Thanks so much to those who reviewed!!!

fairedust: I'm glad you are! Thanks for that, I'm quite skeptical with using Ryan but I think I'll be continuing with this character and he'd be one of the main in this story! Oh, you'll be surprised he's sent back not just to help Cameron but have more things to do.

Jena: Oh, that's too bad as I really hope all the readers would follow the story as I update as I think it would be more enjoyable with all the cliffhangers I'm inserting in but it's alright, as long as you're reading. This is just a suggestion. And thanks so much!

jojobevco: Thanks so much!

jen88: Well, I can tell you for a fact, he's RYAN! Alright, that was redundant but still…keep reading and I have no idea why some people want Ryan to kick John's ass but some others want John to kick his…

zahnfan23: Thanks so much!

vfergus: An idea huh? You got me curious dude. Mind if you PM it to me but mind you, I may not tell you if it's right or wrong. Thanks, I thought letting you see what's going on in both doors might be an interesting way to present my story! Yeah, I'm trying to make Cameron really like a small child with her budding humanity. What are you talking about? Of course he have to choose Riley- sorry, that's a typo, Cam-wait…but Riley's normal! AHHHH! Thanks! I promise this chapter would not disssapoint you, unless you hate knowing more about Cameron's thoughts about Ryan and her wounds.

Sigma: I'm glad you were curious, it would be kind of boring for you if you weren't interested in the new character. I so agree with you on that one! Thanks so much for reviewing!

Jeremy Shane: Thanks!

Starman800: Come on, be more patient! I did say this story would be 34 chapters long! Keep reading! Sorry but not much reveal on Ryan but more interactions to built the stage for the reveal!

Renderer: I like how you're beginning to be the first to review! I'm glad you like their interaction. Of course Cameron must think of John, thanks for reviewing!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the terminator's character or any other involved plot. This is only for enjoyment purposes. (Or I only own Ryan Keane, since I added him in, I think…)

Chapter 20: Similarities & Differences

"I'm tired of eating pancakes," Cameron blurted after Ryan suggested it. She and Ryan peered at the breakfast menu, sitting on the bed side by side. Ryan held the menu awkwardly as Cameron peered over.

Ryan raised an eyebrow at Cameron, giving her a questioning look," Care to explain,"

"Sarah made those everyday, sometimes for three meals in a day," She replied flatly, already losing interest in the conversation and more interested in the menu.

Ryan stifled a laugh and instead, he waited patiently for the cyborg to choose her breakfast choice, who is taking awfully long. Then he decided to keep suggesting things to her as she doesn't seem to be making any visible progress to him.

"How about porridge?" Ryan asked.

"That amount of nutrition won't be enough for my human skin cells to grow," Cameron blurted distractedly, eyes fixed on the menu.

Ryan's eyes narrowed upon that answer, "Grow? Are you hurt?" Ryan demanded, almost anxiously.

Cameron looked up, trying to stop her anxiety, like a prey caught by its predator, "No, I just want my skin cells to have enough nourishment in the storage so that if I get hurt, it'll heal quickly," She replied, "I'll have bacon and eggs,"

Ryan paused and stared at her suspiciously before nodding and walking to the phone to give the order to the restaurant downstairs.

"Ryan," Cameron interrupted and he turned around, ear pressed to the phone, "I'll be in the bathroom," She mouthed to him before going into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. She made sure it was locked before turning to face the mirror.

Her right hand rose and stopped it mid-air and her left lifted to take out the glove of her right. Cameron struggled to be as delicate as possible as she removed the glove, she didn't want her pain sensors to go off in one of the unstoppable red flash. After safely removing the glove and placing it by the sink, she worked to remove her bandage.

It is starting to smell as she had neglected to change them yesterday as she couldn't find the medical kit and in a rush to go after John, she didn't even bring a bottle medical oil along. Luckily, this morning, Cameron insisted on tending on some of Ryan's unhealed scar which he got before he came back to the past; after his bathe.

Just as Cameron hoped, he had forgotten to keep the medical kit, leaving it in the bathroom.

