After enduring an annoyingly long speech by the mayor regarding his positive attitude and unshakeable confidence in the Detroit Police throughout the entire district, both Hank and Connor were awarded with their promotions in a needlessly elaborate ceremony that was nothing more than a shameless publicity stunt to cater to the voters and kiss the asses of every cop in the city. Dressed in their formal police uniforms - black suits with white gloves and a white cap - and playing along for the sake of keeping things civil in the public eye, the two detectives accepted their promotions and their awards recognizing their efforts in taking down CyberLife at long last with a gracious demeanor. It was a task they had taken on without any desire for a promotion or praise simply because it needed to be done.

The duo accepted their rewards without showing any form of insult or resentment toward the mayor for using them for his own personal gain despite feeling entirely to the contrary. Connor remained quiet and to himself as the ceremony mercifully came to an end and the attendees began to file out one by one. Standing in the corner of the large community room with his gilded engraved plaque in his hands, he only took notice of Skye and the rest of the room when she walked up to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"You look good in that uniform, Lieutenant." Skye beamed proudly at the deviant as she wrapped her arms around his arm and stood beside him. Her smile was as bright at the gilded sheen on the plaque itself. "Then again, you always look good."

"Thank you." Turning to look at Skye he tucked the plaque under his arm and took off his cap as he faintly blushed blue. "I feel overdressed for this."

"I think it's nice." Lightly Skye ran her hands down Connor's chest to smooth out the already flawless fabric of his dark uniform. "Look around." She discreetly motioned to the other people who had been attendance to the ceremony with her eyes. "They see you as the great detective you are, and they respect you. You should be feeling great right now, too. Not self-conscious."

"I don't feel like I actually accomplished anything special. I had simply done my job and the mayor-"

"Connor." Wrapping her arms around his shoulders and neck, Skye stood up on her tip toes and kissed him on the lips to 'shush' him and was rewarded with a warm smile that overpowered his sense of inner conflict. "You earned it. Enjoy it."

A photographer for the local newspaper quickly snapped a photo of the smiling couple and disappeared back into the crowd before Connor had the chance to say anything about the unwarranted attention. Such an unexpected intrusion made Connor's smile disappear as he turned to look at the nosy reporter with a grimace.

"He just-"

"Hey!" Skye playfully teased Connor as she put her hand under his chin and made him look at her again. "Don't worry about that guy. This is your night, and you deserve to be happy. Stop doubting yourself. You're a great person and a great detective. Our people are fortunate to have you watching over us."

"She's right." Hank, with Rose's arm wrapped around his arm had his own plaque tucked under his free arm, had overheard the conversation and agreed with Skye entirely. "If anyone should be feeling hollow and unhappy right now, it's me."

"What for? You deserve to be promoted more than I do." Connor argued somewhat as he acknowledged the senior detective's honest comment as his own arm wrapped around Skye's waist with mutual affection toward the sweet and protective deviant at his side. "Although, I have to admit that it'll be strange to no longer have you as my partner."

"Yeah, I never thought I'd see the day I'd end up missing my partner, too." The admission was enough to dampen Hank's mood. "At least this time it's from reassignment and not... well, a bullet."

"I understand." Quickly changing the subject away from the past Connor asked about the future. "Where are you going to be reassigned?"

"Not sure yet. Until a position opens up, I'm staying at the precinct along with you."

"Sounds good." Smiling a little at Hank and nodding at the plaque he had tucked under his arm, Connor decided that it was time to change the subject entirely and finally leave city hall for the rest of the night. "During moments like this, isn't it customary for humans to celebrate?"

"Yeah, it's what we humans do." Hank confirmed as he gave Rose a slight grin as she smiled up at him. "I was going to treat Rose to dinner, so why don't you and Skye come with us? Kinda' like a double-date or something."

"That sounds more interesting than dealing with the mayor's cohorts." Connor observed as news reporters and campaign administrators circled around like vultures over a carcass. The constant conversations, questions, and photographs were becoming too much to bear. "I'll take you up on your offer. Skye?"

"I'd love to join in." Giving Connor another quick kiss on his lips she smiled warmly at him as she still had to stand on her tip toes to kiss him properly. She didn't mind the height difference and actually loved that she needed to change her position to kiss him. "And I love you."

"I love you, too." Returning the affection Connor's eyes lit up and his demeanor relaxed a little. "Now and forever."

The group of four; two humans and two deviants, located a nice restaurant that wasn't too busy or expensive and spent the rest of the night talking and simply enjoying one another's company. Connor and Skye didn't require anything to eat but it didn't stop them from engaging in the proper dinner etiquette while Hank and Rose dined together next to them in their shared booth. Due to the unique circumstance of the promotion and celebration, Connor purchased a bottle of champagne for Hank and Rose to share while promising Hank that he trusted the senior detective to monitor himself and to not go overboard with the alcohol and that it didn't mean anything in regard to his sobriety streak. It was a special occasion after all.

After enjoying a nice night together, the four good friends decided to part ways as midnight neared. Hank and Rose returned to the house with the Pace and Connor and Skye headed out to New Jericho Tower together via autonomous taxi. The deviant couple wanted to celebrate in their own way privately.

"I'm glad you're staying the night again." Skye beamed as she led Connor back to her personal quarters in the depths of the tower. "It'll be nice to have some quality time with you after everything that's been happening at the tower and everything you've gone through."

"Are you still having problems with the rogue deviants?"

"More like we're having a problem with figuring out their motivation." Entering her quarters to have some quiet time together Skye sealed the door and proceeded to slip off her high heeled shoes and removed her silver studded earrings from her ears. "Without CyberLife around there's no one and nothing they should be loyal to, and yet... It's like I can sense something terrible is about to happen. Something that's going to change everything for everyone."

"Don't worry, I'll be there for you no matter what happens." Connor's fingers interlaced with Skye's fingers as he took hold of her hand in a reassuring manner. "I promise."

"I know you will." Skye flashed Connor a sincerely optimistic and sly smile as she then invited him to her bedroom with a playful gesture of her finger. "Come with me for a moment, my handsome Lieutenant."

"Oh?" Connor let Skye pull him along and toward her bedroom door. "May I ask what you're planning?"

"I want to help you celebrate your promotion in a more... 'private' manner."

"I've always valued privacy." Connor smirked as he tossed his uniform cap casually onto the sofa in the sitting room as he walked by the furniture and followed after her toward the bedroom. "You really make me feel happy and genuinely loved."

"You deserve to be happy and loved, never forget it."

"I'll do what it takes to remember." Casually Connor began to remove his gloves when Skye grabbed his hand playfully. "What?"

"I kinda' like the uniform..." Pulling on his shoulders as she fell back onto her bed Skye pulled Connor toward herself in a completely playful and seductive manner that Connor quickly reciprocated. "How about you let me help you out of those clothes, Lieutenant?"

"I see." Connor blushed but then grinned as he felt increasingly comfortable in Skye's presence. "How very kind of you, it's not often officers get assistance from a lovely woman with a big heart."

"You're such a sweet talker... Come here, you!"

Weaving her fingers through Connor's fingers Skye retracted the artificial skin from over her palm to initiate direct contact and in return Connor did the same. The deviant couple directly pressed their hands together creating a small blue spark connecting their minds as one for a fleeting moment. The images that appeared in Skye's mind filled her with a momentary anxiety and she realized how much Connor had gone through since his activation, and Connor could fully understand Skye's worries and hesitation regarding the future security of the tower.

Deviants connecting their minds and sharing their true feelings for one another was as rare as it was beautiful.

"Oh, Connor..." As her hazel eyes widened in shock Skye gave Connor an incredulous stare. "I had no idea."

"I'm sorry." Slowly pulling his hand back Connor looked away from Skye as if ashamed of himself. "I should've kept those memories locked away. At least for a little while longer."

"Don't be sorry." Taking hold of his hand again Skye held it tight and pulled him closer to herself as she sat on the foot of her bed. "We all have experiences and memories that we don't want to talk about or think about. I know you saw my memories, too."

"I... knew you were alone in the 'Eden Club', but I didn't know that you were so scared." Tightening his hand around Skye's hand as he sat down beside her, Connor bowed his head and became fixated on a single spot on the white carpeted floor at his feet. "I didn't know that you were a deviant when I passed you by the night Hank and I went to investigate the murder at the 'Eden Club'. I could've... You could've-"

"It's okay." The truth of her deviancy's origins was one that Skye didn't want to share. "I didn't want anyone to know about my deviancy anyway."

"It still feels like I should've known. I was looking for deviants in the club, and I missed one standing right in front of me."

"Well, it's not like I'm entirely innocent with that type of thing. I knew of the other deviants, and I knew that Echo and Ripple were going to run off. I still didn't say anything to you or even try to warn them or the deviants that they could've escaped out the back that night."

"Echo." The names were familiar to Connor, and yet he felt as if he somehow knew the deviants being mentioned. "Ripple. You knew them personally?"

"Yes. The blue-haired 'Traci' and her brunette lover. They were at the refugee camp outside the city and remembered you when you were brought there to receive help. They occasionally go by 'Amy' and 'Suki' respectively to avoid being harassed when they venture back into the city."

