"It's over," Sarah Connor sighed, looking at the liquid steel below her where the deadly T-1000 had dissolved. It was really over. For days they had run from the deadly machine, fighting desperately to protect her son. They managed to stop the research that would've eventually created Skynet and stopped the deadliest machine that had ever been created. The future is safe. Now her son could live a normal life.

But this success wouldn't have been possible if not for the machine standing at her side, looking at the hot, molten steel, confirming the termination of the threat. It's true she hated them, hated the machines. Because of one of them Kyle is no longer here, leaving John without his father before he was even born. But she has finally begun to appreciate what this machine has done for them, for her son. And she knew her son, John. She knew how attached he'd become to the machine. She looked at her ten year old son who was looking at the damage his friend had sustained. At that moment, the terminator broke into her thoughts by speaking.

"No. There's one more chip," It said.

Sarah and John both looked at the machine with confusion in their eyes. 'What other chip?' She thought. Then the machine answered her silent, unasked question. It tapped its metal skull with its finger.

"And it must be destroyed also," the terminator finished his sentence.

She could see the expression of shock and horror that appeared on her son's face when he realized what his friend was going to do next. He began shaking his head from side to side, silently whispering, "No," repeatedly under his breath.

The terminator handed her the controls of the chain. "Here. I cannot self-terminate. You must lower me into the molten steel," It insisted.

This time her son protested when the terminator grabbed the chain which would lower it into the steel. "No. Don't go away! Please. Stay with us. It will be fine," John protested, standing in front of the terminator.

"I have to go away, John," the terminator repeated stubbornly.

John's eyebrows furrowed in desperation. "I order you not to go. I order you not to go," John pleaded.

Sarah's heart broke seeing her son so heart-broken. But the terminator didn't listen to his pleading. Its mission was over and to keep the future secure it must destroy itself, so that no part of it would get into the wrong hands, leading to the creation of Skynet. But her son wasn't ready to let the terminator go. She could see why. The terminator is his only friend, his only companion, one who will never hurt him, never yell at him and will die to protect him. No one could ask for a better friend.

"It has to end here," the terminator repeated mechanically.

Now tears fell from John's eyes as he embraced the terminator out of desperation, beginning to sob into its chest. To Sarah's surprise the machine embraced John with its one intact hand and began to comfort him. But what she saw next was nothing compared to before: Tears were falling from the eye of the terminator which still looked human, covered with flesh.

"I know why you cry, John," The terminator said in its human female voice.

John looked up at the terminator's face. His expression was still screaming for her to stop. But instead of stopping, the terminator gently rubbed the tears away from his eyes and lightly kissed his forehead. Then she grabbed John by his shoulders and gently pushed him away from the edge of the platform. She grabbed the chain again and climbed on it. All the time her eyes, both mechanical and human, were fixed on John. And John, he was crying again as he stared back at his friend.

"Goodbye, John," the terminator said.

"Do you even know why I cry?!" John almost screamed in grief.

The terminator let out a small smile. "I know you love me, John. That's why you cry."

Sarah's jaw almost dropped at the terminator's answer. How could a terminator realize feelings such as love? Trust is one thing, but love? That's impossible.

"Then why are you going away?" John yelled again.

The terminator didn't reply. Instead she looked at Sarah indicating for her to push the button. Sarah did so immediately, but she really was sad for her son. The chain begin to slowly descend into the molten steel with the terminator on it. The terminator smiled again, when she was just a few inches away from the hot steel. "Because I love you, John. And I always will."

Wha… What? A machine loves her son? No way. The terminator slowly descended into the steel fully to meet the end.

"Cameron!" John yelled.

And then he woke up in his bed. He could hear rustling coming from outside his door. Must be his mom. He was right; not a moment later, both his mother and Cameron entered his room with guns in their hands. Cameron began searching for threats immediately, but John stopped her. He looked at his mother and said, "It was just a nightmare. I'm fine."

Sarah looked at her son carefully. He was drenched in sweat from head to toe and the mattress on which he was sleeping was also wet from his body sweat. She looked at him again. He looked haunted. Whatever he saw in his nightmare must have shook him to his core. Cameron was staring at John with her head slightly tilted to the side. She looked confused. Then Sarah noticed her son eyeing Cameron for a moment before quickly averting his eyes away again. That's when Sarah realized that the nightmare had nothing to do with her or Derek or anyone else. It was about Cameron.

