Cameron: Fights Past and Present
Chapter Five – A Mother's Approval – Part II
Disclaimer: Don't own TSCC
These stories are set in the timeline of my other TSCC stories and take place during CameronGrows Up, The Future Cameron and Cameron's Revenge. Characters from the original TSCC story arc and Cameron Grows Up as well as The Future Cameron and Cameron's Revenge appear in these stories.
Reese Family Bunker…
A knock broke the silence. The bunker door opened and the family's battered T-600 entered, paused and came to attention.
"The twins are here as ordered."
"Thank you," Sarah replied.
The Old Man stepped aside and motioned for the twins to enter. Neither moved fast enough to satisfy the oft-repaired Terminator, causing the T-600 to flinch as if intending to strike. The twins promptly sped up their entrance into the bunker, casting fearful glances in the direction of their girlfriend's nightmarish protector.
Sarah struggled to keep a straight face at the twin's reaction to the girl's protector. The Old Man had long ago been given strict, specific protocols regarding what actions on the part of the twins allowed physical harm or termination. So long as the two were behaved as gentlemen with the girls and did nothing to endanger Ruth and Hailey, the twins were safe from any harm.
Nothing in the protocols prevented the Old Man from scaring the two twins when he felt like it, a point of contention with the girls. John and Derek felt the absence of any such protocol was not only wise, but also a source of much fun for the fathers and the T-600. It didn't hurt for twins to keep an eye open and to be on their best behavior at all times, never knowing if the Old Man would appear suddenly and end their existence.
Cameron had explained to the girls the constant threat of bodily injury or termination was an excellent indicator the twins did in fact like the girls a great deal. Why else would they risk life and limb to date them?
The fact the girl's first two suitors now lay in shallow graves in the TechCom graveyard was not lost on every male of an age suitable to court Hailey and Ruth. Both traitors had met their demise at the hands of Cameron, with the traitor Trevor meeting a particularly horrifying fate in the eyes of any male.
Complaining their fathers were scary enough, Hailey and Ruth had demanded, and failed, to have the "rules of engagement" as the Old Man referred to them altered as they had matured and grown older. The constant bickering between parents and daughters had not ended until the girls realized their protector was often no longer visible or easily located when they were out on dates. An arrangement the girls believed their parents had ordered.
Realizing his days as the girls protector were drawing to a close, the Old Man had decided it might be in his best interests if the girls found husbands sooner rather than later. The sooner the girls produced grandchildren for their parents, the sooner he would again be pressed into service protecting the offspring of the Connor/Reese clan. Having taken it upon himself to be less obtrusive when the girls were on dates, the T-600 had balanced his change in tactics by making it a point to intimidate the twins at every chance he got, just to make sure they remembered the rules.
And so it was that he had delivered the twins eight minutes early for their appointment with the mother's of his charges. The T-600 moved silently to shut the bunker door and then take up position in a corner where he would watch unobtrusively.
"Please, take a seat boys. I have some cookies Cameron baked," Sarah said sweetly, much like the spider to the fly.
Without a word, the twins sat down and picked up a cookie each and began eating. Cameron sat down and began staring. It took less than thirty seconds for Thomas to feel anxious. Ruth's Daniel did not begin to feel uncomfortable until Sarah sat down and joined the staring contest.
"Do you have any idea why we asked you here," Cameron asked bluntly.
"No ma'am," Thomas replied with a mouth full of cookie.
"You don't," Cameron monotoned.
A nervous Thomas replied with a questioning tone, "should I?"
Cameron responded with silence and a Terminator Death Glare.
"Boys, we asked you here for a very specific reason," Sarah said firmly. "Our daughters."
The twins glanced at each other, obviously confused.
"We don't think you have done anything inappropriate, if that is what you are concerned about," Sarah told the twins, smiling at them.
Sarah's affirming words relaxed the twins like a balloon leaking air. Cameron promptly inflated the twin's anxiety again by telling them, "but there are many things you have not done that should have been."
"Commander Connor, I really do not understand why Daniel and I are here, and why we are in trouble, because it seems like that's the situation we're in."
"You are not in trouble, per se Thomas. But your relationship with Hailey might be if things do not change. Daniel, the same is true for your relationship with Ruth."
The quieter of the two twins looked at Cameron and then Sarah, his face the picture of a young man who is truly perplexed.
"I always treat Ruth well. I know she worries about being in a mixed relationship, her being a T-1000 and all. So, I make sure I always try to do one thing that let's her know how special I think she is when we are together. And I'm not about to do anything inappropriate with Ruth. Not because of the Colonel or the Old Man either, though I respect them both, even if they scare me a little."