"They escaped the Raid and they survived." That little bit of information gave Connor only a modicum of relief. "That's good. I wish I could've seen them before we left the camp. I would've been able to apologize to them and properly continue to atone for my mistakes."

"Connor, are you going to be okay?"

"I don't know." Revisiting his previous errors on a night when he was supposed to be celebrating his successes really killed the positive mood. "I thought I was past my mistakes and that I could focus on my future, but now I'm not so sure."

"I saw your memories, ALL of your memories." Skye whispered as she slowly retracted the artificial skin from her hand again. "I saw you helping Hank, helping Markus, fighting in the Raid, fighting at CyberLife Tower the night of the Revolution, I even saw you fighting and then bonding with Lucas... I felt your pain when you lost Lucas, too. I can feel the love you have for Hank as your father, toward Markus as your honorary brother, and toward me as your girlfriend. You have so much love to give, don't try to hide it."

"Sometimes I don't think I'll ever be able to do enough to atone for my cold behavior as a machine. Even love isn't enough to undo so many mistakes."

"Not one of us has ever been held accountable for our actions as machines, why should you?"

"Because I was the-

"You WERE the 'Deviant Hunter'," Skye interrupted firmly as she knew where Connor's guilt was the heaviest. "that's not you now, and it doesn't matter anyway since you never hurt a single deviant. I saw that, too. And even if I hadn't seen your innocence with my own eyes, I'd still love you as much as I do right now."

"I- Thank you." Closing his eyes tightly Connor tried to stop blaming himself for what CyberLife did and let his past rest. The hot tears welling up in his eyes were hard to restrain as he let his raw emotions pour forward. "I want to be someone more than just the former 'Deviant Hunter', a police Lieutenant, and Hank's son. I want to be... happy."

"You can be. You have every right to be happy!" Gently cupping Connor's cheek Skye managed to turn his face so they could lock eyes again. "You make me and everyone else in your life happy, you deserve to be happy, too."

"But how?" Pressing his hand over top Skye's hand, Connor leaned his cheek into her warm palm and felt a heaviness in his chest begin to lift. "How can I be happy?"

"By being yourself without worrying what other people think of you. You're not the monster that the fearful deviants try to call you, and you never were."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I saw you through your own eyes. I saw you tending to your father while he was sick and injured, I saw you cry when you lost your brother, I saw you cry when you lost your dog and felt you find peace when you rescued your puppy from the humane society, I felt how much your heart swell when you took care of the babies who needed your protection." Skye's certainty was hard to argue with. "Monsters don't cry, and they certainly don't help those who need to be helped."

"What if I can't show that same type of compassion to other people?" Connor's fingers began to curl into the fabric of Skye's quilt as he struggled to make peace with not only his past, but himself as a person. "What if my next experiences leave me hardened and apathetic?"

"That won't happen. And before you ask, I know that it won't happen because I'll be with you every step of the way from this day forward. I'd never even consider bonding with you if you weren't half as kind, sweet and generous as you are."

"Bonding... Two minds and hearts becoming one." Connor knew that he too wanted to have someone to bond with, and his heart was telling him that it was Skye he was meant to bond with. It was undeniable. "From there, a new family can flourish."

"The start of a big family full of love, trust and happiness..." Leaning in Skye gave Connor a small kiss and felt his hand tighten around her hand as the artificial skin receded from his grip. "All it takes is two deviants bonding as one to begin a new family together."

"I want a family with you. I want to call you my bondmate, and to have you help me continue to become a better person." As he spoke Connor cycled through Skye's shared memories and used her taste, preferences, and interests to search for an ideal bonding ring to give to her. Finding something he believed to be ideal and something that'd make Skye smile, Connor cybernetically placed the order for pick-up first thing in the morning. "I want to spend the rest of my life with someone I love. That someone is you, Skye."

"And I want to be that someone you love." Skye moved her palm to Connor's hair and began to gently fuss with the dark locks in an affectionate manner. After she wrapped her arms around his chest Skye leaned to the side and prompted Connor to lay down alongside her. "I already love you more than I thought was possible and I'm ready to make it official whenever you are. We're meant to be together, forever."

The next morning was cold, rainy and dark. The city itself was in a state of mass tension as swirling rumors of rogue deviants attempting a coup created a second storm of mistrust, paranoia and fear that threatened to tear down the very thin bridges that gapped the differences between humans and deviants alike. Connor managed to return home just long enough after his night with Skye at New Jericho Tower to change into his work uniform and to say goodbye to Rose as Hank escorted her to her taxi outside. Once the two detectives were reunited and ready to begin their next shifts under their new ranks, Connor informed Hank of what Skye had stated the previous evening, and the duo decided that they'd prioritize their caseload to favor protecting deviants throughout the day until the tension hopefully died down.

Sipping at his thermos of hot coffee Hank listened to everything Connor told him before speaking up himself. The information regarding deviants was invaluable to anyone and everyone in the precinct. It didn't matter how long it took or how difficult the investigation would become; Hank was determined to assist Connor in protecting his people.

"So, New Jericho still has no clue who the possible traitors are, how many there could be or why they'd want to betray the tower?"

"Correct. Skye is looking into the rumor to either substantiate or refute it as we speak, but her progress is slow." Patting his blazer pocket once Connor mentally pictured the small ring that he had picked up for Skye that morning after leaving the tower to head for home. His desire to ask for her hand in bonding would remain a personal secret for a while longer. "As of now, there is little information beyond rumors and mounting fear."

"Those are the two worst things that can set off a powder keg of hate." Sighing with righteous apprehension as the car pulled into the precinct parking garage, Hank gave Connor a somber look and parked in his designated parking space. "It's like holding a lit match and a can of gasoline over a pile of dynamite."

"I wish I had stayed with Skye at the tower." Sighing deeply Connor gave Hank a worried glance as he admitted that he felt uneasy about their upcoming shift. The dark storm clouds overhead filled Connor with tangible sense of dread. "I have a bad feeling about today."

"You too, huh?" Turning off the engine Hank put his hand on Connor's shoulder as the two cautiously prepared themselves to face the bleak day. "Well, hang in there, Lieutenant."

"You do the same." Watching Hank warily Connor tried to sound confident, but despite his efforts his worry was still audible in his voice as his reciprocated the exchange of rank and title. "Captain."

The hectic bullpen was a mass of noise and was completely on edge as the two recently promoted detectives walked over to their own desks and were greeted with dozens of collected reports from witnesses claiming to have spotted deviants performing some unusual activities throughout the city. Beside the first stack of reports was a second equally as large collection of reports from deviants claiming the same thing about suspicious humans. It was everything that the two detectives had feared as they were still the only detectives working in the deviant division in the entire city. It looked as though things in the city were only going to continue to get worse before they finally got better.

"Hey, 'Tinman'!" Gavin threw a folded-up paper newspaper at Connor who managed to catch it without breaking stride as he walked past the abrasive detective's desk to get to his own. "You and your girlfriend made the front page!"

Curiously Connor unfolded the newspaper and looked down at the image of himself and Skye together at the ceremony from the night before. Skye's brilliant smile was beaming at him as he held her with in his arms and his own eyes bright with love. Blushing a little Connor folded the newspaper back up and tucked it under his arm as if embarrassed.

'Skye,' Connor cybernetically contacted his dearly beloved girlfriend and hopeful future bondmate as he downloaded the image into his memorybank. 'we're in the news.'

'Really?' She was quiet for a moment as Connor sent her the image and she kept it for herself. 'See? I told you that you looked great!'

'I'm more focused on how beautiful you look.'

'Flatterer.' The compliment was enough to brighten Skye's own dark outlook on the day. 'Keep it going, today I'm going to need all the confidence I can get.'

'You'll figure this out. I know you will.'

'I hope you're right.' Pausing for another moment Skye admitted that the tensions in the city were reaching out toward Belle Isle where New Jericho Tower was located. 'Things are getting tense inside the tower and out. I'm going to increase security measures and monitor the area outside the tower itself.'

'Don't do anything reckless. I'll be patrolling the streets to try to keep any impending violence to a minimum.'

'I already feel safer.' Skye replied with raw optimism in her voice. 'Take care of yourself and be safe. It's your first day as a Lieutenant and I don't want you to get hurt.'

'I'll be careful, I promise. I love you.'

'I love you, too.' Subconsciously Connor put his hand to the ring concealed in his pocket as he spoke. 'I'll talk to you later.'

'Of course. I'll be in touch.'

"Come on." Hank put his hand on Connor's shoulder again to direct him toward their desks and make the motionless deviant step aside. Taking the newspaper from Connor's grip Hank tucked it into the top drawer of his side of the desk to keep it out of sight. "Don't worry about the damn newspaper or let Gavin get to you."

"Y-Yeah, you're right." Not wanting to mention that he had been speaking with Skye cybernetically Connor patted the ring hidden in his blazer pocket to reassure himself it was still there. The star shaped sapphire stone on the silver band was sure to make Skye's light up as bright as the stars themselves. "I won't get distracted again."