"I'm okay, mom," John assured her again though he looked exhausted. Sarah nodded and left him. But Cameron was still there, watching him with her big brown eyes. "I am really okay, Cameron. You may go to your room."

"You called my name," She said, refusing to be dismissed.

"Huh?!" John was taken aback.

"You said my name," she repeated.

"I did?" John feigned innocence, but he perfectly did know that he had yelled her name. "Perhaps you made a mistake." That was lame, John Connor, he groaned to himself.

"I don't make mistakes," Cameron deadpanned.

"Look Cameron, I am really tired. Everyone isn't like you, not needing any sleep. Please leave," he said a little harshly, immediately regretting it when he saw the expression of hurt flicker on her face. But it was just for a moment before being replaced by her usual blank expression.

"As you wish," she replied in her usual stoic manner before leaving him alone to his thoughts.

John sighed and fell down on his bed. Why did he have to be such a jerk to her? She was only concerned for him. But at this moment John could not control his emotions. They were running too high. He felt tired but was afraid to close his eyes. He didn't want to see Cameron getting melted into the steel again. What surprised him was that she said the same words in his dream that she said when she was crushed between two trucks. John was frustrated with himself. The only girl whom he loved more than anything, could never be his. Never!

Yes, John Connor, the future leader of mankind in a war against the machines was in love with one of them. He never admitted it to himself before. But now he has no doubts. He is indeed in love with her. But can she love him back? Probably not. John sighed. And there was Riley too. Everyone at school thought that they were a couple, but John knows better. Yes, he likes Riley but only as a friend, nothing more than that. He tried to fool himself several times by trying to date Riley properly, but it never worked. The day he and Riley kissed inside the car for the first time, he felt good. It felt good knowing that a girl was showing affection towards him, but then it all came crumbling down in his mind when he closed his eyes while making out with Riley. All he could see was the sad face of Cameron, with tears falling from her eyes. He immediately flinched and broke contact with Riley's lips, pulling away. He just couldn't do it. He felt like he was betraying Cameron by kissing Riley. He could never knowingly hurt her. Never. He loved her too much, but he knew that she might never understand it. And that broke his heart.

He hadn't listened to Cameron's warning that he should stop seeing Riley because it was a danger to both of them. But he knew what Cameron said was true. He was really putting Riley in danger by seeing her. There were several terminators out there looking for the end of John Connor and they would not spare Riley if they learned about his relationship with her. But he didn't care at the time. He'd acted like a jackass with Cameron, even with his mother. Now, he feels miserable for that. What if something happens to Cameron because of his recklessness? What if she dies? He lost Uncle Bob, the reprogrammed terminator who became a father figure to him, and cried for several days after the T-800's death. But could he withstand the loss if something happened to Cameron? The answer is no. If Cameron dies, Skynet wouldn't need to send another terminator after him, he would die with her. John Connor can't live without Cameron, no matter how many times he tried to deny it in the past. John fell asleep with these thoughts in his mind and surprisingly he had no more nightmares that night.

He woke up in the morning, the next day as usual and could smell the pancakes his mother was cooking for him. He refreshed himself and climbed down the stairs to find his mother cooking and Derek sitting at the table reading a newspaper. But there was no sign of Cameron.

Sarah saw her son's eyes looking everywhere around the room, searching for something. She knew what or precisely whom he was looking for. "She is upstairs. Tin Miss didn't leave her room today."

"Yeah, her room." Derek snorted. "As if it really needs a room," he mumbled with his face hidden behind the newspaper.

John glared at his uncle. He wanted to argue but thought the better of it at the last moment.

"John, aren't you going to be late for school?" Sarah asked.

"Yeah. I am ready. I will just get my bag," John said.

At that moment Cameron came down the stairs, ready for school. Her eyes darted around the room before fixing on John for a moment. She greeted everyone with a small good morning before heading out of the house without waiting for John.

"What was that about?" Derek asked.

John shrugged, but he knew why Cameron was acting this way. She was upset with his behavior last night.

