Please see Chapter 1 for disclaimers and notices.

Warning Note: This chapter contains explicit sex scenes between two women. Please do not read if you're not interested.

Author Note: A huge thank you to my readers for all the reviews on the prior chapter and hopefully y'all don't mind a tad bit more of it! I've noticed some have tried to take a guess on who the father will be for Sarah's daughter. Perhaps after this chapter, maybe you'll have some more guesses. Shall we start a betting pool? :) Please enjoy the next installment!


I, Terminator

by Red Hope

Chapter 8 – Back to Los Angeles

Sarah dropped her head forward and tightly clutched the bed sheets. Her body's entire upper weight rested in her lover's sure hold. Her slick back was pressed into her lover's front chest and stomach that were above her. Sarah was on her knees but had her legs forced open wide by her lover's muscular thighs.

Cameron was on her knees too, in the center of the bed, over top of her lover. She held Sarah's clenched, wet stomach in her left hand. But her right hand was between their molded bodies, and she pumped her fingers in and out of her lover. She used her left hand to hold Sarah still as possible while she drove harder and faster into Sarah. Cameron was able to hold up her own body weight easily thanks to her superior strength.

Sarah cried out when Cameron went deeper than normal. She gasped for air and continued to push her legs against Cameron's. Her lover's constant display of strength to hold her still and up during the love making put an excited spin on it for Sarah. She freed her left hand from the bed and reached back to her lover. She tangled her fingers through Cameron's soft locks and gripped the back of Cameron's neck.

Prior, Cameron had promised Sarah to make this a long, maddening rise to an overwhelming orgasm. She delivered on her promise and coaxed Sarah enough to make her climax several times but never completely orgasm, yet.

Sarah wasn't sure how much longer she could handle it. She was lightheaded and every thrust caused her to cry out. She should have known Cameron would come up with this sex position after she bashfully mentioned she liked it from behind. It would seem that the terminator also had a creative streak alongside her wicked one.

Sarah raised her head up and barely turned it when Cameron met her halfway. She pressed her forehead into her lover's burning cheek and desperately pleaded, "Cameron, please... I can't..." She gasped when her lover pumped deeper into her. "Cameron," she tried again.

Indeed Cameron could tell her lover needed to be pushed to her orgasm, and she'd drawn it out long enough. She kissed Sarah's temple through the stray, black locks. "I know... just relax with me." She demonstrated this by now allowing their bodies to move with the tempo. She continued the constant thrusts but curled her fingers as Sarah had shown her.

Sarah couldn't help her soft whimpers and followed her lover's movements. She become further lost in the passionate heat and her build up started reaching the top, finally. She then felt Cameron's left hand snake further down her stomach then long fingers slipped between her folds. Her weight rested on Cameron's upper left arm now, and she moaned when Cameron's two fingers rubbed her clit too.

Cameron lowered her face and breathed hard like her lover. She and Sarah made the tempo faster and moved their bodies together. Cameron's hands became slicker at Sarah's partial release but suddenly Sarah stilled.

Sarah didn't breath for several beats and her entire weight rested on Cameron. She whimpered her lover's name just before an unexpected crash of emotions hit her in the orgasm. Her entire body convulsed, and Sarah couldn't stop the tears breaking from her closed eyes. Her breathing started again but was much more rasped in a desperate attempt.

This hadn't happened prior, and Cameron feared she'd damaged her lover. She carefully pulled her fingers out from her lover then had Sarah in her arms. She lowered Sarah down and visually inspected her but found nothing wrong.

Sarah was on her left side, but she rolled onto her back then reached for her lover. She pulled Cameron down onto her, and she felt safe once Cameron's larger, stronger body surrounded her.

The terminator slid her arms under Sarah and held her close. She made sure her entire body weight wasn't on her human lover or else she truly would damage her. She lowered her head beside Sarah's and whispered, "Did I hurt you?"

Sarah could only shake her head because her emotions tied her tongue. She still cried and hugged her lover tightly.

Cameron was more worried at what could have happened to Sarah. "What is wrong?" she whispered in a plea.

Sarah shifted her left hand to the back of Cameron's head. She inhaled sharply which caused her to settle down finally. She released a shaky breath after she gained control over her mind and body. "I was just... overwhelmed."

"What overwhelmed you?" the curious but still worried terminator pressed.

Sarah brushed her cheek against her lover's. "Everything... the position, how you held me, and slowly made me climax. I was..." She hesitated but honestly confessed, "I was completely vulnerable to you."