"This is not about how you treat Ruth," Sarah said gently. "Boys, this meeting is not about how either of you treat our daughters. If that was an issue, neither of you would be dating our girls and I am quite confident the girls would have ended the relationships, not us."
"Then what is the meeting about," Thomas asked. "I feel like we're in front of a tribunal and we don't know what we've been accused of."
"When I was your age, a senior in school, the General and I had made decisions about our future together. Since Judgment Day, those types of decisions are more critical and impact more people. Do you have any idea what I am talking about," Cameron monotoned.
"I know you and the General married before Judgment Day, Commander. Everybody in TechCom knows that," a nervous Thomas replied.
"Sarah Connor questioned our decision to marry, did you know that?"
The twins looked at each other, communicating in silence as only twins can.
"No, ma'am" the twins replied in unison.
"The General and I had to prove to Sarah our union would not only work, but that the two of us would be up to the task of leading TechCom and defeating Skynet. We had to prove we could support ourselves if Judgment Day did not come to pass. In particular, I had to prove to Sarah my being metal would help the General and not hurt him in his efforts as leader of TechCom."
Having nothing to say to Cameron, the pair sat quietly, fidgeting in their chairs while Sarah watched them carefully.
"It hurt me a great deal for Sarah to question me, to question if I could succeed as my John's wife. Not as his mate, but as his partner as a leader of TechCom."
Cameron sat in silence, letting the weight of her words settle upon the twins. Sarah watched, studying the teenage boy's reactions.
"I had to know Cameron would make John stronger, better, more effective as the General," she explained. "I knew they were close. I knew they were inseparable as friends, that Cameron would protect my son with her life. As hard as it was for me to accept my son loved a Terminator, my questioning of their decision to marry was not about the relationship between the two of them. Cameron had to prove to me she could carry her share of the burden with my son."
Looking sternly first at Daniel and then Thomas, Sarah continued. "The survival of the human race depended on John. If Cameron could not enhance his leadership, she could not be his mate, his wife. She could be a protector and friend, but nothing more."
"But, the General and the Commander are married," a baffled Daniel spit out. "Ruth says her brother is all goofy about Cameron, no disrespect intended Commander. Ruth means it in a good way."
"We are not questioning your feelings for our daughters," Cameron monotoned. "Only your worthiness to become spouses, if that is each of your intent in regard to Hailey and Ruth."
Again the twins looked at each other and communicated in silence.
Thomas stuck his right index finger under the collar of his shirt and stretched it, clearly nervous about speaking.
"My brother and I really like Hailey and Ruth. A lot. We haven't talked to them about this, but we sort of hoped after a couple of years of service in the military they might want to make things formal and eventually permanent."
"You think you might wish to pursue Hailey and Ruth for marriage," Cameron stated in her blunt manner.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then why have you not done more to prepare for the future," Cameron demanded.
"Prepare for the future?" a puzzled Thomas said.
"Yeah, what's to prepare for really? We're graduating soon, and then we have a little time before basic training. After basic, we have to go to infantry school and then we specialize," Daniel explained.
"That's it," Sarah said in response, her eyebrows tilted upwards; frustrated the twins were clearly not grasping what the two mothers were implying. "You really don't understand what we are talking to you about do you?"
"No, ma'am, I guess we don't," Thomas replied, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice.
"It's like this then," a Sarah snapped, her quick temper flaring up. "The Connor/Reese Clan has the responsibility of leading TechCom. Just who do you think will take the place of the General and the Commander? Who will take Colonel Reese's place? My place? This burden of responsibility falls on our family and WE WILL NOT step away from it!"
"Hailey and Ruth must have spouses equal to the task, just as I had to be equal to the task and Colonel Reese had to be equal to the task," Cameron said in an even, measured commanding tone. "Your treatment of our daughters is commendable and valued greatly. It speaks well of your character. Your failure to achieve at a higher level in school, particularly in the areas of leadership, ethics and engineering are disappointing. We live in a hybrid society. Those who lead, must be exceptional in those areas."
"You have shown almost no initiative to improve as leaders, to demonstrate the ability to provide and care for our daughters as mere husbands," Sarah said with great sternness, frowning as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"But, we enlisted," Daniel protested. "And we aren't bad students either."
Cameron opened a folder on the table despite having already memorized its contents. "All commendable. But neither of you indicated an interest in NCO school or OCS upon completion of basic training. Unacceptable. You must not only learn to lead, you must earn the right to be promoted. Nothing will be given to you and much will be expected, demanded even."
