Connor's Perspective

Connor was back at the same door, at the same estate, in the same city. Then why did it all feel so different? Was it because of his new-found deviancy? A sick feeling settled in his system. He just hoped Hank was alright. Sighing, he knocked on the door.

"Hank?"

No response.

"Lieutenant Anderson?" The name sounded so foreign to him.

Still nothing.

Shit.

Without hesitation he entered the house..

to see it the exact way it was when he was last there.

Hank was most likely down at the bar then.

Or at least, Connor prayed he was.

Looking around the house, Connor scanned his surroundings, remembering all the events in the house that led up to the situation right now. His jacket was right where he'd left it, folded neatly.

What were things going to be like now that he could feel? Now that he could experience hate, sadness, anger, fear, guilt....

Love...

Could he learn to love?
Was that possible for an android?

If Markus could fall in love with North, could Connor fall in love with someone? Someone in particular? Was it possible for a human to love an android & vice versa? What struggles would there be? How many problems would there be for the both of them? People would see their faces on public television – some would look at them in disgust, others in horror & fear, coming up with giant accusations as to how he managed to 'brainwash' this human woman to be in love with him. Connor could already think of one, if he were to be in an extended relationship with (Y/N), he wouldn't be able to give her children, only God knows how long it'd be until it was deemed legal for them to marry. Even worse, he'd have to watch her grow old, until eventually she...

She withered away, like a flower, a flower that used to be so young & vibrant & full of colour. To watch her go through that would kill him.

Shaking off his insecurities, he set out his plan on what he'd do once he got to the Tower.

Was he idiotic for risking his life? Absolutely.

Did he have a backup plan? None whatsoever.

Could he die? Definitely.

(Hotel? Trivago.)

But he wasn't going to let that happen, he'd promised her.

He was just hoping she was true with her side of the bargain.

He trusted her wholeheartedly, but now that Cyberlife knew who (Y/N) was, they practically had her wrapped around their finger already.

He just hoped they didn't know where she was.

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Reader's Perspective

'At 6AM this morning, a national curfew was declared. Civilian movement will be strictly controlled, the right to assembly is suspended, all electronic communications are restricted & I have granted enhanced powers of our security agencies.

In addition to these measures, all androids must be handed over to the authorities immediately. Temporary camps are being set up in all our major cities to contain & destroy them. I am now asking all civilians to co-operate with the authorities, & rest assured that everything in our power is being done to guarantee the security of our nation.'

"Simple thing to do, right? Just sit at home, don't get involved with any of the...freedom marching that will lead to android liberty even though you could be a helpful asset, but Connor said nooooo." (Y/N) groaned, scrunching up the piece of paper she'd been drawing on. At that moment she was trying to come up with a bunch of ways to keep herself pre-occupied.

'Is it true that the androids could hack our IT systems, like nuclear power plants & military bases?'

"You 'seeing this shit?" She looked at Blue in disbelief, gesturing towards the tv. Reaching for the remote she turned off the television, sighing. The leftover takeout Chinese she'd eaten was sitting on the table in front of her, along with a cup of 'whatever-the-hell-this-green-bubbly-shit-in-the-fridge-is' but it tasted alright so win-win.

Rolling on her side, she thought of all she could've been doing to help with the revolution, but then she realised she had barely any ideas besides confrontation, which was exactly what Markus was doing at that moment of time.

"Think I could write a best-seller, Blue? Name it something real cheese like? Like you know, 'Pirates Of The Dead Sea' or 'To All The Guys I Once Loved'. Wait, didn't someone already write those? I don't even know anymore, I think that green stuff's messing with my head."

She turned to see her dog lazing in his bed, not paying any attention to the conversation at hand.

"Why am I talking to a dog anyway? It's official," (Y/N) crossed her arms
"I've hit rock bottom. Mid-life crisis & I'm only in my 20's."

Time ticked past & she'd already had a shower and fed her now fully awake dog. Then a light-bulb moment hit her like a bag of bricks. She made her way to her study, sitting down at the desk & grabbing a pencil.

"Lets see..." Pushing her hair behind her ear, she started the painfully slow process that humanity calls drawing.

"Man, how does Markus get this done so fast? What is he, Picasso?"

After what felt like an eternity, she'd gotten a semi-decent looking piece.

It was an LED, much similar to the one that sat above Connor's brow. It was glowing in a wistful way, like a beacon of hope amongst the darkness of the background (Y/N) had filled using pencil lead. It was as detailed as she could get it, as if she'd known it's dimensions off by heart by now. The fact that she'd sketched it only reminded her of the dangerous mission Connor was on during that very moment.

Let's hope he kept up his end of the bargain...

"(Y/N)?"

She turned around in her chair at the sound of a familiar voice to see him, standing in her hallway.

"Connor... I thought you were going to the tower?"

"I was... Yes, I was. But I needed to delay as I realised something."

(Y/N) also realised something, Connor seemed a lot more serious, dressed in his abandoned jacket, tie adjusted perfectly. It was almost unsettling, the fact that the Connor that showed so much emotion before, was so stone faced in front of her. No look of adoration that she often caught him giving her at work, no softened eyes. Just, blank.

Blue growled softly, rearing up.

"Blue, what's gotten into you?" (Y/N) scolded her dog as he nudged her side, a habit he had whenever he felt as though something was off.

Whatever was happening, it was serious if Connor was so determined & Blue was stressed about it.

"What is it?" She asked, standing up from her desk, ignoring her dog as he practically glared at the android.

"I realised I can't do this without you. I'm going to need your help."

Her gaze softened, as she went up to the android and faced him.

"I'll do what I can." She said, Connor wrapping his right arm around her as she leaned her head on his chest.

"I don't know how I could be of any help, though."

"Oh, believe me."

She couldn't see the gun he was holding behind his back, enclosed in his left hand. He fought back a smirk, humans were so gullible at times.

"You'll be an extremely helpful asset."

Blue started barking aggressively.

"I'm so sorry, you've seen him, he's not usually like this." (Y/N) went to approach her dog but Connor grabbed her wrist.

"There's no time, we need to act now, Mi- (Y/N)."

"My best friend is upset" she furrowed her eyebrows, removing herself from his grip. "you're unlike yourself...You know I love Blue & would do anything for him & yet now it's like..."

(Y/N)'s realisation hit her like a bus.

"It's like I barely know you..." She took a step backward.

"You're not Connor.."

He grabbed hold of her forearm harshly.

"Apparently you're dumber than the dog." The fake spoke through gritted teeth, dragging her out the door & slamming it behind them as she thrashed against his grip screaming out, being forced into the car.

"Now if you'd shut up," Her eyes met with the barrel of a gun. "I'd greatly appreciate it."

Her breath hitched in the back of her throat as she sat in the car, the door slamming shut next to her. Looking out the window, she pressed her hand against the glass, hearing her dog bark loudly from inside the house.

The 'Connor' cleared his throat, adjusting his tie. "You'll be of great help, Miss (L/N)." She could hear how smug the android next to her was, without having to even look at his stupid face. "And as Connor said, we're all just pawns in this game. So many at hand, yet oh so weak."

She heard a coin fly through the air as she kept in her tears.

"Checkmate."