"What did you say to her, John?" Sarah asked, watching her son carefully. "Because I really don't have the patience to deal with a moody Tin Miss."

"I don't know," John mumbled while trying to dodge his mother's question.

"Well, whatever it is, fix it fast," Sarah ordered, heading back into the kitchen.

John cursed under his breath before getting his bag and heading outside towards his truck. He found Cameron waiting for him inside the vehicle. He got into the driver's seat and drove for their school. He occasionally chanced a glance at her while driving, but she didn't even looked his way for even a second. She completely ignored him. As soon as he stopped the truck in front of school, she got out and marched away, leaving him alone. What was that about? he wondered. Was she really upset with him? But that should be impossible. Then he remembered what she told him once: "I can feel everything." He didn't believe her that time but now he does. He saw her disappearing into the mass of other students inside the school grounds. He sighed and got out of his truck. He walked forward, trying to locate her, so he could apologize but she was nowhere to be found. Suddenly he felt someone grabbing his hand. He flinched and jumped away. But it was only Riley looking surprised by his odd behavior.

"What happened, John?" she asked.

"Nothing, nothing. Just got surprised. That's all," John said. He looked at Riley for a moment and realized what he have to do. He must leave her alone. He didn't want another person to die because of him. It is already too much of a burden for him. Guilt.

"Riley we need to talk," he said.

"Of course we will," Riley agreed, intertwining their fingers. "We can do more than talking," she whispered in his ear.

But her attempt at seducing didn't work on John, not this time. John pulled his hand away from her grasp gently. Riley looked a little hurt but covered it with a smile. John felt bad about what he was going to do after school was over, but Riley deserved better than this. He could never love her back. It might have been possible if he hadn't met Cameron, his sweet, innocent, and at the same time, gorgeous protector who could turn deadly in a fraction of a second. But it was all for him. Her devotion to him. He now knew that it was more than her mission. The bell rang and he walked fast towards his class, leaving Riley alone in her thoughts.

But neither John nor Riley saw a pair of brown eyes watching their every move, every interaction from afar. Tears rolled down from those big brown eyes before she rubbed them away and moved towards her classroom.

AT THE CONNOR RESIDENCE

Sarah got out of the bathtub. She dried herself off and put on some clothes before heading downstairs. For now, she had no leads to track down Skynet activities so she decided to watch TV for awhile. She found Derek on the sofa, dozing with the newspaper covering his face. Her lips quirked a little. She was about to turn on the TV, but the doorbell rang at that moment. Derek jumped up from his sleep with a gun already in his hand. Sarah took hold of her shotgun before heading towards the door silently. She peeked outside to see who it was. It was Ellison! She quickly opened the door and pulled him inside by his collar. She shoved him towards Derek who placed a gun under Ellison's chin. Sarah looked outside to see if anyone else was out there. When she found no one, she closed the door and came towards Ellison who had his hands raised above his head.

"Why are you here?" Sarah demanded.

"I came here for two things: First, I got news of Kaliba. Second, I need to talk with your son's protector. I have a message for her," Ellison answered.

"What message?" Sarah asked.

"It is only for her ears," Ellison replied.

"Well, she is not here," Sarah said. "What about Kaliba?"

"I have a location. But it is heavily secured. Loads of coltan were seen transported to factories in that area. But the place is operated by no human. My source said that it is being controlled by some AI." Ellison explained.

Both Sarah's and Derek's blood turned cold. "Skynet," they both whispered.

"We have to get there and destroy that place. Give us the location," Derek ordered.

"You cannot hope to destroy the area alone. As I said it is guarded heavily, even for your Cyborg. You will need help. And Miss Weaver is willing to help you." Ellison said.

"Who is Weaver?" Sarah asked.

"She is the owner of Zeira Corp," Ellison replied.

"Why would she help us? And how does she know about all these things?"

"I don't know. I only work as her security head."

"I want to meet Weaver," Sarah said.

"Sarah…. It could be a trap," Derek warned.

"I know Derek. But I cannot ignore the opportunity. What if we can destroy Skynet?"

"I cannot lead you to Miss Weaver now. First, I need to talk with Cameron."

"Why do you insist on seeing her?" Now, Sarah was getting suspicious.

