After it all

Claire groaned and typed at her laptop; she had been spending so much time typing proposals and cross-referencing laws and rights. She had barely done anything else, other than work and sleep, what little sleep that she had. She was so close to getting the laws passed. There was opposition, but most of the general public was on her side, she would get this done. She knew that she would get this done. She stopped typing and rubbed her stinging eyes, she had spent way too much time staring at the screen. She jumped at the feeling of hands on her shoulder.

"Claire needs to take a break." Ralph's voice was close to her ear as his fingers began to massage her tense shoulders.

Claire made a sound and leaned back into her chair, her head pressed against Ralph's shoulder as he continued to rub her shoulders. "Ralph, your fingers are amazing." She tilted her head and kissed his cheek.

He smiled at her and continued to rub the knots out of her shoulders. "Put the computer away, come we'll rest on the couch, Ralph will make you some dinner." He nuzzled her cheek and brushed his lips against hers.

Claire moaned at the idea, just thinking about lying on the couch and watching television made her body sing. She needed it, but she couldn't. "I have to finish this, I need to get it ready for Markus as soon as possible."

Ralph shook his head and snapped the laptop closed, at her sound of protest he eyed her. "Markus would not want Claire exhausting herself. Rest, let Ralph look after you, and then come back to working later." He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her up. He ignored her protesting grumbles and guided her to the sofa. When she was seated he turned on the television.

"Public opinion for the movement is high, it seems that the idea of 'robotic love' is an idea that everyone is getting behind. Perhaps, soon, we can see families of Androids and Humans, walking amongst us-" Ralph switched the channel, he ignored her protest and put on some cartoons. Cartoons were good, safe, Claire liked cartoons, Ralph liked cartoons, and cartoons wouldn't remind Claire of her paperwork.

"Ralph," Claire moaned into the cushion of the sofa. "Don't cook dinner, I'll order a pizza…"

Ralph knelt down on the floor beside the sofa, he reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. "What is bothering Claire?"

"I'm worried that I'm going to fuck it up." She mumbled into the cushion.

He pushed her hair behind her ear and continued to stroke her hair. "You are doing an amazing job." He soothed. "Claire cares so much, you have a kind heart."

Claire turned her head and looked up at Ralph, her eyes were red from rubbing them. "I want this for androids, they deserve happiness." She reached out and touched his face. "I want this for you Ralph, you deserve happiness."

Ralph tilted his head. "Ralph is happy with Claire." His LED flashed yellow, something about the way she had spoken seemed… off. As though something were bothering her, he could not place what though.

Claire smiled wistfully. "I know Ralph," she stroked his cheek. "What if you meet someone who makes you happy though? I want you to be able to marry, be happy, enjoy life." She moved to take her hand back, only to have him grasp it tightly.

His LED ran red. "What is Claire saying!?" he cried out. "Ralph wants to be with Claire!"

Claire's eyes watered. "And I want to be with you, but-"

"No!" Ralph shook his head wildly, his LED flashing sporadically. "I only want to be with you Claire. Please don't leave me! Please!" his eyes swelled with tears and he tightened his grip on her hand, it was almost painful.

Claire winced at the pain in her hand, he noticed but was unable to stop himself. "I'm not going anywhere Ralph." She said quietly her eyes flickering to his flashing LED. "I was just thinking about what you might want- I don't want you to think that you owe it to me to stay or anything... I'm so sorry Ralph…"

Ralph pulled her up from the couch and clutched her to his body. He squeezed her tightly and buried is face into the crook of her shoulder. "Claire," he sobbed, his body was shaking. "I won't ever have anyone else. Only Claire, Claire and Ralph. I want to be with you… Marry me."

Claire felt her heart jolt. She craned her neck back to look at him, he lifted his head from her shoulder and his wet brown eyes locked with her blue. "What did you say?" her voice was shaking.

Ralph's body continued to shake and his LED flashed wildly. "Ralph wants to marry Claire. Please Claire, marry Ralph?"

