What Are Dreams?

A short story featuring John and Cameron from "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles."

My story has evolved into an alternative storyline to the final episodes of season 2. Amazing things that occur in the mind when writing a story.

I do not claim any rights to the characters or the TV series.

Previously: Catherine Weaver gets the report from Ellison on Bennett. His activities have been suspicious as he has been corralling various technology firms under the control of the Kaliba Consortium. John and Cameron sneak Riley past Kacy and into the house to discover Derek Kneeling over a passed out Sarah. Cameron takes charge of treating of Sarah's illness while John touches base with Derek. Cameron withholds information that may indicate that Sarah might be just beginning the very early stages of Leukemia. Weaver is threatened by Bennett that he will either destroy her company, or she can turn over john henry's body to him by the end of the week. Derek speaks privately with Cameron and discovers the awful truth as to why John Connor didn't conduct Jesse's court martial in the future. He leaves to find her. John learns something of himself and Riley from the future. He leaves to check on Cameron and finds her alone and upset and John comforts her. Now she's alone, Riley contacts Jesse.

Chapter 10: Future Nightmare Continued

In a lab far from the Connor's home in Los Angeles, a technician works alone at a computer console. He is reading lines of code and making entries into a notebook. Behind him are benches with bodies under sheets.

A large man enters the lab quietly and walks over to the technician.

"How goes your work Mr. Topper?"

The technician just about leaps from his chair, he was so engrossed in his work he didn't hear the man enter. "Good God Mr. Bennett! Are you trying to kill me?"

"No Mr. Topper. Your skills are still required for this operation. I won't kill you until much later." He says with a straight face.

Mr. Topper looks frightened then displays a big silly grin. "You're funny Mr. Bennett. Ha ha ha." He laughs nervously. "The work is good. I'm just going through these lines of code taking notes for changes so we can find a means of calling in this other unit."

"That is good news Mr. Topper. When will you be ready to try again?"

"What?" He makes some wild hand gestures. "You don't understand Mr. Bennett. It takes time to go through these lines of code. We have to find the right set of lines to modify to recall the rogue unit. It could take all night to find the lines to modify and then all morning to reassemble and compile the program for broadcast. We're looking at the earliest, and I do mean the earliest, we could run the program again will be Tuesday afternoon."

The man looks steadily at the technician, "I'm not pleased Mr. Topper. I want this program ready to run again tomorrow morning. No excuses." turns to leave.

The technician stands up abruptly. "But what is the urgency? We've already recalled four units. What's so special about this one?"

"That's not for you to know Mr. Topper. Have the program ready to run in the morning, or I will find someone else to complete this operation. Oh, and we will have another unit arriving for processing this weekend. Make sure the technicians are informed."

Mr. Bennett exits the room, leaving a frightened technician standing at his computer terminal. As the door closes, it creates a draft blowing a sheet on one of the bodies. The upper torso of a muscular male with black hair in a crew cut is revealed.

**

John is still holding Cameron, though her scans of the approaches to the house never cease, she finds comfort for her unhindered emotions in his arms. Is this why humans tend to touch each other in handshakes, hugs, kissing, and simple touches? She ponders. Because it creates, soothes, or improves the emotional and physical connection between two people.

John asks in a low comforting tone, "Cam, are you going to tell me what happened, just now, between you and Derek?"

Cameron tenses as she hears his question but then relaxes. It was decided by them, his machine bodyguards and friends, not to reveal the truth of John's death to anyone for what it could do to the resistance. The resistance hasn't formed yet. Judgment Day hasn't arrived yet. She's already told Derek, who's loyalty at the moment is uncertain. Should she tell John? What would he think of her if he learned she failed to protect him in the future? She never knew future John loved her until that day he died. But she's changed the future by bringing John forward in time. It is already possible she's averted that future, but if Jesse succeeds in her plan, then all her work will be for naught, and not only could John die, but possibly never exist. And there are the Sky Net operatives working right now to create the future as Sky Net wants it. If they succeed as well . . . .

"Derek didn't say anything to me that made me upset." She responds, deciding on a course of action.

"But you looked like you were crying. Your eyes were red." He says with concern.

"I know John. Listen to me. Derek didn't say anything to make me upset. I did." She says turning her wide brown eyes off the window, looking at John, a fresh set of tears running from her eyes.

