Disclaimer & Notices: See the Prologue.

AN: I'm glad to hear y'all seem to be enjoying the story. A lot of you have picked up on certain things like how jarring the fight in the girls' bathroom was and little idiosyncrasy... goof stuff. So that's good! I got readers paying attention to the details. :) Here we go to the next chapter. Not sure how quickly Chapter 4 will be out, but I will do my best. Enjoy!

Started: August 15, 2010

Series: One Shot, #9

A Tin Heart

by Red Hope

Chapter 3

The magnitude of sensations coursing through her body was beyond her mind, and they overwhelmed her at first. She'd never experienced such a level of agony. This was new and even scary to her. But after a few careful breaths, she brought on the courage to face the new world in her. After a minute, Cameron dared her luck by opening her eyes slowly. She found herself on her side and in comfortable, warm surroundings despite she hurt so horribly on the inside of her body.

Before she ventured further, Cameron blinked a few times in hopes it'd clear her vision. She'd seen other humans do such a practice that she hoped it'd work for her despite she was a terminator. Indeed it did help greatly, and Cameron's vision lost the blur until finally her softly lit bedroom came into better focus. Several feet away, the outline of somebody sitting slumped in a chair was plainly visible. It took a moment though for Cameron to get her full focus on who it was in the dim room. Much to her surprise it was Sarah Connor, who was slouched and asleep in the chair with her arms loosely folded and gun in her lap.

Cameron inhaled deeply, which cause a sharp shot to strike her lower chest. She released a groan and rolled onto her back. It was a mistake because her breathing became ragged, and a cough escaped her lips.

Sarah Connor instantly sat up from the commotion in the bed. She scooped up her Glock and looked over at the resting girl. She was obviously surprised as much as relieved to see the terminator awake. She jumped to her feet, shoved her gun into the rear of her waistband, and approached the bed.

"Be careful," Sarah softly instructed. "You're pretty banged up." She bent over a little and gingerly touched the girl's shoulder. "Roll back on your side… you'll breathe easier."

Cameron realized her mind was moving much slower than normal. Her thoughts processed at the slowest rate she'd ever experienced. But she followed Sarah's gentle command and slowly made it onto her side again. Her breathing did become easier, and she let out a content breath.

"You need to take it easy," Sarah suggested. She now sat on the edge of the bed after she was sure there was enough room. She noted the girl's twisted expression.

"I do not understand what's happened." The terminator was recalling her memories that almost seemed disorderly in her head. They were cataloged differently than how they usually were, and it took her a moment to understand them.

"I'm not sure we do either," Sarah murmured. She had her legs parted, and she leaned forward until her elbows rested on her knees. "You've been out all afternoon and most of the night." She glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand and noted it was seven minutes after three in the morning.

"I should not have been offline that long." Cameron was obviously concerned and growing more worried. "Why do my organic systems suffer so badly?" She'd never been hindered by her organics until tonight. "I should be up patrolling." She started moving until a sure hand stopped her.

"Take it easy, girlie." Sarah caught how Cameron's eyes cut to her hand that held Cameron still. She sighed quietly and lowered her hand back to her lap.

"Something is wrong," Cameron stated. She peered up at Sarah. "With me." She realized that her observation didn't send Sarah into a defensive manner. Instead Sarah remained rather calm and that clued in Cameron. "You know what's happened."

"I…" Sarah hesitated then breathed deeply once it sunk in what she had to tell the terminator. "I know what's happened to you… but I don't know how or why." For once, she saw defenses drop in rich brown eyes that were wild with life. It made Sarah's heart speed up. "I called Charley." She saw Cameron wanted to protest her decision so she held up her hand for silence. "I called him because you were injured pretty badly."

"I was beat up in the girls' bathroom," Cameron murmured distantly.

Sarah dipped her head in agreement. "John and I cleaned up your wounds. Charley checked them over." She had curious eyes on her again. "Then he ran some tests on you." She faltered with her next words, not really believing it herself.

The terminator didn't like how unsure Sarah looked now.

"Cameron…" Sarah shook her head once then straightened up. Her features were serious despite there was uneasiness in her eyes. "The tests show you're human."

Cameron just stared at the human for a moment before she seriously stated, "Your idea of humor is lacking." She decided it was ridiculous even and started to get up until the pain caught up to her. She groaned and slumped back down with a heavy breath.