Claire took longer than expected to answer, she was so stunned and overwhelmed by his words. How long had he been thinking about this? Had he said it in the heat of the moment? She looked into his eyes, his eyes were so open to her, he wanted this. Her lips trembled as she spoke. "Y-yes… yes Ralph." She let out a shriek as he pulled her to stand and twirled her, her shriek turned into laughter and she embraced him.

"I'm so happy!" Ralph moved her around the room in a dance. Claire laughed with him and held onto him while he danced. His LED had gone blue again and he humming happily while he twirled her around. "I love you Claire!"

Claire squeezed him tightly, she briefly wondered how her family was going to feel about this, but in the end decided that they could get fucked. She was happy, Ralph was happy and that was all that mattered. She let out a laugh as he spun her again. "I love you too, Ralph. I love you too!"

XXX

Connor stood by a tree and watched the scene before him. They were at a park for the DPD's annual 'barbeque', the weather was lovely and everyone seemed to be happily chatting away with each other. Connor had chosen to step back, however, and observe, even years after working with these people, he still preferred to watch. He would be social when it was required of him, but he liked watching people, it was relaxing.

He smiled as he saw Adrian talking animatedly about something, his smile turned into a frown when he took in who Adrian was talking to. Gavin. He tilted his head in confusion, why was Adrian talking to Gavin? He was under the impression that the two had not spoken in months, not since Adrian had fought with the detective. Had they reconciled? If so Adrian had not mentioned it to him.

"You look troubled," A voice said from beside him. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Connor turned to the owner of his voice. It was a woman, early thirties, short brown hair, smooth pale skin, full lips and bright hazel eyes. She was wearing a simple blue flower dress and in her arms was a baby who was barely three months old. A quick scan on the lady told Connor who she was, Alexa Reed, aged 32, no offences. Alexa Reed. His eyes shot to her face as he realised whom she was. His LED flashed yellow briefly before he spoke to her.

"Mrs. Reed?"

Alexa nodded with a smile. "That's right, you're Connor, aren't you? Gavin's told me about you." She adjusted the bundle in her arms so that she could hold a hand out to him. He politely took the hand and shook it.

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Reed." He replied, taking his hand back.

"Please, call me Alexa." She rocked her child when they made a sound. "Shh, Rosie, shh.." she soothed, moving back and forwards on her heels. "You're with him, aren't you?" she nodded towards Adrian, who was now moving his hands with excitement, causing Gavin to laugh.

Connor nodded. "Yes, how did you know?" he was curious, as far as he was aware, they had not given any displays, not that they were hiding their relationship, he was just curious as to how she had worked it out. Perhaps he was showing something?

She let out a chuckle. "Relax, I kind of figured it out when Gavin explained why he was suspended those months ago." She slowed her rocking as her child went back to sleep. She adjusted the baby's pink blanket and looked up at Connor. "Although, I work as a marriage therapist, and occasionally a criminal psyche analyser, so, I like to think that I can tell these things- and let me tell you, you and Adrian might not think it, but the two of you scream your feelings for each other." She let out a sigh. "New love, it's so nice to see."

Connor was silent for some time. He needed a few moments to process the fact that Gavin, Gavin, was married to a therapist. Would the wonders ever cease? He glanced over at Gavin and noticed that the detective was no longer paying attention to Adrian, but instead was watching him with a frown. "How long have you been with Detective Reed?" he asked looking back at Alexa, he found his eyes drawn to the bundle in her arms.

Alexa let out a breath of laughter. "Gosh, I've been with Gavin since high school. We went to prom together, broke up while I went to college, but as soon as I was back in Detroit, we've been together since. So, we've been married four? Yeah four years now. We've been together, all up, including school… ten or twelve years."

Connor felt it unbelievable that Gavin would be so, so tender? He married his high school sweetheart, who was a therapist. Something just did not add up, why was Gavin the way he was, if he had so many positive influences in his life? The baby in Alexa's arms let out a wail and Connor watched the small creature cry while their mother tried to soothe them. As the baby began to calm Connor jumped as they were held out to him.

