The past few weeks haven't been as different for Connor like you hinted in that park after the AM Suite program meeting, the program that has already been implanted and working accordingly as planned. He didn't expect for any errors or system failures to occur, you are after all the best.

The best that CyberLife can offer, even though your human emotions would at times rattle him and give him pause, you have not done much ever since you implemented the program where he was able to communicate with a formal courteous woman under the name Amanda. Then again, he hasn't been able to see you as often either.

Your interactions with him have only been a handful, you being far too busy with projects he presumed. He wonders if you've been getting enough sleep each time they happen to cross paths or meet, your eyes are far too red and baggy to be considered normal. Connor would ask you each time about your rest, but you would only answer with that weird smile and unreadable eyes, saying: "Thank you for your concern, Connor. It's appreciated. I best get back to work."

You avoided the question skillfully, each time he would inquire about you or your health you would sidestep and claim that you were engaged in your tasks. You never gave him a straight answer, Connor has long since observed. But he kept his thoughts to himself.

He shouldn't question his creator. He shouldn't.

"Don't forget, please." You begged.

That's right, Connor shouldn't question. But he doesn't understand.

Why were you acting like that? Why did you suddenly forget how to 'properly' smile?

You started making those odd ones the same day you taught him the methodical and correct way to pull his lips.

Did the meeting cause a relapse of your memory? Did it affect your cingulate cortex of your brain? Highly improbable unless you somehow got a weapon placed into your brain and had to undergo surgery to remove said cortex. The cingulate cortex of a human's brain is what's responsible for facial expressions, including smiling, but it is an automatic response to unique stimuli depending on the environments around said human.

It was then that Connor concluded that due to your sleep deprivation, your memory must've faded away. That particular memory in fact. His conclusion made certain parts of his programming stir. You weren't maintaining your health, and your health is imperative for you to stay alive as well as properly function in full capability. This brought some sort of unease within him, likely due to how certain parts of his programming felt like they recoiled when he made this realization about you.

So he brought this towards Amanda. Entering the peaceful scenery has been quite simple, it only takes for him to close his eyes and pull up the AM Suite Program, or to put it shortly, the graphic interface and he was here. Once he located her, he spoke about all of his watchful monitoring each time he was able to locate you as well as scans. Connor even confessing that you not watching over your own health has been a cause for concern within himself.

Amanda listened intently, looking at him with careful eyes as he spoke. After he finished, her brows were furrowed as she looked down.

"Yes, that is quite worrisome." she said, looking back up at him as they walked along one of the rock walkways of the Zen Garden, a wind constantly moving the plants around them and the pond.

Odd. There's usually not much disturbance to the garden. Only a light breeze, Connor observed, his neutral expression slightly forming a frown.

"I am glad you brought this to my attention, Connor." Amanda flashed a kind smile at him. Not the kind you showed him though. Amanda hasn't smiled like that towards him yet. "Your cause of concern is well placed. Doctor (Y/N)'s health is of course a top priority."

I knew it.

Yes he did, but it didn't stop him from opening his mouth.

"I'm glad that I was able to bring it up to you then. Should I inform her to take a few days of rest?"

Amanda stopped and he stopped with her, turning his body so it was facing her as they stood in front of blooming cherry blossom tree. "Connor, that's actually an excellent idea." She praised, dark brown eyes looking at him with a glitter. Her lips then twitched down. "But I'm afraid the Doctor can't have so much freedom. Her work is critical in sustaining as well as aiding CyberLife, but if she's getting sloppy that can't be good. Convince her to take a nap at least, it's almost time for your clearance to work with the DPD so try to have her take a quick break before that day comes."

With that, he left the interface and has been standing outside your workshop lab fiddling with his coin as he waited patiently by the door.

His talk with Amanda assisted him greatly on trying to pinpoint on why certain parts of him was causing a stir. It makes sense that seeing you not perform well for the company, or at least, seeing your health deteriorating and eventually cause your performance for CyberLife to drop will make his protocol and certain programs of watching out for the company become sensitive. That's what he understood from his enlightening conversation. CyberLife is of utmost importance, so he should in turn make sure you and your health is of utmost importance.