As Cameron peeled off the bandages, she thought how similar Ryan is to John; or at least only future John as she didn't know the younger John as the guy without his shirt before but she knew Future John from every angle.

Ryan and Future John's muscle tensed under her soft touch every time either when she tends to them or when she traced them gently. Or at least Future John used to tense up but after they become more and more intimate, physically and emotionally, future John only shivered in excitement under her touch, happy to be there and a little tinch of being honored.

But there are differences that don't really affect Cameron. Like Ryan is more humorous while Future John is serious. Future John melts in her presence but Cameron hasn't seen Ryan act away from her; his military side. Though both of them had one more thing in common that Cameron noticed, they both loved to see her smile and laugh.

They both couldn't help but burst into fits of laughter or at least a smile when she does even under the most serious conditions.

But to Cameron, no one can replace Future John.

Cameron threw aside the old and soiled bandage, 'soaked' in the mixture of sweat and blood. Without the bandage, revealed Cameron's colton knuckles and an amount of flesh. Cameron flexed her fingers but when they curled up to form a fist, she felt her flesh squelched in objection, and she gritted her teeth as pain laced its way up her arm.

But Cameron was persistent in trying to flex her fingers smoothly which, she later regret, result in bleeding.

Cameron cursed to herself, opening the medical kit deftly, bringing cotton wool to her wound, staunching it to stop the bleeding. She watched as the cotton wool started to turn blood red. Cameron doesn't understand why her wounds aren't healing as quickly as they used to. She couldn't wrap her Colton head around it and why is there so much blood flowing non-stop every time the wound re-open?

Thus, she decided to find out the hard way.

Cameron reached for a handy knife she carries around in her back pocket, flicking it open, she gritted her teeth, braced herself, and dug the knife deep into the side of her knuckles. The pain pierced her entire arm, sending it into fits. More blood seeped out and drip onto the floor, almost being able to form a puddle around her.

But this made her more distraught thus she attempted to push her knife deeper into the wound. However, all she felt was pain and heard was squelching of flesh against the blood and the blade. Soon, she gave up, going back to using the cotton wool to staunch her now new knife wound by the knuckle. Cursing, Cameron felt insulted as she think she didn't know herself well enough, this is a problem.

It took three cotton wool to staunch the bleeding. Cameron later dabbed the wound with medical cream and wrapped it up in fresh bandage and finally pulled on her glove. She started her work on the other knuckle. Since she couldn't curl up her right hand, she decided to use a small plier to hook onto the edge of the bandage and slowly remove the bandage from her left.

As she worked slowly and carefully, a loud rap on the door startled her.

"Cameron? Are you alright?" Ryan's voice sound anxious and demanding, "You've been in there for over 15 minutes. What are you doing in there?"

Cameron dropped the pliers as she heard the knock. It dropped with a loud clank on the marble floor.

"Nothing, I'll be right out," Cameron replied hastily and thick with pain, bending to pick up the pliers but Ryan's sharp hearing heard the colliding of the metal pliers head with the cold concrete floor.

"What's going on in there? If it isn't of any inconvenience, please open this door," Ryan said, wrestling slightly with the door knob.

"I'll be out in a minute, it isn't exactly convenient," Cameron lied, hastily and anxiously shoving the knife with the pliers in the medical kit and bending down to pick up the soaked cotton wool from side of the sink to attempt to suck up the blood on the floor.

"Cameron!" Ryan's wrestling with the door became more and more intensed as he heard the knife colliding with the pliers as they entered the medical kit.

"Just wait, Ryan! Just wait a second!" Cameron yelled desperately cleaning the floor but patience wasn't one of Ryan's virtue and he couldn't take leaving Cameron in the bathroom for so long with weapons. Only god knows what she could be doing in there!

Cameron gave up on the floor, standing up quickly and slamming the medical kit shut after dumping the soaked cotton wool in. As she fumbled with the catch, Ryan cursed, feeling himself sink into a sea of dread. He scowled at the door, stepping back, he kicked the door open.

