A/N: This is just a short chapter to wrap up this episode. I've already begun work on the first part of Episode 7, so look for that in the coming week. Thanks everyone for your reviews and for your support!

A/N 2: I apologize in advance for having so many characters in this story. Don't worry, most of them will be tertiary characters.

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

John's head was spinning.

"What? You have them waiting for me to give them some speech on the fly?"

Catherine had been walking away, leading him to the Sit-Rep room, but she paused now and turned back to John. "Tell them whatever you'd like to tell them, John. I haven't told them anything. They think they've been chosen for a special government task force. Black ops. I suggest you allow them to continue to believe this, otherwise we could be facing some trouble in the future. Other than that, you can tell them as little or as much as you want. If you want, you can just walk in there, introduce yourself, and walk right back out. I don't care. But this is your team John, and you need to take responsibility for them. Starting now."

"Hey! I didn't ask for this team!"

With a stone-cold face, Catherine replied, "No. You didn't. But this is what you need if you want to have any hope of stopping or at least significantly weakening Skynet. You can't do this alone."

"What makes you say that?"

"You haven't so far." And with that, she turned on her heels and continued towards the stairwell. She didn't glance back to see if John was following her, and John knew it was because she expected him to do so no matter what.

As much as he wanted to prove her wrong, he did follow her, Cameron in tow. But at the foot of the stairs, Cameron tugged a bit on his arm, causing him to stop. He looked at her expectantly.

"You can do this, John. I know you can. You know exactly what to say. You've been training all your life for this. You were born for this." Normally Cameron refrained from pointing any of this out, because she knew that it upset John, but she also knew that it was what he needed to hear right now, even if he didn't like it.

And he didn't like it. He hated being told what he was meant to be and what kind of person he would become. It made it difficult to live in the now. But now he needed to be that man, the one everyone spoke so highly of. So this time, he actually appreciated the reminder. With a renewed confidence, John took Cameron's hand in his and they began climbing the stairs anxious to see what lay behind the door at the top.

This was where it would all truly begin. They would finally bring the war to Skynet. And it scared John to death.

Before entering the room, Catherine quickly briefed John on what to expect. "This will be everyone. From Colonel to cook. I recommend releasing the staff as soon as you've introduced yourself, then brief the soldiers if you choose to do so."

John nodded solemnly before Catherine opened the door and entered. He released Cameron's hand, knowing that the sight could negatively affect the team's initial impression of him. If Cameron was hurt by this, she didn't show it. Not that he expected her to. Being a terminator, she would understand the practical and logical reasons for him doing so.

Catherine began introducing everyone in the room. Art Meyer, head of agriculture; Ally Tanen, head cook; Dr. Shelly Bennett and her P.A. Louis Nelson; and Serge Friesen, trainer; Cal Hogue, head of security. The next person to be introduced didn't need any introduction. Before Catherine could say anything, she heard John speak under his breath, "Bedell. Martin Bedell." No one else heard John, so Catherine simply stated Bedell's name and continued on. "Lieutenant James Luddow, and lastly, Colonel Paul Allen."

John barely registered the last two names. He was still shocked to see Bedell here. Of course, it would be nice to have a friendly face amongst all of these new ones, but the implications flooded his mind. Before he could get too deep in though, he was nudged by Cameron, bringing him back to the matter at hand. Since Catherine had finished her introductions of the team, everyone was waiting for him to speak.

He stepped forward. "And I'm John Connor, and this is Cameron Phillips. It's good to meet all of you. I hope to speak with each of you individually over the next few days. Until then, Mr. Meyer, Ms. Tanen, Dr. Bennett, and Mr. Nelson, you are excused. Once the four of them were gone, John's voice took on a slightly more serious tone. "What we will be doing here is important, I can assure you of that. But it will also be dangerous. Which explains all of the added security. You will face things you have never before faced. You will be tested to your limits. But if we do this right, we will save not only our country, but the world. Please familiarize yourselves with the facility. I will call you back here when I have more to report." Out of the corner of his eye, John caught sight of Colonel Allen, visibly angry. The Colonel was in his forties, as far as John could tell, and it occurred to John that he may have more difficulty following someone his age then some of the other men, who weren't much older than John himself.

John knew he had to squash that problem right away. "Colonel, I'd like for you to meet me in my personal quarters next door in 15 minutes."

Allen managed a curt nod before John and Cameron exited the room, leaving the team to themselves.

"Cameron, I don't know if I can do this." John had collapsed against the door of their room as soon as it had closed. "And don't tell me that I'm meant to do this, not this time. It's not enough right now. I need something concrete. In the future, I have more experience than this, I'm older when I form the Resistance. I'm not ready for this."

Cameron carefully took his face, which was bent down towards the ground, in her hands and lifted his head up so his eyes met hers. "Listen to me, John. You can do this. YOU can do this. I'm not talking about Future John, I'm talking about you. You were the only one who was able to see through Riley, the only one to find out what really happened to her. I couldn't even do that. It's not just because you're smart, it's because you care and you're intuitive. I learned a long time ago what makes John Connor John Connor. What makes you fit to lead us. To lead the human race. It's not just your training or your mind, it's your heart. You see the best in people and you see the worst and you act accordingly. You don't jump to conclusions and you think of the big picture. At the same time, you care about the smaller picture too. The people and moments that make up the larger picture. You remember to celebrate and you remember to love. You are not a general, you are a leader. They'll follow you, just like everyone else has followed you. You know what to do, you just have to believe that you can do it."

John didn't need to hear any more. In fact, he'd heard enough once she'd assured him that HE could do this. Everything else was just a bonus. He kissed her aggressively, taking her head in his hands, mirroring her own body. Up until now, he hadn't really let himself go when he was with her. He'd always had worries and insecurities in the back of his mind. But now he knew that he needed her. In that moment, he didn't care if it was all just an act on her end. It was an act he liked, an act he needed, and that was all that mattered to him.

But just like that, his hopes were dashed when Cameron pulled away. "John, we are expecting Colonel Allen in seven minutes and thirty-five seconds. And I think it would be wise for you to acclimate yourself before you have to stand before the team again."

John smirked. "This isn't over, you know."

She tilted her head to the side. "Was I not clear? I think it should be over." Before John could fully comprehend her meaning, Cameron said, "But we will continue this later."

His expression brightened with the clarification. "I'm going to hold you to that."

Across town, Charles Fischer was not pleased.

"How did they know where to find us?" he asked one of the men who had brought Derek to him.

"I-I don't know. We left his mother dying on the floor. That kept him from sending anyone after us."

"Well obviously someone found you and told him where to find Reese. You know better than to let anyone find you."

"I know. I promise, it won't happen again."

"No, it won't." Fischer shot the man in the head and turned to the large mirror on the wall. "I assume you will not make the same mistake as he did."

A moment later a tall, dark-haired man appeared from the adjacent room. He'd been watching through the double-sided mirror. He spoke in a British accent. "I assure you, Mr. Fischer, that with or without that charming little demonstration, I would never allow such a thing to happen."

Fischer nodded curtly. "Good. Because I have an assignment for you."

"You want me to find whoever did this?"

Fischer smirked appreciatively. "Already exceeding my expectations. I have high hopes for you. You'll have access to whatever information you deem necessary."

"Brilliant. I'll get right to it."

As the man began to exit the room, Fischer called back to him. "Oh, and Wexton? If you find John Connor, you kill him on sight, is that understood?"

"Of course, sir."

"Good."