"As I said before, I have a message to deliver. I will come back later," Ellison said before leaving the Connor house.

"What do you think, Sarah? Why would Ellison want to meet the metal? I thought he was afraid of it," Derek said.

"I don't know, Derek. I honestly don't know," Sarah sighed.

BACK AT SCHOOL

Cameron purposely stayed away from John because that's what he wanted. She sat at a table far enough away from his and Riley's. They were both engrossed in some kind of conversation. Cameron could have eavesdropped on them but she didn't. She knew John would hate her more, so she restrained herself from doing it. She looked at Riley who seemed to be trying to get close to John physically. Riley bent forward and placed a quick kiss on John's cheek. Cameron was gripping the edge of the table while watching them. Her hand clenched without her knowledge. Everyone looked at her hearing the snapping sound. She looked at her hand confused and then at the broken edge of the table.

"Weirdo."

"Freak."

"Get out of here."

Even John was looking at her. She quickly got up and left.

John, on the other hand, was a little uncomfortable with Riley's behavior. He could swear that she was purposefully trying to seduce him. He was trying to keep a respectable distance from her, but he wasn't doing a good job. He spotted Cameron sitting at the other table, alone. He felt bad for her. He wanted nothing but to go to her and apologize to her for his behavior; to talk with her. He wanted to be there for her as she was always there for him whenever he needed her. He was totally taken aback when Riley kissed him on the cheek. Then he heard the snapping sound. It was Cameron. She sat there in her chair with a part of the broken table in her hand. She was staring with confusion towards her hand. Then the other students began to insult her. She immediately got up and left.

John felt a surge of anger rush through his veins. But when he heard Riley laughing at Cameron's expense it was just too much for him to bear. He snatched his bag from the table and left the area, leaving Riley completely surprised. He wanted to yell at Riley, punch the assholes who berated Cameron. But he couldn't. He is John Connor. John snorted. Some leader he was going to be, He couldn't even defend his best friend. He searched for Cameron but she seemed to have disappeared completely. He gave up. He knew it was no use. He would have to talk to her when they got home.

Riley was surprised at John's behavior. She wondered why he left like that. One moment she thought that she was getting to him, but in the next moment, he shattered all her hope. Understanding John Connor was really complicated. The task placed in her hand was proving to be more difficult than she thought it would be. Her mission has been partially successful because she did manage to create a rift between him and his metal whore. Jesse seemed happy with her progress but not satisfied. She wants the machine scrapped, but she also told Riley that it must be John who destroyed Cameron of his own free will. No one else could do it. That simply can't be allowed. She wondered what John saw in that machine. Sure, it was pretty but he knew what was underneath that look. He just doesn't seem to care. No matter how much John tried to stay away from Cameron and be with her, she often noticed him watching Cameron, with a look of sadness and perhaps…. Dare she say love in his eyes? But Riley was not one to give up easily. She was going to make John hers. She was going to be the future Mrs. Connor, and the machine must be destroyed for that to happen because, as long it was around John, he would always give priority to Cameron. He said that he wanted to talk with her after school, so she still had some hope left. Maybe she could make Jessy satisfied by accomplishing her mission.

Riley got up and went to the washroom. To her surprise she found Cameron there, looking at her own image in the mirror and tears were running down her cheeks. Riley's heart clenched. She felt bad for her even though Cameron was a machine, a terminator, a killer robot. At that moment, the phone slipped from Riley's hand and landed on the floor at Cameron's feet. She thought that Cameron would surely crush it with her foot, but to her surprise, Cameron bent down and picked up the phone. Cameron stretched her hand out to give the phone back to Riley at the precise moment it rang. Riley snatched the phone away from her hand. She looked at the incoming call number: It was Jesse. She prayed that Cameron didn't see it, and looked at her. Cameron didn't say anything. She stepped past Riley and left her alone in the washroom.

Riley let out a brief sigh of relief. She answered the call, "Hello?"

"What took you so long?" Jesse's impatience was heard.

"She was right in front of me." Riley replied.

"Cameron?" Jesse asked.

"Yes." Riley replied.

"Shit. Did she see my name on your phone's screen?" Jesse asked.

"No. No. I don't think so. She just left," Riley answered truthfully.

"Okay. What about Connor?"