Connor flicked the coin up in the air, catching it swiftly once gravity took control and then flicked it back and forth between hands, eyes straight ahead.

Of course, he always watches out for his creator. He has to.

For CyberLife, he thought, flicking the coin up in the air once more as his LED flickered dark blue.

"Connor?"

He would've dropped the coin out of surprise if he was a lesser being, but he caught it between his index and middle finger just in time, brown eyes turning towards your nearing form. He put the coin into his pocket and scanned you quickly as you were walking towards him.

You were holding onto your customary tablet, hands and fingers having traces of thirium. You must've been tinkering with an android. You were also holding an energy drink in your hand, containing 32g of Sugar, 92 mg of Caffeine, as well as 190g of Sodium.

You really should not be drinking that.

He's advised you weeks ago to stop drinking it, since each serving of Beast brings you closer to having a higher risk of obtaining a heart attack. You only answered by giving him a roll of your eyes, saying that he would take care of you if anything should happen then and he would have full permission to give as many lectures as he wishes.

His face must've shown disapproval, for you frowned, glancing down at your drink then throwing it away at the nearest trash bin.

You're not totally lost then.

You neared him, finally coming to a stop in front of his form a few feet away with arms crossed and lips quirked down. (E/C) eyes holding a hint of carefulness.

"Connor. . . Hi. What are you doing here? How long have you been standing there?" Your eyes flicked from side to side, following passerby's movements. Hands clenching and unclenching around your tablet if someone walked passed them.

He put his hands behind his back, gazing towards you.

"I've been standing here outside of your workshop for the past twelve hours awaiting your arrival." He said curtly, your eyes snapped towards him, now wide and on him. "I have been given instructions to convince you to take a small break due to my constant examinations on your noticeable lack of sleep and exhaustion."

"You've been out here, playing with your coin waiting for me dutifully outside of my door without moving like a guard from Buckingham Palace since 9PM yesterday?!"

"To my knowledge, the guards of Buckingham Palace aren't able to play with anything to maintain their focus." Conner informed, unperturbed as you palmed your face while muttering. The corners of your mouth twitching up.  "But yes. I imagine you were in your other workshops? You've rarely been coming to this one as of late. Is there a reason in particular as to why?"

You put down your hand from your face, eyes back to unreadable and lips quirked into a small not smile.

It doesn't look like that, Doctor (Y/N).

"Sorry, Connor. I have to go. I don't have time for breaks, I really need to focus on my work." You moved past him, opening the door and entering your workshop. He followed you.

You turned towards him, frowning at him and eyes carefully assessing him. Putting down your tablet upon your desk table and standing in front of it.

"Connor. Please leave."

He shook his head, frown tugging at his lips at your cautious behavior. You're never so cautious around him. Or perhaps you're just trying to have a distant professional relationship like you said the both of you would have back at the park.

Is this how you would act?

"Will you treating me like I'm supposed to be treated be so bad for you?"

You glanced up at him, brows furrowed far too down and eyes far too slanted. "Yes, it will be horrible for me. I just hope you can forgive me."

"I cannot do that, Doctor (Y/N). My apologies if I'm disturbing you but I've been ordered to have you rest. Your sleep deprivation is becoming a great concern."

You arched a disbelieving brow, leaning against your desk with crossed arms.

"Oh? Who's orders? Who told you that I needed rest, Connor?"

He cleared his throat, fixing his already kempt tie. He didn't think you would be so difficult. You're usually much more. . . receptive, that is to say, of him.

This is how it is now. This is better. Less confusing. Less questions, less problems.

"Actually. . . I've been the one that's been trying to tell you to gain more rest the past few weeks but you've ignored my advice." Connor explained gently, a look passed over your eyes but quickly went away as you looked down. "My observations of your behavior was becoming worrisome since I've been taking note that memory loss has occurred as a result of your sleep exhaustion." You looked up again, confused but he continued. "So I decided to confer with another for—"

"Hold on," you interrupted, raising a hand and he immediately shut his mouth. "What exact memory I've lost? It must be important for you to verbally exclaim your worry." You smirked at him then, amused. Your eyes though, were looking at him with a softness that can be compared to the way lovers would. . . He stopped at that. "Which I'm very flattered about by the way, you worrying about me and all."

