Chapter 8 – The Girls Are Growing Up

Disclaimer: Don't own TSCC

Skynet Command Central Chicago…

Leaving the Chicago area via an HK couldn't happen fast enough for the T-888 envoy. In his pocket was the flash drive he had used to upload the virus his master had created. He didn't look out the window as the dead farmland of Illinois passed beneath the HK en route to his home base of St. Louis.

All too soon he would be expected to return. The next time he would be leading a small force of Terminators and Greys. If the virus worked, everything would go smoothly. If it did not, he and every metal and human with him would be terminated.

TechCom…

The spy hurried through the corridor. Shift change allowed for only a few minutes of confusion to accomplish the objective. Pausing by the door, the spy gently knocked on it once before sliding the message through the opening in the door. Waiting impatiently, it seemed to the spy each passing second was minutes in length. Finally, a response was slipped back through the opening. The spy pocketed in and hurried down the corridor.

Passing other TechCom personnel, both military and civilian, the spy nodded in passing, hurrying to report for duty. Arriving with just under a minute to spare, the spy noticed the frown on the supervisor's face. A stickler for promptness, arriving less than fifteen minutes early for the start of a shift was late in the mind of the supervisor.

Picking up a hardhat and work jacket, the spy joined the other workers as they made their way to the rock face of the chamber they were boring out in an effort to create another underground hydroponic farm. If the stress of living as a spy in the TechCom community was not bad enough, the hard work and sometimes dangerous nature of the cover job was enough to make the spy want to flee and return home.

TechCom Corridor to the Reese and Connor Family Bunkers…

Ruth had slowed her pace as much as she felt reasonable and still Brandon had not said a word, let alone asked her to the dance. In the distance she could hear the faint sound of the Old Man following at a respectful distance, but following nonetheless.

Finally, the pair made it to Ruth's bunker. Rather than unlock the door and enter, Ruth turned her back to the door and looked up at the much taller Brandon. She smiled her best smile and waited patiently.

It appeared Brandon had lost his nerve. Feeling anxious, Ruth decided to break the silence herself in the hope a little conversation would prompt Brandon to get around to asking her to the dance.

"Thank you for walking me home," Ruth said sweetly.

"Your welcome."

Nothing. Brandon stood there watching Ruth.

"Did I show you the drawing I've been working on? It's kind of a different effort for me."

"Oh? How's that?"

"I have never just made up something in my CPU and then drawn it. I always draw sketches of things I have seen or that I have an image of in my files."

"Oh."

Frustrated, Ruth prodded Brandon again.

"It's really hard for Terminators to imagine things so this is a special drawing. Aunt Cameron says when she learned to be a ballerina creativity and expressing it was the hardest skill for her to learn."

Brandon nodded as if he understood.

"I have not shown anybody this drawing," Ruth said, the frustration starting to show in her voice. "Not even Hailey. Would you like to see it?"

Finally, Brandon seemed to get what Hailey was hinting at and nodded his head yes.

Relieved, Ruth hoped her back up plan would work. Smiling once more at Brandon, Ruth carefully opened her sketchbook to the new drawing. Slowly she turned it around so Brandon could see it.

"Promise you will not laugh. I have never done this before."

Brandon frowned as he spoke, "Why would I laugh? I can't draw a straight line with a ruler and you make cool drawings."

Feeling a little more confident, Ruth lifted the page covering the drawing. Brandon looked at the sketch for nearly a minute and did not say a word.

"Well? What do you think?" Ruth asked in exasperation.

Brandon looked up at Ruth with a puzzled expression. "Don't get mad Ruth, I don't know anything about art at all. So it's hard for me to tell what I'm supposed to see."

Feeling her patience ebb, Ruth lowered her chin so it was slopping downwards, forcing her to tilt her eyes upwards. As she did so, Ruth put her left hand on her hip, holding her sketchpad with her right hand. "Just tell me what you see," Ruth told Brandon, a hint of petulance slipping into her voice.

"Okay. I see a black dress. But the lady wearing it doesn't have any head and her arms stop just past her shoulders. I guess you haven't finished it. Did I get it right?"

"Brandon! It's a sketch of a dress a certain girl, ahem, would like to wear to the school dance. But she will not get to wear the dress she designed if a certain somebody does not work up the nerve to ask the certain girl."