"With all due respect, we're just kids," Thomas protested.
Cameron slammed the folder shut. Both of her eyes flashed blue as she scowled for a second. "You are men in this world. Judgment Day has changed everything. Again, the issue is not how you treat our daughters. Do not misunderstand that. Sarah and I and the girl's father's, and the Old Man, value that. The fact you have enlisted is to your credit and yes, your grades are not horrible."
"The problem is," Sarah snapped, tilting her head as she spoke, "that you don't have the vision to see what will be required of our daughters. And as a result, you have not considered what will be required of you to be worthy of Ruth and Hailey. Leaders of TechCom have the ability to think in broader patterns than the two of you seem to."
"Do you have feelings of affection for our daughters," Cameron demanded.
"Uh, yes," Thomas replied. "Hailey means everything to me."
"Same with Ruth," Daniel stuttered.
"Consider yourself put on notice," Cameron commanded. "Prove to us you are worthy, that you will become men who can lead TechCom with Hailey and Ruth. That you will provide them with the help and support they will need when the time comes."
"You are not kids," Sarah said loudly. "There will be more wars. There are more Skynets and more rogue units like the one at Airbase S-14. At some time in the future, Hailey and Ruth will have to take command. You must prove you will be ready as well when that time comes."
"And if we don't," Thomas asked.
Cameron glared in silence. Sarah shook her head before she spoke, "the girls will be finding new boyfriends."
The bunker door opened and the Old Man entered. The twins took his appearance to mean they were dismissed. As the door closed, Sarah sighed.
"That was no fun. I didn't like it when I had to talk to you about this and I didn't like this."
Cameron reached over for Sarah's hand and firmly took it in her grasp. "I realize now Sarah how much you loved John. I also realize how fortunate the people of TechCom are that you had the vision and courage to challenge me. I even believe what you did demonstrated love for me. You challenged me to be the exact wife John needed, not the wife I wanted to be. I have never forgotten what you expected of me and it made me a better wife."
Sarah smiled at Cameron, tears running from her eyes. "It's just so hard. And Ruth is not you Cameron. She will be just as lethal in time, but she doesn't have your confidence." Sarah laughed. "I guess being raised by humans and never being under Skynet's thumb has its disadvantages, my poor Ruth."
"Never say that," Cameron said quickly. "I lacked confidence too. Sometimes I still do. You did the right thing and we did the right thing."
"I hope so," Sarah replied, wiping her eyes.
"And I hope the boys got the message and get their acts together," Cameron told Sarah. "I don't want to have to do that again. Especially to nice boys like the twins. John and I really like Thomas. I think the Old Man even likes him a little too."
TechCom Male Dormitory…
Thomas flicked the light switch off in the small two-person room. He dove on his narrow bed, landing on his stomach. He turned on his side to face his brother. One look at his twin's face and Thomas started shaking his head.
"No way. Cameron had no right to get on me about that stuff. Just like Miss Sarah had no business getting on you either. This is between the girls and us. Their moms can just butt out!"
Daniel grimaced and shook his head.
"Oh, so you're okay with what went down? I can't believe you!" Thomas exclaimed rolling on his back so he didn't have to look at his twin.
A deep sigh escaped from Daniel.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Thomas sat up on his rickety, narrow bed.
Daniel stared at his brother intently for a moment and then rolled on his back, placing his arms behind his head and staring at the ceiling.
Thomas stared at his brother, dismayed at their situation.
"We're going to have to tell the girls. Have to."
Daniel snapped his head to his right and glared at Thomas.
"A test? What do you mean this is a test?"
A quick shake of his head was Daniel's reply.
"Oh, I see, you think Miss Cameron and Miss Sarah actually like us?"
Daniel did not respond to his twin's question. He simply stared at the ceiling.
Thomas lay back down and mimicked his brother's position.
"They have a point I guess," Thomas finally admitted. "The girls are sort of the logical choices to lead when the time comes."
Daniel yawned and blinked several times, rubbing his right eye.
Thomas yawned in response and rubbed both eyes.
"Don't get the idea you're the smart one," Thomas blurted out.
A broad grin spread across Daniel's face. Thomas reached for his hairbrush on a small wooden box at the end of his bed and threw it at his twin. Daniel ducked in plenty of time, causing the brush to miss.
"Okay, I see your point. I don't have to like it though. I mean, it's not right. Them telling us what to do and all."
Daniel shook his head again and rolled on his side, his back facing Thomas.
"Look, just because they're responsible for everyone in TechCom City doesn't mean they can…"
Thomas fell silent, embarrassed by the sudden realization of what his brother was telling him. "We might be responsible for everyone one day."