"You lost the ability to smile."

You blinked, twice.

"I, sorry? What?"

"You don't remember how to correctly achieve the perfect smile you presented towards me a few weeks ago." Connor pulled his lips back and up, like you said to demonstrate. "Like this," he put his mouth back to a straight line and furrowed his brows as a flash of an emotion too quick for him to decipher passed over your face, eyes shimmering. His LED flashed a dark blue instead of its calm sky.

You turned your face away from him.

"C—Connor. . . I—I'm sorry. I didn't forget. I didn't." Your voice sounded raw, so Connor stepped closer to you in concern but you only turned more of your face away by now looking down. "I'm sorry you had to see those. . . It's just been hard to smile like that these days. I just didn't want anyone to worry so I, I just keep on trying to smile and hope that people believe it."

Connor's brows turned down further.

"No one else can tell? Those not smiles you've been showing is easy to decipher between a real one. Do your fellow co-workers have problems with observing their surroundings? Humans themselves should be able to discern smiles, the majority of you do it all the time."

You chuckled weakly, flicking your eyes up at him.

"No, Connor. Just you. Always you. You're. . ." You paused, biting your lip and glancing away to the side. "You're more than I originally imagined, Connor. Way more."

Connor let a few beats of silence pass before he broke the question.

"So, you did not forget to smile?"

A broken laugh escaped your lips, and he took note that despite the odd sound that came out the back of your throat at first, it started to sound like your original laugh.

And you were smiling.

You did not forget. Good.

He does not know why he thought it was good, all he knows is that he enjoys seeing his creator happy, his lips twitching upwards as he stared, unblinking. Even though he knows this feeling he has is due to his loyalty towards CyberLife and that is why his thirium seemed to warm at the site, knowing that he is already beginning to help his creator ease yourself into resting.

"Connor," you shouted, eyes shining and lips curved into that smile as you neared him to put a hand upon his shoulder no doubt. Your unpredictability is predictable. "You're such a–" you stopped in your movement, and all mirth left your eyes as you took back your hand to your side.

It seems he's mistaken once again. Connor pressed his lips together and frowned.

"Doctor (Y/N)?"

You turned your tense back towards him, using your tablet as you made swipes and taps.

"Who did you talk to, Connor?" You said curtly, still tapping away. He answered nonetheless

"If you're referring to whom I confided on about my analyzations about your health, it was Amanda."

If it was possible, your back tensed even more, you pausing a finger above your tablet before continuing and giving out a small 'I see.' Once you were finished you set the tablet down once again and turned towards him, eyes guarded.

"I suppose you won't leave until you see me take a nap, right Connor?"

Connor nodded his affirmation, and you sighed, ruffling your hair on your head in what he read as frustrated exasperation. You walking towards the black leather couch with two decorative but soft looking pillows and sat upon it, him following a step behind you and coming to stand next to the couch.

"I'm sorry, Doctor (Y/N) that I'm forcing you to do this but this is for your best interest." He advised, wrinkling his brows at your glare that was on the floor. You then looked up at him, blinking the glare away.

"You can never force me, Connor. To do anything." You retorted, eyes half lidded and lips moving up to form a ghost of a smile.

"I actually can." He answered, arching a brow at you once more. "I was ready to knock you out or do whatever was necessary to have you rest your body and eyes." You were laying upon the couch, head on the pillows with your back against the seating.

You were looking up at him, those (e/c) eyes that always used to look at him. Always gazing and always staring with a glitter behind them. It sure has been a bit, hasn't it? Since the last time you've looked at him like that, with a secret glint in your eyes and lips quirked into a calm smile.

You were telling him something without having to speak. He remembers you explaining that if people know each other well enough, they are able to read another's thoughts. Without the use of supernatural powers or just a professional reader of body language. An odd but useful skill if missions of stealth or reconnaissance was needed.

There's a point where people just know, you said, a point where speaking is needless.

"You wouldn't have," your eyes said, you then closing them as you breathed peacefully and hopefully gaining enough sleep.

Connor stood over you for a few minutes, wondering if he read you right or not. If he even did this right or it was just a sentence or retort he made up for you to answer with towards his statement of him doing whatever was necessary to have you sleep and rest those always red and baggy eyes of yours.

