A/N: As you might have noticed, I've gone back to calling the T-1001 "Catherine Weaver". The reason for this is that 1) It's easier, and 2) I think the characters have resigned to seeing her as Catherine Weaver as well, and they think it's easier than saying "it" and "the T-1001". Or maybe that's just me making the characters that way.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters or the show.

Most people in John Connor's situation may give up. In fact, a year ago, John Connor probably would have given up. He kind of did, in fact. But the events that had transpired over the past few weeks, as well as those leading up to these events, had prepared him for the looming battles. And yes, there would be more than one battle. Most likely, his whole life would consist of fighting these smaller battles. But as long as the battles never led to the larger war, John was somewhat gladly resigning himself to this. These battles would be fought in a world where buildings still stand. A world where food is not a luxury. A world where 4 billion people aren't dead. This is the world that John Connor is fighting for. And he has to fight his whole life to keep this world, he will.

These are the decisions that John Connor made for himself. Today was just the beginning. He would help George McCarthy's family, and in a few days' time, he would hopefully find the man that George McCarthy answered to in Kaliba.

John got out of the shower, now having a clearer understanding of what the next few days would consist of. He dried himself off, then wrapped the towel around his waist. He wiped away the steam on the mirror and stared for a few moments. This was John Connor. The leader of the resistance. This is who he is.

As the two men left the conference room, Catherine Weaver turned to Ellison. "What are your thoughts, Mr. Ellison?"

"My thoughts? I'm wondering why you just offered them jobs in the company."

"Well, I thought it was obvious, Mr. Ellison. Keep your enemies close. Although, it wouldn't be precise to label them as enemies, per se. But they are persons of interest. I'd like to keep them as close as possible for easier access to monitor."

"If that's what you think is best, than what can I do to stop you?"

"Exactly, Mr. Ellison. What can you do to stop me?"

With this, she left the room. Ellison stood there, not quite sure yet whether he trusted Catherine Weaver or not.

Sarah and Kyle had driven to the nearest major furniture store in search for a bed. As soon as they entered the store, a sales associate immediately approached them, asking what they were looking for.

Sarah, always the independent one, denied help, then moved past the sales associate towards where the beds were. Kyle followed her, overwhelmed when he saw the sheer variety and quantity of beds available. He didn't know how he would be able to choose. He hadn't ever had a decent bed, except before Judgment Day. And he didn't choose that one, his parents did.

Sarah looked to him. "So, which one?" She had a slight smirk on her face, and Kyle realized then that she was thinking the same thing as him.

"I really wouldn't know. What do you suggest?"

Sarah, without responding, walked straight to a bed on the end of a row of beds. "This one. Definitely this one. Try it out."

And he did. He laid down on the bed, feeling a little bit weird. He was half expecting some employee to come from out of nowhere and start yelling at him. As soon as he laid down, he realized why Sarah had chosen this one. It was perfect. Not too hard, not too soft. He felt like Goldilocks. He tilted his head towards Sarah. "Perfect. Wanna try it?" He motioned for her to join him, and despite her better judgment, she did. She sighed heavily as her body began to relax. It had been so long since she'd relaxed. Her breakdown the night before had surely had a hand in her ability to do so.

Sarah turned her head to Kyle. When she did, she saw that he had already been looking at her.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just, it's nice. Seeing you like that, you look less stressed, less anxious. Almost peaceful."

"Well, a good mattress will do that for you."

Then a voice spoke, "This is a great mattress. Good choice. Are you ready to check out?"

They both looked up to find a sales associate, eagerly awaiting the sale. They knew they should get back to the house as soon as possible, so they reluctantly got up and followed the associate to his desk.

They decided on a basic headboard for the mattress, along with a just as basic frame. Sarah paid with her new credit card, and confirmed with the associate that the bed would be delivered immediately, per the extra delivery fee she had paid.

As Kyle and Sarah left the store, Kyle asked her, "If you love that mattress so much, why didn't you get one for yourself?"

She replied, "Because I already have that mattress."

When John entered his room from the bathroom, he was surprised to find Cameron there, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Are you finished securing the perimeter already?"