Cameron processed this then after a minute she stated, "But you trusted me."

Despite it wasn't a question, Sarah quietly confirmed it and kissed her lover's cheek. She let out a soft sigh after she realized her and Cameron had been making love for almost four hours with only minor breaks in between each rise and fall. Finally, Sarah actually felt spent from it all and wanted to rest before she became useless tomorrow.

Cameron must have sensed it and murmured, "You should sleep."

"I know." Sarah leaned her head against her lover's. She briefly wondered if her lover would just leave or not so she pensively asked, "What will you do?"

Cameron now lifted her head and honestly replied, "I want to stay with you." She relaxed at seeing Sarah's smile so she knew it was okay. "But I need to check your wounds before you sleep."

Sarah groaned and dropped her head into the bed sheet. "You better do it fast." She brought her attention back to her lover's features. "Do you need to clean it?"

"It will only take a few minutes," Cameron promised.

Sarah chuckled and murmured, "That was a yes huh?" She kissed her lover's collarbone. "Get the kit while I get under the covers."

Cameron silently agreed by getting out of bed. She also collected the used towel and disposed of it in the bathroom's corner where their morning towels would end up too. She found the first aid kit on the sink and pulled out only what she needed to clean and maintain Sarah's wounds. When she arrived back on the bed, she indeed found her lover under the bed sheets and curled up on her left side.

Sarah sensed her lover at her back. She pushed the covers off her injured shoulder so it was exposed to Cameron. She released a content sigh while her protector cared for her wound.

Cameron worked quickly once she removed the padded band aids. She used a few clothes moistened with an antiseptic to rid of any germs. She noticed that Sarah didn't even flinch from stinging, which satisfied her that the wounds weren't infected at all. Next she put on fresh ointment then covered them with new band aids.

Sarah tugged the sheet back over, but it was briefly pulled away when Cameron crawled in bed behind her. She wasn't sure what to expect from Cameron, yet she smiled at the strong arms that pulled her into the larger body. "Thanks... for taking care of my wounds."

"You're welcome," Cameron murmured. She adjusted her right arm underneath the human's petite form.

But Sarah rolled onto her back and turned her curious features to her lover. "You're just going to lay here in bed with me... while I sleep?"

Cameron gradually arched her right eyebrow in a new habit she'd obtained recently. She kept a serious tone when she replied, "I will power down."

Immediately Sarah's eyebrows hiked up, and she couldn't contain her amusement. "You told me last night you're not like a personal computer with standby or sleep mode." She then softly laughed and hastily added, "So should I like power you up in the morning or something?"

Somehow the terminator managed lifting her eyebrow slightly higher. She coolly remarked, "The power button is my belly button."

Sarah opened her mouth to reply, but she fell short and slowly slotted her eyes. She seriously studied her lover's stern face then she caught that sly twinkle hidden so well in Cameron's azure eyes. She sharply slapped her lover's muscular thigh and snapped, "You are so unbelievable!"

Cameron lost her iron control and let her grin show now that she was found out. She actually quietly laughed for the first time in her artificial life.

Sarah lost her astonishment that the terminator had fooled her. She instead brightly smiled at hearing the terminator laugh. She was dazzled by this development and chuckled a bit herself. She shook her head in amazement then rolled onto her stomach so that half her body rested on top of her protector.

Cameron still held her grin, and she helped her lover situate against her body. She wrapped her right arm across Sarah's upper back while her other arm snaked around Sarah's waist. But she tugged the blankets over them better and whispered, "Gotcha." She'd picked up the slang word from a television show last night.

"You sure did," Sarah murmured. She rested the side of her face on her lover's broad shoulder. She settled down for the night and barely bit back a yawn.

"Shall I get a power button tattooed there then?"

Sarah rolled her eyes behind her lids. She muttered, "Haha, smartass." She squeezed the terminator's hip and ordered, "You can power down now."

Cameron had content features and closed her eyes too. She did indeed suspend some of her lesser programs but certainly not the crucial ones. This would give her the chance tonight to analyze the developments between her and Sarah. She'd shut out her higher analytical processes once her body's heated desires became far more essential than anything else. Such an event had never happened to her, and it made her feel different about herself. Cameron just wasn't sure what it all meant to her or in the grand scheme of things.

