While attempting to return to a relatively normal work routine with the police force after taking a week to recover from being abducted and tortured Connor, held his head high and accepted all reports that came his way in stride. The most curious report that Connor and Hank were given revolved around a deviant reporting a possible 'red ice' lab operating near the warehouse district. It wasn't uncommon to receive calls about suspicious activity that turned out to be false, but it was rare to have a deviant make a call that turned out to be inaccurate in any way. The investigation was practically mandatory and the two detectives were the most qualified for the job.

The drive out to the warehouse was slow and boring, which of course was a nice change of pace. Connor couldn't help but fidget with his coin during the drive as his anxiety unexpectedly began to mount.

"How're you holding up?" Hank asked as he and Connor approached the warehouse at a steady clip. Quickly taking notice of the coin dancing gracefully between Connor's hands the senior detective knew Connor was still on edge even after a week's reprieve. "You sure you want to go back to work so soon after dealing with that Jonas freak?"

"I'm okay." Connor still seemed shaky but he was determined to not let Jonas dissuade him from his duties as a detective. Danger would always come with the territory and he'd just have to find his confidence to push through it to resume his normal career. "I just want to move on and put that horrible incident out of my mind."

"Okay, it's your call."

Connor's blue L.E.D. flashed to yellow as he received an update on the case at hand. "Chris and Tina have already arrested two possible dealers at the warehouse. They need us to clarify if their supply is in fact 'red ice' before they can press charges."

"Sounds simple enough. Any witnesses?"

"The deviant who made the report had been employed as a nighttime security guard who had noticed the unusual abundance of activity at the warehouse after hours. He has also correctly identified the two men that are being held for questioning as two warehouse employees."

"Great, less paperwork for us." Hank joked as he pulled the Oldsmobile up and behind the squad car already parked outside the suspicious warehouse. "Let's go and check it out."

Pocketing his coin Connor did his best to show no fear. "Of course."

Inside the warehouse Chris and Tina were patiently 'babysitting' the two suspects who were cuffed around two large metal pipes in the center of the room when Connor and Hank entered the building. It only took Hank a quick glance to properly identify the numerous caustic chemicals and ingredients that were laid out over a large metal table as the very substances used to create the addictive and dangerous drug infamously known as 'red ice'. Connor's systems only confirmed what Hank already knew with a single scan.

Shaking his head Hank gave Chris a silent glance that told the officer to go ahead and take the two suspects to the precinct for questioning.

"We're on it, Lieutenant."

"What a damn waste of everything." Hank despondently looked at the waste of time and effort that had been put into making the highly illegal drug. So much energy was lost on creating something so destruction rather than something constructive, and it spoke volumes of the shame Hank felt on the two suspects' behalves. "This shit could've easily raked in a hundred-thousand bucks on the street."

"One-hundred and sixty-four thousand dollars to be exact." Connor calculated the actual amount as he scanned each chemical and chronicled it in his databank to file a proper report later on. With his L.E.D. pulsing yellow steadily Connor chronicled every detail of the warehouse for evidence. "Perhaps more if they found the ideal clients to sell to."

"Who says life is priceless?" The senior detective sighed heavily and rubbed his right hand over the back of his tense neck. "Not these fuckers obviously."

"Obviously."

"All right, scan the rest of the area and we'll head back to the precinct."

"Already working on it." Connor confirmed as he scanned the table and the various vats of chemicals that sat idle atop and beside the table. "I only need one minute to finish chronicling the evidence."

A red liquid was oozing from an imperfection of the metal container that Connor had just scanned as it sat on the top of the table and would need a closer analysis. Running his right index fingertip through the exposed chemical Connor pressed it to his tongue and confirmed it to be Lithium Chloride - the current batch was highly concentrated and contained dense amounts of iron. Due to the dangerous nature of the chemical Connor spit out the sample as a means of protecting his systems from any possible harm.

"Hank, these drug dealers are fortunate that had been caught before they could distribute their product onto the streets."

The alertness of Connor's voice made Hank turn to look at his partner warily. "Why? What's up with their shit?"

"This particular batch of Lithium Chloride is approximately eight point six times more concentrated than necessary, and I don't see any other chemical that would've been used to dilute it before distribution."

"Shit, every one of their clients would've overdosed after one damn hit." Hank sighed again and turned away from Connor as he muttered a rather cynical thought under his breath. "If we waited we could've charged them with murder and put half the junkies in the city out of their misery at the same damn time..."

"Hank?" Connor noticed the distant look in Hank's blue eyes and decided to question him accordingly. "Are you feeling well? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine." The senior detective turned back to Connor and quickly changed the subject with a casual clear of his throat. "Finish your scan?"