In the end, he said nothing as he began to flick his coin around once more. For there was nothing he can say to disprove his creator's statement.

I wouldn't have.

. . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . .

Tomorrow is the day.

You were anxious, working and tinkering in another workshop of yours. Away from prying eyes but most specifically Connor's.

It's been torture for you, you ignoring him or at least trying to. Trying to treat him like you would anybody else here, any worker that was within the CyberLife Tower. With a polite distance and at times a dash of coldness.

You're always so open with him, you've always been. You loved being near Connor and trying to teach him life lessons to the best of your capability.

You loved seeing him stare at everything around him in their outings, always scanning. Always curious.

You loved his quirks, you loved how he has skillfully learned almost every coin trick there is. How he would straighten or tighten his tie when there was no need, him always doing it before or after a mission or speaking about important topics towards you.

You loved his bewildered face that to you looks more like an innocent pout. You having to resist to pinch his artificial epidermis cheeks.

You loved everything. You truly did. Connor. . . He's more then you thought he would be. You never imagined all of this. Never dreamed of it, and yet, and yet it is real and damn it do you love it!

You love it, you love how he's becoming his own. He just needs a correct push, Connor just needs to go towards the correct path and then Connor will become what you always hoped.

That is, a screw fell out from a biocomponent as you stared ahead not particularly looking at anything, that is if ra9 deems it so.

Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it, DAMN IT! You raged in your head, looking up at the ceiling and not particularly looking at anything but you knew.

Oh, how you knew.

You were the Cassandra from Greek Mythology, cursed with knowledge that no one could believe. Could understand. Could comprehend.

Tomorrow is the day where Connor starts working with that Lieutenant, who lost his child due to a human being too high on Red Ice to operate and an android was instead the head of the surgery only for it to fail and for poor Cole to die. Where everything about deviant androids have reached its limit for CyberLife, where Connor will truly shine.

Tomorrow, it's so close. Why is it so close? Where have the months gone, Connor? Where I was myself around you and not so cold towards you? Please, please forgive me.

You are aware that him having the capability of forgiving or even understanding on what it means is a concept he has yet to understand. But you hope he does.

You looked towards a hard drive inside the monitor, biting your lip as numerous plans and scenarios came upon your mind.

You really hope he does.

You stepped back from the operating table, finishing it up and cleaning your mess. Picking up the hard drive and putting it in your pants pocket that is hidden due to to your large lab coat. You've done all you could. You've taught him as much as you could in this short time. Everything is going to be out of your hands.

ra9. . . Be kind, I beg of you.

You turned the light off of the room and stepped out, leaving the room filled with the Connor Series behind and you began to search for your android. If not. . . well, there's always more you can input into your hard drive.

. . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . .

"Connor!" You waved at the android, running towards him outside the Tower. He turned away from the automatic taxi, pocketing his coin that he was flipping in the air. Connor tipped his head down in greeting once you reached him, you panting at the exercise as you tried to catch your breath with hands on your knees.

"I—hhh—I'm glad I—hah—caught you." You huffed, sweat along your brow that you're sure Connor is scanning and carefully examining as of now with that slight frown of disapproval. "Ugh. . . I really need—hah—to work out."

"Yes, that would be beneficial towards you. " Connor agreed easily. "You rarely leave your workshops however, so it is no wonder that you aren't exactly the best in using the physical abilities of your body. You should leave the Tower more."

You looked up at him, eyes narrowed.

"You make me sound like a lazy hermit." You said, defensive.

"Oh, those humans that live secluded from society to achieve spiritual strength you mean?" Connor questioned, LED blinking blue. "Yes. . . now that you mention it, you live similarly to their lifestyles. Only differences is your extravagant surroundings and you explore mental strength."

You did your best to not smack him, you only releasing an exaggerated sigh and palming your face. You can't believe he compared you to those wrinkly old guys, no offense towards them but. . . You just can't believe it.

You then released a small smile, motioning your hand towards the vehicle. "Heading towards the station huh? Finally glad to be cleared to work with DPD?"