"We have a shit-load of reports to get through and you read a hell of a lot faster than I do." Waving to the pile of electronic tablets on their desks Hank sighed and prepared for an aggravating day. "Get on with it. We need to keep ahead of this madness before it happens."

"Right. I'll prioritize the more important files to be addressed first." Turning on his terminal screen Connor's blue blush faded away and he set about his work in a hasty but professional manner. "It may take a moment."

"Whatever, I don't have anywhere I need to be."

It took Connor only a few minutes to weed out the reports that held any credence from the reports that were just paranoid fear from known bigots. Half of the reports were from humans who had a history of abusing androids or trying to assault deviants after the Revolution, while the other half were from deviants who still held grudges against humans for past indiscretions and were eager to report them for something as simple as jaywalking.

"There is a report of a single confirmed assault downtown; deviant versus human."

"Who started it?" Hank asked warily as he checked the report that Connor had sent over to his terminal screen to view for himself. "The deviant or the human?"

"...Conflicting reports from eyewitnesses." Such a mess would be difficult to sort through and clean up. "I cannot say for certain at this time."

"Ah, fuck. That's the last thing we needed to deal with; unreliable witnesses on a unstable day."

"The human suspect is in interrogation with Gavin and the deviant suspect is in interrogation with Chris."

"Great... As soon as the interrogations are finished we-"

"Hey!" Tina marched over to their desks with an electronic tablet in her hand and a serious glare in her eyes. "Lieu- Captain," she corrected herself quickly as she passed the tablet over to Hank's hand to take. "there's been a report of a homicide downtown; three deviants. All reportedly slain by a human with a knife and a bad temper. It's a real bloodbath."

"Son of a bitch... All right, we got this." Handing the tablet over to Connor with a steady hand Hank gauged the deviant's reaction as he reas over the recorded details for himself. "We'll check in with the interrogations later. Ready to take the lead on the investigation?"

"You're still the ranking officer."

"Right. And as ranking officer I'm ordering you to take the lead, Lieutenant."

"Oh. Of course." Accepting the tablet Connor cybernetically uploaded the details and processed the G.P.S. coordinates into his processors. "Let's go, Captain."

The scene of the assault was as brutal as Hank and Connor had feared as they entered the holographically barred hotel room. A lone human had stabbed the female deviant victim with a massive butcher's knife in the chest multiple times. The second deviant victim had his neck slit deeply from left to right by a single, lethal slice. The third deviant victim had been stabbed once through his right eye deep enough to penetrate his intracranial processor. Dark blue Thirium pooled all over the floor beneath the three bodies, covered the beige walls in macabre sapphire streaks that slid down to the tan carpets, and sprayed up to the white ceiling enormous with dark blue stains that dripped on to the floor like melting icicles.

Connor stepped inside the room first and scanned the area while Hank addressed the responding officer who had the human, still covered in thick layers of Thirium from head to toe, cuffed just outside the room in the hallway. Standing by the opened door Connor was able to easily scan over the entirety of the room without accidentally contaminating any of the evidence of the crime scene with his shoe prints during the initial investigation.

After he spoke to the initial responding officer Hank joined Connor inside the room and stared at the three dead bodies that were sprawled about in their own blood. The first deviant had been stabbed to death on the bed - her chest was a gutted frame of torn wires and severed Thirium lines. The second victim was laying chest down on the floor with his head facing toward the end of the bed and feet toward the door. The third victim was sitting upright against the wall beside the bed with the knife still stabbed into his bleeding right eye socket.

The bed was torn up from the numerous stab wounds causing cotton from the mattress, quilt and pillow to litter the bloody surface. Two towels were laying on the floor around the bed and were slightly cooler than the rest of the room indicating their exposure to lower temperatures. The lamp sitting on the table had been smashed on the floor during the struggle and the phone was left off the hook. A chair had been overturned in the corner, spilled ice had melted into the carpet and a bloody blue handprint smeared the only window looking out from the sixth-floor room as a cold November rain drenched the world outside.

Inside the small bathroom dozens of Thirium covered handprints lined the walls, the sink and the shower. All of the bathroom's white towels had been used in an attempt to clean the bloody mess then abruptly thrown to the floor.

"So much hatred." Connor wondered aloud as he took in the brutal sight. "Why?"

"What the fuck happened here?" Almost stunned into silence Hank finally spoke up as he too visually analyzed the scene. "This guy lured three deviants up to his room and then assaulted them with a knife. What was the motivation?"

"This wasn't an assault," Connor stated with a flat tone as he eyed the three victims sympathetically. "this was a massacre. Premeditated murder."

"Did you identify the victims?" Crossing his arms over his chest defensively the senior detective stood his ground as he waited for the newly ranked Lieutenant to analyze the scene. "It might give us an idea behind the lunatic's motivation."

"The first victim was known as 'Melanie', her model was 'MC-400'. She worked here in the hotel as an onsite emergency nurse." Shaking his head slightly Connor went into detail on her death. "She had been stabbed sixteen times in the chest; the fourth stab wound proving fatal as it destroyed her Thirium pump causing her heart to stop almost instantaneously as she internally bled out. There is a handprint over her mouth indicative of the attacker silencing her with his left hand as he stabbed her with the knife in his right hand." Continuing his assessment of Melanie's final moments Connor confirmed that she didn't go down easily. "There are defensive wounds on her forearms and there is human blood on her fingertips and under her fingernails. She fought back, but it wasn't enough."

"All right, so what about the poor guy in the middle of the floor?"

"His name was 'Trey', his model was 'GB-200', and he worked security in the hotel. The two main Thirial running up both sides of his neck had been severed clean causing him to bleed out. The knife also damaged his voice modulator making it impossible for him to call out for help after he had been assaulted."

"And the third victim?"

"The victim was known as 'Andrew', an 'AV-500' model. He too worked in the hotel as the nighttime desk manager." Staring at Andrew's blank face as Thirium dripped from his damaged eye socket Connor finished his details on the murders. "The daytime manager had called in ill and Andrew covered his shift."

"No good deed goes unpunished." Hank lamented over the senseless loss of three deviants. Such a horrible display of rage and cruelty was enough to make Hank pine for his time in narcotics. "Okay, now here's the big question: Do you know what happened?"

"...I have a theory."

"Let me hear it."

"There is no sign of a struggle in the hallway or near the doorway to the room. According to hotel records, a call from this room was made to the front desk requesting medical assistance one hour, six minutes and thirteen seconds ago by the single occupant - our human suspect; Charles Gacey." Such details were crucial regarding the case being handled and closed properly. "I have cybernetically confirmed the placement of the call and it's time for accuracy."

"I'm following you. Keep going."

"When Melanie arrived to check on the caller she let herself in the room and most likely found the suspect feigning illness in the middle of the bed. By using towels and ice the suspect gave the illusion of hypothermia to which Melanie responded by checking on the suspect in close proximity to begin diagnosing his falsified ailment."

"And that's when he grabbed her." Hank followed Connor's train of thought and deduced what he had done just minutes before. "He threw her on the bed and began stabbing her with the knife. In the struggle she knocked over the lamp and ice spilled all over the floor. What next?"

"Melanie would've cybernetically contacted hotel security as soon as she was attacked. Unfortunately, Trey was unable to get to the room in time and arrived after Melanie had been killed." Turning around Connor pointed to the bathroom at the far end of the room. "The suspect went into the bathroom to clean the blue blood from his hands and to possibly hide the knife when Trey had arrived to investigate. Having security clearance allowed Trey to open the door regardless of the precautions the killer may have taken to hide his crimes."

"Trey saw Melanie on the bed and approached her. That's when the killer approached him from behind and slit his throat before he could figure out what happened."

"Correct. And if a call to security had been made-"

"Then the manager would come up to check things out himself, and he too had access to the rooms without needing to be let in." Hank easily agreed with Connor's theory as the pieces fell into place. "And when he saw what happened he ended up getting stabbed in the eye for his trouble."

"The suspect had planned all of this." The deviant detective noted all of the steps taken before Melanie even entered the room and came to a sickening conclusion. "He didn't care who he encountered, he just wanted to kill androids."

"We need to try to keep this quiet. If word gets out-"

"The city will panic and lash out." Connor understood as he cybernetically scanned for any possible news reports regarding the horrible massacre, but nothing had been submitted to the news. Yet. "There has been no story of this crime reported. We must ensure that it remains as such."

"How? We can't exactly control the news."

"I do not know. I will inform Markus at New Jericho Tower of the incident and ask him to keep vigil for any sign of rebellious activity as a result of this attack."

"Good idea. We know what happened, so let's get back to the precinct and get everything filed so the C.S.I. guys can get everything collected." Stepping out of the room Hank turned to look at Connor who readily followed after him and gave the deviant a slight nod. "Good work, kid."

"...Thanks. I guess."

"I know. It sucks you have to deal with a triple homicide of your people while you're trying to keep the peace." Walking with Connor toward the elevator and away from the murders Hank did his best to make sure his partner and son was going to be all right. "It'll be okay in time."

