(Not) Alive - Machine | Detroit Become Human [finished]

10100 - Experiment

She came back.

He was almost amazed of it, thinking at the way he had greeted her the day before.  But despite his harshness towards her and the distrust he felt towards all humans and which he knew was excessive, she had returned, alone, as he had asked her to. And he was strangely happy about it.  He wasn't used to this feeling, but he realized that he could easily take a liking to it.

He sighed lightly and the woman - Angie - turned to him briefly.  He looked back at her, then returned his attention to the road and his thoughts. In fact, he was tired of the constant fear that stuck to his skin, of being suspicious of everything and everyone.  What was the point of feeling emotions if they only hampered him and prevented him from living?

_________

Angie watched Connor stealthily.  Physically he didn't seem to have changed, apart from his cheekbone, damaged by the explosion, which added a tragic dimension to the beauty of his face.  He still had his short brown hair, perfectly combed;  his expressive warm gaze;  and his slightly stilted air even in casual clothes.  But now she detected a fragility in his attitude that hadn't existed before, something moving that made her want to protect him even if he was cold and distant.

- You didn't tell me who Hank is?  He asked as if suddenly remembering that she hadn't given him this crucial information.

- Right... You really don't remember him?

As he aswer negatively, she continued.

- Hank Anderson is a police lieutenant in the homicide department at the Detroit Central Police Station.  A little over a year ago CyberLife sent an android to assist in a particular investigation involving androids ... you Connor.

- Was he ... my partner?

- Yes.  He struggled to accept you at first, but little by little, through your choices, you managed to gain his trust.  He was almost as devastated as ... well, he was sad to hear that you'd been killed, especially when you'd become deviant.

- I don't remember him.

- That's why we're going to do everything to get your memory back.  Would you like to visit him?  It might help you.

She saw him hesitate, weigh the pros and cons, then look her in the eyes.

- We could try.  If you can assure me that he's a trustworthy person, I'm willing to meet him.

Angie gave him a huge smile. Things were starting to improve, he was less categorical, which gave her hope for the future. The car began to slow down.

- He'll be happy to see you!  Come on, we've arrived.

Night had almost fallen.  They got out of the car together, bypassed the children's turnstile, and found the bench Angie and Hank had sat on that famous night of their investigation at the Eden Club.  The young woman settled on the backrest as Lieutenant Anderson had done and naturally Connor stood in front of her to observe the bird's eye view of the river and the Ambassador bridge.  All that was missing was the snow, which had fallen less heavily this year, and of course Hank.

- Do you remember the Eden club?

- No, what is it?

- Whatever ... Tell me if you remember anything.

Connor looked around, inspecting every piece of the decor, focused on every detail.  After a moment, he moved to face Angie, shoulders slumped in disappointment.

- Nothing ... he began, it reminds me of nothing!

- I was sure it couldn't be that simple, Angie sighed.  But maybe...

She paused, she had an idea, but it was to risk losing the little confidence Connor was starting to have in her.  But too bad, you had to play to be able to win.  So she got up and stood in front of the android then without warning drew her weapon to aim him in the head.

She saw his gaze harden, as if he already expected her to betray him and it pained her that he could believe her so devious, but she didn't flinch.

- Are you afraid to die, Connor?  She asked him to imitate Hank Anderson.

He nodded, teeth clenched, and she hesitated, she hated what she was putting into his eyes, fear and challenge and resignation mixed together, but she had to go through with the experiment.

- What will happen if I pull this trigger? She resumed, trying to remember the words her friend had said. Hm? Nothing? Oblivion? Robot heaven?

Several seconds passed without Connor saying anything, his gaze was fixed and she began to worry, when he finally spoke.

- Androids.

- What ?

- Androids heaven, that's what he said.

- You remember this ?!  Angie asked, her eyes widening.

- You know you're not going to shoot me, Lieutenant, he recited in the same tone he had at the time.  You're just trying to provoke a reaction. I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you.

Angie was feverish, it had worked!  She put away her pistol and jumped to the android's neck.

- Connor, that's wonderful, your memories came back!

He didn't try to get out of her embrace but she felt him stiffen and let go of him quickly.

- Sorry, the emotion.  What do you remember exactly?

- A gray-haired man pointing his gun just like you did, Lieutenant Anderson I guess.

Angie nodded emphatically.

- I don't remember why he did it, but I remember that conversation and… He looked her in the eyes,… that you defended me.

The young woman felt herself blush slightly.

- Do you remember the rest?

- No, only this moment.

- Hmm, that's good already!  We now know that your memories are not entirely lost, we can reactivate them by triggering strong emotions apparently.  Maybe seeing Hank again ...?

- If you think that could help me, I agree.

Angie would have jumped for joy.  Hank would of course be surprised, but also so happy to see his former teammate alive again.  And he would surely have ideas to help Connor regain his memory, maybe even seeing Sumo the St. Bernard would benefit him as well, Connor was very fond of dogs at the time.

- How about we go now?  He must not be sleeping at this time yet and by chance we'll find him at his place. What do you think?

__________

Now ?
Connor didn't feel quite ready but Angie's enthusiasm was really contagious and he found himself wanting to please her.

Seeing her so happy that his memories weren't lost had warmed his heart and if he had been surprised earlier when she had literally jumped on his neck, he hadn't recoiled.  On the contrary, he had almost found it pleasant, showing him that not all physical contact was meant to hurt.

He nodded in agreement and a slight smile spread to his lips as he saw Angie's delighted reaction. Maybe there was still hope for him after all, thanks to this woman, maybe he could finally start living.