Comfort Zone (Connor x Reader)

Thirty-Eight

[I'm fine, trying to hang around the bathrooms to see if anyone will talk, but I'm coming up empty-handed.]

Your response was received instantaneously, and Connor settled down some, expecting to have to wait awhile longer. Beside him, Doc was quiet, taking in what the new kid said. After a minute or so, he leaned over again. "So, tell me something, Judas. This old asshole has a lot of curiosity. You said earlier that she's got family up north, but then you said something else that explains what got a fire lit under her ass."

Making a show of being hesitant, the android frowned as he peered around again, finally leaning against the bartop to face the other male. "Couple of days before we were set to leave.... her ride was wrecked. It wasn't an accident, she wasn't on it. Not in the winter. But it was out to be inspected and stuff, and... some bastard must have snuck over and destroyed the shit out of it."

Doc made a pained face, squirming a bit. "Fuuuuuck, sorry to hear. They catch the fucker?"

Connor shook his head. "No. We had to leave, and I know she wanted to stay behind, but... we heard that something similar happened down in Dunkirk. Then someplace in Pennsylvania, then it was just a fucking trail of breadcrumbs. Didn't realize we were following them till we hit Chicago." Pausing, your Roomba lowered his gaze. "..... I do love her. And I know she's hurting. I'm hoping when we get to her family's place, it'll let her relax, but at the same time... if I find the bastard that did this to her..." The android rubbed his face, seeming more human than ever. "... that was custom. Worked on it myself, even. She fuckin' cried when I gave it to her, and she cried twice as hard when I had to tell her what happened."

Watching thoughtfully, the older male reached and grasped the android's shoulder. "You're a good kid." For a moment, he seemed so much like Hank that it had thrown him for a loop. But a woman approached, making a beeline for Doc; she seemed older but still lovely and well put together. "Ah, shit, uh... Bunny, this kid's the android I was yellin' about earlier." Doc gestured to his wife. "Bunny, my better half. Bunny, this is Judas, and his lady Gunner is, uh..  somewhere."

The female smiled and gently shook Connor's hand. "You must be pretty interesting if you've gotten this asshat to stick with you," she spoke up, but her smile was maternal. "So what's your story, hon? You're not from Detroit."

The hand on her waist squeezed as discouragement. "Run-in with Ace, Bunny," Doc murmured. Her eyebrows went up and quickly made herself scarce, pausing only to pat the android on the shoulder. "Listen to me. You're in the right place, right time, but the worst position. I like you, and I like your loyalty, so I'm gonna be honest." The RK800 casually went closer, so the human could keep his voice down. "The guy you're looking for? Been hiding here. I know that whole bullhonkey about us protecting each other, but that goes for the ones with your colors. He's not one of us. The only reason we let him hide here is cause he's a fuckin' menace. We're not keeping him here to hide, we're allowing it because the alternative is a bloodbath that we don't need."

Arms crossing, all of the android's attention was on that lone conversation. "Thanks, but I need a name, Doc."

There was a pause. "You're looking for Ace. Ace Merrill."

[Ace Merrill]

■□■□■

A few blocks down, a dumpster on wheels idled at the curb, the pair inside killing time until something happened. And finally it did, as both phones went off with a text message. "Huh. Connor got a name, hot damn. Ace Merrill. I'll run it by the precinct, see if they-- You all right?" Hank had looked up from his phone to find the detective beside him leaning forward, gripping his head. "... Gavin?"