**

Leaving his truck parked somewhere out of sight of his target, Derek positioned himself where he could see the front entrance and the approaches to the rear of the bar where he met with Jesse previously. If this was in the future, he would have his choice of mounds of rubble to hind behind, but then if he was in the future, there would be no bar to stake out either.

Coming back here was a long shot, but it was his only chance of finding Jesse. He double checked at the apartment building. She really did move out and left no forwarding address. He did get a peek at her mailing address, but it turned up nothing as well. When he got to the mail room, he found out she had canceled that as well. His only chance was the bar.

After walking around the area, making sure he wasn't being followed by doubling back on his track, he discovered he could watch the building just as easily and more comfortably from his truck.

He sits back and thinks over some of the recent events.

At Jesse's apartment:

Derek, "What did he say when you saw him?"

Jesse, "That's just it. I never did see him. No has since you left. I was questioned by that metal bitch. She told me telling her was the same thing as telling Connor. What's the point of this fucking war, if telling her is the same as telling Connor? I'm telling you the machines are controlling this war. And that metal bitch is behind it."

"But she's here now, and no longer there to influence Connor."

"Because she is here now . . . with him! If things are bad now in the future with her there, how much fucking worse can it get if she is with him throughout his life?"

- -

At the Connor's home:

Derek, "Is John Connor dead?"

Cameron, "Yes. Six weeks, four days after you left, John Connor was assassinated leaving Depot 2 to return to his base. An infiltrator, a gray, no one knew. He had been living with us, fighting along side of us for months. He saw his opportunity and killed John. He killed John." She repeats her lower lip trembling.

A few tears run from the corner of Cameron's eyes and Derek looks at her in shock.

"Where were his body guards? Where were you when this happened?"

"We were there. But like I said, no one suspected. Not even us. John Connor had been hearing for weeks about growing dissent due to his reliance on machines. It was being said he favored our company over his fellow humans. It wasn't true. He only avoided humans most times so that if Sky Net attacked, it wouldn't kill innocent humans to get to him."

"What happened?" Derek asks, this time sounding less harsh. This would certainly explain her devotion to her duty and some of the things she said and did in Mexico.

"John ordered us to give him more space so that humans could approach him more easily. So that he could meet and talk with people like he used to. When he was leaving Depot 2, a man stepped forward to greet and shake John's hand, as so many people do when they see him. Before we could act, the man pulled out a knife and stabbed a lethal blow to his chest."

"And the gray?"

"I killed him."

"Good. And John?"

"He died a few minutes later in my arms. There wasn't anything we could do for him. We hid his death from everyone. If the resistance learned of John's death, everyone would give up hope. Humanity would die."

"What did you do?"

"We knew that we couldn't hide his death for very long, so it was decided that I should go back and protect him. Keep him safe and stay with him always. Give John and humanity a chance to live."

"But why you? Why not one of the triple-8's or the T-850's?"

"Because of John's last words. I was chosen because of what he said to me. He said, 'I love you, Cameron.' and then he died."

Cameron cries some more and Derek can't believe what he is seeing. He gives her a moment and then asks, "So who conducted Jesse's court martial?"

"I did. I sat in shadow where I couldn't be seen and spoke with his voice and acted based on my observations of John. That was the last time I stood in for him. I left afterwards to protect him now. Sarah and John doesn't know. You must not tell them."

- -

In the bunkers during the war with Sky Net:

Derek, "I hate that thing."

Kyle, "I's just a picture."

Derek, "It's Connor's mother. I don't get why he'd give you that."

Kyle, "She's my lucky charm."

- -

In Depot II, after Derek got back from being captured:

General Perry, "You're like a ghost come back. And you're a Reese."

Derek, "Tell me about the other Reese."

General Perry, "Told you, it's classified."

Derek, "I'm family."

General Perry, "We're all family."

Derek, "Let me talk to Connor. He'll understand. Kyle was his friend."

General Perry, "Connor doesn't have any friends. And he doesn't talk to anyone."

Derek, "Fine, I'll find him myself."

General Perry, "Reese."

Cameron walks through the bunker.

Derek screams, "Metal!"

General Perry, "No!" He shouts pushing Derek's gun arm out away.

Derek, "She's a machine! She's one of them!"

General Perry, "No, damn it! She's one of ours."

Derek, "One of ours? It's reprogrammed. And just given run of the place like pets?"

General Perry, "This is Connor's show. And that's what he wants.".

