** Okay, I admit it. That was a fairly evil place to leave y'all hanging last time. Apologies. :)
TSCC and all their amazing characters are not mine. I'm just mucking with 'em for a little while. I own nothing but a very warped imagination. Bad language, no beta, pilfering, etc.
This chapter hangs somewhere between PG13 and R. Nothing graphic enough to warrant the dreaded M rating. (at least I don't think so.)
Big thanks for the comments and PMs. They're super encouraging. **
Cameron didn't exactly have dimples. What she did have were the most delectable tiny laugh lines, almost like quarter moons dotting her suddenly rosy cheeks. Her chocolate eyes dazzled me. I had to look away to gather the strength to breathe again. Fear, doubt, desire, need, and pure lust battled for control of my mind. I sucked in a deep breath and beckoned her closer.
"I-I" She stopped with about an inch separating our knees. She looked adorably confused. "I-I shouldn't stare." She stammered.
A stammering terminator? This positively blew my mind. Weaver was absolutely right. Cameron was not your average terminator.
She swallowed audibly and glanced away shyly only to hurriedly look back. "I am sorry, Sarah. You always tell me not to stare. I am trying not to. I-I can't stop."
"It's okay, girlie." I stood up and shrugged the dress the rest of the way off right along with logic and reason. "This time I like the way you're looking at me. I like it a lot."
"We could still have a problem. I don't think looking is enough. I want to touch you." she shook her head. "Want is an inadequate word to describe this." She gestured at the air between us. "I ache to touch you and for you to touch me."
I smiled. "That's good. 'Cause I really, really want to touch and be touched right about now." I teased her.
She quickly closed the distance us. Her moist plump lips brushing against mine. Soft and gentle at first. Gradually the sweet pressure increased. Our tongues danced to a beat faster than our hearts. Her right hand went behind my neck and she brought her whole body firmly against mine.
My head began to swim. Proof of Cameron's mad skills or more lingering effects of Weaver's drug. I had to break the kiss. I didn't want to. "I don't think I can stand any longer, Cam."
"You don't have to." I felt her smile against my lips. Her strong hands on the backs of my thighs as she lifted me. My legs wrapped around her and she backed me into the wall. Her hands roaming freely. "You're so much more than I ever dared hope for, Sarah."
The world doesn't always make sense. Best friends can prove to be traitors. Mortal enemies can become lovers. Even a so-called constant such as time can be manipulated and shifted. The future is not set. Each day that comes our way is an unexpected blessing. The present truly is a gift. When you're pressed against the wall and you think you have nowhere to run and no one to turn to just remember to keep breathing. The world turns. Lightning strikes. Fault lines shift. Tides break. In other words. Shit happens. It's not always bad shit. Every once in a blue moon you get to be Leonardo DiCaprio shouting "I'm the king of the world."
That morning when I woke to the feeling of Cameron's tongue flitting against my ear, her fingers tracing circles on my hip, and her toe softly caressing the length of my calf I was suddenly in the mood to stretch my arms and shout that I was indeed the king, er queen, of the world.
"Did you sleep well?" she inquired as she pulled back enough to catch my eye. Her lips slowly curved in a Cheshire cat grin.
"Very well," I smiled back. I ran my thumb over the sexy crease in her cheek. "That is, when you let me, Tin Miss." I half teased.
"I've been thinking." she whispered before leaning in for a searing kiss.
My tongue slid between my new lover's lips, exploring her like Columbus on his search for the new world. She stoked a fire deep within me. In her arms I could forget the daily hell we were living in. The fight to save the future blissfully on hold. I traced the contours of her soft skin, every luscious curve, across her flat stomach, and up to the swell of her breasts.
Then the dreaded dizziness hit again. "Weaver sucks." I grumbled and reluctantly untangled our limbs.
"Like a vacuum cleaner."
I chuckled. Still enjoying her growing sense of humor. "You crack me up, girlie."
"I like making you laugh. It puts a magical sparkle in your eyes. Do you want to know what I was thinking about?" She continued after my nod. "You have so many nicknames for me, Tin Miss, girlie, and Cam to name a few. I think it is time I give you one."
I crossed my arms and sort of dared her to tell me.
"I'm going to call you McDonalds."
"You're naming me after a fast food restaurant?" I shook my head in disbelief. "I don't think you quite understand the concept of nicknames yet. Why the hell would you want to call me McDonalds?"
"Because you taste better than French fries. You make me want more. I don't need the toy surprise. I have you. You are my Happy Meal, Sarah Connor. You're my McDonalds."
