- Can you help me? - a muffled came to Connor's ears - I've got a problem with that.

The boy raised his from above the papers on the desk. He was sitting in the station and waiting for Hank to deal with the briefing, just like always. They were going to catch the third suspect from Trembley's list. It was a boy, almost a kid, from the high school nearby, and he was their last chance. Connor wasn't going to let him slip away, or commit suicide.

But now, the case flew out of his head because a pretty unusual view showed up before him. Chloe, because apparently it was her, was wobbling under a stack of binders reaching above her head.

- I can... - he said, smiling under his breath. The boy wanted to tease her slightly. He didn't even realize when he started to feel so comfortable around her - But unfortunately I'm injured. Someone has shot me yesterday.

An outraged snort rang out from behind the stack of the documents.

- You're not injured, you're mean. Don't annoy me, I can take care of your second leg anytime! - she threated, trying to put the binders down on the desk, but she realized in time that if she bent down, everything would fall.

- Oh yeah? - he asked, smiling even wider and placing his hands on the backrest of the chair by the desk - How are you gonna do this? Because as far I can see, both lf your hands are bussy...

- Connor! - the girl hissed, jumping nervously like an angry little bird.

The boy laughed and finally stood up, taking the half of the stack from her shoulders with no effort, revealing her irritated face. The atmosphere between them managed to heal completely since the day before. They had spend the entire evening, first by developing another action plan, then playing Scrabble as promised once before. Hank was watching them at the beggining, but at the moment the word ,, acetylcellulose " appeared on the board, he passed and stated that he was going to sleep, so the android was the one that had drive the girl home.

He felt good in her company and honestly, he didn't remember how it used to be before she appeared in their lifes. She seemed to be such a naturally fitting element that he couldn't imagine how she could be suddenly missing.

- What do I have to do with it? - he asked, slightly lting the weight of the body to the leg that was completely efficient.

- To the archive room. Captain Fowler asked.

The boy moved forward, hearing his friend's footsteps behind, then opened the door with his elbow and placed everything on the table.

- From what I see, it should be placed up there... - the blondie said, raising his head - Will you give me a lift?

- Excuse me? - he asked, raising his eyebrows, surprised.

- Don't make this face, I'm not that heavy. - she laughed, taking some of the binders.

Connor wasn't sure if it was a good idea, but he finally, with his hands fulk of binders, approached her, bent down and let her climb on his shoulders, which would be impossible for any human without any longer workout and especially good balance. They managed to place the documents on the right place aother at the first time and the second try. It seemed to work well with the third attempt, until the moment when Chloe's foot slipped, and she slid down with a hiss, grabbing Connor's neck at the last second and hanging on him like a little koala.

At that moment, the room door opened and Hank appeared in the doorway. He looked at them with a stare of man who strongly questioned their life choices.

- What are you two doing for God's sake? - he asked, sighing heavily.

- Nothing. - they replied at the same time so innocently that it sounded like sitfing on other person's shoulder was something completely normal and practiced by everybody.

- Okay. 'Cause I thought that you're placing papers that way if you have a ladder next to your fuckin' nose... - he said, indicating by a movement of his head the object deep inside the room that looked like nothing but ladder - Let's go, we can get going for that kid. - he added on and left the room.

Chloe giggled.

- Sorry. - she said, going to ground. Connor gave her a full of disapproval stare.

- You could hurt yourself seriously.

- If you care about me so much, you could tell me that you had that ladder in here because unlike you, I'm here for the first time. - she offended him, but still being amused.

Android thought for a moment. Actually, he could tell her that. After all, he was perfectly aware of the presence of the object, but when she asked him to give her a lift, he didn't even think of refusing. He didn't think about the better solution, and it was really surprising for him.

They left, following Lieutenants sign and moved towards the car, the boy who was lost in his own thoughts, and the girl who stared at him carefully. Half of february was passing, and she liked him more and more with each day passed, and when he ran like a fool after her wearing without any shirt just to give her her bracelet, that moment grabbed her heart the most and didn't want to let go.