Derek: "Those machines kill. They kill. It's all they do."

General Perry, "And now, they do it for us. They helped us in Topanga. We'd never have done what we did."

Derek, "What did we do?"

General Perry, "Derek."

Derek, "What happened? What happened up there? What happened to my brother? Hey!"

- -

In the kitchen at the Connor's old home, after Derek was rescued and patched up by Charley:

John, "Kyle Reese, your brother, he came across time to protect me. He died fighting the machines. He was a soldier. And he was - he was a hero. He was a hero."

- -

In the park on John's birthday:

Derek, "Your mom has never killed anyone, has she? You know, she's got murder in her eyes all the time, but her heart's pure. It's a good thing, you know. Keep a... keep a pure heart. It's beautiful here, isn't it? You know, you stay long enough, you start fooling yourself into thinking that this is... how it's always gonna be. And you remember what this place will look like when it's on fire, and... you realize you'll do whatever it takes to keep from watching it burn again."

There are two boys playing catch. One of them much older than the other. Reese is printed on the back of his jersey.

John, "Is that... you? And the younger one, is that..."

Derek, "Kyle. Throws pretty good for a five-year-old, huh? Your father always had a nice arm."

John, "How'd you know?"

Derek, "Every time I look at you, I see him. Besides, your mom's his type. Happy birthday."

- -

Jumbled memories:

General Perry, "And now, they do it for us. They helped us in Topanga. We'd never have done what we did."

Derek, "What happened? What happened up there? What happened to my brother? Hey!"

John, "Kyle Reese, your brother, He came across time to protect me. He died fighting the machines. He was a soldier. And he was - He was a hero. He was a hero."

Derek, "Kyle. Throws pretty good for a five-year-old, huh? Your father always had a nice arm."

John, "How'd you know?"

Derek, "Every time I look at you, I see him. Besides, your mom's his type. Happy birthday."

General Perry, "And now, they do it for us. They helped us in Topanga. We'd never have done what we did."

John, "He died fighting the machines. He was a soldier. He was a hero."

"Your father always had a nice arm."

"They helped us in Topanga. We'd never have done what we did."

"He was a hero."

"They helped us in Topanga."

"They helped us in Topanga."

"Your father . . ."

"Your father . . ."

Derek wakes with a start to see that the sun has nearly set. A bus pulls away from the curb revealing the bar across the way. Still no sign of Jesse's car. It then occurs to Derek that she may have changed cars as well as her home and mail box. His truck is too obvious, he will have to find something else. Exiting his truck he makes his way across to the bar and to the parking lot. Seeing a large group of people approaching the bar he joins them and slips inside unseen by the bouncer.

* *

After Cameron told John, what she told Derek, she wasn't certain how he might react. Facing one's own mortality isn't something that humans like to know. Her programming in human psychology suggest hysterics, crying, anger at God, or complete denial in response. But all John said was, "Well that sucks." Then he went into the kitchen saying, "You hungry?"

Her curiosity aroused by his reaction, Cameron abandoned her post and follows him into the kitchen, she turns up the sensitivity of her audio sensors to compensate.

She finds him pulling food items out of the fridge and pantry. Then he begins pulling pans and utensils out as well.

"What are you doing?" She asks.

"I'm getting supper."

"Do you know how to cook?"

John grins. "Not very well. Mom is the cook in this family."

Cameron raises one eyebrow, "Considering your mom's cooking, I would suggest you find something you can microwave or order something in."

John chuckles, "Perhaps you are right. I'll order some take-out. Is there anything you'd like?"

"I don't eat."

"You don't need to eat, but is there anything you'd like?"

Cameron quickly analyzes what John is saying. He knows her physical requirements but is asking purely out of respect for her. She smiles. "I'll just have a taste of whatever you and Riley order."

As John starts putting items back, she asks, "You didn't have much of a reaction hearing about your future self's death. I find that unusual. There is nothing in my programming that explains your behavior."

John slides the last pan back into the cupboard. "The future me that died. He wasn't the one I'll be, the one you brought forward eight years in time? I mean given the year I was born and the year you came from, I would be in my mid-forties right?"

"You were forty-four years old, but you could be him, if you were to travel back to 1999. You still might be him."

"But that isn't likely is it. The T D E is destroyed along with the bank."

"But . . ."

