Chapter 1

Note: This story takes place after the events of the series finale of Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles titled "Born to Run". The multi-chapter fiction is based on season three revelations from producers and cast members, logical deduction to ascertain certain truths, rumors of how the story would have progressed, and of course some good old fashion imagination. Several fans who have written post BTR stories often portray characters a little less realistically than they should be and fail to demonstrate a proper understanding of multiple timelines. With so many unanswered questions and a new universe that totally undid everything that happened in the first and second Terminator films, I endeavor to fill up all the holes to create a satisfying ending to the series. I know it's been years since the finale aired but I figured it was better late than never.

If there are any mistakes, let me know, but otherwise...enjoy!

(As of December 24, 2017, I will be editing the story now that I have a little time on my hands. If you'd like, you can resist reading this story until the end of next month, and you will be blessed by a much more concise and grammatically correct read.)


"John, we can't." She protested, backing out of the forming time bubble.

But John could not even bear the thought of Cameron being gone. All of his experiences with Cameron came flashing before his eyes. Those words on the screen haunted him as he stood next to her lifeless body. It was a horrid experience.

I'm sorry John

I'm sorry John

I'm sorry John

Blinded by panic he choked out, "He's got her!"

Sarah did not want him to go, but there was no way he could prevent John from leaving her to get the cyborg back. Despite convincing herself it was not true, beneath all of John's anger and frustration, he was a strongly attached to the machine.

For Sarah, there was something else to think about. She could not compromise her one life goal ever since she was a teenager, to stop Skynet and prevent judgment day. No metal was worth humanity's survival. No metal was worth her son's survival, not even Cameron. She knew the right thing to do was to stop John, to do what the machine before Cameron wanted John to do. He had to let go. But this time it was different. Sarah didn't have the strength in her heart to do it.

She looked sympathetically to her son and said, "I'll stop it."

She was not sure if that was a promise she could keep, but she had to stay and try.

John was terribly confused in his anxious state of mind. He could not comprehend his mother's decision when Cameron was clearly in trouble. He expected her to go with him, but Sarah was not interested. He gazed into her eyes, totally lost in thought to Cameron, as the blue time bubble expanded. Without budging, the spherical blue form of energy consumed him and blurred the longing image of his mother.

Then a flash.

Then there was nothing. It was dark, frigid, and he was completely naked. He rose up and searched the unknown location not really knowing where to go or what to do. Everywhere was covered in dirt, rubble, or dust. It all quickly registered what era he was living in. It was the post-apocalyptic ruins of judgment day.

He turned around quickly to find Weaver wearing a resistance uniform. Seeing that the liquid metal terminator was still around, his eyes quickly shot around looking for Cameron's body. But in all of his desperation he found nothing.

He yelled, "Where's Cameron? Where's her body?!"

"It doesn't go through" she plainly replied.

It occurred to him that Cameron was damaged. There was no way a lifeless robot with half of her skin ripped off would make it through a time bubble. Nevertheless, John could not think logically at this point.

No! I killed her! This can't be real.

All of the sudden, he heard something. He jumped in fear when he heard the sound of human voices and barking dogs approaching the scene. He scoured his surroundings and laid his eyes upon a large coat lying on an old rickety cot. He picked it up and tightly wrapped it around himself and cringed in his hiding place trying to avoid being spotted. When they passed by, he quickly exited in search of Weaver. Little did he know, a dark figure emerged behind him...but this time it wasn't Weaver.

The figure shouted, "Got one! Got one!"

John surrendered himself quickly to the soldier aiming his rifle at him. "One what? What?" He glanced around hoping to find Weaver, but he stared at nothing. He pleaded, "Please, I'm not metal!"

"Don't move! Don't move!" the man said cautiously.

John begged him once again, "Please! I haven't got anything. I-I'm human!"

'Cause I will blast you!" the soldier threatened

Another dark figure emerged from behind the soldier. "Stand down!" A powerful, but familiar voice commanded. John watched him in complete shock. Walking towards him was none other than Derek Reese. He was alive!

Without even thinking he smiled and whispered his name in relief, "Derek?"

Derek already walked up to him face to face and answered questioningly, "Yeah?"

"John..." He said.

Derek made no sign of recognition at the utterance of his name, but rather looked confused.

John continued,"...John Connor."

In almost a humorous tone, he answered, "I know a lot of people kid. But I don't know you."

John crumbled at the revelation. Then it hit him. Once his brain slowed down and engulfed itself in reality, he figured out he never existed. He jumped time in search of his companion...err...protector. He was not their savior like his mother told him all of his life. He was no leader of any resistance. Part of him was relieved and other part of him was amazed.

Derek interrupted his thoughts, "You know what? I think you're going to be famous."

John smiled positively thinking that maybe he did know him somehow. Perhaps his uncle did recognize him.

Derek explained, "My brother's back, and you're wearing his coat."

John saw Derek's eyes shift past him. John turned around, revealing the stunning image of his father. His soft eyes and his familiar complexion. John could barely keep it all in. In front of him was the man himself, Kyle Reese. His father, his mother's protector and lover, and someone he never knew.

But that wasn't it. John's eyes continued to shift about. Something certainly caught his eye. He saw her. It wasn't possible, but it had to be. It was Cameron! She was alive! John just stared at Cameron. It couldn't be a mirage could it? No, it wasn't. He knew it was real. There was so much John wanted to do and say.

No! Cameron, she's back! She survived...she...she...

Something was amiss...John knew it. She did not say anything...she did not recognize him. She just stared at him as she got on her knees to pet her dog.

Wait? Dogs don't like terminators. No...it couldn't be...could it?

There was something about her. The clothes she was wearing, her overall demeanor, it was different from Cameron's mechanical mannerisms. Her movements were so graceful, her eyes were so peaceful. They sparkled with life. Then John knew it...it wasn't Cameron. It was another woman. But who was she? Why did she look like Cameron?