"Yes. I have all the information that I require to file a particularly damning report against these dealers."

"As long as we keep those selfish bastards behind bars I don't care how short or long the report is. Let's get out the Hell out of here before these chemicals start dissolving us in our shoes."

"I agree." Wiping the residue from his finger onto a white rag Connor was ready to leave the warehouse. "This place is rather unsettling, if not completely dangerous."

Fortunately the drug bust at the warehouse had proven a success and there were no additional steps required to get an arrest warrant and charge the two men accordingly for their malicious crimes. Satisfied with putting two would-be drug kingpins behind bars and keeping a lethal batch of drugs off the streets, Connor and Hank returned home for the evening and attempted to salvage what they could out of the fading daylight. They also made valid attempted to get the acrid smell of the chemicals and horrible feeling of the drug den off their skin and out of their minds by taking their own hot showers and changing into far more comfortable clothes.

A light dinner and a quick walk around the block with Sumo had put the two detectives in much better moods. Their lives were slowly returning to normal and there was no need to worry about their successfully closed case.

"Too bad we couldn't get a couple of court side seats this year." Hank lamented as he turned on the television and found the basketball game already in progress. He leaned back in the recliner and tried to relax his sore back as much as possible as he kicked up his feet onto the coffee table to enjoy the first week of March Madness. "We've had a pretty good season so far."

"Perhaps we could acquire tickets for next season." Connor had only recently learned about the rules associated with basketball and had even found himself enjoying the games from time to time whenever Hank turned the games on. Both of his hands were rubbing Sumo's ears affectionately from where he sat on the couch and Sumo was resting his chin over Connor's right knee. "I could cybernetically purchase tickets if you wish."

"Thanks, but it wouldn't be the same as this season." Hank shrugged his shoulders a little and dismissed the offer. "It's no big deal."

Connor's blue L.E.D. flashed to yellow unexpectedly and the deviant was prompted to run a self diagnostic. Leaning forward a little Connor pressed his right fingertips to his flickering L.E.D. in his right temple in response to the prompt.

"You okay?" It didn't take Hank long to notice the change in Connor's L.E.D. color from where he was sitting. "You look like your head hurts."

"Unknown. My system has apparently detected an anomaly."

"Is it serious?"

"Still unknown. But there has been a slight increase in my Thirium pressure." Connor casually rose from the couch much to Sumo's dismay and walked into his bedroom for a moment to run the self diagnostic in privacy. "I will return soon."

Sumo watched as Connor exited the room then promptly jumped up onto the now vacant couch to stretch out over the large piece of furniture and get far more comfortable on the warm, soft cushions.

"Don't be shy, Sumo." Giving the massive dog a shake of his head Hank continued to watch the game and keep track of the score. "Try to relax."

From down the hallway Connor's voice suddenly called out with a quaking fear. "H-Hank... I think I need some help!"

"Shit." Hearing the fear in Connor's voice made Hank leap up from the chair much to his back's protest, and march through the livingroom and down the hallway into Connor's bedroom. Stepping through the opened doorway Hank stared at Connor as the deviant sat on the edge of bed looking truly shaken. "What's wrong?"

Connor was holding his right hand to nose and mouth with his L.E.D. flashing red with distress. Slowly Connor lowered his hand and turned it to show Hank the palm of his hand that had been stained red with blood.

Actual blood. Not Thirium. The blood was red, not blue.

"What the fuck?!" Hank grabbed onto Connor's hand and stared at the red blood staining his skin, then stared at Connor's blood smeared face. "Why is it red?"

"I-I don't know." Confused and frightened Connor didn't know what was happening to him. "This has never happened... before."

"Okay, whatever, we'll figure this out. Want to go to a facility or to New Jericho?"

Thinking logically Connor gave his answer as calmly as possible. "The facility is closer..."

"Right, come on." Lightly Hank pulled on Connor's left arm to lead the deviant out of the bedroom and back into the livingroom. Letting go of Connor's arm Hank let Connor stand idle for a moment as he grabbed everything he needed to get going. "I'll drive."

Connor just stood statuesque in the livingroom with his right hand pressed back over his bleeding nose as his body trembled with fear. There was something very haunting and surreal about seeing his own blood dyed red like that of a human, or any other living creature for that matter. As his nose continued to bleed in red Connor felt his Thirium pressure beginning to level off and his body shake in fear.

"Here." Hank pulled a white handkerchief from his coat pocket by the front door and gave to Connor to press against his nose. "Try to apply pressure and see if that slows down the bleeding."