"No more buts." John says closing the fridge door. "The nicest thing about knowing about my death was that I didn't die alone." He kisses her forehead. "You were there for me in the future. It's good to know that."

"But I failed to save you in the future. Doesn't that make you mad at me?"

"No Cam. You didn't fail me. I failed me. Future me listened to the opinions of others that weakened his position on security. I won't make that mistake. You didn't save my life then, but by telling me what happened now, I will know not to make that mistake in the future. You are my friend and my protector."

He hugs his machine girlfriend/bodyguard and she returns his hug. Pressing the side of her face against his chest, she turns down her audio sensors, so she can listen to his strong beating heart without distraction. It's her favorite sound. For as long as she can hear his heart beat, she knows he is alive. She'll protect John's life, no matter what the cost. Nothing means more to her than that.

She turns her head to kiss him when they are interrupted by a shout.

"Hey John, are we going to have supper soon? I'm starving." Riley shouts from the top of the stairs.

John gives Cameron a quick grin and a kiss, then walks to the door.

"I've decided to order out. Do you want Chinese?"

"Yeah! But no MSG! It gives me a headache."

**

Mr. Murch is soldering in place another component on the circuit board when Ms. Weaver and Mr Ellison come marching inside.

"Mr. Murch, have you finished repairs to John Henry?" She asks sharply in a tone that implies it is an order that he should be finished and not just a request.

"Uh, yeah, Ms. Weaver. I just need a moment to let this solder connection cool before sliding the board home." He looks at both of their faces and sees that they look sterner than normal, not that he thought that was ever possible. "What's wrong?"

"Espionage and sabotage Mr. Murch." Ellison says. "Is John Henry operational?"

"Sure just let me slide this board into position."

Mr. Murch picks the circuit board up off the modern chrome and glass desk and crawls under one of the servers. "John Henry, reroute power from slot 17a, please." Mr. Murch calls out. "Thank you." He responds as the LED goes out signifying power is turned off.

A moment later he comes out from underneath, issuing a brief curse as his head comes into contact with the metal frame as he stands up.

"How long until John Henry has access to the body?"

"He'll have to test the circuit first." Mr. Murch rubs the sore spot on his head. "Can I ask, what's the urgency all of a sudden."

"Mr. Murch, you've put a lot of hard work into Project Babylon and you've put in long hours and seldom asked any questions. You never asked where the Turk came from nor did you ask any questions about the cybernetic body." Ms. Weaver replies.

"I thought it best not to ask." Murch says nervously. "I just figured you tell me when it was necessary."

"It's necessary now Mr. Murch." Ellison says gesturing at Murch to take a seat at the desk. "There is something you need to know."

"Zeira Corp is being threatened with a hostile takeover. However, in exchange for them leaving our company alone they want one thing, John Henry's body."

Murch scratches his head thinking a moment. "Okay I can see why you wouldn't want to part with either. You don't give them the body, they take control of the company and project Babylon which includes the body, or you give them the body and retain the company and John Henry. There is only one logical choice. Let them, whoever they are, have the body and retain control of everything else."

Ellison and Weaver exchange a look before Weaver responds. "We cannot do that. For the sake of John Henry and the future, it may be necessary to sacrifice the company."

Murch looks surprised. "But the people who work here, what about them? I know you can be a heartless bitch, but you can't be throwing people out on the streets for the sake of a single project." Murch's voice rose in volume throughout his little speech, but he freezes as he realizes he just called his boss and the owner of the company a heartless bitch. He swallows nervously, as Weaver glares at him, her hands open and close as she fights her desire to impale this impudent man.

"I'm sorry Ms. Weaver."

"Apology accepted. Mr. Murch." She says, scowling at the man. "But we cannot give up John Henry's body."

"I know the body is a cybernetic wonder, but why . . ."

"Let me tell him, Ms Weaver." Ellison opens his coat and sits down across from Mr. Murch. "John Henry's cybernetic body is unique. It cannot fall into the wrong hands. It is quite possible the people who want his body, have an ulterior motive because of where it comes from."

"And where is that?"

"The future." John Henry says from behind them.

They turn to look at him and he smiles innocently back at them. Mr. Murch's replacement circuit board works.

**

John walks up the stairs carrying a plate of food. He enters his mom's room to find Cameron checking his mom's vitals.

"How is she?"