Ruth closed her sketchbook and looked at Brandon, struggling to keep her infiltrator program from displaying her frustration.

"Oh," Brandon said as a realization struck the boy.

"Ohhhhh. Uh, Ruth, um, there's going to be a school dance in a couple of weeks.

"There is?" Ruth said, tapping her left foot impatiently.

"Uh, yeah. Do you think you would like to go?" Brandon finally got out.

"Well," Ruth said, drawing out Brandon's suffering, "it would be up to my Dad. If he says yes, I would be happy to go to the dance with you."

Brandon nodded and put his hands in his pants pockets. Frowning he looked down at Ruth's feet. "Does that mean I have to talk to Colonel Reese in private again?"

Ruth stood up on her toes and morphed a couple of inches of length to her legs quickly and pecked Brandon on his cheek, causing the tall youth to both jump back in surprise and blush.

"No. I'll get my Mom to handle that." Ruth unlocked the entrance to the bunker and looked over her shoulder at the blushing boy. "See you at school tomorrow."

Brandon jumped a second time as Ruth shut the bunker door firmly and locked it behind her. He smiled at the realization Ruth had said she would go to the dance with him. Feeling pleased, he began making his way down the corridor to report for his short evening shift of duty.

Turning the corner of the corridor the youth ran directly into the steel chest of the Old Man and bounced back nearly a foot.

Brandon's mouth fell open as the red optics of the T-600 burned directly into his eyes. The clinched teeth set in the Coltan steel jaw looked more terrifying than normal.

"Colonel Reese said not to terminate you for walking Ruth home."

"I'll be sure to thank him for that," Brandon said, stepping to the side to get around the T-600.

The Old Man quickly blocked his path.

"My orders were to terminate you if you tried to kiss Ruth."

"Hey, look," Brandon said, raising his hands in defense and back away from the T-600. "Ruth kissed me. I didn't kiss her. Surprised me. Yep. Surprised me."

"The only reason you will not be terminated at this moment is because I must consult with the Colonel. You did not initiate the inappropriate contact."

Brandon gulped down the bile and acid rushing up his throat and into his mouth as his heart pounded in his chest.

"You may leave now. Should termination be required, I will locate you," The Old Man said and stepped out of Brandon's way, allowing the terrified youth to spring past him.

TechCom Cafeteria…

Thomas finally left to Cameron's relief. John was about to boil over and Cameron wanted to get her husband home so he would unwind.

"John, you should go home and take a shower and relax. I will bring Hailey home."

"No. I'm going to find out what's going on right now."

"John Connor."

"Is this one of those if I know what is good for me I'm going to let my Terminator wife handle the situation?"

"It is."

John sighed. "I guess she's going to the dance?"

"She is."

"And I have nothing to say as her father?"

"Of course you do. I expect you to carry out a complete background check, establish the rules of conduct and the circumstances in which violation of said rules will result in immediate termination of the twin named Thomas by either myself, you or the Old Man."

John looked at Cameron to make sure she was serious.

"I am serious John."

"Okay, okay. But the rules stand. No slutty dress either. And we're chaperoning."

"John, go."

"Okay, okay. I'll go home, but I'm calling Ellison as soon as I get home to have the background check started."

Cameron watched as John left in a huff. She enjoyed watching John's discomfort. Later that evening Cameron would point out to him all the anxiety he caused her on a regular basis. It was nice for him to get a taste of what he put her through.

Hailey approached her mother quietly, waving goodbye to the twin as he finally departed.

"Mom!"

"Thomas asked you to the dance?"

"Yep! Where's Dad? I want to get this over with."

"I sent your father home."

"What for? I need to ask him if I can go to the dance so I can let Thomas know at school tomorrow."

"That's precisely why I sent him home."

"Mom, I'm confused, why would you do that?"

"So he can't change his mind and say no."

"I can go?" Hailey squealed, jumping up and down.

"Yes, but there will be strict rules and you will obey them."

"I can go though, right Mom?"

"Yes, if Thomas passes his background check."

"Background check?"

"Yes, that is where your father is probably doing right now. Contact Agent Ellison to have him initiate the process."