"Yes. You were in the shower for an unusually long time. 23 minutes and 14 seconds. Then you spent an extra 3 minutes and 36 seconds in the bathroom after you finished your shower. That is sufficient time for me to complete my patrol of the area."

"Right. Didn't realize I'd been in there for that long."

"What were you doing in there?"

It crossed John's mind that she may be suspecting a different reason than the actual reason, so he quickly replied. "I was thinking about what needs to be done. What the best way is to go about everything."

"And what did you determine?"

"I think we should go to Desert Cantos. We should bring Zoe and her mother here, where they'll be safe. If Kaliba realizes that McCarthy is M.I.A., then they may try to get to him through them."

"Yes, that may be the case. Derek can stay with McCarthy, and you and I will go to Desert Cantos."

"Good." He stood there, awkwardly for a moment. "So maybe you could explain everything to Derek while I get dressed?"

"Oh. Of course." Her reaction amused John. She had seemed almost...embarrassed. She quickly got up and left the room.

John turned to his dresser and found some clothes. Looking at the selection provided by Catherine Weaver, he was surprised how much they resembled what he most likely would have bought for himself.

Once John and Cameron were on the road, Cameron driving this time, John called his mom.

She answered, and they each entered their respective codes. "John?" she asked, concern coating her voice.

"Hey, mom. I just wanted to call you and let you know that Cameron and I are heading out to Desert Cantos."

"What? That wasn't the plan."

"Yeah, I know, but I got to thinking, and McCarthy's family could be in danger. I think it's best if we get them out of there as soon as possible."

"Why didn't you wait for me?"

"Because I don't know when we'll be back, and someone has to go meet with Weaver."

"Well, if they're really in danger, than you'll be right in the middle of it, John. Did you think of that?"

Annoyed, he replied, "Yes, I did think of that. But then I realized that I'm gonna be in danger either way, so might as well stick with Cameron. And if they are in danger, than they'll need Cameron to protect them."

Sarah resigned, still not pleased with the situation. "I guess. But John, any sign of danger, you get out of there. Leave Cameron to deal with it."

They both knew that he wouldn't do this, but he kept up the pretense anyway. "Yeah, I will."

"Okay, I'll see you later."

"Okay, bye mom."

He hung up the phone and turned to Cameron. Her window was down and the wind was blowing through her hair. He sat there for a few minutes, just admiring it. He remembered how soft it was, and immediately reached out his hand to feel it again.

Cameron turned to John with a smile on her face.

It occurred to John that they hadn't really talked about their relationship yet. Sure, he knew that he loved her, but what now? What did that really mean? They'd started to talk about it before, but he hadn't really known what to say. He knew that he still didn't know, but he thought maybe the way to figure it out was to just start talking about it.

"Cam?"

Cameron's eyes were back on the road, but they turned to find his when he spoke her name. "Yes, John?"

"I've been thinking about us, and I thought maybe we should start talking."

"About what, John?"

"About what we're feeling. Probably more so what you're feeling, I guess. Is there anything else you can tell me about how you feel about me?"

"Yes. I enjoy kissing you." This made John blush. Cameron continued, "I respect your decisions. You are a good man. I am seeing now what I see in you later. The way you take charge, the wise decisions that you make. Many of which I don't necessarily agree with, but they've often worked out for the best. You see everything, John, not just what's right in front of you. You notice the things that others fail to deem important. You take everything in to consideration and choose the best path. Because of these attributes, you inspire loyalty from everyone. You have always inspired loyalty, though. That is who you are. And I admire all of these things. I often wish I could understand things the way you do. I wish I could see the world the way you do."

John was speechless. Cameron had never spoken so emphatically about anything. She sounded almost...passionate.

When John didn't say anything, Cameron got concerned. "John? Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"

He pulled himself out of his daze. "No, Cameron. In fact, what you said was perfect. I feel a lot better about everything."

And he did. He was sure now that Cameron could love him. Not because she was programmed to do so, but because she sees things in him that she admires and loves. He knew then that there was no going back.

He and Cameron were in love.