"Your mom is doing much better. I was able to feed her some nutritionally enhanced rehydration fluid with a tube and your mom's temperature is holding steady. Her blood pressure and pulse is normal for someone who is only sleeping. She should be awake by morning, but she shouldn't get out of bed. Not for a couple of days anyway."

John sighs. "I worry about Mom. She's done a lot to look out for me and train me growing up. She's taken bullets, been stabbed by a liquid metal terminator. She's been through hell because of me. It's strange to see her laying there so helpless."

Cameron looks at John's face. Provided Sarah survives Judgment Day, she might die from cancer in just four more years. She can't tell John that. Not now with knowledge of his future death. No matter how strong he might be, foreknowledge of his mom's death would be too much for him. Until the day of Sarah's death, he will have to remain ignorant of that future.

"We should let her rest." Cameron says, indicating they should both leave.

"I thought you said someone would have to stay up with her?"

"Your mom is strong. She's fighting this virus. But if it will make you feel better, I will check on her every hour during the night."

John carries the plate of food across the hall to his room speaking to Cameron the whole way. "Kacy stopped by with some soup for Mom. She said she didn't look well. I thanked her and said she was right and that mom was sleeping. You are right about Kacy. She does like us."

He places the plate on his desk "I saved you an egg roll, some fried won tons and some of the moo goo gai pan. What have you got there?"

Cameron has followed him into his room carrying a stack of papers and some photos. "These are the photos from Sarah's stakeout and the printouts you made for her from the search you did on the internet. I thought you and I could sort them tonight. It isn't what I'd like to do tonight, but it is something that we can do together."

John nods his head. "I know. I want to as well, but it just doesn't feel right with Mom and Riley in the house. Let me move my school books and we can get started."

John unceremoniously picks up his schoolbooks and shoves them under his bed. "Do you want to try any of this food I saved for you? It tastes best when hot."

Cameron takes a won ton from the plate. She nibbles at it carefully. Sampling portions of the crust and filling. Her HUD instantly fills with data regarding its nutritious qualities and what atomic molecules could be used by her system for feeding and repairing her flesh.

"So, what do you think?" John asks her.

Ignoring the display on its nutrition, she concentrates her attention on the texture and flavor of the won ton, then formulates an answer.

"The texture and flavor of the outer coating was interesting. The meat filling was sweet and spicy. Not highly nutritious, but pleasant to my taste sensors."

"So, in other words, you liked it?" John says grinning at her.

"Yes. I liked it." She smiles.

Cameron's smile turns into a frown when she says, "Speaking of liking things, where's Riley?"

"Um, she's washing her clothes. The clothes in her duffel bag were wet and smelled of smoke. I showed her where the washer and dryer was in the basement."

"Did you lock up and set the alarm?"

"Yes, and the alarm code is completely different from the one Riley knew, so no sneaking out. I'm not forgetting what you said. Until we know more about her . . ."

"I'm glad you listened to me, but I still don't trust her. I'm going downstairs to check on her. I'll be right back."

Without another word Cameron leaves John alone in his room.

* *

Derek sits at a table in shadow sipping one of the worst tasting beers he's ever had. He only bought the drink for appearances sakes so the bar owner and bouncer wouldn't protest at his taking up space of a paying customer. He watches the men and women off to one side dancing to one of the latest songs pounding from a set of speakers. The song isn't familiar to him, but at that volume, he wonders if it is even familiar to the people dancing.

During the time he's been waiting, he's been hit on by three women. One of them he is certain got in using a fake I D. She looked younger than John. But it did make him feel good that, despite looking like a used tea bag at the hands of Sarah Connor, which he'll never live down, that women still find him attractive. It was a shame he had to turn that down third girl for tonight, but he did get her number.

He takes another sip of the foul tasting beer and grimaces. He isn't sure what is worse, the song or the beer. But he knows one thing, people aren't coming here for the beer. He just sets his glass down when he sees Jesse enter. She sees him at almost the same moment and walks towards him with a smile.

"What happened to your face love?" Jesse says sitting across from him.

"Nothing." Derek leans across the table so he doesn't have to shout. "Tell me Jesse, when was Judgment Day for you?"

"What does it matter, when we are both here to stop it?"

Derek shakes his head. She's evading the issue again. No point in using a soft approach. He's too angry for anything but a direct attack. There's only one other person who knew about Riley and John and she is the only one to profess anything to gain by keeping them together. He shouts his question, not so much to be heard over the music, but his temper is running short.

