Moments before...

Connor's perspective

Connor knocked on the door at Lieutenant Anderson's estate, straightening his tie.

"Lieutenant Anderson?"

After several minutes without a response, he decided to instead ring the doorbell, glancing through the window to see that no-one was home. Or at least he thought, until he heard a ruckus inside & his LED blared a yellow.

He walked around to the back of the house, noticing that the window to the kitchen that he'd already broken a while ago had been replaced yet again. Taking several steps backwards, he charged at the window, angling himself so that on impact he'd roll into the house unharmed. There was a shatter, a small thud & Sumo started barking.

"It's alright Sumo, it's me." He said quietly.

Something that sounded like movement came from the hallway.

"Who are you? I'm armed, what business do you have here?"

(Y/N) walked into the kitchen with a gun in her hand, watching as Connor brushed several shards of glass off his suit.

"My apologies, (Y/N), the door was locked & it seemed as though no-one was home. The window seemed like the least damaging way to get inside."

She looked so tired, her bloodshot (E/C) eyes made her face light up & the bags under her eyes proved that she'd been up working for quite a while. Her (H/C) curls were a mess, he wished he could do something to help her, but he guessed being there was enough.

"Well, there goes the replaced glass pane. Connor, next time, just open the window, alright? Actually, call me or Hank before pulling stunts like that again."

"Of course, sorry again for any problems I may have caused."

"That's alright Connor."

He watched her put her firearm back as her heart beat slowed to a steady pace.

"Your heart rate levels have gone back to a healthy beat pattern, I hope I didn't cause any distress (Y/N)."

"I'm quite alright Connor, you just, startled me, that's all."

"I will attempt to not let it happen again."

Connor didn't know why he seemed to care so much about (Y/N), but it was as though something flipped a switch in his programming, he realised a while ago that (Y/N) & him were quite close, but it felt like something more. He cared about her safety & health more & more, as though she was more important than completing the mission, what was wrong with him? His eyes met hers & they stared at each other for what felt like forever, he felt his thirium pump beat faster until (Y/N) pulled her eyes away, focusing on cleaning up the house yet again.

"So, why exactly did you need to get Hank?"

"A new case came in, it's first official instructions were for me to retrieve both you & Lieutenant Anderson for our next mission."

He remembered exactly what Hank said to him.

"Where are you going?"

"To get drunker.

I need to think."

"Both of us?"

"Yes, both of you (Y/N)."

She hummed in comfort as Sumo waltzed up next to her, allowing her to run a hand through his thick fur.

"So, what's the case?"

"After the message the deviant's leader left the public with, the city has been uneasy & a brand new round of evidence has been left at the Stratford Tower, we need to get down there & investigate as soon as possible."

(Y/N) looked back into the hallway with a hurt expression, something was definitely bothering her, but Connor didn't know. She looked at her watch.

"It's 1:50 AM right now Connor, can you at least give Anderson some time to get over his drunken state along with letting me get a few hours of sleep?"

He wanted to comfort her in some sort of way, so he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course, your health & safety come before the mission."

(Y/N) gave him a smile & he immediately felt something along the lines of embarrassment.

"-The health & safety of Lieutenant Anderson & you of course..." Connor smiled awkwardly. Why did he care about her opinion or feelings? What was happening to him? (Y/N)'s eyes suddenly softened & she looked down at the ground with her hand on her heart. Was she hurt?

"What about you Connor? What would Hank & I do if we lost you?"

"I realise humans take loss in a hurtful way, mourning over the lost soul. I promise I'll try my best not to get- "

He heard her voice hit a snag-like giggle as though she was going to laugh.

"Oh, I see, you're teasing me, aren't you?"

She let out a laugh, a laugh that made the world brighter, a laugh that could end all war, a laugh that could make any other person want to laugh, including Connor. He released a chuckle that he couldn't hold back, & he had no idea why, but for some reason (Y/N)'s glee made him feel strange. A warm & comforting feeling washed over him.

(Y/N) grabbed an old rucksack that contained her essentials before she walked into the bathroom, locking the door. Connor gave Sumo a pet, knowing the canine was such a gentle giant made him feel a bit better when it came to trust. He examined the room, walking around scanning his surroundings inch by inch. He glanced back at the broken shards of glass laying on the kitchen floor.

"Sorry about the window again. I'll have Cyberlife pay for the damages."

"It's fine Connor, no need to apologize."

He noticed what seemed to be blood spilt on the ground. Being the curious detective android of their team, he got down onto his knee & analysed the blood.

Sample analysing...

Analysation complete:

Connor looked up in time to see (Y/N) leaving the bathroom as he stood up.

Checking blood for sample match...

Match confirmed.

"You should be more careful (Y/N), although you lost a small amount of blood a harmful blow to the wall like this could've bruised your knuckles badly for about 3 weeks."

"A bruise is just a battle wound that shows you're not afraid of danger Connor, it's the small cuts & bruises you get from missions that help tell a story. Hell, I got a burn from the coffee I was drinking on the day I met you & I still haven't touched the wound, it's a good little reminder."

I...

I never knew this.

No files I've read on humans have ever stated that some humans use scars for remembering certain occasions.

"Connor?"

Maybe she is different to other humans...

"Connor?"

Focus on the case.

"I'm okay. I just... Never thought of it like that..."

He sat at the Lieutenant's dining table, several pizza boxes & bottles of alcohol sat in the middle of the wooden table. (Y/N) pulled out a blanket & settled down on Hank's other couch, Sumo laying at her side as she ran a hand through his fur. She set an old stuffed bear at his paws & he sighed comfortably, nuzzling the toy.

"Hey, Connor?"

Connor turned to face (Y/N), she looked exhausted.

"Yes?"

"Don't stay up all night worrying, alright?"

"Of course."

He got up & turned off the only light that remained on in the house which was located in the kitchen.

He made his way in her direction, settling down in the armchair next to her.

"Sleep well (Y/N)."

He saw her smile & he felt his mood enlighten.

"I will, thank you."

Connor watched the woman slowly slip into slumber, the dog next to her snoring peacefully. He knelt down next to (Y/N), pushing a lock of (H/C) hair out of her face before keeping his hand at her cheek for a minute. She looked so calm, so peaceful, & he didn't know why but he wanted to be by her side right now.

He knew that (Y/N) lost her parents in a plane crash on a trip to Tokyo, but he barely knew anything else about her past. He rubbed her cheek gently with his thumb, he learnt from a file that this certain movement gave most humans comfort, yet he didn't understand why he felt the need to ease her.

Maybe my mission isn't as important as her...

Software Instability ^

He didn't know the reason why but he just needed her to know she was safe, even if she wasn't awake to witness it. He sat back down on the chair next to her before going into low power mode.

Maybe...

Maybe I can complete my mission after I know that (Y/N)'s life will be safe...