"He is still too much attached to it. I am trying to…."

"I want results," Jesse interrupted Riley. "Get to him. Seduce him. Sleep with him or do whatever is within your powers to make him yours."

"I am trying, all right?!" This time Riley lost her patience. "It is not easy. The machine has him wrapped around its fingers."

"Did you just yell at me?" Jesse's voice turned cold.

"Ah…. No. Jesse please, I am trying my best. I need some time," Riley pleaded.

"Very well. I will give you a week at most," Jesse replied, then ended the connection.

Riley put the phone in her bag and washed her face. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She felt tired. She had gotten herself into a mess and now would have to suffer through it. Riley fixed her makeup and quickly exited the washroom. She headed towards her class, not seeing the figure hiding a few feet away from the washroom door.

Cameron came out from her hiding place. She had heard everything. So this was all a setup. Riley didn't care for John. John needed to know this but the question is how. John won't believe her if she reveals the truth about Riley. He told her that he didn't trust her anymore. But she must do something.

LATER, AFTER SCHOOL

Riley arrived at the place where John asked her to meet him. She saw him waiting for her. "John… you wanted to talk?" Riley asked, approaching him.

"Yes. Ah," John stuttered a little. He couldn't form the words. Riley, waiting for him to speak, wasn't making it any easier. He felt bad about what he had to do. He gathered up his courage to tell her the truth. "I need to talk about us. This, whatever we have, it's not working. I…"

"What are you saying John?" Riley asked, her eyes wide with fear.

"I can't see you anymore, Riley. It's better for you," John said.

"But why? What have I done?" Riley asked.

"You did nothing. But, as I told you before, this is not working."

"That's not a good excuse, John."

Frustrated, John snapped, "I am not obliged to answer to you, Riley. I told you that you and I are not working. So it ends here."

"So, that's it? Just like that?" she squeaked.

"Yes. Just like that." John spat and left her, looking for Cameron.

Riley just stared after him, terrified. Jessie was going to kill her.

John found Cameron waiting beside the truck. When she saw him, she silently got into the truck and closed the door. She made no attempt to communicate with him. John sighed. This was going to be difficult. He got into the driver's seat and headed for home. On the way he occasionally glanced towards Cameron from the corner of his eye, but she never even made an attempt to look at him. She kept staring out the window the whole way. As soon as they reached home, she got out and went inside the house, leaving John alone in the truck. John parked the truck properly and followed her into the house. He saw his mother sitting on the sofa, watching TV.

"Did you fix it?" Sarah asked her son.

"Fix what?" John responded, sounding irritated.

"Whatever is wrong between you and Tin Miss."

"No," John said, and started to climb the stairs to go after Cameron, but his mother's next words stopped him.

"Ellison was here, today."

"Ellison? What did he want?" John asked.

"He wants to talk with Tin Miss," Sarah asked.

"What about?" John asked, his curiosity rising.

"He didn't tell me. He said that it was only for her ears," Sarah answered, shrugging. "He also gave us a lead to an area hot with Skynet activity."

"Skynet? Where?"

"He didn't reveal much. He said he wanted to talk with Cameron first."

"How did he get this intel?" John asked with a frown on his face.

"He didn't. His employer did. Miss Weaver, owner of Zeiracorp."

"And she knows all about Skynet and other stuff?"

"Apparently, and that concerns me. She could be the enemy."

"That's possible, but we have to take the chance. We need to find a way to stop Skynet before it becomes powerful and destroy all life on earth."

"I told the same thing to Derek."

"Where is he?"

"He is spying on Ellison. Apparently, Derek doesn't trust Ellison."

"Neither do I," John said and resumed his climb up the stairs. He stopped in front of Cameron's door which was closed. He knocked on her door gently. "Cam, you there? Can I come in?" John asked.

"Yes." Came the soft reply.

John opened the door and stepped inside. He found her sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing. "Cam, can we talk?"

"I am listening," she said without looking at him.

"Why are you acting this way, Cameron?" John asked, a little frustrated. She wasn't making this any easier.

"What way?" she asked, looking at him.

"You are avoiding me. Why?" John asked.

"Because you told me to," Cameron replied.