"Why did you tell them where to find Riley? And more to the point how? You placed John in danger Jesse!" Derek slams his hand on the table making his glass rock.

"I didn't tell anyone deary. I just made sure in certain state and city records regarding Riley, she has been seen in the company of one John Connor. Don't worry luv, everything will be carrots and apples once John gets rid of that metal."

Derek shakes his head. "Your actions place John in danger. How long will it be before the authorities or Sky Net learn that John Baum and John Connor is the same person? You're reckless Jesse. All because you want revenge against Cameron, because she carried out your court martial and not John Connor. How did you figure it out?"

Jesse sneers at the mention of Cameron's name. "It wasn't difficult love. The metal are good at keeping secrets, but even she couldn't fool me. She may have mimicked his voice and behavior on the stand, but how often does Connor sit so you can't see him? How often does Connor follow the very letter of the rules of conduct for officers and subordinates? You know Connor. I know Connor. He isn't like that. He always allows some leeway based on conditions, circumstances, whatever. He fought in the trenches before becoming leader. He knows that sometimes you have to make hard decisions in combat that to the outside seem rash. But not at my court martial! That metal bitch took his place, his place, Connor's place! And conducted my court martial! It followed the law strictly. I was stripped of my rank and sent to the trenches to fight like a common soldier!"

"Do you know why Connor wasn't there?"

"No. What does it matter, now?"

"I'll tell you why. He died before your court martial happened." Jesse just stares at him sullenly. "He died because he listened to the hard nosed assholes like you and me who hate the metal, who hate the fact he seems to spend every moment with them instead of us. You want to know how he died? Because a gray, a fuckin' gray, took his opportunity and killed Connor because he ordered his metal guards to allow him access to the people, so he could reconnect with them on a personal level. He died because of people like us Jesse. But you are the worst. Who are you?"

"I'm Jesse."

"You're not my Jesse. My Jesse wouldn't put herself ahead of the resistance. My Jesse wouldn't try to use me or get innocent people killed. I did some checking. Five people are dead because of you. Five people with no connection to Sky Net. They are dead because of you."

"I did this for us. For the resistance." She says, her eyes welling up.

"No. You did this for yourself. I hate the metal just as much as you do. But I know if one of them came after John, none of us, not you, not me, not Sarah would stand a chance trying to protect him. The only thing standing between John and certain death is Cameron. Now give me your weapon!"

"Derek please . . ."

"Jesse. I am pointing my gun at you right now under the table. I won't hesitate to kill you. I'm already a fugitive for murder. One more won't make a difference. So give me your weapon and get the hell . . ."

Derek gets no further when Jesse suddenly flips the table up into his face. He ducks avoiding the flying glass of beer. Getting up quickly he slides his gun back under his jacket and runs after her. The people in the bar look on as he chases Jesse out of the bar.

The bouncer steps in his way blocking his progress. Derek punches him, breaking his nose. He gets outside in time to see Jesse pulling away in a green Toyota. He runs across the street and jumps into his Ram and pursues her.

* *

"That didn't go as smoothly as we hoped." Ellison says to Weaver as they ride the elevator straight to the top floor and her office.

"John Henry would have to regain control of his body at the most inopportune moment."

"Well, at least you know Murch is worth his pay as an engineer. I can't imagining anyone else doing what he did, in the time he did it."

"No, I suppose not." She says pursing her lips.

"You're still thinking of that insult?" He gets no answer but a further scowl. "Mr. Murch likes working here and for you. I've heard him tell people that. He just knows, like everyone else here, that you make hard decisions and stick with them. I understand the company has made a huge turn around in profits since you took the reigns after the death of your husband. You should be pleased that Mr. Murch remains loyal to you and to the company despite his misgivings as to how you run it."

"I do appreciate loyalty Mr. Ellison. I hope in the coming days I can rely on yours."

The elevator comes to a stop and the doors slide open. "But you make it clear to everyone, that if anyone in this firm calls me a bitch again. I will have their head. No one, and I do mean no one gets away with that again. Do I make myself clear?"

"As always Ms. Weaver."

They walk down the corridor and enter her office.

"I need you to arrange security tonight for John Henry. I want round the clock surveillance on the basement. I want armed guards at every entrance. No one is to enter or leave the basement except for me, yourself, and Mr. Murch."