Each moment convinced Sarah further that Cameron was no longer made of metal. "It's not a joke, Cameron." She regarded the quiet girl. "You are human."

Cameron was silent and unmoving as Sarah's words sunk in for a second. She then started shaking her head and whispered, "This is impossible." She tried again to get up but the hot flares shot through her body, and she whimpered against the pain. "I'm a terminator." She forced her pained, beaten body to get up and sweat broke out over her skin. She was sitting up slowly.

Sarah jumped from her seat but quickly pushed on the terminator's shoulders. "You're hurt and need your rest."

"I am not damaged," Cameron snapped and weakly struggled against the human.

Sarah feared she'd hurt Cameron further if they kept tussling like this. "Stop… Cameron, please stop." She was relieved when the worn terminator indeed gave up trying to get out of bed.

Cameron rested on her back despite how it hurt her side. "I am badly damaged."

Sarah felt for the terminator, and it was an odd sensation for her. "You're not damaged… you're hurt. You'll heal soon enough." She saw how Cameron closed her eyes and was breathing hard. "Just relax."

Cameron shook her head once then opened her eyes. She felt how overheated her organic systems were, and she struggled with the bedsheets.

Sarah understood and hastily moved the heavy comforter back so that cool air calmed the terminator. "We're not sure how this happened, but somehow it did."

"It does not make sense," Cameron argued. She started feeling weary. "It is impossible to change a machine into human… to change metal into organics."

Sarah let out a low breath because she couldn't agree more. "It is a little… strange but…" She found worried features on her. "We'll figure it out," she resigned. She saw Cameron was about to say more so she ordered, "But not right now. It can wait 'til the morning." She knelt down next to the bed. "Go back to sleep."

The terminator did feel a strange pull against her body that made her want to drift off. "But I must patrol the house."

"Everything is fine," Sarah argued. "John is safe." She'd already done several rounds tonight. It was a duty she used to perform for many years, until Cameron took it over.

Cameron turned on her side after she recalled it felt better like that earlier.

Sarah crossed her arms as brown eyes closed in the low light coming from the nightstand. She went over to the stand and switched off the light now that she'd seen Cameron awake tonight. She was relieved even though worries were high in her. Something was indeed very weird going on, and nobody knew what could change a machine into human. It was almost like Pinocchio turning into a real boy. All she needed to do now was find out who was the Blue Fairy that did this to Cameron.

Sarah shook off her thoughts and retrieved her Glock. She went to the empty, cool chair she'd been sitting in earlier. She sat in it once she decided she'd keep an eye on Cameron for the rest of the night. There were just too many uncertainties, and she didn't want to miss anything. It was a struggle to keep her wandering thoughts at bay, but after an hour she was able to doze off for a bit.

Just a little after seven thirty, Cameron stirred and found that some of her pain had receded from her organic systems. She realized coming back online was far harder than all the previous times. Gradually her memories came back to her, and she sat up quickly. It caused a hot white pain through her sides, and a low cry escaped her lips. How in the world did humans put up with this nonsense, Cameron thought, as she tried regaining control.

Sarah Connor was nowhere in the bedroom, but she entered only a few seconds later upon hearing the low noises. She took in the terminator's hurting features and quickly went to her. "Lay back down, carefully." She helped the terminator fall back into the warm bed.

"I have been lying… too long," Cameron gasped between her heavy breaths.

Sarah could sympathize, completely. She sighed once the terminator was settled again. "Well it's just one of the joys of being human." She noted the terminator going still.

Cameron shut her eyes after a beat. "I thought it was a joke." Indeed it was still true that she was human.

"Afraid not, girlie." Sarah now sat on the edge of the bed. She reached for the terminator's cheek and inspected the brown eyes that now danced wildly unlike before. "Somehow you've become one of us." She easily read the worry and fear forming on Cameron's face. She pulled her hand away.

"I do not wish to lie here anymore," the terminator tried again. She wasn't pleased by the human's amused features. "I also have a painful weight in my lower abdomen." She placed her left hand over the spot.

Sarah furrowed her eyebrows and glanced once in that spot until it struck her. "Ah… yes." She nodded. "Another joy." She flashed a brief grin. "I think that problem can easily be solved by a trip to the bathroom." She now got up.

