Deviant Heart

Chapter 20: The Unknown

June 15th, 2039 10:49 pm

"Jesus, I'm exhausted."

Hank and Connor were in the older man's car on their way back to his house, the place that Connor now calls home.

"Yes, our work has been getting far more hectic lately. Especially with cases involving my brother and Gavin," Connor replied.

Hank groaned. "Oh yeah. Your 'younger brother' or whatever the fuck is such a prick. That pairing was a match made in hell: similar personalities that clash and cause issues for everyone." Connor smirked at the comment. "It is pretty fucking entertaining seeing him and Gavin together though."

"I'm sure they'll get along eventually," Connor said optimistically. His partner nodded thoughtfully.

Silence enveloped the two as the car continued on its way.

"Heard from Clara lately?" Hank asked.

A small smile formed on Connor's lips. "Yes. Yesterday we spoke on the phone. She spoke of how Markus stopped by the house and told them he was able to pass the 'Equal Job Act' for androids. Which means, androids will be able to have the same jobs and careers as humans, with no discrimination. It'll be nice to see other androids working like my brother and I are."

Hank nodded with an impressed look on his face. "How's she doing? Haven't been able to talk to her much at the station recently."

Connor glanced down at his feet. "I'm... not sure. She said that she thought she was getting close to closing the case she was working on, but an unexpected complication arose and now they have to wait for the judge to execute a search warrant. She was called away before we could talk anymore. But she sounded... tired."

Hank hummed and nodded. "She has a lot on her plate right now. I don't blame her for being tired."

He pulled his car into the driveway, noticing a small, blue four-door car parked in front of his house. "Huh. That looks like Clara's car," Hank commented.

Excitement lit up Connor's face at the thought of seeing his beloved. The two men approached the front door and were greeted by a panting Sumo. They patted the dog on his head as they entered and saw a sleeping Clara laying on the couch, the television playing a random sitcom. She was still in her work clothes, one arm tucked under the pillow her head was on and the other dangling off the side of the couch. Hank chuckled and shook his head as he walked past her to his room to change as Connor hung up his coat on the coat rack.

He grabbed the blanket draped over the back of the couch and covered Clara with it, then turned off the tv. He smiled at her sleeping face and gently stroked her cheek with his knuckle, as light as a feather. Clara stirred and Connor pulled his hand back. She turned over on her back, her hands resting on her stomach, still fast asleep. Connor readjusted the blanket as Hank came into the living room.

The Lieutenant chuckled. "That's just like her. Working herself to the bone. Whether it's work or family, she dives head first into it."

Connor smiled at Hank before he took a seat on the ground in front of Clara, observing her. The house was quiet except for the occasional sound in the kitchen as Hank fixed himself something to eat. Connor got lost in thought as he looked at her.

"It must be hard for you, huh?"

Connor turned to look at Hank, who was sitting at the table with a half-eaten piece of buttered toast on the plate in front of him. "I mean, she's the person you love. But in the last couple months, you guys have barely seen each other. It's probably hard... Not being able to see or talk to her when you want."

He smiled softly. "Yes... It is. But I know that she's working hard to help her family, as well as trying to stay on top of her cases." He turned back to Clara. "As much as I miss her... I don't want to interrupt her work and become another thing for her to worry about. That's why I cherish the time I get to talk to her or see her."

Hank nodded. "So you gonna wake her up then?"

Connor shook his head. "She's tired. She needs to rest. I don't want to disturb her." He reached forward and brushed some hair from her face. She stirred in her sleep a bit again before settling down.

"Well I'm sure she feels the same way, Connor."

"Thanks Hank."

After a little while, Hank went to bed, leaving Connor alone to watch his beloved, Sumo at his side.

The next morning, Clara woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. Yawning, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. A blanket was draped over her, and she was slightly confused as to where it came from, as she remembered falling asleep without one. Sumo barked, startling her.

"Well good morning to you too, Sumo," she scratched the dog's ears.

"Mornin' sunshine."

Clara looked over toward the kitchen, where she saw Hank at the stove, a wide smile on his face. "Hungry?"

"Starving."

The old partners enjoyed their breakfast, getting caught up on each other's lives. Clara couldn't help unconsciously looking over toward the hallway, as if she was waiting for someone to come down it.

"He's not here."

She looked at him. "Huh?"

"Connor. He's not here. You keep looking at the hallway like you're expecting him to come outta it. He left for the station about an hour and a half ago."

"Oh..." Clara said in disappointment. "So he was here today then?"

The older man nodded "Yeah. We got here last night and found you knocked out. Even when I went to bed, Connor stayed out here and watched over ya all night. Kinda creepy if you think about it."

"... And he didn't wake me up?"

"He said he didn't want to disturb you resting, that you've been working hard lately. Said you needed to sleep."

"... Stupid."

Hank raised an eyebrow.

Clara lifted her hand and ran it through her hair, tears of frustration in her eyes. "I came here to see him. I've barely seen him in the last like three weeks! I see him in passing at work, and we talk on the phone in short spurts, but we haven't been able to spend quality time together. I really miss him. Now we're both here at the same time in who knows how long, and he doesn't bother to wake me up... AGH, that... that... DUMBASS!"

Clara shot to her feet and stormed to the bathroom. Hank heard the door slam shut followed by the shower being turned on. He looked over at Sumo. "Well Sumo. Looks like those two really need some alone time. Hopefully she'll get some time off soon, eh bud?"

Sumo barked in response.