"That could take some doing. The stairway is shared by the parking garage and the basement."

"I'm well aware of the difficulties Mr. Ellison. Just make sure John Henry is secure until Mr. Murch has made some arrangements for moving John Henry."

"That won't be a problem Ms. Weaver." Mr. Ellison begins to leave, then stops to ask, "For someone who has her company and her project threatened to be taken away from them, you've appeared more calm than I would expect."

Ms. Weaver grins. "Mr. Ellison, you and I are part of a war. It is not unexpected they would attack us directly. However, the timing of this isn't good. John Henry still has a long way to go to reach maturity. But we will survive Mr. Ellison. I will not be beaten."

"May I ask what you plan to do about Bennett? We have evidence we could present to the authorities."

"That we do Mr. Ellison, but we cannot reveal our evidence without revealing John Henry now, can we?"

He just nods his head and leaves. He's been given orders to secure John Henry and that is what he will do.

Ms. Weaver walks over to the window looking out on the busy streets of L.A. below. Mr. Ellison shows far more concern for her than he tries to let on. She looks at her reflection in the glass. Is it possible he finds this form attractive? She smiles. Wouldn't he get a shock if he knew what she really was.

Perhaps she should show Mr. Bennett what she is and give him a shock. She has no plans for tonight.

* *

As soon as Riley was left alone in the basement, she sent a text message to Jesse to indicate she was alone. She then placed her first load of laundry in the washer and sat on the floor to wait for Jesse to return her call.

She barely got comfortable on the floor when she spotted the basement wall with all of the names written in blood.

Riley gets up from her seat and looks at the various names. None are familiar to her, until she sees the name at the bottom. Barely legible, smudgy letter E or R and then an even more smudgy Bennett. Her curiosity is roused but she doesn't have time as her cell phone vibrates.

"Riley. I can't talk for long. I'm being followed." Jesse sounds anxious.

"Where are you? Who's following you?"

"Stay with Connor." The sound of shattering glass and gunfire is heard. "Damn!" Jesse exclaims.

"Riley just stay there! Whatever you do, don't leave Connor!"

The sound of more gunfire. It sounds louder this time.

"Jesse? Jesse!" Riley shouts into the phone.

She gets no answer.

Looking at the phone, she sees the call has been dropped. She stumbles back against the washer, crying, with only one thought in her head, Jesse is dead.

* *

After Cameron left John alone in his room, he went to work reorganizing the printouts he made for his mother. They got very mixed up when they placed his mom on her bed. After working on it for several minutes, he gets the papers resorted and realizes there is a sheet missing. He remembered it distinctly. It had on it a list of names, including Bennett's from the basement wall and it mentioned the reorganization of the Kaliba Group into The Kaliba Consortium. Bennett's name was right at the top of the list.

John sets the papers down and goes back into his mom's room. He checks on her quickly, then does a quick search and finds nothing. The missing sheet could of gone under her dresser, but he could never move it quietly.

He returns to his room and turns on his computer. After it boots up he goes into his browser history and finds the link to the document and prints off a new one.

* *

Cameron walks down the stairs and approaches the washing machine and dryer. They are both running and mask any sounds in the basement.

Going on alert. She approaches stealthily prepared to act quickly for any possible threats, but there is none. All she finds is Riley sitting on the floor on the other side of the washer. Her arms crossing her knees and her head resting on her arms.

Cameron at first wonders if she is sleeping, but the small sounds she is making are more like quiet sobs. Her deduction is proven accurate when Riley looks up at her, with tears still coursing down her cheeks.

"Jesse is dead." Riley says handing Cameron her phone.

* *

John didn't feel comfortable leaving his mom alone, despite Cameron's reassurance. So after getting the papers resorted and organized with appropriate surveillance photos clipped to each group, he returned to his mom's room and takes the chair next to his mom's bed.

He reaches over and places his hand on her head. It's cooler to the touch now and as Cameron said earlier, she appears to be sleeping naturally now. So he sits there watching over her, as she has done so many times for him. He sits there until nature takes over and he falls asleep.

Sarah is dreaming.

"Sarah, I need to leave you now. John is home and will look after you."

"Please don't leave me."

"I must Sarah. But I won't be far. Remember what we talked about."

"Kyle."

"Trust John. Trust our son. Goodbye Sarah."

"Kyle!"

"I'll see you soon."