Every warm glance, every touch of her hand, or every crooked smile, it made her heart beating faster, but not nervously, rather in pleasant manner. In a safe way. As if it remained her that she was alive.

It was so different kind of feeling that the one she felt to Kamski that she wasn't sure what exactly it was, but she couldn't deny in front of herself that it didn't exist. She didn't even want to.

Still lost in thoughts, she went to the car.

Glitter & Gold - Barns Courtney

They were going to the school where their third, minor suspect was attending, Denis Shelby. At that moment, Connor was just determined. He was not going to let another witness run away or commit suicide.

- Connor, just promise me that you won't catch that kid if it's dangerous for your health, okay? - the girl in the backseat said, as of she was reading his mind.

- Okay. - he answered heavily. Being careful was something he wasn't excited about. He had the programmed need for being effective - not undamaged. But he knew that the girl wouldn't leave him alone if he didn't tell her what she wanted to hear, so he gave up at the beginning.

They drove into the school's parking lot and stopped, then left.

- You have his timetable? - Anderson asked, stamping my his on the driveway.

- As far as I see, he's starting lessons in fifteen minutes. He... - he started but stopped, staring at the window of the car that just drove into the school grounds. He managed to scan the face of the young driver, and his heart beat faster. It was their fugitive.

- It's him. - he threw and ran in front of the boy's car hood, which wasn't dangerous because the boy was driving really slowly, preparing to park. The android waited for the teenager to leave, peacefully looking in his eyes but to his surprise, nothing like that happened. The weird eye contact took a while, and after a few seconds, the boy's face turned into expression of dismay, then he put the car into reverse, crossing the gate and rushing down the street with a crazy speed.

He wasn't expecting that. But he wasn't about to give up.

In a fraction of a second, he found himself next to the car, sat down on the driver's seat even before Hank, screaming at him and throwing curse by curse, managed to close the door from the other side. He just threw a quick look in the mirror just to make sure that Chloe was with them and floored it.

When the boy in the black car noticed that he was chased, he also accelerated and panically turned into the first better street, then into another, and another, and then, because of pure desperation, he started driving againts the floor. The other driver's were honking, going sideways, and resperately tried to avoid a collision, but no matter where they tried to escape, Connor was breaking down their necks in Lieutenant's damaged car.

Chloe clenched her fingers on the door, absolutely terrified, and prayed he wouldn't crash at the next bend.

And Hank, pressed to the window on the passenger's seat, he was screaming. He threw a random curses, yelled at Connor that he would kill them all, or just gave a constant, devoid of any purpose sound.

Meanwhile, Denis turned again. Teardrops ran down on his cheecks. He knew what he had to do, but it was drammatically difficult for him that when he noticed a dead end, he reflexively pressed the breke all the way down. He rolled out of the car and looked around, while Connor jumped from behind the wheel of the car chasing him.

The teenager rushed through the rear door of the building next to him, disregarding what kind of place it was, and android rushed after him. Normally, Connor would catch him immediately, but damaged, not fully healed leg worked worse with every step he took. He was really sick of chase's lately, and that one wasn't likely to be successful.

He rushed after Shelby to the roof and when he saw the kid sprinting towards the edge, he felt resignation and discouragement.

- Stop! - he screamed, stumbling, and almost falling on his face - Damn you, Chloe! - he hissed to himself when he suddenly got a brainstorm. Chloe.

He pulled out his weapon, pointed and pulled the trigger. The bullet flew perfectly in the boy's leg who, a few steps before the edge of the roof, stretched himself with a painful scream.

- Straight in the kneecap. - he heard a voice after him - He turned around and noticed his blonde partner, entering through the door. - I guess he won't walk normally anymore. - she added on with certain sadness.

- At least he's alive. - Connor replied, looking at her knowingly. He approached the teenager who held his leg and was afraid even look at her. His face was sweaty and greenish, probably he was a heartbeat from collapsing.