Her precious explanation of her reasoning touched me. I gave her a quick kiss before getting out of bed. "You're sweet, Cam. But you're not calling me McDonalds. I'm gonna take a shower. Think of something not associated with a greasy restaurant and maybe I'll let you give me a nickname. But don't hold your breath."
"I think I'm addicted to you. I could call you, crack." she joked. At least I think she joked. I really hoped she joked.
Seeing Weaver and Cameron sitting at the small table overlooking the pool should have shocked me. Instead it just placed the cherry on my already dreamlike morning. "What are you doing here?"
"Good morning to you too, Sarah." Weaver showed her teeth. It couldn't be called a smile. More like a guard dog letting you know it packed one hell of a bite. "I can see why Cameron is infatuated with you. You do present quite the picture standing there in only the towel."
I ignored her and continued to my bag. "So, are you just going to keep popping up like a freaky terminator in a box whenever you feel like it or are you here for a reason?"
She sighed. It was the most human mannerism I'd seen her display yet. "It's a pity you ruin the whole image once you open your mouth."
"Happy to disappoint you." I pulled on underwear and black cargo shorts then turned my back to drop the towel and put on my bra. I slipped a green tank top on over a black one before turning to meet her steady gaze.
"Megan called." Cameron announced. Probably to diffuse some of the tension between Weaver and I. "She and Kim are expecting us to meet them at their room in twenty minutes. Megan wants to check your vitals. I need to shower too. Can I trust you two to behave?"
I nodded. There wasn't a damn thing I could do to harm or threaten Weaver. If she wanted to stay, she would stay. I had to accept it.
Cameron cocked her head and studied Weaver for a moment. "Sarah's continued safety determines whether or not I help you."
"I am fully aware of your needs and conditions, Cameron. I assure you I have no intention of damaging even one lock of Sarah's unruly mane." Weaver waited for the bathroom door to close behind Cameron before addressing me. "I understand you found a way to outmaneuver the side effects of the drug."
Aw holy hell. I wondered how long she'd been in our room and exactly what was said between her and Cameron. It wasn't the first time I wished to have a terminator's total recall ability. If I thought about it too long I'd only drive myself mad. I shook my head and pretended she hadn't spoken to me. I cast a wistful glance at my comfortable boots before reaching for the black Reeboks. "Okay Weaver, I don't have any mind reading tricks up my sleeve. What's up?"
"I hacked the moderator's computer. I have signed you and Cameron up for all the same classes as Kim and Megan. Be forewarned. They like to partner swap."
"Lovely." I breathed as I finished tying my shoes. "I don't care what you think. Cameron is not sleeping with her. We'll find another way to make the plan work."
"Yes," Weaver's expression looked pained. "Cameron has expressed her wishes. She does not desire anyone but you. THe plan will be adjusted accordingly. I will be posing as various people throughout the day. Keep the phone I gave you with you at all times. I will text you updates throughout the day. Kaliba's representatives are here as well. Assuring Kim's safety and getting her to join Zeiracorp are your primary objectives. We-"
"Hey," I cut in. "I'm not a terminator. You don't assign primary objectives to me."
"A poor choice of words." Weaver bared her teeth. "Please remain calm. Cameron does not perform at her best when she knows you are upset."
"You're right." I held my hands up in surrender. "What else?"
"I will gain access to Kim's room to plant surveillance devices. We need to know her thoughts and actions when she is not with you and Cameron. I've instructed Cameron to place similar devices in Kim and Megan's purses while you are together."
First Derek, now Weaver, I hate when people cut me out of my own loop. "I don't like this. It's not okay for you to be alone with Cameron and giving her instructions without me around. If you want our cooperation then next time you want to discuss a plan you wait until we're all three together. And you don't get to just waltz in with orders. I don't say "How high?" after you say, "Jump." I may not be a terminator but I'm still part of this team. An equal part. Not a subordinate."
She bowed her head. "I meant no offense, Sarah. I will not make the same mistake again."
I was surprised by her quick acquiescence. I doubted her sincerity. I had a feeling she didn't mean it. If not for her big plans for Cameron she'd crush me under her spiked heel.
"I should go. Do not hesitate to call or text if you require assistance. Don't allow pride or anger to come between us. There are much larger and important things at stake."
Weaver always spoke in riddles and contradictions. She claimed not to want me angry but the challenge in her eyes and the jut of her chin said something different altogether. I felt the anger clawing to the surface of my brain. I sent it scrambling back into the dark with a vivid memory of Cameron's smile at the moment she first crested with my fingers hooked inside her. That image would stay with me until my dying day.
More to come...
