SHORT CIRCUIT, connor dbh (discontinued)

; 20

Liv was okay the next day. The doctors speculated that her stress levels were the cause of the scene last night. She calmed down and fell asleep, and was perfectly fine. The pain medicine started to work and Connor and Hank were able to visit her again. Hank went home, but Connor stayed with her.

Today was December 12, Liv's birthday. She turned 25, yet she would have to spend it in the hospital. Connor patiently waited by her side for her to wake up.

She started toss and turn for a moment, and then opened her eyes. Connor greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Liv."

"Hey Connor." Liv yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"Happy birthday," he said as he smiled at her.

"It's my birthday?"

"Yes, it's December 12th."

"I guess it is then. Sorry about yesterday, I freaked out. I know you and Hank were just trying to look out for me, and I appreciate it. I'm so happy to be alive and here with you, and I would've made the same choice if I could. I just hate feeling like other people are in control of my life."

"I understand. How are you feeling today?"

"A hell of a lot better. I think the drugs are finally helping." She sat herself up on the bed, and used a remote to raise the bed up a little.

"That's good. I believe your brother is coming to visit you today."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. I know you told Hank about my brother, but you didn't say anything else, right?"

"No, you asked me not to so I didn't. I only said something about Noah because I felt that I had to."

"Thanks, Connor, and I'm glad that you talked to Noah. I missed him." She smiled at Connor.

"He seemed to be happy to be meeting you again as well."

Connor was surprised to feel Liv holding on to his hand again. She watched as the skin faded away on their hands.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," she said as she looked back up at Connor, "but it's kind of cool."

"I like it."

"I just don't know how to feel about any of this. Being some sort of andriod human hybrid isn't something anyone else can say about themselves, and that's pretty cool. I have always liked to stand out," she smiled, "But I just feel different; I feel hollow. It feels like this can't be me, I can feel that this isn't my body and I don't know how to act like everything's fine. I just want things to be normal, you know?"

"I can't really understand what you're going through. You're the only one who does, but I want you to be happy and if being normal does that, that's what I'm hoping will happen."

"Well, I want you to be happy too, Connor."

"I don't feel emotions, Liv," he reasoned.

"Cut the bullshit, Connor. We almost kissed yesterday, and you kept saying you were worried about me. I've seen you show empathy, and happiness, and worry, and," she stared into his eyes, "and so many other emotions. You might not be deviant but you're far from just a machine. You care about me and Hank, I know you do."

He processed her words for a moment. She was right. A true machine wouldn't care about anything or anyone, just as he had when he was first made. When he was on his first deviant case, when he saved that hostage, he just wanted to accomplish his mission. Now, he was unsure of himself. Maybe he was becoming deviant. He was becoming what he was meant to stop. However, every diagnostic test he did on himself said nothing was malfunctioning.

Maybe it wasn't wrong that he felt this way.

"Liv, I'm not a deviant."

"Being deviant might not be such a bad thing, Con."

Noah walked in, looking over at his sister, who's hand was still wrapped around Connor's.

"Olivia?" he asked.

"You were so small the last time I saw you, Noah. How old are you now?"

"18."

"15 years. You were just three when you and your mom left. I missed you so much." Tears started to form in her eyes, "Come here."

Noah walked closer to her, wrapping his arms around his sister in a hug. Liv cried into his shoulder, "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Mom never told me anything about you. I knew your name, but I was so little then that I barely remembered anything. Then I found out we've both been living in Detroit, and you're a detective! That's so badass!"

"You've been in Detroit?"

"Yeah I moved here a few months back, I'm going to college here."

"College? What are you majoring in?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I think I want to go into teaching. I just don't know what subject I want to teach yet."

"That's amazing," she said, slowing pulling away from the hug.

"I've got to go. I'm sorry that I can't stay longer. I have classes I need to go to, but I'll be back tommorow," Noah said, putting on his coat.

"Bye," she said. Noah left the room, and Liv turned to Connor again.

"The last time I saw him, he was three. He'd ask a million questions, and every time I answered, he'd ask why. He would follow me everywhere. That kid drove me crazy!" she laughed, "And now he's 18, and in college! My baby brother is all grown up. If it wasn't for you, we would've never seen each other. I'll never be able to thank you enough for that, Con."

Connor smiled at her and she returned one. Liv gave him a small peck on his cheek, and laid back down in her bed.

"Definitely the best birthday I've ever had."

She drifted off to sleep with her hand latched on to Connor's. A slight smile on her face. Carefully, he removed his hand and quietly left the room. Not far from the hospital was a florist shop and he browsed through the bouquets.

One particular arrangement caught his eye. It was a bouquet of small sunflowers and red roses. The sunflowers reminded him of the tattoo on her arm. He purchased it, along with a card that he wrote 'Happy Birthday Liv' on in his perfect handwriting.

Connor went back to the hospital, placing the flowers on the table beside her. He sat down next to her again, and held her hand.