Sarah didn't take long to fall asleep after her last thoughts were about her passionate night with Cameron. She hadn't expected the change of events, but she'd truly wanted them too. She was supposed to know what the future would bring, yet it didn't seem that clear after all. If she didn't survive the coming days then all she had that was truly real was tonight with Cameron.

By the morning, Sarah slowly woke up from a deep sleep that didn't cause her to shift throughout the night. She awoke from the warmth that hummed against her shoulder's skin. She lifted and turned her head the other way, but settled against Cameron's shoulder again. She discovered a sliver of sunlight had pierced through the slit of the closed drapes and caressed her skin.

Cameron shifted some once she felt her lover awake. She tightened her arms but kept her eyes closed until her heads-up display started giving her readouts. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a rock," Sarah admitted.

"That does not sound pleasant," Cameron argued.

Sarah chuckled then snuggled into her lover's warm body. "It means I slept hard."

"I understand," the terminator murmured now that the idiom made sense. She finally opened her eyes and reported, "It is eight thirty-two."

Sarah stretched a bit but slumped back against the terminator. "We have a long drive back to LA, huh?"

"Yes."

Sarah sighed then brushed her few hair strands from her face. "You know, I really should call Kelly." She finally lifted her head so she could see Cameron. "She's liable to call my parents or the cops if I don't contact her soon."

"She has called you seven times since you left LA, but she has not contacted the police or your parents."

Sarah blinked and furrowed her eyebrows. "How..."

"I checked her cell phone records," Cameron explained.

"Wait... wait." Sarah shook her head and inquired, "You can check her cell phone records because you hacked into Verizon's database?"

"Yes," Cameron simply replied. In her HUD, she retrieved the most up to date records from Verizon's database on Kelly Hutchison's calls. "She also has called your manager, Chris Miracles, once. I assume to find out your whereabouts."

"Hold on..." Sarah pressed her palm into her lover's firm hip and interrogated, "Are you online right now? I mean are you on the internet?"

"Yes, of course." Cameron cleared her HUD and had a full view of Sarah's face. "Your daughter installed a Wi-Fi network interface card in my chassis before I was sent back." She raised her right eyebrow and added, "The hotel provides Wi-Fi access."

Sarah remained slack jaw for a few beats then quickly asked, "When were you going to tell me this?"

"It was not relevant until now."

Sarah let out a sigh and decided it just wasn't worth fussing over because it wasn't like there was some manual on terminators. She had a lot to learn and ask if she wanted to understand more about Cameron's makeup. She then returned to the original topic.

"I should call her though before she does call the police or my parents," Sarah insisted. "You still have my Blackberry?"

"Yes, but it is not safe to power it because the GPS will be enabled. The other terminator will then know our location."

Sarah nibbled on her lower lip and checked, "You're really think he's monitoring it?"

"Yes, it is how I found you," Cameron explained.

Sarah grumbled and lowered her forehead to her lover's chest. "What about a pay phone?" she muttered. "But I bet he's watching Kelly's call records too."

"It's presumable," Cameron agreed. "However, if you do call from a pay phone here then it may initiate him to come here."

Sarah stayed quiet and thought this out but lifted her head with strained features. "You know what..." She suddenly grinned and finished, "That'd be perfect." She then hastily explained her idea to Cameron, who quietly listened to the modification for their plans once they returned to LA. After Cameron agreed to the addition, Sarah decided they should get ready and packed up.

Cameron got out of bed after her lover, and she followed Sarah, who invited her into the bathroom for a shower. After yesterday, she didn't expect Sarah to do this.

Sarah started the shower, adjusted the floor towel, and made sure there were two clean towels ready for them. She then took Cameron's hand and stepped into the hot shower.

The terminator entered the shower too and checked the curtain. She turned to her lover, who pulled her close. Cameron brought her arms around Sarah's smaller body and lowered her head down until her cheek brushed against Sarah's.

Sarah tucked her face into the older woman's neck, her forehead against the Omega tattoo. She then carefully reversed a step, but Cameron then guided her under the hot water. She shut her eyes just before the water stream rolled over her forehead and into her eyes. She tightened her left arm across her lover's lower back while she clutched Cameron's left shoulder.

Cameron now rested her face in her human lover's wet hair. Her readings told her that the hot water raised Sarah's overall body temperature within seconds.

Sarah just remained still in her protector's arms. She thought about last night again and the fact she was sharing a shower with Cameron. She hadn't done such a thing before, but she wasn't that nervous about it. In the past, her boyfriend had tempted her a few times yet it didn't happen. Sarah just couldn't bare the thought of her imperfect body being under the bathroom's light. But Sarah knew that Cameron wasn't judgmental about looks like humans, and it made it so much simpler.