Hailey rolled her eyes and tilted her head as she put her left hand on her hip.

"Mom. It's just a dance."

"If that is going to be your attitude, you will not go," Cameron told her daughter as she turned to go home.

"Mom," Hailey cried out, running after Cameron. "That's not fair."

"And you think Ruth will have even fewer rules?"

Hailey stopped for a moment to consider things.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Hailey?"

"Please tell me you and Dad aren't going to be chaperones."

"Why we would not miss the dance for the world. And I am certain Sarah and Derek will be present. So will Catherine and Wilhelm. Of course since Agent Ellison and Father Hidalgo are so involved in the school they will be there. Oh, and I am confident John Henry will be there as well."

"You left out the Old Man, the Assassin and Sgt. Brighton," Hailey sarcastically added as she caught up to her mother, giving her eyes another good roll.

"I did not forget them. They will be present. You just won't be able to see them."

"Mom!"

TechCom Holding Area…

Lying on his cot, Trevor ran his finger of the scab on his cheek. He'd been lucky and he knew it. Regardless of what transpired in the coming months, provoking Cameron Connor was not on his list of things to do.

He smiled at the thought of how beautiful Hailey's mother was. Lacing his fingers together, Trevor places his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. He imagined the pleasure he would get as he flayed the skin of Cameron's beautiful face while the good General watched, helpless to stop him.

And then, then the fun would start. Trevor felt his pulse quicken as he imagined what he planned to do to Hailey as her father watched. Yes, he would enjoy his revenge. All in good time, but he would enjoy his revenge.

Outside the Reese Bunker…

Noticing the Old Man waiting outside their bunker door instead of in his alcove studying for his ethics class, Sarah felt her throat catch.

"Derek, the Old Man is waiting."

Hurrying, Sarah pulled Derek along by his hand.

"Is something wrong?" Sarah asked. "Is Ruth okay?"

"She is inside. I believe her to be fine physically," the T-600 replied.

"Yeah, but you should be studying," Derek replied. "What happened?"

"I was forced to make a decision," the Old Man replied, looking first at Derek and then Sarah. "Colonel, if you or Miss Sarah believe I made a mistake, I will carry out the termination and then report to the medical complex for disassembly."

"Did he kiss my daughter," Derek growled.

Sensing the Old Man's tension, Sarah smiled in the realization of what had happened.

"Old Man, you did the right thing. I know it causes your CPU anxiety and the conflict data is hard to deal with, but you did the right thing. And please quit offering to have yourself disassembled. You're a part of our clan now."

"If you change mind Miss Sarah, I know where this Brandon bunks. I will terminate or inflict any desired injury you or the Colonel decide upon."

"That won't be necessary," Sarah assured the agitated T-600. "Why don't you go and read your ethics assignments and ponder them for an hour and then shut down for Terminator Sleep until Cameron goes on patrol."

"Yes, Miss Sarah," the Old Man replied, bowing slightly. "That might help with the data I am struggling to process."

Sarah opened the door and pulled Derek inside. Linking her arm through her husband's, Sarah locked the door and turned off the lights.

"Ruth?"

"Yes, Mom?" Ruth called from her room.

"I'll be in to say good night in just a few minutes."

"Okay, Mom."

Pulling Derek along quickly, Sarah shut the door to their room behind them.

"What is going on?" a less than amused Derek demanded.

"Your daughter had her first kiss."

"That's what the Old Man was trying to say?"

"More or less, mainly less."

"I'm terminating that boy myself, then I'm terminating the Old Man. I can't believe after all these years, that old T-600 would go bad. He's been such a good protector and so loyal, but this tears it…"

"Shut up Derek. Brandon didn't kiss Ruth. She kissed him."

Derek's mouth fell open in shock. Sarah laughed at him and gently pushed Ruth's father, causing him to fall backwards into their bed.

"When I get back, you need to be undressed and ready for bed."

"Sarah?"

"Derek, the girls are growing up. There is not a thing we can do to stop it."

The Connor Family Bunker…

"Yes," John said, looking at the image on his laptop that Ellison had pulled up. "That's the twin in question."

"I will have a complete dossier on your desk no later than 0100 tomorrow morning. I 'll have it brought over by one of my M.P.'s."