"I hope you're right." The fear for his future returned as Connor realized that the violence against deviants wasn't going to mellow out any time soon. Such a fear made Connor's hand reach for the ring in his pocket to ensure it was still safe. "For everyone's sake."

While en route back to the precinct Connor received another cybernetic update regarding the rising tension in the city between deviants and humans. An android department store - one designed to house optional replacement parts and software upgrades - had been broken in to and a majority of the merchandise had been smashed with a baseball bat by a venomous and paranoid human seeking to stir up violence. In retaliation, a human coffee shop across the street from the android store had its windows broken with bricks and had the interior furnishings graffitied with spray paint by angry deviants. There was no sign of backing down from either side of the conflict any time soon.

Violence always begets violence.

"Fuck." Hank swore as Connor communicated the update in a level voice to his partner. "Sounds like a riot's taking place downtown."

"Should we respond?"

"Might as well. This damn rain is making traffic slower than usual, and downtown is closer than the precinct."

"Agreed." Connor's soulful brown eyes closed as he received a message from Markus regarding the bizarre string of violence stretching over the city. "Markus has reported that two of the deviants residing in the tower have left without seemingly any cause; a 'GB-200' and a 'JG-500'. Both males, both suspected rogues, both... former CyberLife security androids."

"That doesn't sound great. Do you think they're dangerous?"

"Unknown." Sending off another cybernetic message Connor contacted Skye and requested her input on the situation. However, there was no response from his girlfriend who was in charge of security at the tower. "It appears that security protocols have momentarily distracted Skye, and she is unable provide any information regarding the two deviants. She is apparently searching for the rogues as well."

"Can Markus clue us in on what they could be doing or what they want?"

"He can provide nothing beyond that of their identities: 'Damon' and 'Harris'." Holding up his palm Connor showed Hank an image of the two rogues. "No motivation, no location, and no means of contacting them."

"Keep an eye out for them." Pulling the car around a relatively deserted street corner Hank and Connor spotted a large group of people - a blend of humans and deviants - arguing and shouting at one another in the middle of the street between the two damaged buildings. "This really is going to be a bad day."

Pulling the car to the side of the street Hank opened his door and began shouting at the crowd with authority in his voice as he brandished his badge with one hand and kept his other hand hovering over the holstered gun secured to his hip. Shouting over the heavy rain and the indistinguishable voices Hank placed himself in the middle of the two warring sides and threatened to arrest everyone at the scene if they failed to cooperate.

"Knock it off!" Remaining in control of himself and the situation Hank ordered the crowd to stand down before anything worse happened beyond a few broken windows and stained pieces of furniture. "Detroit Police! Stand down, NOW."

Connor unerringly joined Hank in the middle of the street, putting his back up against Hank's back to ensure that no one would be able to sneak up attack him from behind. Mirroring Hank's motions Connor held up his badge to reveal his authority and kept his free hand toward his back in the even he needed to unholster his own gun concealed beneath his blazer.

"THOSE PLASTIC FREAKS ARE GOING TO KILL US ALL!" A faceless but admittedly paranoid man shouted from the depths of the human side of the raging crowd that had filled the street. "IT'S YOUR JOB TO PROTECT US!"

A chorus of cheers toward the man's comment filled the air as Connor noted the gathered deviants in front of him with righteous concern.

"It's my job to protect THEM, too!" Hank responded and received a cacophony of boos from the humans as he pointed to the deviants behind him. "It's also my job to arrest every dumbass here if you don't comply, it doesn't matter if you're human or not! There's no discrimination or preferential treatment in my holding cells!"

One of the deviants spoke up in a calmer and more logical voice from the crowd before Connor as he shouted toward Hank.

"Arrest him!" Her voice carried over the crowd with a distinct echo. "He's the one who broke into the store and damaged all the merchandise!"

The human responded with a prompt and predictable answer. "FUCK YOU!"

"This isn't getting us anywhere." Hank lowered his badge and pocketed it as he unclipped the strap on the holster to give him the clearance to grab his gun if necessary. "Connor, call for back-up. We're going to need it."

The stealthy deviant briefly closed his eyes and made the cybernetic call. "Already done."

"This is your final warning!" Resonating loudly over the pouring rain that thundered over the city Hank refused to back down and was ready to risk himself in order to keep the peace. The icy chill from the rain made the standoff all the more intense. "Disperse NOW."

Sirens filled the air as flashing police drones circled overhead shining white spotlights down against the two equally guilty parties while the approaching S.W.A.T. vehicles came to a sudden stop at both ends of the street. A dozen armed S.W.A.T. agents exited the backs of the two vehicles concealed behind protective body armor, metal shields, and armed with semi-automatic guns and canisters of tear gas.

Speaking up once more Hank reiterated his previous warning. "Stand. Down."

Begrudgingly the two parties began backing away from one another without any sign of further aggression. One by one members from each side took their leave of the area to return to their homes or to simply vacate the area to avoid any further confrontations with one another and with the police. As the two groups thinned out Hank and Connor relaxed and lowered their hands away from their guns as they watched the group with a cautious leer.

"That was too close for comfort." Keeping his voice low Hank addressed Connor at his back and let out a relieved sigh. "If we don't do something to stop these damn rumors from spreading, we're going to be in for one nasty night."

"I agree. The media will report on anything of potential interest regardless of how many facts on the subject have been reliably obtained or verified."

"Unfortunately, you're right, kid." The cold rain made Hank shiver slightly as the chilling drizzle soaked through his dark coat and down to his white and black striped shirt beneath. Glancing up at the dark, heavy rain clouds overhead Hank ran his hand through his damp locks of gray hair and motioned toward the car. "Come on, we need to get off the street and back to the precinct before anything else happens."

"Agreed."

What little natural light that had managed to illuminate the dark clouds overhead quickly faded as the afternoon gave way to evening. The sun was on its way to setting and the rain clouds continued to thicken as rain bombarded everything in the city under a bombardment of icy drops.

Connor moved with Hank toward the car as the S.W.A.T. team began patrolling the streets to prevent any further angry mobs from forming as the high tensions throughout the city continued to mount. Unable to shake his unsettling feeling of impending disaster Connor kept his head low and attempted to ignore the icy rain that was pelting him mercilessly as it soaked into his clothing and throughout his dark locks of hair.

"The day's almost over." Sensing Connor's distress Hank checked in on his son protectively. "Still got that bad feeling?"

"Yes." Nodding slightly Connor confirmed Hank's question as he pulled open the passenger side car door and sat down inside the dry car as Hank did the same from the driver's side. It was as if Connor was aware of something horrible happening elsewhere in the city, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what, where or who was involved in the situation. "I wish I could explain it, but I believe something truly horrible is going to happen."

"I wish I could tell you that it's all in your mind, but I feel it, too."

"Detective's intuition?"

"Yeah." Turning over the engine Hank shifted into drive and pulled away from the corner to resume driving to the precinct. "And a lifetime of experience."

Due to the tension in the city the officers at the Central Precinct had vacated the bullpen in favor of watching the large television mounted on the far wall of the breakroom as additional reports of rumored, but unfounded, behavior from deviants and bigoted humans cycled through the newsroom at an alarming rate. Tensions continued to build at an alarming rate throughout Detroit as the rain continued to drown every street, building and tree under an icy layer. It was going to be a long, horrible day, and everyone at the precinct wanted to brace themselves for the worst possible scenario. The intensity of the storm outside was nothing in comparison to the tension and fears mounting within the city as a whole.

Dread and worry were heavy in the air even as Hank and Connor returned to the precinct to end their patrols. The familiar location with trusted allies did very little to ease their unexplainable concerns as they attempted to warm up and dry off after being out in the rain.

"Anything happen while we were gone?" Hank stood behind Chris who was holding a cup of coffee in his hands to keep himself warm. As he addressed the kind officer, he could see the worry in Chris eyes that he expertly put aside in favor of remaining in control of his thoughts. "Aside from the news making shit worse."

"Nothing too bad, Captain." Smiling a little as he called Hank by his new rank, Chris looked him over and then saw Connor standing beside him. The duo was dripping from the rain and they had their arms crossed protectively over their chests in an attempt to stave off the lingering cold. "I take it you two were the ones who stopped the riot before it started. You're both soaked."

"Yeah, you figured right. What happened to you?" Hank quipped sharply as he noticed that Chris was also soaked from the rain. "You don't look any better than us."

"Car got a flat tire while on patrol. I took care of it while Jack called for assistance."

"Looks like he called too late. You look soaked to the bone."

"I'm fine. Just a little cold." Motioning toward the television silently Chris gave Hank a stern glance. "But with everything happening downtown a little cold is the least of my problems."

'According to eyewitness reports a group of humans and a group of deviants were threatening to engage in violence downtown only to be stopped by the Detroit Police with the assistance of a responding S.W.A.T. team.' The female news, Rosanna Cartland, reporter spoke in an infuriatingly monotone voice of indifference and deceit. Her hollow eyes were staying through the camera recording her every word and lack of reaction. 'As to the cause of the conflict it has been speculated that deviants who have been affected by CyberLife saboteurs are responsible.'