And last night had been amazing for Sarah. She'd been pensive about it at the start for several, obvious reasons. She especially wasn't sure what to expect from the terminator, who hadn't experienced sex. But Cameron was a fast learner and easily adapted to the newness. Then after a brief discussion about sexual positions, Sarah found out Cameron wanted to try a few that night. Their last position had been the most emotional for her and most exciting. At the memory, Sarah had a shiver travel down her spine and settle in her lower stomach.

Cameron felt the tremble pass through her lover, and she knew it wasn't from being cold. So she softly asked, "Are you okay?"

Sarah decided her words were useless in this case. She just lifted her head and drew Cameron's lips down to hers with her fingers against Cameron's jaw. Her kiss was met with intensity that reminded her of last night. She threaded her fingers through her lovers honey brown hair that'd become wet and warm.

Cameron had easily learned the indicators that her lover was excited. She'd come to understand the signs last night. But when Sarah's tongue pulled away from hers, she moaned and opened her eyes to see heavy green ones regarding her. Cameron slid her hand down Sarah's slick torso until she had her fingers wrapped around Sarah's hips.

Sarah gasped in surprise when her lover lifted her up and then positioned her back against the shower wall. Sarah moaned when the cool, wet shower tiles pressed into her burning skin. She then found herself seated on Cameron's propped up knee and her right foot's heel dug into the shower's protruding ledge. A firm hand gripped her ass and supported her weight further.

Cameron's chest rose and fell heavily as she studied her lover's prone, open position in front of her. She couldn't deny how much it excited her, especially when trusting green eyes looked to her.

Sarah had her right hand on her lover's hip, and she pushed her left palm into Cameron's muscular stomach. This caused her to moan deep with need. She slid her wet hand up her lover's stomach then across Cameron's full breast. She finally gripped the solid bicep that supported her weight now. She gradually traveled her eyes up her lover's beautiful body to Cameron's features that showed passionate desire.

Cameron lifted her right hand and pressed her palm into the tiles next to Sarah's head. She leaned in and lowered for a searing kiss.

Sarah drove her lips hard against her lover's fuller ones. She opened her mouth and accepted Cameron's tongue part of the way. But after a beat, she suddenly ended the kiss and bit her lover's bottom lip. She caused a throaty growl from Cameron then a tile near her left ear cracked, but neither she nor Cameron cared about it.

Cameron straightened up and quickly lifted Sarah off her knee. She moved in closer and had Sarah partially sitting on her thigh. But she widened her right leg which caused Sarah to spread wider open for her. She maneuvered her right arm between their bodies and finally ran her fingertips through Sarah's wet folds.

"Oh god," Sarah whimpered and bit her lip. She dropped her head back against the tile and shut her eyes.

Cameron coated her fingers then gently rubbed Sarah's throbbing clit. She worked Sarah's clit in a slow circle that would drive her wild. She listened to every moan and whimper from her human lover. But she wanted Sarah to be louder, and Cameron knew how to do it. She carefully trailed her fingers lower and slid them into Sarah.

Sarah softly cried and lifted her head off the tile. She now moved her left hand onto Cameron's broad shoulder for support. She met her lover's heavy gaze. "Cameron," she whispered in need then gently pulled on her lover's shoulder in hidden signal to what she needed now.

Cameron followed the request and leaned forward into Sarah. She slowly pushed her long fingers deeper until she couldn't go further. She was near enough and kissed her lover.

Sarah could barely manage the kiss, but she could tell her lover promised her another emotional release. When Cameron pulled back, Sarah gripped her lover's shoulder tighter because Cameron started pushing in and out of her. She shifted her right hand up onto Cameron's shoulder and held onto her lover for support.

Cameron steadily increased the speed. She was pleased when her lover rocked her hips with the drives. She then curled her fingers for more effect.

Sarah continued moaning or whimpering. She'd had her eyes closed earlier, but she now opened them and stared down at Cameron's fingers driving in and out of her. She saw the glisten on Cameron's fingers.

Cameron followed her lover's stare and discovered that it excited her to watch it. She leaned forward some until her brow met Sarah's. Together, she and Sarah followed the faster rhythm until Sarah suddenly leaned back.