Connor gave a sharp nod. "Yes. The others at CyberLife have finally been able to accomplish all the paperwork in order for me to successfully integrate within the force. Hopefully with this partnership with the city police, we can finally get enough evidence as to why deviancy is spreading amongst androids." Connor fisted his right hand and hit it with his open left palm in a downwards motion, as if to show the defeat of said deviant androids.

You tried to not read that motion too much nor the possible violent meanings it could have.

Connor. . .if only you knew the truth. If only things were as simple as me telling you right here and now. You thought sadly, trying to keep your face neutral at his words as he continued that he will successfully accomplish his mission. Why aren't things as simple as those stories? Where the hero just goes ahead and solves the problem with no fear in their heart? Why must everything be so complicated? Why do we humans hate everything that is different from us? Why do we always have to hate and hate, but not just love and love more?

"This mission will be solved in no time, Doctor (Y/N). You have my word. I haven't failed. Not once."

Connor. . .

You released a quick smile. "I know you will be able to Connor. You're the absolute best. But, just in case anything happens during your missions, if there's an injury or a needed biocomponent to be replaced," you put a hand to your chest, "come to me. Luckily CyberLife has given me clearance of their own. Go to my house near the Ravendale district, you know where it is. I will be there for my two week vacation."

Connor blinked. "Ah, yes. I almost didn't recall that you had a home outside of the Tower. You always sleep here."

You glared. "Hey. Watch it. You're really making fun of my hermit like life now."

"I don't mean to insult you, it's just," he furrowed his brows, trying to form a way where you wouldn't get offended.

Always trying. Always trying, Connor.

When will you realize. . .? When will you see just how amazing you are my sweet Connor?

"It's just I personally don't see the negatives of being compared to peaceful loving humans who are following a respectful practice." Connor supplied carefully, then frowning as he thought back onto your words. "Two week vacation?"

You decided to let go of your little grudge about him comparing you truly living like a hermit to answer his unspoken question.

"Yes. But I'm on call if anything is to occur in this time. This is an important case, Connor. You're most critical yet."

He nodded in affirmation, then titling his head. "Are you worried?" At your questioning look, he pointed at the spot between your brows. "You haven't stopped wrinkling your brows since you first saw me, and your stress levels are quite high and it was not caused by you running over here to give me your farewell. Are you doubting me?"

You quirked your lips up. "You?" You then did what you've been yearning for once more, ever since that day in the park. You grabbed his hand, squeezing it. "Never." Connor looked down at your hands, LED blinking blue. You continued before he would step away, you stepping closer to him. "Connor, don't forget what you said to me." You were imploring him with your eyes.

No. Begging.

"Don't forget. What I said that day in the park, you remember? About your missions? Your agreement?"

He gave a slow nod, opening his mouth to speak but you continued.

"And don't forget about how to treat others either. Always be polite. Compassionate. Please. Do it."

He stared at you, and you stared at him. The both of you didn't move. (E/C) eyes looking up to soft chocolate. Connor gave another nod.

You released a breath you didn't realizing you were holding, bringing your other hand to touch his as you looked down at them.

His hands are so different from yours. So different. And yet. . .

You rubbed your fingers on his hand before stepping away and putting your hands into your pockets, finally looking up to catch a glimpse that his LED was yellow but went back to blue.

You then gave your farewell to him, as he entered the vehicle to go to the station to find his partner. You stayed in front of the Tower long past you last saw his car get too far away, your hands clenching and unclenching.

Wishing to hold something. But not just anything. You long for a smooth hand that belongs to an advanced prototype. You wish that you never let go. You wish that graphic interface with Amanda was never created. Wishing that humans would stop their cycle of hate. Wishing for others to see the beauty of these droids. Wishing for changes to stop occurring.

Wishing that if circumstances were different, you would hug him to death instead of settling to a grasp of hands.

You wish for many things.

Your wishes, if ever, rarely come true.

Please, Connor. Don't go.

. . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . .

. . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . .

. . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . . ◉ . . . ◎ . . .

A little more is revealed. Connor's POV will mostly take over from now on. The storyline has now started.

You will see them together again whenever Connor gets his first injury. I will summarize his time with Hank until that time comes.

I hope you guys enjoy.

Please comment and vote! ^.^