Cameron caught up with what Sarah was telling her, and she conceded that she indeed had to go to the bathroom. She started to get up and thanks to Sarah's help. She couldn't imagine how Sarah managed to do this alone when she felt this way.

"Can you stand?" Sarah stepped aside and waited for Cameron's attempt.

The terminator slowly stood up and was pleased she could do it. She tempted a small step, but she lost her strength rather fast and started tumbling until strong arms had her.

"We'll work on the walking," Sarah gently teased. She was slightly knelt and worked her arms under the terminator. She hefted Cameron up and cradled her against her chest as she stood up.

Cameron was unmoving except for her expression shifting into bewilderment. As Sarah stood there holding her, she could do nothing but accept that everything had changed for her.

Sarah carefully adjusted the terminator then started on the quiet walk through the open door and into the hallway. From the corner of her eye, she caught the terminator's starry eyed stare, and Sarah barely held back her smirk. Once by the jarred bathroom door, Sarah softly kicked it open, elbowed the light switch, and took Cameron to the toilet.

The terminator found herself standing beside the toilet. She could only stare at the human, who had lifted and carried her here.

Sarah scratched her nose then nodded at the sink. "You may feel better from washing your face and brushing your teeth too." She didn't offer anything else and left the terminator to her privacy. She just hoped Cameron could manage the trip to the sink.

Much like Cameron had done only days ago, Sarah waited near the closed bathroom and listened to the low noises. But as she waited, Sarah recalled Cameron's awed features because she'd carried Cameron. Now that smug look surfaced on her face, and she couldn't help a low chuckle. She wiped away her grin when the bathroom door opened and there stood a worn terminator in the doorway.

Cameron leaned against the doorframe and tiredly studied the human. She breathed hard and gasped, "Sarah…" Suddenly white spots started around her vision then it darkened quickly.

Sarah raced across the short distance and grabbed the falling terminator. She let out a breath once she had Cameron securely in her arms. She saw Cameron was unconscious, and a dull ache rose in Sarah's chest. "You're not a Tin Miss anymore, girlie." She shook her head then lifted the terminator up and took her back to the bedroom. She put the terminator back in bed and knew later Cameron would wake up hungry most likely.

It wasn't until ten o'clock that morning when Cameron was stirred awake by pleasant, familiar scents drifting into her bedroom. She woke up to find herself alone, but she was fueled by her memories about what'd happened only yesterday at school. She thought perhaps she'd just been developing a human's imagination so she attempted to get up from bed like normal.

Cameron hissed and gritted her teeth against the striking pain from all sides of her torso. But she somehow managed sitting up on her own, and she glared darkly at her lower body.

"How is this possible?" she muttered under her breath. Cameron was confused and lost by her metal parts changed into organic ones. However, her heavy thoughts were cut off by her stomach's low but deep rumble.

Cameron cautiously climbed to her feet once she accepted that her body was still damaged. She was amazed by the amount of effort it took to stand up. She only made it a few steps before she had to stop near the nightstand and hold onto the edge for support. She bowed her head and inhaled deeply but sharply looked up when the door opened up.

"Hey… good morning." John was obviously hesitant and nervous once he took in his protector's pained stance. He never imagined such a posture from the usually cold terminator. "How are you feeling?" He wasn't sure where else to start. He'd been sent up by his mother to check on the terminator.

Cameron gave an annoyed look and honestly replied, "Like crap." She'd heard John say that a few times and never understood it until today.

John rocked on his boots then shoved his hands into his pockets. "Yeah… you kinda look it too." He cringed though at his mistake. "Sorry." He shifted forward, slowly. "Mom is making pancakes. You should try to eat."

Cameron didn't argue and just faintly nodded. She started moving but found it hard.

"Here… let me help." John hooked his arm around his protector's waist then gently guided her out of the room and downstairs.

Sarah was busy finishing pancakes for Derek. She walked his plate over to him just as her son escorted the terminator into the kitchen. "Good morning," she greeted Cameron.

Cameron just gave Sarah a brief glance then took her usual seat.

"You want somethin' to drink?" John asked the terminator.

Cameron considered it and nodded. "Orange juice."