Sarah dug her nails into her lover's skin. She arched her back and stilled her hips when Cameron's next thrust went very deep. She cried out her lover's name and instantly her body's heated tension was gone, but she was left with euphoria in her body. She was weak but Cameron hastily grabbed her before she lost her balance.

Cameron had Sarah briefly balanced on her knee. In that short moment, Cameron felt the hot liquid that slid over her skin that came from Sarah, and she muffled a moan. She focused on Sarah though and lifted her up.

Sarah snaked her arms around her lover's neck. She was pulled into her lover, who now cupped her ass with both hands. She could barely manage her legs around her lover's waist then her pulsating clit met Cameron's lower stomach. She rested her cheek against Cameron's chest and waited for her strength to return.

The terminator clutched her human tightly to her body. She scanned Sarah's vital signs and watched Sarah's heartbeat slow down to a normal rate. But what was new was that she could detect the tantalizing throb from her lover's clit. Cameron fought to not let it rein her desires because they didn't have much time to spare today. A cold chill made Sarah shiver and from her readings, she noticed Sarah's back had cooled off significantly.

Sarah faintly shook again but from the warmth of the shower against her cold back. She sadly smiled at her lover's consideration and wondered how a machine, not human, could be that concerned about her well being. She couldn't imagine many humans were this tender. But Sarah set aside her thoughts and now lowered her legs because her strength had come back. She felt Cameron's hands move to her waist.

The terminator reached up and wiped away a few stray strands from Sarah's damp cheek. She softly smiled after Sarah gave her a brief yet affectionate kiss.

"Well," Sarah whispered, "I think it's safe to assume your desire is insatiable."

"I wish to hear you, see your face, and bring your to an orgasm." Cameron noticed how her honesty brought a blush to her lover's cheeks. She then softly added, "You also trust me, completely."

Sarah considered this statement and asked, "Not many humans trust you?"

"No." Cameron now reached for the small bar of soap behind her. When she turned back, she had Sarah against her, and she stilled under Sarah's serious stare.

"I do trust you, Cameron... I don't trust easily either." Sarah grasped her lover's wrist.

Cameron had figured this out when she first met the human. "I do not wish to break your trust."

"I know," Sarah murmured, and she kissed Cameron's collarbone. She then lifted Cameron's hand that held the soap. "Come on, we need to get moving before it gets later."

"Yes, Jane said checkout is at eleven."

Sarah rolled her eyes at the mention of the front desk clerk. She knew Cameron had done that on purpose, but she ignored it despite her grin. She and Cameron hastened to get cleaned then toweled off after the shower. Afterwards, Cameron made sure to inspect Sarah's wounds again and applied fresh ointment before she covered them with new band aid pads.

It only took them forty-five minutes to get dressed, packed, and organized but Cameron plugged in her notebook into the wall charger. While her notebook charged, she and Sarah practiced three new jujitsu moves that were offensive attacks rather than defensive. Sarah then had Cameron demonstrate the twelve Cameron learned yesterday, and Sarah was satisfied. Finally, they fixed the sofas and made sure they had all their belongings. Together, they left the Bridal Suite and went directly to the front desk where the hotel manager warmly greeted them.

Sarah checked out and returned the swipe cards while her protector went to the truck. She thanked the hotel manager then hefted her duffel back. She came outside to find that Cameron had moved the truck near the entrance and waited for her.

Cameron hopped out and met her lover at the tailgate. She slid Sarah's duffel bag under the cover then locked up everything. She then mentioned, "We need fuel before we go."

"Is there a diesel station in town?"

"Yes." The terminator went back to the driver's side and climbed into the truck. She heard Sarah get in, and they both clicked their seatbelts at the same time. Cameron followed her GPS to the local gas station and pulled up to the diesel pump set away from the gas pumps.

Sarah undid her belt and offered, "I'll go in. How much you think it needs?" She fished out the money that Cameron had given her days ago. She pulled out forty dollars in assumption.

Cameron was hesitant about Sarah going by herself, but she settled by asking, "You have your gun?"

Sarah looked up from the money and replied, "Yes." She realized her lover didn't like her going alone because they were practically joined at the hips since Big Bear City. "I'll be back." She shoved the door open and went to the store.

The terminator briefly watched then got out of the F-350 too. She wrapped around the large truck and opened up the gas door. She prepped everything then heard the digital meter rest itself. She set the handle to automatically pump. She turned around and spotted her lover coming back. She tilted her head at the items in Sarah's hands.