"Same ol' bullshit." Hank swore bitterly at the news report. "If something's going on between humans and androids it's always the androids buggin' out or some shit, never some human asshole trying to pick or fight or just bein' a fuckin' prick."

'-there has been no confirmation on this incident or on those responsible, but police involvement has left the city on edge.'

"And it's the media who is going to push the city OVER that very edge."

Connor remained curiously quiet as he kept his arms warily crossed over his chest and stared blankly at the floor at his feet. Cybernetically the deviant detective had attempted to cybernetically contact Skye at New Jericho Tower, but again there was no response from the deviant who had taken it upon herself to keep the tower as secured as possible. Worried for his girlfriend, his dearest friend overall, Connor began to fidget a little on his feet and his right hand immediately went for the coin concealed in his jean pocket.

It didn't take Hank long to notice that Connor was almost as tense as the rest of the city outside. Turning slowly to face the deviant Hank put his hand to Connor's shoulder and almost jumped when Connor himself jumped slightly at the unexpected touch of Hank's palm.

"Easy, son. What's wrong?"

"I... can't seem to establish communication with Skye." Dancing the coin over his fingers Connor could only try to reconnect over and over again in an attempt to speak with her. "It's not an issue with connectivity on my part seeing as I've been able to speak with Markus who is still at the tower, there are no errors in my programming, and I cannot theorize as to what would prevent us from speaking to one another unless something has her completely distracted."

"I won't tell you to not worry, you'll do that no matter what. I can only insist that you stay focused on your work, for now."

"I'm attempting to do so, but it's difficult."

"Yeah. It will be."

"Hank?" Captain Fowler called for Hank from his opened office doorway and waited for the senior detective to join him. "My office, now."

Letting go of Connor's shoulder Hank approached the office quickly leaving the deviant alone with his thoughts as his heart became heavier with building worry. For what seemed like hours Connor stood quietly with his coin delicately slipping from one knuckle to the next as it juggled over the back of his hand only to have Hank return minutes later and take away the deviant's quarter with a swift motion.

"There's another riot taking place on the other side of town. The S.W.A.T. team is already on scene trying to end the fighting, and we need to get down there and start making arrests while the paramedics and technicians take care of the injured." Hank informed Connor in a sharp but worried tone. "Gavin and Tina are already at the scene and taking charge of things so all we have to do is sort out the mess."

"...I have received an update on the riot." Connor replied despondently as he let his hand fall to his side as Hank pocketed the coin for himself. "There are reportedly over fifty humans and just as many deviants tearing each other apart over misguided information as a direct result of the most recent news story with intentionally misleading statements. The humans are accusing the deviants of trying to cause a blackout and overtake the city, while the deviants are accusing the humans of assault and vandalism outside of the Epsilon Facility. Neither claim can be currently authenticated."

"After we take care of the rioters maybe we can throw all the damn reporters behind bars for a while just to shut them up..."

"I doubt it'd do any good."

"You're probably right." the senior detective stated as he motioned for Connor to follow after him to the front doors of the precinct to get to the car parked in the neighboring parking garage. "It'd at least make me feel better silencing the pot-stirring fuckers up."

The Pace sped down the rain slicked streets as fast as Hank dared to drive as other patrol cars and drones accompanied the two detectives to the scene of the chaos threatening to tear down the fragile bridges between humans and deviants. All of the hatred was being caused by a misguided panic from the ratings-greedy media and the circling news helicopters overhead were only exasperating their misdeeds. The sky was even darker as the evening threatened to give way to night while the smothering cold rain relentlessly drenched the streets. Blue and red flashing lights illuminated the buildings and streets as the mass of patrol cars and drones raced to the scene of the riot to stop the violence before it escalated any further.

Despite the intimidating police presence, the rioters were not being deterred as they tried to tear each other apart. Their thirst for blood - red and blue - was more powerful than authority figure could ever hope to be.

"There are four ambulances at the scene and three others en route." Keeping tabs on the scene through his cybernetic connections with dispatch, Connor updated Hank while also trying to keep in direct communication with Markus at New Jericho Tower. He still couldn't connect with Skye, and he could feel his heart beginning to race with fear. "Six android ambulances have also been summoned to tend to the wounded."

"Any casualties?"

"Four humans have been pronounced at the scene. And... seven deviants."

"What the fuck?" The staggering amount of death made Hank feel sick to his stomach. "How did so much happen in a such a small amount of time?"

"From what I've witnessed myself, I've come to realize that hatred spreads quickly. Like a fire spreading through a desolate forest."

"There's no denying that."

"Hank..." Feeling his worries mounting Connor pressed his hand over his chest to rest atop his heart. It was like a vice was beginning to squeeze and he couldn't find a way to lessen it's smothering grip. "I can't reach Skye and no one at New Jericho knows where she has gone."

"You'll find her, son."

"What if she went in search of the two rogues?" A part of Connor swore that he could feel what Skye was feeling despite their distance, and what he was feeling could only be described as pain and fear. "She may be in danger. No, she IS in danger. I can feel it."

"We're going to find Skye and get this mess sorted out." Giving the deviant a simple nod of the head Hank turned onto the devastated blood stained street and came to a rapid stop. The other patrol cars followed suit and readied themselves to join the two detectives at the scene of the riot. "It's what we do best. You're just worried because you can't speak to her right now."

"No." The dread that Connor had felt was nearly overwhelming. It's like his heart was preparing itself for something that only his mind could comprehend. "I can't explain it, but I know something terrible has happened to her."

The sight of the heavily armored S.W.A.T. vehicles that encircled the shouting, struggling, enraged parties made Connor unexpectedly nervous. There was something so surreal, so haunting about seeing so many people, humans and deviants, covered in each other's blood that made him feel sick. Stains of dark blue, dark red and dark purple smeared the faces, hands, arms and chests of those who had taken part in the violent altercation as the blood was needlessly spilled over nearly every square inch of the wet pavement beneath their feet.

Bodies of the deceased rioters were already concealed under white sheets that were stained either blue or red depending on the victim. Puddles of the three different colored bloods formed in macabre pools beneath the victims in a grim ripple that stained the pavement of the streets. Even the harsh cold November rain had yet to wash the blood from the streets in the raw wake of the tragic event, and it seemed even the power of nature itself wouldn't even be able to wash away the violence back into the nothingness where it belonged.

Brandishing their badges once more Hank and Connor led the other officers to the scene as they attempted to locate Gavin and Tina who were still fighting to keep the scene as calm as possible along with the S.W.A.T. officers who came to their aid. Instinctively as a skilled detective, Connor approached the victims with the intent to identify them while the arrests were under way, but Gavin headed him off suddenly and planted himself firmly between the shrouded bodies and Connor himself.

"Hey, maybe you should sit this one out." The sincere worry in Gavin's voice gave Connor pause as he tried to gauge the detective's demeanor. Trembling from being soaked in the freezing rain, the look in Gavin's eyes hinted at something more emotional as the culprit for his overall discomfort as he swept his soaked locks of hair back and out of his face. "We can handle it from here, so you should go back to the precinct and let Joel-"

"Gavin, I've seen the bodies of deviants and humans before. It isn't anything I can't handle."

"Connor," the fact that Gavin was addressing the deviant by his actual name as opposed to tactless nickname or insult only emphasized his disconcerting worry toward the deviant. "She... She's hanging in there."

"She?" Brown irises nearly disappeared as his pupils went wide with black fear and he craned his neck to look past Gavin and to a body on the ground that had two technicians hovering over it. "...Skye? She's here? Where?!"

"You can't do anything to-" Gavin had to make a grab for Connor's arm as the deviant tried to rush past him and hold him still. "Connor! She's already being taken care of! Just stay-"

Pulling his arm away from Gavin with a powerful jerk Connor sprinted over the rainy, bloody streets to where the emergency technicians were still working on Skye in an effort to save her life. Falling to his knees without hesitation, his jeans soaking up the tri-colored blood and cold rain, Connor knelt at Skye's side and slipped his palm under Skye's head as he cradled her as best as he could while the technicians tried to stop the heavy bleeding within her chest and abdomen.

Skye had been physically beaten down by enraged fists and blunt instruments. There wasn't a single mark on her body that wasn't a defensive wound, meaning she hadn't attempted to harm another person despite what was happening to herself and the people all around her.

"Skye?" Connor's hand was instantly soaked in rain and blood. Skye's long locks of brunette hair were as cold as the rain and blood that had soaked into them. "Skye, I'm here. I'm with you."

Opening her hazel eyes slowly, the left eye stained blue from damage, Skye peered up at Connor as the familiarity of his voice was enough to rouse her from low power mode and reboot her processor. Smiling weakly, she reached her bloodied, partially exposed palm up and Connor quickly took it in his free hand to hold tightly.

"What happened?" All Connor could do was talk to Skye and try to distract her from her pain while the technician did his best to stabilize her. "Why are you even here?"

"I..." Skye swallowed once as Thirium rose up her throat and collected in the back of her mouth. "I was tracking- The r-rogues were here. B-But... they didn't do this." Coughing weakly Skye's body trembled from the cold, blood loss and pain as small speckles of Thirium stained her pale lips. "They didn't... st-start this. Don't l-let them... be blamed."

