there will be no set time for when the chapters come out, so it could be quite some time (or a very short time) between each. Depending on many factors: fellow writers out there will know what I'm talking about. Be reassured however that I will eventually finish the story.

Shout out to some people who have reviewed (hoping you don't mind your names here but hey, free publicity everyone!) I'd just like to thank you all for reviewing or anyone that's reading this really. I never know the protocol for getting reviews so if you want me to reply just put "please rply" at the end or something. Or maybe like a bazillion smiley faces, or a strange word that I probably don't understand; should get my attention :).

Ok a shout out to:

- Purp1eLady

- Doop (Guest)

- Deception is Decepticon

- AnimeDemonNinja

- Vanessa Rowes

- FloodFeSTeR

- SweetSickNightmare

An extra-golden-robot-cog goes out to: RansomNote

who wrote me an awesome paragraph of encouragement/helpfulness. I love people writing me reviews about... well anything really. So thanks!