Sarah joined her lover and leaned against the truck. She had a bottle of water tucked under her left arm then an orange bag tangled in her left hand. But she carefully worked open the foil around a tiny cupped item.

Cameron craned her neck and studied what looked to be a chocolate candy.

Sarah had the foil off the Reese's miniature cup, and she handed it to her lover. "Try it."

The terminator was curious and accepted the candy. She noted the dark paper around it and made sure to remove it first. She popped it in her mouth and saw that Sarah had already eaten one too. But Cameron took longer because she was analyzing the candy. She hadn't expected the peanut butter center.

Sarah smirked and amusingly watched her lover eat the sweet treat. She decided to find out if her protector liked it or not by simply offering another one. She chuckled when Cameron took it. "Reese's cups are my favorite," she softly admitted.

"I can see why." Cameron tossed the trash into the nearby can then finished with the diesel. This gave her a chance to also work the peanut butter from her teeth. She decided there must be an art to eating sticky or gooey substances.

Sarah looked at the pump and saw it just rolled over to forty dollars then cut off. She could tell Cameron was satisfied with it. "You want me to drive so you can do that program?"

"Yes." The terminator handed over the truck keys then went to the passenger door.

Sarah strolled around the truck's rear and casually popped another peanut butter cup into her mouth. She got into the truck, situated her water and Reese's cups bag in the cup holders, and finally revved the diesel engine. After she adjusted her seat closer to the wheel, she put it into drive and hit the pedal. She grinned at the distinct whistle from the Power Stroke. If it weren't for the circumstances, Sarah would have loved to keep the truck after all was said and done.

Cameron had her book bag on the bench seat, and she dug out her red laptop. She booted it and waited for it. In the meantime, she took another peanut butter cup from her lover's stash.

Sarah saw it and warned, "You better not eat them all."

The terminator had a leery expression but decided it wasn't a real threat after she saw her lover's grin. She focused on her notebook's screen, which waited for a password. After she typed it in, she took a minute and turned on the radio. She searched around for a local light station.

"Okay," Sarah started in an aspirated tone, "what's with the love music? I mean honestly."

Cameron settled on a light station then straightened in her seat again. "You do not like songs about love?"

"It's not that... it's the fact you seem to be obsessed with them," Sarah replied.

Cameron started working on her laptop but casually explained, "The love music, as you call it, provides very insightful data about how humans view love."

"That sounds like research," the college student concluded.

Cameron busily typed away on the notebook. "Yes, in part." Her fingers were extremely fast across the keyboard. "I also enjoy many of the songs."

Sarah just shook her head and glanced once at her lover, who was typing faster than a normal human could go. She blinked at this then focused on the drive. "So it's forty-five minutes to Vegas then we go south on Route 15, right?"

"Yes."

Sarah sighed at her lover's faint monotone, but she knew it was because Cameron was so focused on getting the program written for their plans. She stayed quiet and watched the road. She occasionally ate a Reese's cup. She then started thinking back to the isotope weapon that'd been damaged, somehow.

"How you think that isotope weapon got damaged?" Sarah glimpsed once at her lover.

Cameron briefly tilted her head then merely replied, "Transport." She paused from her typing and looked at her lover. "For thirty years the weapon was stored in pieces at a bank vault, but it was moved to the weapons cache." She went back to her programming. "It was most likely damaged during transport to the cache."

"You don't think somehow one of John's agents did it?"

"No, they would greatly benefit from the weapon and would not damage it much less let us keep it." Cameron stopped typing and moved the mouse around on the screen.

"Us?" Sarah repeated. "A bank vault?" She shook her head and concluded, "Omega has sent other agents, hasn't he?"

"Yes."

Sarah blew up some air, which made her bangs flutter briefly. She felt as if she was back to pulling teeth from her lover. But she wondered if Cameron had noticed it because Cameron started to elaborate better.

"Agents have been sent back to handle various tasks such as building the weapons cache or time machine." Cameron hesitated but also revealed, "There are some that remain here and become a part of everyday life, but help new agents with various requests."

"Such as documents, guns, and money?" Sarah tempted.

"Yes." The terminator went back to her program and carefully wrote it.

"This time machine," Sarah inquired, "where is it?"

"It is located at the Security Trust of Los Angeles," Cameron reported.

"Is that where the isotope weapon was stored?"

"Yes."

Sarah thought about it for awhile and especially the time machine. "You have to go back?" She then sadly grinned and tried joking, "Or go forward."