John felt for the terminator, and he squeezed her shoulder briefly before he went to the fridge.

"That's alright," Derek cut in, "I don't need anything to drink."

John was getting the orange juice but shut the door a little loud. He shot a dark look at his uncle, said nothing, and pulled out three glasses from the cabinet.

Derek had finished smothering his pancakes with syrup. He always enjoyed a good meal after his previous life in 2023. He chomped down heavily on his first mouthful but eyed the girl across the table. He cut up another piece but mentioned, "Human huh?"

Cameron was resting back in the chair and met the Resistance fighter's amused expression. She wasn't sure what to say back. Her mind was still working slower than normal.

Derek shoved the pancake piece into his mouth. He didn't take his stare off the terminator.

John set a glass down in front of his uncle and protector. He then flopped into his chair. "You'll probably be well enough to go back to school on Monday." Today was Friday, and his mother already called the school to let them know Cameron was home sick today.

"I still need my assignments," Cameron mentioned.

"I'll get them." John sipped on his drink. He then smiled when his mother gave him a plate of three pancakes. "Thanks."

Sarah said nothing. She glanced quickly at the terminator, who sat slightly hunched unlike her normal stiff posture. She felt a ping start in her stomach and spread through her body. She set it aside and went back to the stove. She started making something for Cameron now.

"So, how you think it happened?" Derek prompted after a spell of silence. His curious features settled on the terminator.

Cameron studied Derek's unshaven features that gave him a five o'clock shadow. She never much liked him and still didn't now that she was human. "I don't know."

"Did something weird happen on the last mission?" John asked.

Very slowly Cameron started shaking her head after she thought about the warehouse. "Nothing out of the ordinary."

"Sarah said you were acting weird," Derek brought up. He touched his half empty glass. "You went on a killing spree."

Sarah was idly listening to the conversation. But she faltered at Derek's words. She grabbed two eggs she'd set out earlier and cracked them in one pan. "Cameron was pissed off." She half turned and focused her annoyance on Derek.

"A pissed off machine is a comforting thought," Derek shot back at Sarah.

Sarah pointed at Derek and informed, "It's when all this shit started, Derek." She lowered her hand and briefly looked at Cameron before she returned her anger on Derek. "From there on Cameron started changing."

"So something happened in that warehouse," John summarized. "But neither of you know what?"

"No," Sarah softly replied. She returned to the eggs.

Derek cut his eyes to Cameron, but he didn't see anything revealing on the terminator's face. He had to admit, despite she was supposedly human, she still hid her emotions well. "It could be your programming."

"It's not," Cameron fought. She then sharply added, "I don't have any programming… now."

"So you say," Derek muttered before he drank his juice.

"How you explain the test results?" John fought with his uncle. "They show Cameron is human." He then held out his freehand at his protector. "How you explain why her bruises and cuts aren't nearly gone? They're usually healed by now."

Derek just shook his head. "Once metal… always metal."

Sarah returned to the table with a full, steaming plate but held it up and looked at Derek. "Get off it, Derek." She put the plate in front of Cameron then went for her coffee mug still on the counter.

Derek finished off his orange juice then grabbed his dirty dishes. He stood up and stated, "She might be human, but she's still programmed like a terminator." He brushed past Sarah and tossed his dirty dishes in the sink. He hurried out of the kitchen without another word.

John shook his head once and glanced at his mother, who took Derek's seat.

"He'll get over it," Sarah told her son.

"Right." John didn't say anything else and finished off his meal. He noted Cameron's pancakes, eggs, and toast, which made him goggle. "Mom, you never make me that."

Sarah glanced at the terminator's food then shrugged and turned her attention to her son. "Cameron needs the energy."

"Damn." John leaned towards Cameron, who was slowly eating her breakfast. "Those eggs really look good." He reached over with his fork until his mother hooked his wrist. He silently cursed and instead ate the last morsel of his pancakes.

"You have twenty minutes to get to school," Sarah prompted. "You need a ride?" She knew Cameron couldn't drive him.

"I'll be fine." John was looking forward to the ride alone. He sucked down the last of his OJ then rushed to get moving. He kissed his mother on the cheek and bolted upstairs for his schoolbag.

Sarah sipped on her coffee but listened to John's heavy movements through the house. She heard him rushing to the door and hollered, "Don't forget to get Cameron's assignments."