Nodding a little Connor accepted the handkerchief and pressed the white material to his face and pressed it down over his nose. "...'danks." With a nasally response the deviant allowed Hank to lead the way as he followed his friend through the front door to the car in the driveway beside the house. "I 'dhink it's working."

"Good. And, uh..." Unlocking the car doors Hank gave Connor a somewhat awkward glance. "Try not to bleed on the upholstery."

"O'day. I'll 'dry."

Still shaking a little Connor sat in the waiting room of the Zeta Facility with the now red soaked handkerchief still pressed to his nose while Hank spoke to the receptionist, Barry, at the desk a few feet away. It was late into the evening and only a few androids were waiting to be seen which meant it would be a short wait for Connor as well. Doing his best to hide the red tinted blood from any curious onlookers Connor leaned forward in his chair and turned his head away and toward the wall. The movement only seemed to make his nose bleed faster and Connor tried to stop the bleeding by applying even more pressure to his nose under the handkerchief.

Discreetly grabbing a tissue from the box on the table beside his car Connor used the layers of pure white to try cover the red rag against his face. The last thing he wanted was other deviants gossiping about him or spreading rumors about him suffering from some bizarre glitch.

"Come on." Hank's right hand clamped down on Connor's left shoulder firmly as he returned to the deviant sitting in the waiting room chair. "Abby's here, she said she'll see you right away."

Rising from the chair slowly Connor followed Hank down the corridor to the vacant exam room where Abby was waiting for him, and kept his head low to ensure no one saw his red, bloody nose. Opening the door with a sliding 'hiss' Hank stepped aside and let Connor enter first before greeting the technician calmly on the affect deviant's behalf.

Speaking up on Connor's behalf Hank gave the technician a casual wave of his hand. "Hey, Abby."

"Hi, Hank. Connor." Abby set aside her electronic clipboard on a nearby rolling table and stood before the bleeding deviant curiously. "Let me see."

Slowly Connor lowered his right hand and bloody handkerchiefs from his face to allow Abby to examine him.

"Does it hurt?" She asked as she gently pressed her fingers along his face right around his nose as if checking for sinus pressure or any breaks. "Do you have any problem with ventilating?"

"'Doh." Taking in a deep breath Connor cleared his voice and tried to speak clearly again. "I meant, 'no'."

"You didn't receive any physical damage today?" She lowered her hands from his face satisfied she didn't feel any damage beneath his artificial skin or against his plastimetal frame. "And you didn't download any updates or patches?"

"No."

"Did you consume any Thirium that could've been contaminated by something your scanners didn't detect?"

"No."

"All right." Checking off the usual suspects Abby began asking about more unusual circumstances. "Did you come into contact with any chemicals or toxins during an investigation within the past twenty-four hours?"

Connor's brow furrowed slightly at the question before he answered in the positive and his red L.E.D. flickered to yellow. "Yes. Lithium Chloride laced with iron."

"Uh-huh..." Abby seemed to find the answer to an unspoken question that was bouncing around inside her head. "Did you consume it to test it?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"Only two point three milligrams."

"That's... not a lot." Momentarily confused again Abby crossed her arms as she made a note on the front of the electronic clipboard at her side. "Was there anything unusual about it?"

"It was highly concentrated iron at approximately eight times its standard concentration level."

"Okay, that does explain it after all." Abby's shoulders visibly slouched with relief as she received her confirmation. "We have our answer."

"You do?" Sniffling a little Connor used the tissue and handkerchief to cover his nose again. "Whad's wrong wid' 'be?"

"Lithium Chloride has a deep red color," the experienced technician stated coolly as she walked over to a large storage cabinet at the far end of the exam room. "and its chemical composition has a tendency to cause Thirium to thicken, if not coagulate, to a small degree. The red color tints the affected Thirium and your system will expel the contaminated Thirium once your Thirium pressure rises ten percent higher than what your system considers normal. Having the iron mixed into the Lithium Chloride will only help the affected Thirium retain the red hue."

Hank let out a deep sigh of relief as they now had their answer and the cause of the nose bleed. "Good. At least it's not terminal."

Abby pulled a pouch of pure blue Thirium from the nearby storage cabinet and handed it to Connor to consume.

"I'm 'dot in danger?" Connor asked as he accepted the Thirium and returned the bloodied handkerchief to his face to wipe off his nose and sniffled again. "I don't need any special treatment?"

"Nope." Abby replied with a confident smile on her face. "The worst of it's over. Once the bleeding finally stops, and from the look of your face I'd say it'll be over in about five more minutes, just drink that Thirium and it'll replenish what you've lost. Your blood will return blue and everything will be back to normal."