The terminator was focused on the notebook's screen but answered, "Yes." She stopped and turned her head to Sarah. "I can't remain with you."

Sarah didn't say anything else and just took her bottle of water.

Cameron studied her lover's still profile and couldn't be sure what to make of it. She softly sighed then finished her program within a few more keystrokes. She then proceeded testing it. Once she was satisfied that it'd work properly, she pulled out a thumb drive from her book bag. She loaded the homegrown program onto the thumb drive.

"I hope that program works."

"It will," Cameron promised. She freed the flash drive and put the cap on it. "You only need to insert it into a computer on the network. Then it'll open a back door and give me access to the systems." She shut down her laptop.

Sarah took a deep breath and asked, "But they won't find out you've hacked into the systems, right?"

"I will remove all traces when we are done," Cameron promised her lover. She slid her laptop back into the book bag and caught Sarah's faint nod.

The college student was obviously relieved because otherwise it'd cause a lot of undue stress in the near future. She leaned her head on the rest.

Cameron detected that her lover was worried. "You don't have to do this, Sarah."

But Sarah shot a dubious look at her lover. "Just like you don't," she argued. "I mean we can just disappear in all reality. They'd probably never find us."

"The triple eights will find us," Cameron informed.

"You're far smarter than him," Sarah reminded. "You don't have to go back... you just stay and protect me."

The terminator rested her right arm on the door's handle. She stared out the front window and briefly entertained the idea of staying with Sarah Connor. She lowered her head at the silly notion. "The timeline can't be disrupted." She turned her dim features to her lover. "I have disrupted it enough."

"You?" Sarah was confused and shook her head. "You're the one saving me from the bad guys."

Cameron was quiet then honestly confessed, "One day soon you will fall in love." She now studied her lover's sad features. "You will fall in love with your husband. Together you and he will bring Cyberdyne Systems to the forefront of the most advanced technology and research." She turned away and quietly explained, "This cannot be accomplished if I remain here and don't stop John's agents."

"I thought this other corporation would lead that technology?"

Cameron leaned back into the seat some. "Yes. You will understand, someday."

"You make it sound like I take over Cyberdyne after my father," Sarah concluded.

Cameron clenched her jaw and remembered the Timeline Directive, yet she was ignoring it again.

Sarah started shaking her head and refused, "I can't run Cyberdyne." She saw that Cameron stayed quiet so she argued, "I'm getting a damn degree in mechanical engineering... not business. I can't be like my father."

The terminator slowly looked at her lover and softly promised, "You will be more than him."

Sarah let out a frustrated sigh and just coldly stared out the front window. After a quiet minute, she responded to Cameron's earlier offer. "I'm going to do this with you." She twisted her grip on the steering wheel. "Then take you to the bank where the time machine is located."

Cameron slowly nodded and left the topic alone. She felt the tension from her lover and also between them. She wasn't sure how to handle it and decided silence was safer. She didn't want to return to the future, but she had sworn duties and also knew if she stayed that it would change everything.

The drive to Las Vegas remained rather quiet and tense, but they decided on lunch because once they were beyond the city there wouldn't be many restaurants. Sarah settled on Wendy's, which wasn't her best pick since she tried to stay away from fast food. But she and Cameron were in a rush to return to Los Angeles. She hadn't expected Cameron to really eat with her, but the terminator did order a cheeseburger too.

They sat down at a two-person table and Sarah organized the food. She told her lover not to get any of the soda and stick with the ice tea. Sarah didn't want to find out if a terminator could get hyper although she highly doubted it. Nor was she a fan of soda after she'd been well regimented from jujitsu. But plenty of people argued with her that coffee wasn't that far from soda; she just ignored them though.

Cameron only had a single cheeseburger and wasn't too taken by the french fries. She did mostly eat the burger and commented, "This is very greasy... it is not healthy."

Sarah smirked and ate a fry. "You got that right." She shook her head and admitted, "I work at Overtime, but I rarely eat the food. I'm not big on greasy stuff."

"You do not wish to know the nutritional data on this food," Cameron murmured. She'd retrieved it moments ago in her HUD.

"Spare me," Sarah muttered. She chuckled and drank some ice tea. She then teased, "You're going to become a food connoisseur."

Cameron tilted her head at this comment. She then informed, "Most humans do not eat well in this century. I believe it is called junk food."