Cameron back stepped as Ryan entered. His blue eyes widened in shock and pain as they scanned the situation in the now 'bloody' bathroom. His eyes trailed along the sink where she placed the bloody cotton wool just a moment ago and her left glove to the floor which her blood drip upon; forming a puddle.

"Cameron," Ryan breathed in shock as his mouth hung open. His eyes stopped searching the bathroom and went to scan along Cameron. They froze upon her left bloody knuckles, underneath revealing raw flesh.

"Ryan, I-" Cameron started, but she didn't know how to continue or say anything. Before she could stop it, tears started seeping out of the corner of her eyes. Both her knuckles throbbed in an intense pain that she could stand no longer, they just hurt so much in a new fashion she isn't accustomed to.

Ryan stepped across the pool of blood on the floor and to Cameron.

He anxiously held up her left hand, examining her knuckles, "Where'd you get this?"

Cameron sniffed, hesitating to answer. When it didn't come, Ryan said softly to her, "Never mind about that. Come on, I'll help you with this, let's do this in the room," He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and guided her into the room and onto the bed.

Ryan left her there as he collected the medical kit. He set it down on the floor and when he open it and saw the knife, Cameron saw a look of horror flash across his face before he held it up.

"What were you doing with this?" Ryan demanded but he sounded thick with concern as he brought the knife up to eye-level. The blade was painted with blood.

"Nothing,"

"Nothing? It's thick with blood, your blood I presume," Ryan sighed, dumping it on the floor and he reached in for the medical cream and a fresh roll of bandage. As he applied the cream delicately for her, he spoke, "I guess that explains why you're wearing gloves huh? I thought it was weird. John doesn't know?"

Cameron nodded cautiously. Ryan wrapped her wound up, "And to think General Connor told me you're in good hands, Ha, what a joke!" He said mockingly.

"Ryan," Cameron started, sniffing," I'm telling you, you are not allowed to mention any of this to John,"

"But-"

"Promise me Ryan, please just promise!" Cameron pleaded as she pulled her half bandaged hand away from him.

Ryan grunted, "Fine! Whatever, just let me finish the bandage!" He gently pulled her left hand by the wrist back and continued bandaging. When he was done, Cameron muttered thanks but Ryan didn't move to keep the kit, in fact, he reached to her right and held on to it tight, gently removing her glove.

"I've already done this one!" Cameron objected and attempted to pull away but Ryan's strong grip held her down and if Cameron used her excess strength, with Ryan's persistency, she might hurt him.

"But I'd do a better one," Ryan countered removing the bandage and gaped as this one was much more serious. In between her middle knuckle and her index finger knuckle, it's quite obvious that she had drove her knife into it, judging by the big knife mark, "why'd you hurt yourself?" He demanded.

"I wasn't. I was just…" Cameron paused, "I'm not right. I'm bleeding excessively and all this-" She said, feeling something crawl into her chest. Cameron identified it under 'fear'.

"Shh," Ryan hushed her softly, "It's fine. I know this may not be normal but you're different,"

"Not like this!"

"But you are," He stated, starting on this one as well. Both of them were quiet as he applied the cream, "Connor is going to kill me," He muttered.

Cameron couldn't help but let a smile take over her sadness. Earning an annoyed stare from Ryan, "I can't believe you're laughing over your new friend's prominent death!"

That set off the fuse, Cameron started laughing, but not hysterically. Ryan pursed his lips at her, continuing to work on the wound, great, this is exactly how General guessed Cameron would react and unfortunately, I hate it. How can she be so happy at my up-coming death or if not, guilt?

Suddenly, the door bell rang. Ryan stopped, putting down the tube of cream, cautiously and taking out his Glock, holding it with both hands. He opened the door a little, greeted by a waitress, with a trolley of their breakfast. Ryan opened the door to its fullest, stowing away the Glock from the waitress's sight.

He waved her away with a smile and pushed the trolley in himself, not wanting her to see Cameron's wound.

The fresh smell of Bacons and egg wafted its way to Cameron. And to her surprise, she heard a deep rumbling. Ryan glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. He smiled at her, "You can eat after I finished bandaging up your wound," He assured, wrapping up her knuckles and slipping on her gloves for her. Soon, they dug into their food like ravening wolves.

