Chapter 26
Jason Note: I'd like to apologise for the delay, and would also like to apologise if parts of the "Self Made Man" scenes are out of sync with the episode, this is sort of, different alternate reality, let's go with that.
Back to school. The Self-Made Man.
John and Cameron left the house that morning heading for school, so far it seemed nobody had noticed Cameron's sudden increase in height, at least Danny hadn't, later in the week they would have to go clothes shopping for Cameron as her clothes were a little short on her now, though one wouldn't tell from a glance. John looked around to see if there was anyone around them from school. No one.
'Excellent.' He though before stepping infront of Cameron, wrapping his arms around her then placed a soft kiss onto her lips.
Cameron froze at the sudden affection but quickly enough kissed him back while wrapping her arms around his neck.
The kiss broke far too soon for Cameron's taste and even pouted a little when John looked at her causing him to chuckle.
"I love you." He said softly.
Cameron tilted her head slightly at his affectionate manner, but smiled. "I love you too." She replied sincerely as she straightened her head.
The two continued their route to school slowly seeing more of their classmates shuffling towards the building.
The pair joined the security line to enter the building, the metal detector beeping only once as Cameron walked through, no one batted an eyelash used to the "metal plate in her head" story.
"We should check up on Riley today." John announces quietly.
Cameron looks at him with surprise. "Why? " she asks, a worrying feeling going through her CPU.
"We need to keep up-to-date with Jesse's activity, don't want to be caught with our pants down." John told her.
Cameron tilted her head. "We've been discreet I our sexual activity John, I doubt Jesse would catch us."
A red tint bloomed on John's cheeks. "ugh Cam I ugh, it's just an expression, it means to be caught by surprise, you know, unaware."
"Oh." She replied, adding the expression to the large list of expressions. "Thank you for explaining." She smiled at him affectionately.
"You're welcome." John replied smiling and put his arm around her shoulders.
"John! Cameron!" came a voice from behind them.
The duo turned around to see Morris running up to them.
"Hey Morris." John greeted.
"Hello." Cameron greeted.
"Hey guys." Morris said enthusiastically before looking at them with concern. "Man it's been a while, you guys okay? Heard you were sick."
"We're okay now, just a bug, you know how it is." John says then shrugs.
"Yeah, that time of the year." Morris agrees then shrugs, before looking at Cameron a quizzical look now on his face. "Something's different with you Cameron."
John and Cameron glance at one another, John giving her a worried look. Cameron's eyes settle back onto Morris.
POSSIBLE SECURITY BREECH.
ACTIONS: …
TERMINATE …
TERMINATION OVERRIDE …
SECONDARY ACTION:
ASSURE HIM NOTHING HAS CHANGED
ALTER SUBJECT OF CONVERSATION
GIVE FALSE ANSWER
Cameron blinked then smiled at Morris. "I had my hair done, is it tight?" she asked.
Morris blinked as well then gulped. "Ugh yeah, totally. I should of noticed!" he said blushing a little more.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw John sigh quietly in relief then smiled at her, she smiled internally, John was proud of her.
Cameron stood patiently as John and Morris talked about what had been happening in school since they were last there, the usual it seemed, some senior had gotten another pregnant, someone else had been kicked out, others were being bitchy, but a lot of people were excited for the Halloween party.
"You guys are still coming right?" Morris asked.
"I should think so," John said before turning to Cameron "Right?" he asked.
"Yes. We'll be there." She replied.
"You guys got your costumes yet?" Morris asked looking between the two.
John seemed to zone out for a split second. "Fuck, I knew I forgot something."
"We'll need fancy dress costumes for the party, it's Halloween." Cameron said as she looked at John.
"I know, I know, I forgot." He repeated before looking to the floor and stroking his forehead. "You know any good costumes stores Morris?" he asked looking to said boy.
"Ugh, yeah." Morris said as he delved deep into memory. "If you guys got some time later today we'll swing by a few, that cool with you?"