Connor's shoulders visibly relaxed as well and Hank struggled to keep himself from laughing as he noted Abby's calm demeanor. "This isn't the first time you've seen an android bleeding red, is it?"

"Connor is the fourth case I've seen in my illustrious career." Abby confirmed as she kept her smile on her face. "All of the previous cases ended the same way, too: Scared but just fine."

Once back home for the remainder of the unusual night Connor stood in front of the bathroom mirror and wiped away the residual drying red blood from beneath his nose and upper lip with a clean tissue. Some of the blood had run down the sides of his face and along his chin, but it hadn't lingered long enough to stain his skin as red as his upper lip and underside of his nose had become. Running a clean washcloth under the warm tap in the sink Connor looked at his reflection one last time before turning off the water and using the warm, damp compress to wash his face and remove the unsightly red stains from his face at long last.

The warm water felt good on Connor's artificial skin and provided a soothing feeling to the deviant's stressed body. It was incredible to think that the simple act of cleaning one's face could be so calming. It was then Connor understood why so many humans spent hours in the shower or taking a nice, warm bubble bath.

Curious about how Connor was doing Hank stood in the opened doorway of the bathroom watching as the deviant wrung out the excess water from the washcloth and used it to wipe off his face. "Red really isn't your color, you know that, kid?"

Connor looked at the red now staining the blue washcloth in his hands and tilted his head a little. "It's a rather macabre color. I agree." The water in the sink swirled pink as it went down the drain and Connor pressed a clean towel to his face to dry off. "Can I ask you something?" Connor asked as he dropped the towel in the hamper under the sink and turned off the tap. "It isn't personal."

"Sure. What's on your mind?"

"You remained perfectly calm when you saw me bleeding red." The way Hank handled the crisis in stride had fascinated Connor almost instantly. "How do you do it?"

"Remain calm?"

"Yes."

"I don't know." Responding almost casually Hank really didn't think much of what they just experienced. "Maybe spending years of my life dealing the violence and carnage of the city has left me somewhat immune to seeing blood."

"It's not the blood, it's... How do you not get upset when someone is injured or sick? You always remain calm and in control. I seem to be struggling with the ability to remain detached from such events as I become increasingly more deviant, and with my recent experiences with Jonas I fear my emotions are only going to become a hindrance to my career as a detective."

"I do get upset, Connor. And I always have. The day I stop getting upset is the day I retire from the force because it means I don't care about anything anymore." Hank stepped away from the bathroom door and walked back into the livingroom with Connor right behind him. "I just learned how to push aside those feelings, those particular emotions, until AFTER the situation has been handled. Then I let myself admit how scared or freaked out I really was and get it out of my system."

"I used to be able to handle any and all scenarios without even the slightest hesitation. And now I fear that I won't be able to maintain my composure during investigations." Standing behind the couch Connor looked to Hank for guidance as he sorted through his feelings. "If I become emotionally compromised I won't be able to do my job properly."

"Part of being human is experiencing emotions, and part of experiencing emotions is learning how to control them." The senior detective explained with utter confidence as he returned to the recliner and sat down again to watch the end of the basketball game. "The more deviant you become the more you'll learn to control those emotions. Trust me."

Nodding with understanding Connor pushed Sumo aside and sat down on the end of the couch next to the large dog's head to resume watching the game. It wasn't long before Sumo was resting his chin over Connor's lap seeking more ears rubs, to which Connor readily obliged.

"And for what it's worth, I like you a hell of a lot more now as a deviant than when you were a machine." Hank admitted as he tried to ease Connor's still rattled nerves. "I'd rather deal with an overly sensitive deviant with a big heart than a cold, calculating, heartless machine. Okay?"

"Okay." Connor's L.E.D. finally cycled back from yellow to blue as Hank's words offered him a surprising amount of comfort. "Thanks, Hank."

"You're welcome. Now, stop worrying about it and enjoy the rest of the game." Kicking his feet up again Hank turned up the volume and noted the current score on the screen. "We're up by twenty-one and I want it to stay that way!"

Connor relaxed against the back of the couch and watched the game with sincere interest as he absentmindedly patted Sumo's head. "We should get tickets for next season for sure." He watched Hank and readily gauged the anticipated reaction from his offer. "Am I right?"

"All right, fine." Knowing Connor wouldn't drop the matter Hank gave the deviant his permission. "Go ahead and order the tickets, I'll give ya' my half of the payment tomorrow."

Connor's blue L.E.D. blinked to yellow briefly and he coyly grinned. "Already done."

"Should've known." The senior detective turned to look at Connor for a moment before returning his attention to the game with a chuckle. "Smartass."

-next chapter-