"I… what?" Then John remembered his words from last night. He felt shame and guilt like never before. "It wasn't that, Cam. I just…" John was lost for words. How could he apologize to her? After all she has done for him, he'd acted like a jackass towards her. He really didn't deserve her devotion or friendship or love. Just say it, John. You can do it. John found her looking at him expectantly. He sat beside her and took her small hands in his. "I am sorry, Cam, for the way I treated you since my birthday. I know it wasn't your fault. I was being a jerk. You are my friend. My best friend." John paused.

"I am?" Cameron asked softly, looking into John's eyes. Her brown ones met his green ones.

"Of course you are." You are much more to me. He added silently. "I will explain to you." Then John proceeded to tell her about Uncle Bob, the T-1000 and how Uncle Bob sacrificed himself to stop Skynet from ever being created.

Cameron listened to him patiently, without interrupting him a single time. Then he told her about the nightmare, leaving the part out where Cameron professed her love for him. She placed a comforting arm on his thigh.

John smiled. Who said she had no feelings? "Seeing you die stressed me out and I kind of lashed out at you. I am sorry for that," John offered, receiving a comforting smile from Cameron in return. "I also apologize to you for not listening to you about seeing Riley. You were right. I am really putting her in danger. So, I did what I had to. I ended it today."

Cameron was relieved. She had the old John back, the one who was her best friend, who always listened to her and always had time to answer her questions. But Cameron was still concerned. He still had no knowledge about Riley and Jesse's plan. "You did the right thing, John."

"I know. So am I forgiven?" John asked.

"No." Cameron replied.

Cameron's answer hurt John. She still wouldn't forgive him? Not that he didn't deserve it but still… "No?" John repeated.

"Yes. Because there is nothing to forgive. I can never be angry at you, John. Because….." She hesitated.

"Because?" John was excited inside. Say it Cam. Say that you love me. Please say it.

"I don't know," she replied honestly.

John let out a disappointed sigh. She still may not understand it, but he would be there to help her as she would be there for him. John smiled at her and was about to leave, but Cameron stopped him.

"John, there's something I have to tell you," Cameron said.

"Yeah?" John asked, turning back to face Cameron.

"It's about Riley," Cameron began, raising John's eyebrows. "She is from the future, John."

"What? Are you sure?" John asked. Cameron was relieved that John didn't reject her as a liar.

"Positive." Cameron replied.

This was almost too much for John to take, but he pressed Cameron for more details. "Why is she here? I don't think she is a terminator."

"No. She is human, but she is not alone. She is accompanied by Jesse Flores from the future," Cameron answered.

"Who is Jesse?"

"Commander Jesse Flores, nationality Australian, second officer on submarine Jimmy Carter in 2027. Brought before a court martial for rebellion and loss of the ship, including its T-888 pilot and commanding officer. She was still imprisoned when I came back," Cameron explained.

"Why is she here? What do they want from me? Who sent her?" John asked. He still couldn't believe that Riley was from the future.

"I can only conclude that Commander Jesse Flores escaped after I travelled back. I believe she has come back without anyone's knowledge. I don't think she wants anything from you. She sent Riley to seduce you, to create a rift between us. She wants me gone," Cameron explained.

"No!" John panicked. He stepped forward and embraced Cameron in a tight hug as if he was afraid that he would lose her. "I cannot lose you. Not you. Not now. Not ever." He mumbled burying his face into her soft hair.

Cameron was surprised at his behavior but she chose not to say anything at that moment. After a moment John composed himself and pulled back. His cheeks flushed red when he realized how close he was to Cameron.

"I am sorry," John stuttered. He blushed again. He saw Cameron was smiling at him. "So how can we get Jesse?" He turned serious again.

"I have a plan." Cameron said, her eyes sparkling.

Notes: So, well this is my first attempt to write a TSCC fanfic. I read perhaps all the Jameron fics out there in the site but more than half of them are unfinished. It is kind of frustrating. Anyways, so I had a couple of ideas in my head about a TSCC fanfic but wasn't sure whether to write it or not. But eventually I did it. Let me know by reviews how I am doing and whether you like me to continue this fic or not.

P.S: I would be grateful if anyone wants to be a co-writer for this fic and ideas are welcome. I am always ready to hear them. I really do need help to keep this fic going.