"Shh..." Connor tried to soothe Skye as he ran a cybernetic scan over her body and noted the catastrophic damage she had sustained during the riot. Numerous vital biocomponents had been compromised, several Thirium lines had been loosened and were bleeding into her torso, and her core temperature was rising despite being smothered under the deluge of the cold autumn rain. "Don't speak. Try to save your strength."

Skye's Thirium pump had been compromised by blunt force trauma and was seeping blue blood into her chest with every beat of her heart. Both ventilation biocomponents were failing to respond due to the chilly air caused by the cold rain, yet they were showing signs of damage as their capacity had been reduced to sixty percent functionality thanks to her core temperature rising all around them. Her Thirium pump regulator was faltering courtesy of a foreign object embedded inside of it causing her heart to beat improperly and poorly as she continued to bleed internally.

Bleeding out as quickly as the technicians were able to replenish her dangerously low Thirium through a line in her arm, Skye was circling the drain, and she knew she had very limited time as a red tinted shutdown timer appeared in her visual processors. With that dwindling time Skye knew she wanted to make her final minutes special and memorable as she spoke to her beloved.

"I... I only have sixteen minutes and twenty-one seconds left." Forcing a warm smile to her bloody lips Skye locked her eyes with Connor's soulful brown eyes and fearlessly accepted her fate. "I want to... m-make them count. I'm glad you're... with me, my beloved."

"No." Connor shook his head in denial as he tightened his hand around hers without hurting her. "I won't let you shutdown. I'll get you some help!"

"Help... is a-already here."

"You need to go to the tower!" Refusing to give up and let Skye die in the bloody streets Connor decided it was time to take action and stop waiting for a miracle to happen. "You need to be there, NOW."

Practically shoving the two technicians aside Connor scooped Skye up into his arms and off of the cold, bloody, rain soaked street.

"Whoa!" One of the technicians protested as he fell backward and watched Connor run off with his patient. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Holding tightly onto Skye as he rushed through the crowd and back to the car, Connor felt Skye's head press against his chest and rest against his own heart thundering away in his chest. She was losing strength rapidly and there was no way for her to regain it.

"Hank?!" Connor called out desperately as he caught sight of the senior detective questioning the Captain of the S.W.A.T. team during his desperate race to the car parked so close and yet painfully far away. "Hank, please! Dad?!"

"What the- Shit!" Hank saw Connor sprinting toward the car with a tragically familiar bloody body in his arms. He didn't need to wait for an answer to know what the hell was happening and why it was so urgent and followed after Connor as quickly as he could. "I'll drive!"

Knowing full well that if Connor was afraid, or maybe in this case panicking, then it was serious. Without questioning the deviant's motives Hank chased after Connor and met him at the car just as Connor had managed to pull open the backseat of the car and climb inside with Skye still in his arms as he fought to use his hands to apply pressure and stem the bleeding to the opened wounds in her chest and abdomen.

"We're outta' here." Doing his best to stay calm for Connor's sake Hank addressed the two deviants in a hushed voice. "Hang on you two..."

Hank threw open the driver's side door and turned the key in the ignition. Daring to glance at the reflection of the two deviants in the rearview mirror as he backed down the street to turn around, Hank felt the same sickening knot tighten in his stomach that had formed the night that Barbara had died. Using his radio to call for clearance and an escort as he raced to New Jericho Tower as fast as possible, Hank could only listen to Connor speaking with Skye as she laid dying in his arms just a few inches behind him. It broke his heart to not be able to do more to help his son when he truly needed a father's support.

"Skye, talk to me." Connor begged in a low voice as kept the pressure on the bleeding wounds. Using his free hand Connor ran his fingers through her cold, damp hair in an effort to provide her some form of comfort. "Don't go offline. Not now."

"I-I'm here. I'm with you." Skye promised as a peaceful smile settled on her Thirium stained lips. "Won't l-leave you... not yet."

"Please, hold on. I've contacted Markus at the tower." It was hard to stay strong when he felt so weak and useless. "Simon and Abby know you're injured and are ready to treat your wounds."

"I f-f-feel... cold." Skye whispered as she weakly pressed herself closer to Connor's chest. Listening to the steady thrum of his beating heart she seemed to find a sense of security even as she continued to bleed internally. "...H-Hold me."

"I am holding you." Connor breathed out slowly as he tightened his arms around Skye to press her up against his chest as closely as possible without accidentally hurting her in the process. "Warmer?"

"...Y-Yeah." Just being closer to Connor seemed to give her some comfort. "Thanks."

Hank overheard the comment and turned on the heater in the car as high as it could go to try to help Connor keep Skye as warm as possible until they reached the tower. The sight of the blood that soaked over her clothing and her body made Hank feel ill, but it was the insurmountable concern in Connor's empathetic brown eyes that broke his heart.

"We're almost there, son." The senior detective stated firmly as he sped toward the long drive leading out to the tower. "Thankfully the two best technicians in the city were already on call at the tower."

Pulling on to the long drive that connected the city to Belle Isle in the distance Hank sped up and left the escorting police cars and even the drones behind. The security barricade had been preemptively lowered in anticipation of the two detectives' arrival as they raced to save Skye's life.

Outside the tower a gurney was waiting for Skye with a gathered group of worried friends surrounding it. Markus, North and Simon were waiting impatiently as the car appeared in the distance and screamed down the rest of the drive until it came to a sudden stop alongside the gurney. Markus pulled open the backdoor to the car and helped Connor to step outside of the vehicle as he gently placed Skye down onto the gurney while North and Simon proceeded to assess and treat her wounds during transport to the emergency repair bay within the tower itself.

"Skye?" Connor kept his hand wrapped around her hand as he jogged alongside the gurney being rolled into the tower's main lobby toward the elevator in the center of the foyer. He wasn't going to let her go without a fight. "Skye, you're here. You're back at the tower. You're safe."

Squeezing Connor's hand as tightly as she could Skye kept her smile on her face and showed no signs of fear even as she continued to lose Thirium at an alarming rate. In spite of everything happening Skye wasn't afraid to face what was happening to her.

Markus stayed back and had to keep North from following after her best friend while Simon worked on stabilizing Skye as best as he could until they reached the repair ward. As Hank trailed into the tower after the four deviants, he could see from the look in Markus's mismatched eyes that the likelihood of Skye pulling through was painfully low.

"...No. Fucking no."

The idea of losing such a caring person in such a needlessly violent way made Hank feel sick. However, it was the idea of Connor having to endure the loss of his first real love made him actually dread the future. It wasn't fair to either deviant to endure such a tragedy because other people couldn't let go of their hatred.

"Not like this."

Inside the newly updated emergency repair ward of the tower Abby was already prepared to deal with the critically injured deviant and had dozens of bags of replacement Thirium at the ready. Along with the replacement blood, there were incredibly delicate yet strong metallic instruments designed specifically to repair the finely detailed wires and Thirium lines that circulated throughout an android's body and their subsequent internal biocomponents. Monitors were installed in the wall at the head of the repair table for easier access. Each tool and each pint of Thirium was crucial in order to save Skye's fading life as irreversible shutdown was proving to be a real threat on that infamous day.

Wearing dark red scrubs, ones that managed to cover but not hide her growing baby bump, and with her hair pulled back into a neat bun, Abby was ready to begin the necessary repairs long before the gurney even reached its destined floor. When the door to the room 'hissed' open Abby took in a deep breath and tried to prepare herself for the worst. Working on deviants was stressful enough, but working to save a friend was the worst type of stress anyone could suffer.

"She's weak but stable." Simon addressed Abby as he and Connor wheeled the gurney over to the exam table and carefully moved Skye into place over top of the table for treatment. "Thirium volume is down to forty-seven percent, Thirium pressure is seventy over forty, core temperature is up to one-hundred and two point three degrees, Thirium pump rate is erratic at one-hundred and twenty-four beats per minute, and her ventilation rate is weak at only twelve per minute."

"It's okay." Ignoring the technical jargon regarding Skye's condition Connor kept one hand wrapped around hers as he ran his opposite hand gently through her still damp hair. "You're going to be taken care of." Trying to sound confident and unafraid as he spoke Connor knew that his eyes, his almost too human eyes, had once again betrayed his emotions. "Don't be frightened."

"I'm n-not scared." Skye replied sweetly even as her eyes began to drift shut from exhaustion. "You sh-shouldn't be... either."

"I can't help it."

"Please, d-d-don't be s-sad for me."

"I..." Connor paused as a nearly human sob threatened to steal his voice from him. "I don't understand. How can you be so calm? So complacent?"

"Because I d-don't want a-anger... resentment... fear... or s-suffering to the be the l-l-last emotions I experience. N-Not anymore." Reaching up her hand, one covered in blood and icy cold from the rain, she lightly caressed Connor's cheek as a single tear rolled from her undamaged right eye. "I w-want to experience only l-love and happiness. And I w-will... as l-long as you're still h-here with me."

"I won't leave you, Skye. I won't." Connor kissed the back of Skye's opposite hand as he promised to stay with her throughout the experience. "I'll take care of you."