"What you think Cam?" John asked looking at her once more.
Cameron once again felt appreciated with John looking to her for her input. "It's a good idea John, we'll look like out of place if we go to the party dressed casually."
John nodded silently as he considered it. "Right yeah, sounds like a plan." He smirked. "Thanks Morris."
"Hey no problem man." Morris grinned before patting John's arm in a friendly manner. "Got any ideas what you're gunna go as?" he asked.
"I'll mull it over." John said nodding his head slightly.
"Me too." Cameron added quickly.
The trio continued to talk as they walked to their lockers, John's and Cameron's besides one another, Cameron had made sure of it.
John stored his unneeded books for the first few lessons then looked to Cameron who was doing the same.
"So what about you Morris?" John asked getting the boys attention once more.
"Hmm, wassat man?" he asked leaning a little closer to John.
"What're you going as?" John asked.
Morris smirked and looked between John and Cameron, who was done with her books and had turned to Morris.
"I'm goin as … get ready for it." He paused for dramatic effect. "Dracula." He smirked
John raised his eye brows in amusement. "Dracula? Nice." He said.
Cameron paused for a moment looking through her files on Dracula. "The Vampire?" she asked.
"Yeah cool right?" Morris smirked as he put his hand on his waist.
"Yeah, that's cool." John commented just as the first bell rang. "Time to go."
The three made their way to their home rooms for roll call.
The day was slow as expected, Math – John's hated subject – was dull boring and had more than its fair share of sleepers or those texting on their phones, their teacher "Miss Smith" didn't make it any more enthusiastic with her dull monotone rattling off of numbers and mathematical equations.
John began to wonder if Miss Smith was actually a Machine sent back through time to bore him to death. 'Then again, no Machine could pull off such a dull tone so perfectly.' He thought, almost chuckling at the image of Cromartie and Smith in in a battle of words to see who'd submit first … the image of Cromartie rocking back and forth sobbing while Smith continued to talk caused a single tear to run down John eye as he bit his tongue to stop himself from talking.
"Mr Baum, do you find something amusing?" Smith said in a slightly louder voice.
"No ma'am, sorry, just hiccups." He said lamely.
Smith opened her mouth to chastise John only to be distracted by the sound of flatulence from the corner from a sleeping student, everyone turned towards the student, some hid their laughter most around the student grimaced and held their nose, John himself sighed in relief for the distraction, Miss Smith dealt with the student before continuing her lesson.
Class ended and the trio stepped out of the classroom and walked towards their next location, meeting up with Riley along the way. Cameron immediately moved closer to John and stared at the girl, a sudden feeling of possessiveness overcoming her.
"Hey guys." Riley greeted in an overly friendly manner, receiving a "hello" and "hi" from Morris and John.
Morris noted the awkward feeling around them all of a sudden. "So you two really aren't dating anymore?" he said waving his index fingers between John and Riley.
"Yeah, it just wasn't working out." John said with a sigh.
"It could have." Riley said looking John straight in the eye.
It was this moment that Cameron stood infront of John staring Riley down with eye filled with silent anger. "No, it couldn't." she stated firmly.
Morris looked between the two then looked at John who was simply looking at the two girl with hint of amusement.
"Alright, come on we're gunna be late for class." John announced and walked on moving around the girls, his hand brushing against Cameron's.
Cameron turned and followed John quickly with Morris and Riley following behind them.
"I thought you were over John." Morris asked looking at her.
"There's saying it then saying it with him there." She sighed.
Morris nodded. He didn't have a clue what she was talking about. 'Girls.' He thought as he mentally rolled his eyes.
English literature was only slightly better. The class itself was boring but the their teacher 'Mr Evans' tried to make up for it by selecting different students to play different parts.
Regardless, it was a slow lesson and John was glad when the bell called out for recess.
"Hey guys, I gotta go. James and some other guys got some plans for the party." Morris announced as they left the room. "You wanna come John?" he asked
"Nah, I'm good Morris, see ya later man." John replied shrugging.