"See, my point exactly," Daniel said softly. "Good night twin. Get some rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow."
The Reese Family Bunker…
"Did Cameron and I screw up?"
Derek thought for a moment. "No," he replied, pulling a tense Sarah close. "I'm not going to let him know for a long time, but I like Daniel. I think he's good for Ruth. But we have to think about all of TechCom, not just Ruth, as unfair as that may seem."
"I just want to be a mother and grandmother. I just want our Ruth to be happy and find a spouse. I'm not worried about Hailey."
"Sarah, Ruth can't help it that she wants a human spouse. Look at our Tin Miss. That's worked out fine, better than either of us ever thought it would. And that is why you were right to lay down the law to Daniel. He's attracted to Ruth, knows she's metal and treats her well. What's more, the Old Man told me, if the girls have to get married, the twins sort of come close to passing muster."
Derek felt some of the tension leave Sarah's body as she laughed. "Oh, that poor old T-600. What are we going to do with him when the girls are gone?"
"Hope Cameron gets pregnant."
Sarah looked at Derek in shock for a moment. The serious expression on his face made her wonder if he was kidding. She watched as the left corner of his mouth twitched upwards.
"Oh, you!" she exclaimed as she hit Derek on his chest. He laughed and kissed her forehead.
"I'm in no hurry for the girls to get married and have kids," he chuckled, "but the Old Man might be." After laughing at the girl's stalwart protector for a minute or so, the two fell silent.
"He's going to have a harder time than us."
"Yes, Sarah, he is."
The Connor Family Bunker…
"You're awful quiet tonight."
"I am uncertain if Sarah and I handled the situation in the best possible manner."
"Look, Derek and I would have scared them witless, gotten angry with them and tossed them out with orders to leave TechCom City and never return."
"John, be serious."
"I am. You deal with this sort of thing much better than I do. I do not like boys around our little girl. I have the urge to "terminate" just like you do when it comes to protecting me."
Cameron looked at John and decided she deserved to snuggle close and have her back scratched. With a quick nudge and she was draped on John and comfortable.
"Scratch my back. I had a hard day's duty."
John moaned in protest, trying to get a rise out of Cameron. She nudged him in protest.
"Your wife needs a back scratch. She had a tough day."
"Okay," John laughed as he began to lightly drag his fingers along Cameron's steel spine. He felt her body relax after a minute of his stimulating the sensors on her back.
"We have to think about what happens when we're gone. Mom's not getting any younger and the cancer could always comeback. Derek could get killed in combat or have health issues from any of his old wounds. Catherine's health could go at any moment and Wilhelm will get himself terminated when that happens. Ellison doesn't want to be General and I'm not willing to have anyone else be in charge of security, the school and running our military police. John Henry, let's face it, does not have the social skills. The Assassin just wants to serve in the military. Doctor Johnson will never leave his hospital.
When you go down the list, it leaves the girls. And you know as well as I do, this is not a job for one person. The boys have to step up or move aside for the girls to find mates who are up to the task. It's not right, but for now, that's the way it is."
Cameron nodded and started rubbing her foot against John's feet.
"We'll see if the twins pass their first test."
"And what test is that?" John laughed.
"Not telling Hailey and Ruth about today. I want to see if one of them can figure out why Sarah and I had to do this. I want to see if one of the twins has the sense to not talk to the girls about this until an appropriate time in the future."
"Did I ever tell you how cute you are when you're manipulative?"
Cameron looked up at John and smiled at her husband. "I am a TOK-715. The best infiltrator Skynet ever made."
"The twins don't have a clue what lies ahead do they?"
"No," Cameron smiled. "And Sarah can be quite the schemer herself. The boys will be prepared when the time comes. We'll see to it. In fact, I think temporarily reassigning the Old Man to a training billet would be good for him and allow us to control the boys training without being too obvious. They'll just interpret his "special attention" as dislike for them."
John reached over to the small lamp on his bedside table and turned it off, throwing their room into darkness.
Scratching his wife's back made John's thoughts turn to what lay just beneath the old t-shirt she wore. He stopped himself from reaching for her bottom. She'd been quiet even for her that evening. Their little girl was growing up and Cameron was worried about Hailey's future.
She was also worried about the burden the next generation of leaders would have to bear.
Reviews are always appreciated. If you liked this story, you might want to consider my other TSCC stories:
Cameron Grows Up
The Future Cameron
Cameron versus the Queen
Cameron's Revenge
Cameron and the Black Bird
Cameron and John's Wedding
Who's the Boss?
The Storm Before the Calm