- I'm sorry. - the android said to him with the true repentance - But I really couldn't let you jump. My name's Connor. I'm detective.

Denis opened his eyes with fear. He involuntarily took a look at his knee and noticed blood, it was too much for him. He collapsed because of pain, sinking to the surface of the flat rooftop.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant joined them, all out of breath and really mad.

Without any word, he approached the boy, pulled out a writing pad and a pen from his pocket and started writing something.

- What... What are you doing? - Connor asked, confused by the fact that the Lieutenant's wasn't cursing, and that hadn't tried to push him off the edge for driving his car.

The man said nothing. At the beggining, he tore a page out of his notebook, then he looked at the android with a stare of a killer.

- I'm giving a fuckin' fine! - he finally roared, crushing it in his fist and pressing it to Connor's face.

***

Connor, really nervous, headed to the reception. Hank and Chloe were sitting in the car, and waiting for him. A two days passed from catching Denis and today, the doctor finally let them talk to him. They were on their way to hospital, but the boy had to deal with something at first place.

- Hello, Lucy... - he said to one of the receptionists. They liked each other, and often had small talks when he waited for Anderson everyday in the morning during the briefing.

- Hey, Connor! How can I help you? - she asked, smiling at him cheerfully. The android grimaced. That expression wouldn't stay on her face for too long.

- I'd like to pay a fine. - he finally said.

The girl opened her eyes.

- You? - she was surprised - Okay, I'll check the system.

- No, no. - he protested, pulling out the crumped piece of paper from his pocket. He tried to discuss with the Lieutenant, but the man insisted that the boy had to pay, end of story. He was still mad and didn't get over it.

- Why Mr. Anderson imposed you a fine? - he was surprised again. Lieutenant was the last one who still used paper. Lucy  unfolded the document  and opened her mouth. - How much?! - he yelled, looking at the amount and at the list of contravention. - Driving againts the traffic in an unmarked car?!

- Mhm... - he muttered, looking down.

- 130 per hour?

He swallowed heavily.

- In a build-up area. - she finished, looking up at him. - You should lose your drive license. If the captain see this, he will go crazy.

- I know! - he moaned, unhappy. - I was chasing a suspect in Hank car and he got mad.

- It was in Lieutenant's car? Jesus, it's weird that it didn't fell in pieces.

- It was close. What do I do know, Lucy?

She thought for a while, then smiled.

- Did you catch them at least?

- Yes... - he sighed heavily, thinking that at least it was a good news.

- Listen. - the receptionist started - Theoretically, you deserve it because while chasing someone, you should at least turn on the siren, so I can't do anything, especially because the fine is already in the system. But I like you, Connor. So let go this way. - at that moment, the girl ran with her hand on the keyboard like a crazy pianist on their instrument and pressed enter.

- Let's see, error. Even when I type everything correctly. - she threw, pretending to be surprise - Well, I guess it's a connection issue. I'll type that you paid later, and I'll archive the files reall quickly. The Captain won't know, and the Lieutenant will be satisfied.

The boy smiled widely and reached out to get his wallet from the pocket.

- Put it back... - she waved - Lieutenant gets mad quickly, and you should receive money for catching criminals, not pay for it.

Connor stood still for a while, then laughed freely.

- You do scams like that often?

- No I don't. You're special. - she winked at him - I hope you won't get into trouble because of me.

- No, probably I won't. - she ignored gravity of the situation - But I deserve something. - she pointed her cheek with her finger.

Connor was confused. He conducted a quick research and from the information he found, it came out that his friend was expecting a kiss on her cheek. It seemed to be like it always was a romantic gesture, sometimes even in a friendship it could be taken as a gratitude.

And if saving from Jeffrey Fowler's fury wasn't a reason to be thankful, he didn't know what else could be.

He leaned towards the tabletop of the reception and gave Lucy a kiss, smiled for the last time, then turned around.

He almost collided with Chloe.

He didn't know why, but a warning message boomed before his eyes, as if he were in a danger. He noticed the spark in her irises eyes dissapearing.