"P-Please. Be happy." Skye's hazel irises glazed over and disappeared as her eyelids felt heavy and her already shallow breathing began to slow even further. "P-Promise me that you'll f-find a way... to be happy."

"I promise! I promise I'll find my happiness. I love you, Skye!" Tears began to roll down his face from his eyes and Connor vowed to keep his word to Skye. "I love you so much. I didn't think it was possible to be happy until I met you and fell in love."

"I love you... too... Connor."

"Skye..." Tightening his grip around her limp hand as much as he dared without harming her, he allowed his artificial skin to recede from his hand exposing the white plastimetal frame underneath. Slowly Connor reached into his blazer pocket and palmed the small ring that he had planned on offering to Skye at a later date when he was ready to ask for her for a proper bonding at a more romantic setting. "Please, will you... bond with me?"

Skye managed a weak laugh as her hand, still gripped in his, receded the artificial skin allowing her bare palm to come into full contact with his own. "I thought you'd... never ask." Giving as bright of a smile as she could Skye nodded her head subtly. "Yes... I will."

The two deviants closed their eyes and cybernetically bonded with one another, promising to be loyal to one another and singing a silent song of their love to one another in a ceremony that only they could experience. The moment wasn't what either would've predicted for themselves, but it'd have to do given their very limited options and bleak circumstances.

"I love you, Skye."

"Connor... I will always... love you." As her eyes slipped shut her breathing became virtually non-existent and she began to slip away. "Always. You make me... so happy."

"Skye? Please." Connor pleaded with his heart as he tried to get Skye to open her eyes once more. Letting go of the gift in his pocket, Connor pressed his palm to Skye's cheek and caressed her pale skin softly. "Please... Come back to me."

"Connor?" Respectfully Simon approached Connor and put both hands to the deviant detective's shoulders as he gently pushed him back from the table. "We need the room to work now."

"I don't want to leave her." Connor kept his hand wrapped around Skye's hand and refused to let her go. "I promised to stay with her."

"I know. We all know. But there's nothing more you can do for her." Motioning toward a small room connected to the ward near the elevator Simon instructed Connor where to go as he waited for the emergency repair procedures to be finished. "Abby and I will do everything we can to save her. I swear to it."

"...I love you." With a heavy heart Connor kissed Skye's still exposed hand one more time before he gently placed her hand down on the exam table at her side, kissed her lips, and backed away from the horrific sight of his dearest friend, now bondmate, covered in her own blood as the two technicians hovered over her protectively. "I always will."

Begrudgingly Connor retreated to the observation room connected to the repair bay, his steps sluggish and tired, and stood before the single large window that gave him an unobstructed view of the procedure taking place just a few yards from where he had been standing seconds before. It felt like he was a thousand miles away in spite of being only a handful of steps away.

Numerous monitors kept track of Skye's weak vital signs; her waning irregular heartbeat, her shallow breaths and her dwindling Thirium pressure. An artificial external ventilator tube snaked down her throat would breathe for her to ensure her damaged body didn't overheat as the impaired self-healing program along with the extensive repairs overwhelmed her processors. Three bags of Thirium hung from an I.V. stand as the vital blue blood entered her body through an exposed line in her arm, only to bleed out from the numerous wounds in her abdomen.

It seemed like a waste as the blood would exit her wounds as quickly as it entered her lines.

One by one her biocomponents were repaired and her Thirium lines were stabilized, but Skye was still losing strength and was slipping closer to permanent shutdown.

"Hold on, Skye." Connor whispered as he watched the event unfolding in slow motion. His hand was pressed against the window leaving behind a bloody print beneath his palm. "...Just hold on a little while longer."

Three hours passed before Markus had shown Hank into the observation room from a second elevator that was used for more discreet visitations. Now the senior detective who had taken on Connor as his second son was facing one of the worst dilemmas a parent would ever dread as he remained at Connor's side. Hank would have to explain to Connor the purest form of heartbreak one could ever experience when the one person you truly love more than anyone else is taken away in a such a cruel and unjust manner.

When Connor lost Lucas, his only little brother, to a senseless murder and mistaken identity, the loss nearly destroyed Connor as a person. But if he were to lose Skye, the first person he had ever fallen in love with, his incredibly empathetic and fragile heart would inevitably shatter.

"Connor?"

Standing beside Connor as the deviant still covered in Skye's blood and the uncomfortably cold rain stood before the window watched his love fight to live, Hank stared with a disheartened gaze through the window and felt every ounce of pain Connor was experiencing. Quietly he reached into his coat pocket and retrieved the coin that he had previously taken from Connor and held it out for a few seconds. Offering the coin back to Connor the gesture was ignored, and the worried deviant didn't even acknowledge Hank's presence.

"Don't lose faith." Hank slowly slipped the coin back into his pocket to be forgotten once more. "Those are two of the best technicians in the whole country."

No reply came from the worried deviant. Only a blank, dull face that contrasted brown glistening eyes showed any sign of consciousness.

"I, uh, I got a call from Gavin." The senior detective spoke up in a low voice to try to reach Connor on some unknown level. "He told me what happened."

"...She told me too." Without turning his eyes away from Skye as Simon and Abby, their hands now covered in Skye's blue blood, fought to save her from shutting down Connor replied in a disheartened tone. "Skye had gone in search of the rogue deviants. She said they were not at fault. They didn't do this to her."

"That's what Gavin said. He also mentioned that Skye was trying to act as a peacekeeper and reason with the deviants who were being provoked by the humans. She didn't back down... even when the fighting started. She didn't run and she didn't cower."

Connor didn't have anything to say about that. He knew how brave and caring Skye was, that's not what he needed to hear in that horrible moment.

"Listen to me. Skye's strong and she's already made it this far, don't think the worst."

"...Lucas was strong, too."

"Son," Hank went to put his calloused hand on Connor's shoulder but Connor took a single step to the side to avoid the direct contact. It seemed that Connor needed to be alone, yet he still needed someone to talk with. "it won't do you any good to-"

The monitors recording Skye's vitals suddenly screeched in a high-pitched alarm as her heart began to fail entirely despite the extensive repairs to the vital biocomponent having been a success. Through the window Connor and Hank watched as Abby administered some type of bright yellow serum into the line running into Skye's arm while she frantically tried to keep Skye stable. The serum was designed to work with circulating Thirium and increase the overall effectiveness of the blue blood to fuel the other biocomponents and keep them functioning - like adrenaline for androids. Such a reaction only meant one thing; the damage was irreversible.

"...Skye."

Simon took the Thirium pump stimulator and placed the two paddles down against Skye's damaged and partially rebuilt chest. As he sent a controlled charge through the paddles and into Skye's heart her body jerked once on the table in response, but the alarms continued to screech. Trying a second time to force Skye's heart into beating normally with the controlled charge there was no change in her condition and the end result was the same. Skye's body jerked slightly, and the alarms screeched loudly after the third and then fourth charges failed to correct her erratic heartbeat.

Lacing his hands together Simon began to manually compress Skye's chest while Abby went into the connected storage room that held spare biocomponents, limbs and Thirium pouches in search of a replacement Thirium pump. It was clear that Skye's condition was grave and hope was fading fast.

Connor's emotional eyes began to darken as he watched the macabre sight before him.

As much as Hank wanted to put his hand on Connor's shoulder to support him, he knew that Connor would either shrug his hand off or step even further away. Neither gesture would do either detective any good and with that knowledge Hank just stayed silent and by Connor's side. It's all he could do.

Abby returned to the exam table with a replacement Thirium pump that was compatible with Skye's model in her hands and told Simon of her plan to replace the vital biocomponent. Working quickly and in tandem with Simon, Abby waited for the blond technician to stop the compressions just long enough to remove the damaged Thirium pump and install the replacement pump in less than a minute.

The alarms continued to screech as the new pump refused to shudder into motion, let alone actually beat.

Once more Simon compressed Skye's chest to try to coax the pump into beating on its own, but the manual external compressions weren't enough to engage the pump into life. Abby administered another injection of the yellow serum directly into the Thirium line and Simon tried again to shock Skye's new heart into motion. Skye's body reacted with a fifth violent jerk as the alarms continued to sing their song of doom and Thirium began to pool from her opened chest and abdomen all over the edges of the table and onto the floor.

"...She wanted her last moments to be of happiness and peace." Connor whispered to himself as he remembered his last conversation with Skye before she fell unconscious in his hands. "Not suffering."

Hank could only watch as Connor opened the door to the observation room and walked slowly with heavy steps over to the table in the repair bay where Skye was being treated. As her body was subjected to a sixth shock and another administration of the serum, her lost Thirium collected on the floor under the table creating a sapphire puddle of blood.

"Connor? What're you-" Simon was stopped mid sentence as Abby lightly put her hand on his chest to silence him and resume his focus on Skye. Realizing what was happening Simon was still bound to keep Skye alive despite her waning strength. "One more shock, if this doesn't work then we'll try another replacement Thirium pump."