"Go ahead," Alexa offered. "You've been eyeing her since you saw her, give her a cuddle."

Connor's systems twitched and his hands trembled lightly as he took the baby. He had programming on holding babies. He had been made to be prepared for any situation, but something about holding a baby, a real baby, it terrified him. The baby in his arms went quiet and eyed him curiously. "Hello." Connor said quietly, he placed a hand on the babe's cheek and stroked it gently.

"You're doing so well!" Alexa encouraged him.

Connor could feel eyes on him and looked up briefly. He saw Hank who was grinning at him, pride radiated from his eyes. Adrian, who had stopped telling Gavin his story, was now watching him with wide eyes, there was something in his expression that Connor could not read, he would have to talk to him about it later. His eyes locked with Gavin's, the detective was watching him with wide, stunned eyes. The expression on his face, Connor was unsure if it was anger, or shock. Connor looked back at the baby who was smiling at him. He smiled back.

"Gavin doesn't mean it, you know." Alexa said softly, Connor looked over to her. "He's just… misguided, he has his father's way of thinking… but," she smiled softly. "he's got a good heart, I hope that you get to see it one day."

"Connor." Connor looked up to see Gavin watching him with thin lips. He held his hands out and gestured with a nod to his child. Connor hesitated briefly, he was happy holding her, but he handed the child back. He watched as Gavin seemed to instantly change, his face softened and he leaned down to kiss the baby's head. The girl smiled at him. "That's right, Daddy's got you." Gavin nodded to Connor before gesturing for Alexa to follow after him.

"It was nice meeting you, Connor." Alexa touched his shoulder. "Hopefully we'll meet again." She winked at him and followed after her husband.

Connor remained where he was and watched as Gavin went around showing off his daughter. He was so proud, so happy. He had never before, in all the years that he had known Gavin, seen him like this, it made him seem more human, and less like an asshole. He jumped as a hand slid into his, he turned to see Adrian standing beside him with a small grin.

"You looked amazing just now." He said softly. "I loved seeing you holding a baby." He nudged against Connor with his shoulder.

"It was… incredible," Connor replied. "Such a tiny creature, so pure, such innocence. It was beautiful."

Adrian hummed. "Someone's clucky."

Connor frowned as he searched for the meaning of the phrase. "I'm not."

"You are~"

XXX

Hank pulled himself from the couch at the sound of the doorbell, he wondered who it was, Connor had a key so he wouldn't need the doorbell when he got home, and everyone else that he spoke to he wasn't expecting to see anytime soon. He opened the door and froze, his heart stopped.

"Karen?" his voice shook.

On his porch stood a woman, her hair was dyed brown and showed some grey wisps, she was shorter than Hank, but not by much. She was an average weight and dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a white blouse. He lines around her grey eyes crinkled as she smiled. She raised a hand in a wave.

"Hello Hank." She spoke. "I'm in town for a few days, and I thought that it would be awful of me to not come and see you."

"Uh…" Hank stumbled over his thoughts as he stared at the woman before him. He had not seen her for years, years, not since… "S-sure, come in." he gestured for her to enter. He watched her as she walked into the house- he could smell her perfume, she hadn't changed it in all these years. He closed the door and followed behind her.

"It's changed in here…" Karen commented as she walked through the living room. "The kitchen hasn't." she let out a laugh. "At least it's clean though, I'm surprised." She walked over and turned on the coffee machine.

"Yeah, Connor's been real helpful at keeping it clean." Hank sat at the table and looked over at her. "He's done heaps, you seen his garden?" he had to keep talking, he did not know how he would cope if silence took them. He wasn't sure how he was dealing with talking to her, let alone silence.

Karen pulled out two mugs from the cupboards. "You still keep them here." She murmured with a shake of her head. "I did see the garden." She replied. "I almost didn't ring the doorbell, I didn't think that it was your home anymore, never thought you'd have a garden that didn't die." She poured the coffee into the mugs and brought them over to the table, she passed one to Hank and kept the other for herself.

Hank laughed. "Yeah, that's all Connor. Kid's really done a job on this place."

