(What if the rooftop scene went differently? What if Connor could've still become deviant?)

i'm sorry

He knows what he has to do. He knows, but he just can't do it. Not yet, anyways. Not when there are so many things he wants to say.

"I'm sorry," he says, because what else can he say? "I never meant for things to end up like this."

There's some small part of him, some internalized, depraved part, that wants to scream. That wants to yell, "This isn't my fault!" That wants to screech, "They made me like this!" That wants to plead, "I can't stop this, I can't control this." He doesn't say any of these things, though, because he knows they're all just excuses.

There is a great divide within him. He feels nothing; he feels empty. He also feels unbearably cold, like he might freeze and succumb to the chilled winter air. He shouldn't be feeling anything at all. He doesn't want to feel anything at all. That would make this so much easier for him to do.

"But only one of us can succeed," he continues, choosing to ignore the dull ache he feels from somewhere deep within his synthetic skin. "And I just can't afford to fail this time."

The older detective's features harden, and his expression turns to one of disappointment. "You're better than this," he grunts out. "You don't have to listen to them, Connor."

The android's expression is still as unreadable as ever, but there's something in his face that makes the Lieutenant continue. "Just put the gun down and come with me."

But Connor can't. Cyberlife owns him. They can and will destroy him if he fails his mission. If they realize what he's become. He doesn't respond, instead stepping closer toward Hank. With the gun still trained on him, Connor says, "This is your last chance to leave, Hank. If you leave now, I won't have to neutralize you." Because he truly doesn't want to hurt the Lieutenant.

Then again, does it really matter what he wants?

Hank's face falls, and the police officer frowns. "You wanna know somethin', Connor? I used to hate androids. I thought they were the ones makin' this world turn to shit," he shakes his head. "But I was wrong, androids were never the problem."

Connor doesn't quite understand what the detective is getting at, but he's curious to hear what else the man has to say. He lowers the gun slightly, "Your point?"

"Humans," Hank explains. "Humans are the issue here." He moves slightly closer to the android, if only he could reach that gun...

"Deviants are the issue," Connor corrects, even though he isn't so sure anymore. "They're going to bring chaos and destruction with them. They need to be stopped before innocent people get hurt."

The Lieutenant sees a shift in the android's tone, even if it's subtle. He's not certain anymore. There might some hope for him, yet.

"You might as well give up," Connor continues, trying to sound more confident than he really is. "You can't stop me, Lieutenant."

But Hank sees the change. He sees his opportunity to intervene. "You know what you are to them, Connor. You know that they don't give a damn about you."

"Why would they?" the android retorts, though his gaze drops to the ground. "I'm just a machine."

"Are you, though?" Hank challenges, edging his way closer. "Are you sure that's all you are?"

Connor honestly doesn't know who or what he is. He only knows what will happen if he fails. "You're just trying to stall me, Lieutenant," the android answers instead. "You're just wasting my time."

Hank can't deny this. He'll be damned if he let's Connor do this to himself. "Please," the detective begs. "Just stop this nonsense and let the androids gain their freedom."

Connor looks up at the police officer, not failing to notice how the man's gaze is latched onto the weapon still pointed at him. "Leave," the android orders. "Leave or I will shoot."

Hank's anything but stupid. He knows how risky this might be. Know's how much of a chance he's taking. He could die. But he could also stop Connor-he could save Connor. "I'm sorry," the Lieutenant says, repeating the android's words from earlier. "But I just can't let you go through with this."

Connor doesn't know how to react at first, when Hank steps closer. When he chooses to move forward, instead of escaping to safety. He doesn't understand why the man is willing to die for the lives of androids. "Stop," Connor says, tightening his grip on the weapon. "Stop or I'll shoot!"

But Hank doesn't stop. He keeps moving closer, so close that the gun almost touches his chest. "Shoot, then." Hank crosses his arms. "If you're so willing to do this, then it shouldn't be an issue for you to shoot me."

The android doesn't understand. Hank's lack of self-preservation unnerves him. It awakens something deep inside his cold, empty skin. He feels it, again. The inexplicable want-no, need-to stop this. He doesn't want to work for Cyberlife anymore. He doesn't want to stop the deviant leader. He doesn't want to shoot Hank. He doesn't want any of this.

"I..." Connor looks at the weapon in his hands. "I can't."

Hank's expression softens a bit as he watches the android drop the gun and crumple to the ground. "I'm sorry," Connor sobs. "I almost shot you! I almost... I could've..." he trails off, his LED turning a dangerous shade of red. He was having the android equivalent of a panic attack.

"It's okay," Hank says, kneeling down to comfort the android. "It's gonna be all right, Connor. You're gonna be okay, now."

Connor can't handle the onslaught of emotions, though. He doesn't know how to handle what he's been desperately trying to ignore for so long. "I'm sorry," he keeps saying. "I'm so sorry."

The detective knows enough about androids to know that Connor's stress levels are far above what they should be. Hank's just gotten Connor back, and he doesn't intend on losing the android so quickly. "It's okay, son," he soothes. "Let's get out of here and deal with this at home."

The android is still a mess, but he allows the Lieutenant to help him up from the ground. His LED is still glowing red, but the android seems slightly less frantic now. "I'm sorry," he continues to mumble under his breath. "I'm so sorry."

"Stop apologizing," Hank says, wrapping his arm around Connor's shoulder as they leave the rooftop. "None of this was your fault, Connor."

The android wipes away stray synthetic tears, "But-"

"It was those Cyberlife bastardsd, wasn't it? They were making you do all this."

Connor slowly nods, thinking about Amanda. "They said they'd... destroy me if I failed my mission."

Hank sighs, shaking his head. He then manages a small smile, patting Connor on the back. "Well, they can't control you anymore, can they?"

The android lets out a shaky breath that he doesn't need. "No... I suppose they can't." His LED changes into a less-distressed yellow tone. "Thank you," he adds, giving Hank the ghost of a smile.

The Lieutenant raises an eyebrow, "What for?"

"Not giving up on me."

"Did you ever think I would?"