Kneeling down on the floor on one bent knee Connor stared at Skye's peaceful face as he ran his hand through her hair with great affection. Fresh tears began to roll down Connor's face as he listened to the alarms still screeching and listened to Simon and Abby speaking with one another as they tried to think of the best way to keep Skye alive.

"Get another Thirium pump." Simon stated as he resumed compressing Skye's chest to keep the Thirium circulating through the rest of her biocomponents until her heart would begin beating on its own. "We need to-"

"...Stop." Connor spoke up in a low, emotionless tone as he moved his other hand to the side of her face and caressed her cheek softly. "Let her go."

"We can still-"

"Stop." Having accepted what was happening Connor repeated in a low, broken voice as he stared at Skye's contrastingly serene face. "She's already gone. Please, stop." Connor closed his eyes as more tears poured down his face and onto the floor into the puddle of blood all around him. "Let her go in peace. It's time to let her go and spare her from any further pain."

Simon didn't know what to do. Looking to Abby for guidance as she too was hesitant to stop, but she understood what it was that Connor was asking and why he was asking for it. Stepping away from the table Abby turned off the monitors as well as the ventilator to stop the horrific screeching in the room as she respected her friend's wishes.

Slowly Simon stopped the compressions and lifted his hands from Skye's chest and let her heart finally be still. It was like every motion in the entire tower had ceased in a single fell swoop.

"...Remove the tubes. Please." Connor asked as he kept his eyes shut, unable to look at Skye's face knowing that the artificial means of keeping her alive were still in place. "I need to see her without the tubes in her throat or in her arm."

Humbly Simon accepted the request out of pure respect for both deviants. Carefully, gently, Simon pulled the tube from Skye's throat and wiped away the Thirium that seeped around her mouth with a wad of gauze while Abby took care of her arm. With a ginger touch Simon closed Skye's mouth while Abby replaced the plating over her arm and manually reactivated the artificial skin over her limb and her chest before pulling up the sheet to cover her body.

"She's... free now."

"I'm so sorry, Connor. We tried and I know she did, too. " Abby found herself wiping away a tear on her face before she looked at the time on her watch wrapped around her wrist. It was routine to handle the procedure like any other despite her personal connection to the patient. "Time of shutdown; 09:53pm."

In stunned silence Hank stood back and by the door to the repair ward with the confiscated coin very slowly rolling over the back of his knuckles. He watched as Connor remained kneeling beside Skye for almost three consecutive hours as he processed the sudden loss of his beloved. The deviant was completely quiet and still save for his hand rhythmically caressing Skye's cheek affectionately. The pain was etched on his face. Connor had been shaken by the entire ordeal, yet he was showing no emotional response or willingness to acknowledge the broken heart that continued to beat away in his own chest while Skye's heart had fallen motionless and silent.

With an electronic tablet screen in hand Abby joined Hank by the door and spoke in a soft tone as to not disturb Connor as he mourned in abject silence on the other side of the room. The least she could do was give him some form of privacy while taking care of Skye's final needs.

"We have the results of her apportionment." It was a struggle to keep her tears restrained as Abby mourned the loss of her friend on top of her hormones. "Cause of death was intracranial destruction."

"What?" Hank understood what Abby had said and was stunned by the detail. "She died from a blow to the head?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what did happen?" Such a confusing result made Hank feel even worse. As a detective he was supposed to find answers, not keep asking questions. "Why did she die?"

"Her injuries were too severe to be repaired." Trying to remain as quiet as possible Abby locked her hazel eyes onto Hank's blue ones as the senor detective listened intently to what she was telling him. "The damage to her Thirium pump had caused a massive destabilization to her processors that her self-healing program couldn't correct, and her system couldn't recalibrate for the loss because she had already lost so much blood. It didn't matter how many times we would've shocked her or how many times we replaced her pump, the damage had reached her core processor causing a catastrophic failure. It's the equivalent to a human suffering brain damage resulting in a perpetual vegetative state."

"When Connor asked you to stop, then that means..."

"He knew. Somehow he knew." Bowing her head a little Abby put aside the tablet and rested her palm over her modest bump under her scrub top. Witnessing death while carrying new life left Abby feeling torn and conflicted. "There was nothing that could've been done to save her once she was injured."

"Son of a bitch. And I told him everything would be okay." Putting his hand to his bearded chin thoughtfully as he returned the coin to his pocket, Hank looked over at Connor and felt his own heart beginning to ache with a paternal empathy for his suffering, emotionally conflicted son. "Do you need me to stick around for any reason?"

"No." Abby put her free hand on Hank's arm as her other hand continued to cradle her slightly distended belly. "Take care of Connor and we'll take care of Skye. Right now, Connor needs his father."

"Yeah... It's too bad I don't know what to really say or do to help him through this."

"You'll think of something." The teary-eyed techician reassured him as she took her leave of the ward to give the grieving detectives some space as she too set about grieving for the loss of her friend. "You always do."

Moving slowly and with a heart full of painful doubt Hank walked up to Connor and stood behind the deviant quietly. Hesitant to put his hand on Connor's shoulder out of fear of unsettling the already unnerved deviant, all Hank could think to do was speak to him in a paternally compassionate tone of voice and wait for a response.

"Son? What do you want me to do?"

No answer.

"To be honest, I'm not sure what I'd want right now either." Refusing to back down Hank tried again. "What do you need me to do?"

Remaining quiet Connor continued to caress Skye's cool cheek as he opened his eyes slowly. Unshed tears finally fell from his eyes as he leaned forward and rested his forehead down against hers, his tears falling onto her face as he mourned for his lost love.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

Kneeling down beside Connor out of respect Hank slipped off his dark coat and tried to wrap it around the deviant's shoulders but Connor refused to accept the warm garment. Tucking the coat under his arm instead, Hank continued on gently.

"You did the right thing. You brought her here for treatment, you kept her spirits up throughout the entire ordeal, and when the 'time' came you let her go with dignity. That's the greatest act of love you can ever give to someone; freedom and dignity."

Closing his eyes tightly again Connor leaned back just enough to kiss Skye's lips for the final time before he stood upright from the floor. Unseen by all, Connor reached his hand back into his blazer pocket and pulled out the engagement ring he had hoped Skye would accept later on that day. It was contained inside of a small black box, and the platinum band held the single blue sapphire cut in the shape of a five-pointed star mounted on the center.

Slipping the ring on Skye's left ring finger Connor repressed his sob just long enough to squeeze Skye's hand for a final goodbye. Taking hold of the sheet that had been draped over Skye out of modesty, he pulled it up slightly and tucked it around her chest as if to keep her warm before he finally took a step back and forced himself to finally leave the ward.

To leave Skye behind.

"She'll be taken care of here." The fatherly detective promised as he watched his son grieve. "She's safe and with her friends."

Standing up himself Hank waited for Connor to take a step before moving any further. It truly pained Hank to see Connor so emotionally distraught, and it pained him even more knowing that the type of turmoil that Connor was going through was going to change him forever.

"I'll take you home.

Holding his silence Connor took a hesitant step forward, his entire body was visibly trembling with abject grief as he struggled to accept the horrible pain that had nestled in the shattered remains of his broken heart. Refusing to cry, refusing to acknowledge the horrific destruction of the city and of the bridges that once gapped the worlds of humans and deviants, Connor's brown irises dulled with grief and denial. The distraught deviant's facade steeled from that of his incredibly human, warm demeanor to that of a cold, unfeeling machine.

Despite his best attempts to ignore his emotions and his relentless pain, Connor could still feel, and he felt everything. No matter how much he tried not to accept it he could still feel his pain.

Connor felt every emotion and every aching fiber of his being; especially the shattered remnants of his broken heart beating away in his cold and aching chest.

Hank walked slowly at Connor's side to keep him from being alone in his time of need. It hurt him to not put his arm around Connor's shoulders in a supportive manner, but he resisted the comforting urge for Connor's sake. Right now, Connor needed to be handled with a delicate touch and with unfailing patience.

The duo begrudgingly stepped into the elevator where the metal doors slid shut and obstructed Connor's view of his now late bondmate laying peacefully under the sheet on the repair table entirely alone. Skye was no longer in pain, she knew she was loved, and Connor was with her until the very end. There was virtually nothing else that could've made her final moments any more peaceful than they were.

"She didn't suffer, and she knows you loved her. That's what's really important." Hank whispered in a desperate bid to help Connor feel strong when he was undoubtedly feeling weak. "You did everything possible, and no one could've expected anything more. It's over, and she's at peace."

Silence was the only answer that Connor could give. It's all he could bring himself to give after he already gave everything else that he had to keeping Skye alive for as long as possible as he hoped she'd somehow recover from her damning wounds. Now Connor felt he was empty inside. To him, his heart was now a hollow shell that was void of any and all sense of happiness.

"Let's go home, son."

The elevator ascended slowly, and everything felt wrong as the two detectives departed the tower in mutual mourning. Their minds were focused on Skye's death and nothing else. Even the violent, bloody riot in the streets were no longer important to the two detectives. Taking in a deep breath Hank mentally prepared to take care of his son's broken heart and helping him to find the pieces to slowly put his heart back together again.

-next chapter-