- Are you ready? - she asked gently - Lieutenant is impatient and sent me to get you.

He wanted to say something, or to explain himself, even though he theoretically had nothing to explain, but finally he just nodded.

They left the station together, moving towards the car. The girl seemed to act completely normally, yet he felt he had done something wrong.

- Jesus, finally! - Hank threw when they finally went in the car, then rushed forward. The way passed completely as usual. Chloe didn't avoid him, she talked with his like always, even laughing, but one thing was an obvious sign for him that something was wrong.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't catch her warm stare.

***
when the party's over - Billie Ellish

- Hey. - the girl said. She was wearing an earphone for Hank and Connor to hear everything, but the all stated that the view of the android who was chasing him wouldn't be good for him. Just like the view of the Lieutenant who just was himself, so they sent  gentle, patent, and completely confused Chloe there. - My name's Chloe and I would like to ask you a few questions. I think... that what you say will be recorded.

- Are you from police? - he asked, raising his chin. His eyes were swollen, and you could see had cried for a long time. The girl's heart was broken upon seeing the teenager in that shape, and she didn't want to ask him questions. She wanted to stroke him and promise him that everything would be okay, but she knew it was not what her task was about so she sighed heavier.

- In a way. - she replied, shrugging. Hank was sitting his head on the wall, cursing at her sincerity and softness.

- Alright. I'll tell you everything.

- Really? - the blondie was surprised, opening her eyes widely. Lieutenant froze in disbelief. He expected more difficulties after the desperate escape of the teenager.

- I have nothing left to lose. - his eyes were glazed over - I got caught. So my sister died. - he whispered and hid his in face in his hands.

- Excuse me, what? - she mouthed - What do you mean she died? What do you have this idea?

- It's not an idea. I've got a video for a proof. - he pointed his phone laying on the bed by a movement of his head, it was completely disassembled. - I had to kidnapp robots. I really had to. I was doing other things on the beginning, I didn't even know for who. I installed cameras on the street corners and next to the houses. I planted bugs. For money, for my life. I'm minor, I was taking care of my sister, we had nothing to eat. - at that moment, Denis burst into tears, again. He probably had to get rid off everything from his chest, and everything was one and then same thing for him after that. - Then it started getting stange so I wanted to quit. Then they took Lindsey. They told me to keep our little business in the back of my mind, otherwise she would be gone. I received worse and worse things to do. Kidnapping androids, getting rid off the bodies. - he wiped his cheeks - And first of all, I couldn't get caught, sooner kill myself. And now received that fucked up video with some guy smashing Lindsey's head. He said I would end up like that too. But I don't give a shit about anything anymore.

Chloe was staring at him with dismay, actually she forgot she was interrogating him. She just wanted to help him.

- Can... Can I see that video? - she asked insecurity. She really didn't want to watch it, not then, not ever, but it could be useful.

- It was deleted at all after I saw it. I didn't think about saving it, I... promised my mom to take care of my sister as good as I can. And I let them kidnapp her, and beat her when she failed to kidnapp the deputy minister, and finally... - the last word didn't come through his throat.

- Nobody looked after you?

- After mom's death? Father. Theoretically. But he has been drinking on the streets for a few months, and he's always so drunk that he doesn't know what's his name, not to mention remembering his kids.

- Who ordered you to do it all. - she asked, completely shocked and helpless. He was a kid. A young boy forced to do horrible things.

- Oreders and money I received from the owner for the club in town. But he did this for someone else, and I don't know who and for what. - Can you go away now?

Chloe didn't know what to do. She could leave, and she should've asked him a few more questions, but she didn't have heart to torment the sobbing boy more. She just nodded reluctantly, then stood up and left.

Her partners were waiting in the hospital's corridor. She sat on a chair heavily and slid her fingers into her hair. Connor reached out towards her, as if he wanted to comfort her but she ignored him.

- I'm not made for this... - she sighed, feeling her hands shaking. - I even prefer watching dead bodies that talking with people who were treated that