"You sure this isn't a problem?"

"John, you seem to forget, Hailey and Ruth are my Goddaughters. They are students in my school and I feel like I am part of the extended family raising them."

"So most of the background check is already done then?"

"I just need to finish organizing it," Ellison replied. "I'll get a few updated images to include and that will be it."

"Thanks. Sorry to bother you."

"Good night, General," Ellison told John. "It will be okay."

John turned off his laptop and decided to take a shower to try to work some of the stress out of his muscles. When Cameron got home with Hailey he would have her give him a massage. He smiled. Maybe the Sexbot would feel inspired.

The door opened and a frowning Hailey stormed in without speaking.

John read the expression on his daughter's face and hurriedly spoke, "Don't slam...," flinching at the resounding boom of Hailey's door slamming filled their bunker, "the door," he finished.

Turning to face Cameron who had finished shutting the door, John asked, "are you going to lock the door?"

"No. Ruth will be here in a few minutes. I see no need for her to pick the lock."

"And just how long will they stay up?"

"I will send Ruth home in after about an hour."

"Look, Hailey…"

"John, she is just angry because I told her we will be among the chaperones."

John shook his head as Cameron led him to their sleeping quarters. "My poor mother. How did she deal with this?"

Cameron smiled and rested her head on John's shoulder as they entered their room. "Yes, we probably did cause Sarah a few grey hairs."

The Reese Family Bunker…

"Well?"

"Well, what Mom?"

"Besides you kissing Brandon, do you have any news to tell me?"

Ruth's eyes grew large, her mouth dropped open and she blushed as her emotion simulator changed the surface color of her matrix to an appropriate reddish pink color.

"Mom!"

"What? You don't think I know what it was like to get asked to a dance by a cute boy?"

"Mom! If Dad hears you, he'll send the Old Man to terminate Brandon! Worse, Dad will go and to it himself!"

"We'll talk tomorrow before dinner," Sarah said firmly as she smiled at Ruth. "There are going to be rules and Brandon will have to come by for a talk."

"Please no, Mom! Brandon's terrified of Dad! I just know it was all he could do the first time he had to talk to Dad."

"It's all right," Sarah reassured Ruth. "I will be the one who talks to him this time."

"Okay," Ruth reluctantly replied.

Sarah kissed Ruth on her forehead and stood to leave.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Does this mean I can go?"

Sarah laughed. "Yes, you can go. Now go talk to Hailey before the two of you burst with excitement."

"Thanks, Mom!"

TechCom Corridor…

Ruth gently shut the door behind her and hurried to the Old Man's alcove. Without warning the T-600 who was examining a tablet as he sat in his old worn recliner, Ruth hopped into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on his Coltan steel cheek, causing his optics to burn with a brighter intensity for several seconds.

"Thank you for not terminating Brandon," Ruth old her protector.

"The Colonel is aware of your actions," the T-600 monotoned.

"That is okay. You did not terminate my Brandon."

"I may terminate him in the future. If he engages in inappropriate behavior I will terminate him," the Old Man said firmly before adding, "though I do promise your Brandon's termination will be quick and merciful."

"You are an old softie," Ruth told her protector.

"I am not," the Old Man replied indignantly. "My steel is as hard as the day it was cast."

"Okay," Ruth giggled. "What ever you say."

She slipped out of the T-600's lap and hurried silently to the Connor Bunker.

Shaking his head, the Old Man muttered, "those girls will cause me to self-terminate yet."

TechCom Female Refugee Housing…

A short teenage refugee with red hair walked between the cots until she found the girl she was looking for.

"Hey! I've got some bad news for you."

Rachel sat up and pulled her blonde tresses behind her ears.

"What? Somebody burn the school down?"

"No, that stinkin' metal Ruth got Brandon to ask her to the school dance."

"How do you know?"

"Cuz he told a couple of his buddies and I overheard them."

Rachel lay back down on her cot.

"Yeah, well there's a couple of weeks between now and the dance. A lot could happen between now and then," Rachel said as a wicked smile formed on her face.

"Yeah," her red headed friend replied in agreement. "I a lot could happen."

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 and the Black Bird

Cameron and John's Wedding

Who's the Boss?

The Storm Before the Calm