SHORT CIRCUIT, connor dbh (discontinued)

; 5

After they got the deviant back to his cell, Liv and Hank spent the next few hours filling out paperwork. Hank finished off the pile just from this case, then got up and put his coat on.

"Well, I'm calling it a day."

"Lieutenant, we have several cases to start on. It would be much more beneficial for us to start on one of those."

"I'm done for the day. You two do what you want."

"We can look over a few cases for now," Liv suggested, then her phone started ringing.

"Hello."

"Um, yeah. I guess so. My partner just left early so there isn't a lot I can do here anyway."

"Really it's no problem."

"Alright. I'll see you there, bye." Liv hung up the phone and quickly put her things away. She slipped on her jacket and got up from the office chair.

"Where are you going?" Connor asked, looking puzzled.

"My friend needs me to babysit. There's not a lot to do here anyway, since Hank left us."

"Do you mind if I accompany you?"

"No, I don't care."

"We can talk about the case at your home. We can make more headway with the two of us working than just me alone here at the station." Connor followed behind her to the entrance.

"I already said you could come. You didn't have to explain yourself."

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Connor and Liv arrived at her apartment and were greeted by a somewhat panicked woman in hospital scrubs.

"Thank you so much. I'll be back as soon as I can." The woman handed a car seat and a bag over to Liv and rushed off. Liv gave Connor the key and he unlocked the door. They went inside, placing the car seat and bag by the couch.

She unstrapped the baby and held her close to her chest. Connor sat next to Liv on the couch.

"Her name's Brooklyn," Liv lovingly looked down at the baby. Brooklyn smiled and giggled, reaching up and touching Liv's nose.

"She is quite... small," Connor stated.

"Yeah, she's a baby? Have you not seen a baby?"

"Of course I have, just not this close." Connor said, earning a little laugh from Liv.

"Aw Brooklyn, you're so cute. You're so much bigger than the last time I saw you!" Liv stood her up a little, talking to her gently. Brooklyn raised her arms in the air and cooed.

"Why are you interacting with the infant? It does not seem to understand you, and it's unable to give a proper response," Connor said factually.

"Oh come on, she obviously loves when I talk to her." Liv continued to talk to the baby in a small voice, earning a happy laugh from the baby.

"Yes, I see now that it brings the infant some happiness," his LED flashed through several colors as he attempted to process new information.

Brooklyn turned over towards Connor, looking at him with open arms. She kicked her feet and let out one of the happy screams babies do when they get really excited.

"I think she likes you," Liv smiled, and Connor looked like he was trying to smile.

"Here. Hold her," Liv said, handing her over to Connor.

"I'm not designed to be a caretaker, Liv. I don't think this is a good idea," he said, holding her in his arms.

"See, she likes you!"

"Liv, do all humans have the desire to have children?"

"Not all do."

"Do you?" Connor asked, but he regretted it, because her face sunk in sadness.

"I- um, well, I can't have kids. So I'd rather not talk about that."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. You didn't know. But I would like to adopt one day, maybe," she said. Connor noted to not mention the subject to Liv again.

Brooklyn began to cry, awkwardly being held in Connor's arms. Connor, almost instinctively, handed her over to Liv.

"Something is wrong with her."

"It's getting kinda late, she's probably tired. Hold her for a second and I'll make her a bottle." Once again, the infant was given to Connor, but this time it was more uncomfortable for him. Brooklyn continued to scream.

Liv got a can of formula and a bottle out of the bag, setting the bag down on the kitchen table, and went to the kitchen to make the bottle. She hurried and made it as fast as she could.

"Alright now just lay her down in your arms like this," Liv moved his hand over, "And then hold her bottle up with your left hand." Connor took the bottle from her and gave it to the baby.

"Aw," Liv felt happy looking at Connor.

"I think I'm starting to understand why humans enjoy these small infants," Connor said, melting Liv's heart a little.

"I'll see if her mom packed any onesies or something for her to sleep in."

Liv went to the kitchen table, rummaging through it to find something. Her mother had seemed to pack everything, yet she couldn't find any pajamas for her. Finally, at the very bottom of the bag, was a blue and pink fuzzy jumper.

She went over and changed Brooklyn holding her until she slowly dozed off, her small head rested on Liv's shoulder. She put her arms around her securely as she slept.

"Can I ask a personal question?" Connor asked quietly.

"Go for it,"

"The infant's mother seems to know you well, and trust you enough to watch her child. How do you know her?"

"Her name's Jess, she's an old friend. I've known her since we were little, but now that we're both older and have jobs it's hard to stay close."

"Do you consider us to be friends?" he asked.

"Definitely, do you?"

"Maybe. I think I like you more than our other colleagues."

"I'll take it."

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Liv had fallen asleep with the baby still asleep on her chest. Connor saw a blanket folded up on the other side of the couch, he unfolded it and covered them up with it. He sat down again, a little closer to her. She moved over to him a little too, putting her head on his shoulder.

Software Instability /\