"I got it, Mom," John called back. He tossed open the door. "See ya."

"Bye," Sarah returned. She sighed and leaned back in her chair once the front door shut. She shook her head and now focused on the injured terminator. "How you feeling? Any better?"

"Better," Cameron muttered. She was eating slowly.

Sarah kept her hands around the warm mug. She tilted her head and asked, "Do you think those men from the warehouse were from the future?"

The terminator peered up from her plate, which only had a pancake left. "I'm not sure."

Sarah drummed her fingers once against the mug. "I think they were." She'd thought long and hard about it once her mind cleared of the fog yesterday. She didn't believe anymore that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But instead they were in the right place at the right time and wanted Cameron.

"Why?" Cameron picked up a bottle of syrup.

Sarah bit her bottom lip and watched Cameron put the syrup on the pancake. She considered whether or not the terminator had a sweet tooth by how much syrup went on the pancake. She shook away that thought when honey-tea eyes were locked on her. In that moment, Sarah saw life dancing in the terminator's eyes – it was human life.

"They knew, Cameron…" Sarah set her mug down on the table. "They knew how to shut you down." She and Cameron stared at each other for a few seconds. "He had a damn electrified bar to use on you." She paused then argued, "Do you really think that was just good luck?"

Cameron let out a low sigh and looked down at the untouched, glistening pancake. "No." She picked up her fork. "But that doesn't have anything to do with me turning human."

Sarah bowed her head as the memories from that night drifted back. She could hear her own screams for Cameron. Then she saw a red flash in her mind. She swallowed hard and looked up at the terminator. She remembered while she sat watch over Cameron late into the night.

Cameron paused from eating her next piece of pancake and gauged the human's expression. She actually sensed something out of place – a new sensation to her. "What?" She lowered her fork to the plate once she realized Sarah had an open, worried look.

Sarah swallowed then leaned forward against the table. She kept her voice low like she was planning a conspiracy. "One of them had a needle."

The terminator was suddenly flooded by her memories too.

"It had something red in it… bright red," Sarah whispered. She studied the terminator's distant expression. "It's the only thing that could have changed you."

"I… remember," Cameron whispered. She focused back on Sarah. "He inserted it in my neck."

Sarah nodded. "What was it?"

Cameron slowly shook her head. "I don't know." She slumped back in the chair. "It's the only plausible explanation."

Sarah started sipping on her coffee as her thoughts grew heavier. She brought the mug to her lips for another sip but muttered, "We have to go back."

"It's restricted now," Cameron reminded. "It's a crime scene."

Sarah placed her mug on the table. "I know," she murmured. "But it's the only thing we have to go on."

"There will not be anything there." Cameron wasn't sure why the human wished to return to the warehouse. "The forensics team will have swept over everything there."

"It's the best place to start," Sarah debated. "We'll get John to find out who's in charge of the investigation." She rolled her mug. "Find out where the evidence went and get that needle."

"Even if we obtain it," Cameron fought, "we can't test it to determine what is in it." Now a sinking feeling started in her stomach and brought her mood down. She couldn't stop it either. "It is impossible to reverse what's happened to me."

Sarah opened and closed her mouth a few times. "We just can't give up." She developed a dark expression. "We have to at least figure out who those men were and why they were there."

"They're all dead," Cameron reminded, starkly.

Sarah was jarred and somewhat defeated, for now. She slumped back in her seat.

Cameron sensed that conversation was over so she stated, "Thank you for breakfast." She glanced at the last remains of the pancake. "It was good."

Sarah nodded but stood up and collected the dishes. She put them in the sink and decided they could wait. "How about some prime time with the television? I think we both could use it." She received the terminator's agreement so she helped Cameron make it to the living room. She put Cameron down in the large sofa and took a seat at the other end. "Charley will be stopping by this afternoon to check on you."

Now Cameron knew who'd taken care of her medical needs. She only nodded then looked at the television when Sarah turned it on.

Sarah drew her legs up onto the couch and placed her refilled mug in her lap. She'd settled on the HBO station after finding nothing much else. But her thoughts were on Cameron and her strange transformation. She peered down at her mug's contents and began realizing that everything may have changed, for all of them.

To be continued.