Kyle disappears into the foggy recesses of her dream. Sarah continues to call out to him.

John is struggling to hold his mom still. She's nearly thrown the covers off and she keeps calling out. "Kyle. Kyle!"

"Mom! Mom!" John calls out to her until she wakes with a start.

"John? John!" She pulls him close, hugging him to her. "You came home."

"I'm fine mom." He says feeling awkward as Sarah hugs him tight against her.

"I'm fine." He says again, pushing her gently back. "You need to rest. You've been running a bad fever."

"Where's Cameron? I thought you two ran off."

"We didn't run off mom. And Cameron's downstairs with Riley."

"Riley's here?" She says laying back against the pillows.

"Yes mom. You and Cam were right, okay. They came after Riley and killed her foster family. So she's living here now."

"The police."

"Don't worry about it mom. Cameron and I have everything under control. Trust me."

Trust John. That is what Kyle told her in her dream. So that is what she'll do.

"Okay John. I trust you, but we are going to talk about this." She ends firmly.

"No problem mom." He says smiling at her. "Now, do you feel up to drinking some of Cam's rehydration fluid?"

He can't help but laugh at the grimace she makes.

* *

"Jesse was the first person to show me any kindness in years." Riley tells Cameron.

"But she used you."

"I know that, but I loved her too. I thought she loved me."

"Were the two of you intimate?" Cameron asks, knowing that is one way handlers build a bond between themselves and their agents.

"What?" Riley sounds shocked. "I don't think that is any of your business!"

"Protective of her. I would surmise you were intimate. Jesse was using you Riley. She gained your trust, ripped you from everything and everyone you knew, made you completely dependent on her, then forced you into a relationship with John for only one purpose."

"So you would kill me and destroy his trust in you. I know that. But she could be dead. We need to help her!"

"If she is dead, then John is safer. We will know more once I analyze the data from your cell." Cameron can see that she is still upset. She doesn't have much information to go on when it comes to comforting people experiencing grief. And Riley isn't someone she especially wants to comfort.

"You have been through some bad experiences lately. You've lost your foster family and possibly Jesse. You have a home here with us."

"Does that mean you trust me?"

Cameron pauses before responding. "I observed you when you helped me with Sarah. You showed compassion for her, despite her not welcoming you when you were dating John. That has gone a long way to building some trust. But you still have feelings for John."

"I . . ."

"Don't deny it, Riley. For your safety and his, do not involve yourself romantically with John. To do so would bring great danger into your life."

Riley swallows nervously as Cameron turns to leave. "Can I ask you something before you go?"

"What?" Cameron says from the foot of the stairs.

"The names written in blood on that wall. How did they get there? What do they mean?"

"A stranger from the future arrived and wrote that message before dying. Some of those names on that wall are in danger from Sky Net, some are helping Sky Net. We don't know until we investigate."

"If they are in danger?"

"We protect them, like we are doing for you."

"But what if they are helping Sky Net?"

"Then I kill them." Cameron says coldly and marches up the stairs.

Riley looks on in fear, as she realizes the fate of her father could be in the hands of that machine. She nearly dies of fright and lets out a yell of surprise as the dryer buzzes loudly behind her.

* *

Late that night, outside the home of Mr. Bennett, a figure walks through the underbrush past high wrought iron fences topped with barbed points until it reaches a section of fencing behind an ornate yet simple mansion in one of the richest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. A gated community. No one gets in unless they live there or are invited to be there.

Inside the house, a tall slender blond woman checks a medical monitoring device beside a bed in which a man is sleeping. She exits the darkened room and crosses the hallway to another room. She places some medicine bottles on a tray and carries it back into the bedroom.

In the bed lies a man hooked up to medical equipment. But what the woman sees is not what she was expecting. Looming over the man is a person with what appears to be a long slender knife in their hand.

The person suddenly turns around looking at the woman. She screams, dropping the tray, which clatters on the floor and medicine bottles scattering across the floor.

END OF CHAPTER

You just finished reading the tenth chapter in "What Are Dreams?" I will be taking a hiatus from this story from this point on so I can concentrate on completing "Reunion Part 3: Babylon." I'm not abandoning this story, I will be going back to it from time-to-time, it just won't be a priority in the coming weeks.

My thanks to everyone who has posted such nice reviews of my story.

As always, I look forward to what you have to say in your reviews.

The1Russter 02-24-2010