"Mmmm." Sarah decided the conversation made her not want to finish the other half of her burger. She then inquired, "Do humans eat better in the future?"

"Yes, humans go back to more natural methods."

"Like organic," Sarah summarized. "Do they still have candy and sweets?" She had a grin.

Cameron showed a faint grin but nodded. "They are rare though... chocolate has almost become as valuable as gold."

"In ancient history," Sarah informed, "some Mesoamerican cultures did use chocolate as a form of currency." She now piled everything on the tray and stood up with it. "A little history lesson for you." She gave a wink then strolled off to the trash bin.

Cameron followed her charge outside and mentioned, "There is not much known about human history in the future." She developed a frown. "By 2020, humans digitized everything possible so that paper consumption was minimized. Unfortunately, once John came online he destroyed all data on human history, literature, philosophy, education, documents, art, artifacts... everything possible."

"There still had to be books left," Sarah argued. She broke away from her lover and went to the passenger door. She'd given her lover the keys earlier so Cameron could drive the four hour leg to Los Angeles.

Cameron climbed into the truck's cab and revved the engine after she adjusted the seat for her taller stature. She further explained, "There were books retained after 2020 but not many." She reversed the truck from the parking spot. "What was left, John and the Resistance started burning."

Sarah was in awe and whispered, "It almost sounds like Hitler and the Nazis."

"World War II," Cameron concluded. "I have heard some about the Second World War but mainly from your daughter." She drove the truck onto Route 15. "What human history is retained is from the last few hundred years. The last hundred years is the most solid due to humans' memories. But further back, it becomes lost and unknown."

Sarah shook her head at this news and muttered, "Without history, we don't know where we've been." She then considered the loss of arts and literature. "So much of human culture is lost, isn't it?"

"Sadly yes." Cameron let out a low sigh. "Omega is attempting to regain the knowledge. The UR works hard to find and retain any books, documents, and historical artifacts that have survived Judgment Day and the war."

"It sounds daunting," Sarah murmured.

"It is." Cameron tilted her head and mentioned, "I have downloaded just over two terabytes of data on history, literature, and art since I've arrived here." But she grew annoyed in her next words. "It is not enough knowledge, but I believe Omega will be pleased regardless."

Sarah opened her mouth but didn't ask her question. She wasn't sure she wanted to get a laundry list of what Cameron had downloaded into her systems to take back to the future. She instead just slightly grinned in appreciation. She leaned to her left and grabbed the bag of Reese's cups. She pulled one for herself and one for her protector.

"Here," Sarah called and tossed one.

Cameron freed her right hand and neatly caught the candy. She had to admit they were tasty and agreed with Sarah's choice.

Sarah ate a few more and shared them with her lover. She counted only six left, which she wanted to save for later. She rolled up the bag and tucked it away in Cameron's book bag. She then considered whether to take a nap.

"You should sleep for awhile," Cameron suggested.

"Hmmm." Sarah gave a smile. "I think you read my mind." She entertained the idea then decided it was a good one. She unbuckled her seat belt and stretched out on the bench. Like last time, she rested her head on Cameron's thigh but without hesitation.

The terminator softly smiled at this and ran her fingers through the human's midnight locks. She heard a content hum from her lover and realized it was from touching her.

Sarah breathed deeply and slowly let out her breath. She tucked her hands under her lover's knee. She was easily lolled to sleep by Cameron's slow but constant strokes across her upper temple.

Once the human was asleep, Cameron rested her arm on Sarah's side. She remained focused on the drive back to Los Angeles. She checked over their plans again for stopping the T-888 and the Reese Brothers. Last night while Sarah slept, she made preparations that would ensure that Sarah Connor would be safe if their plans went wrong. If Cameron failed, her unique alert would be broadcasted over the internet to all agents, who were from the future and apart of the United Races. She knew they would act by saving and hiding Sarah Connor then one would return to the future and warn Omega. Undoubtedly, another terminator would be sent back by Omega and this one would be combat ready.

For Cameron, her main concern above all was seeing that Sarah lived past tomorrow. If she failed to destroy the T-888 and kill the Reese Brothers it would not matter compared to Sarah's life. But Cameron had logically determined her primary target should be the T-888, who could easily hunt and kill Sarah long before the Reese Brothers could manage it.

Tonight would be the night. Cameron Philips would fight with more than just logic or strength. She would fight with a belief inside of her that had not been programmed in her, but learned and grown. She would be the first terminator shielded by faith.

To be continued.