She really is different, much more different than she herself or the General had thought…

000000000000000

John closed his eyes as he heard Cameron's laugh from his balcony. His heart throbbed. Normally, she'd only be smiling with him and lay in bed with him but now she's laughing with another man and possibly in bed with that guy as well. But things are different now.

"John?" Riley startled him.

John spun around to find Riley already sat up in bed.

"You haven't slept the entire night?"

"Erm, I did, but I made the bed when I woke," John lied.

"Oh, you're an early riser, funny I didn't feel it," Riley commented, frowning, "I'll go wash up," Riley said and he nodded, turning to face the window again.

That worked as a magical reminder. Things are different but it wasn't Cameron. It was him. He started going out with Riley first, he neglected her first.

Another voice in John's head screamed, but she turned around to kill me first!

John didn't know what to reason with that or rather, he preferred to leave it that way.

And what about that man, Ryan. He was with Cameron and I'm quite sure he's from the future. If he meant her harm, then what? Should I pull her away from him? But if he did really meant her harm, he's the most stupid man on earth, no matter which time, to try to hurt a terminator. Cameron could send him all the way to orbit before he can say 'sorry'.

Anyway, I heard her laugh. Could very well be having a hell of a sex now… John thought gloomily as Riley came out from the bathe.

"Hey, John?" Riley snapped him back to the reality again.

"What is it?"

"What have you planned for us today?" Riley asked, stowing her purse into her bag.

"We could have breakfast downstairs then go back or do you want to stay here for lunch?" John asked, smoothing the folds of his jacket.

"I think we should have lunch," Riley grinned, slipping her arms through his as John stood up, smiling back at her. They left the room, bringing their belongings along since they're not spending another night here. When they came out from the room and locked the door, Ryan and Cameron came out as well.

John cursed under his breath.

"Hi Cameron, what a coincidence, is Ryan your boyfriend?" Riley approached them casually before John can stop her. He followed Riley bitterly.

Cameron smiled and wanted to reply but Ryan cut her off, "Is John your boyfriend?"

Riley was caught of guard and kind of shocked by his blunt and unfriendly tone of reply but she smiled and replied none the less, "Yes,"

"Then I'm Cameron's boyfriend," Ryan glared at John, fist tightening, hissing angrily at him.

"Oh, so--" Riley asked but before she could finish, Ryan stomped past Riley.

"Son of a bitch," He cursed before harshly punching John across the cheekbone. John was caught off by the amount of strength coming from this youngster who was about the same age as he was.

"Ryan," Cameron marched forward, firmly holding Ryan back from kicking John's organs out by his arm.

"John!" Riley screamed in shock as she bent down to help John. Cameron marched pass Ryan and crouched by John. She held his chin gently, examining his quickly swelling cheek anxiously.

"No bones are broken but-" Cameron started but John's hand shove hers away from him roughly and subconsciously, his hand found its way to her shoulder, pushing her roughly away from him. Cameron fell off her feet and knees, sitting on the carpet. Cameron let out a soft wince as she used her fists to cushion her fall. John caught it as well as Ryan.

It brought John back to reality, realizing what he did, John lunged forward, wanting to help her but Ryan shoved him away hard and helped Cameron up by positioning his arms beneath hers, hands on her elbows.

John's eyes caught his hand holding on to Cameron, his thumb brushing her knuckles but Cameron, noticed John looking; pulled away her hand from his.

"Come on, Cameron," Ryan held her hand tightly, pulling her past John and Riley. John turned to see Cameron being literally dragged by Ryan down the corridor as she looked back at John, worried about his bruise.

Soon, she got further and further away till she disappeared from John's sight as Ryan pulled her down a corner…

To be continued

This is a pretty random chapter but remember, none of my chapter is a stand-alone chapter, all are connected. Please Review and tell me about this chapter!!!!!

WARNING! Next chapter is filled with a truck load of action and not encouraged for heart patients or those who gets dizzy spells in excitement…