Karen took a sip of her coffee before eyeing him. "You've mentioned this 'Connor' twice, who is he?"

Hank sipped his coffee, he then returned her stare. She had always had that look when she was trying to pry information that she felt that she may not approve of, would she approve of Connor? He didn't know, he didn't really care. "He's my partner- not uh like that, he lives here and we work on homicide together." Hank drank more of his coffee. "He's a good kid, always looking out for everyone."

Karen hummed. "I'm glad that you've made a friend. Do you see Jeffery often?"

Hank snorted. "Every fucking day."

"I talk to him often." Karen said, her eyes went sharp. "He tells me how your doing, told me about your 'roulette' sessions." Her lips thinned. "I know why. You shouldn't do it though."

Hank groaned. He hadn't done that in years and it was still coming back to beat him in the ass? "Why are you here anyway?" he asked, he didn't want to deal with her interrogating him about long dead habits.

She tapped her fingers against the mug. "I'm getting married." She said evenly. "My fiancé has family here, we're meeting them before the wedding." She tapped against the wooden table, a nervous habit that she obviously hadn't stopped.

Hank's eyes widened at her news, he knew that this would have happened eventually, but he still had trouble absorbing it. How do you feel about hearing that your ex-wife was getting remarried? "Oh well, congratulations. I hope that your happy with him." and he was, he was also shocked, as he should be.

Karen hummed. "I am. I just felt that I should… see you." She gestured helplessly. "You seem to be doing well." She changed the subject.

Hank smiled. "I am doing good…. I've had help.. moving on.." he looked at her and took her in, he wondered where he would be if things had been different, perhaps if he hadn't been such an ass. He shook his head, not there was no use dwelling on it, he was happy with how his life had turned out, he was happier now than he had been in years.

Karen nodded. "I can see that, you seem… lighter, I'm glad."

Hank opened his mouth to reply, only to stop at the sound of the door opening. He looked over and saw three figures enter the house, Connor, Adrian and Sumo. He glanced over at Karen who had tilted her head back to look at them.

"There you go Sumo." Connor undid the lead and patted the dog, Sumo made a happy sound and padded off to his bed. Connor then rolled up the lead and put it on the shelf. "He's a good boy." He said to Adrian.

Adrian wound his arms around Connor's waist. "I can think of another good boy."

Hank wanted the earth to swallow him whole. Did the two have to do that shit in his living room? Did they even know that he was sitting right there!? He glanced at Karen who was watching the scene with a raised brow. God help him.

Connor cupped Adrian's face and gave the other a sideways grin. "I can think of a few tricks that this good boy can do."

Jesus Christ Connor. Hank buried his face in his hands. "Connor… for fucks sake.." he groaned into his hands.

The two men jumped and turned to see the two at the table. Adrian went red and let out a startled sound while Connor stiffened. "H-Hank and…?" Connor smiled uncomfortably at the two.

Karen pulled herself up from the chair. "I'm Karen, an old… friend of Hanks." She walked over to the pair and held out a hand. "Hank's told me all about you. I'm glad to meet you." She shook Connor's hand, and then Adrian's. "Well!" she suddenly said. "I do have other places to be, it was good to meet you and to see Hank again."

"Wait…" Hank called out. He walked over to them. "I'll walk you out." He placed a hand on her back and led her out, not before sending Connor and Adrian a withering glare. He led her out of the house and walked her to her car.

"It was good to see you again." Karen said as they stood by her car. "I'm amazed that your 'Connor' is an android, of all the things to bring you-"

"He's not a thing!" Hank snapped angrily. "He's Connor!"

"I didn't fucking mean it like that!" she snapped back, before she let out a laugh. "Oh Hank…" she patted his shoulder. "All this time and we still can't go an hour without fighting…" her expression softened. "Take care of yourself… though I think you don't need me to tell you that, you seem to be doing really well. I'm proud of you."

She pulled him into a hug. "Take care."

Hank returned the hug. "Yeah I will, you too."

A/N: Probably won't be many chapter's left, I hope that you enjoyed this one!