"Alright man, see yah later girls." Morris said before taking off down the hallway.
The trio watched him go before Riley spoke.
"And here comes the interrogation." she said.
Cameron turned towards her immediately. "Have you received any information or made contact with Jesse?" she demanded.
John almost chuckled at Cameron's attitude. "Cam I think it's best we take this conversation outside, away from prying ears." He said kindly to her.
Cameron paused, her eyes never leaving Riley's. 'John is correct.' She realised, noting the slight error in her judgement down to an emotional reaction.
"You're right John." She said as she looked at John from the corner of her eye before looking back to Riley.
John walked down the hallway towards the doors Riley following behind him with Cameron directly behind her, ensuring the girl couldn't escape.
Outside Riley sat down under a tree, John sat next to her with Cameron standing over them both ever vigilant to foul play, 'And if she thinks she can touch MY John.' If Cameron were an animal she'd have snarled in a predatory fashion, looking at a weaker 'rival' who'd try and steal her mate.
"Alright so, any updates on Jesse?" John asked in a calm tone of voice.
"I've been getting phone calls and texts from her wanting to know my status with you, I told her things are going well, but she said she'd noticed you hadn't been at school in a while." She told him.
Cameron and John shared a look before Cameron immediately turned her attention around them scanning for Jesse.
"So she knows where we go to school, of course she does, it's obvious, should have realised that." He said out loud partially chastising himself he ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Alright so, she noticed I've been missing what'd you say?" he asked.
"I told her I didn't know but I'd find out, then I heard you were sick so that's what I told her." Riley informed him.
"Did she say anything? Anything at all?" he inquired in serious voice.
"She didn't say much, just said to go round. But I never did." She replied feeling a meek under his gaze.
"Obviously, Cameron would have seen or heard you." He said his eyes closing briefly as he put his thoughts together, before looking to Cameron. "She may not have bought I was sick, considering she knows who I am and who you are Cam."
"Affirmative, there is also the possibility that she knows where we live." She told him. "She could have followed us home." She explained.
"Or just a real good stalker." John mumbled to himself, though knew both ladies would hear him.
"This puts us at risk John." Cameron informed him.
"I know it does." 'So we're on even playing field. We both know where the other is … then again she doesn't know we know where she is.' He thought to himself, he'd bring up his thought with Cameron later, away from Riley.
"We'll think of something, don't worry." John assures her, thought it felt more like he was reassuring himself.
"I could help." Riley spoke up.
"No, you're a security threat. You could still be working with Jesse." Cameron shot back turning around to stare at the girl with her 'Terminator' expression.
Riley gulped as she looked into the Machine girl's eyes she swore she could see the red eyes of the Machine glaring down at her with intent of killing her.
"Okay, sure." She said, scared.
As much as John wanted to chastise Cameron for being too threatening towards Riley, he would admit, it was kind of funny to watch.
"Don't worry Cam, I had no intention of talking the plan over with Riley." He assured her, "Unless she's needed and only then we'd tell her just as we set it into motion." He added.
Cameron looked up to John and smiled slightly.
Riley curiously watched the interaction. They seemed very comfortable with one another. 'Too comfortable.' She wondered if what Jesse had said before was true, did Cameron run the Resistance? Was John so blinded by the Machine? She mentally gulped, it was probably best not to say or do anything.
Cameron glanced down to Riley, her content look being replaced with the eyes of cold efficiency. Cameron had detected the slight elevation in Riley's blood pressure, the increased speed of her heart beats, and she didn't like it. The girl was up to something.
Before too long the next bell rang out signalling the next lesson in school.
"That was fast." John commented as he stood up, "what we got next?" he asked
"Science – Biology." Cameron replied then watched John groan with displeasure.
"School can be so boring." He complained before walking back to the front doors with Cameron, who made sure Riley followed them.
Biology was, humorous in an immature way to say the least. They were on the subject of sexual organs, reproduction and sexual transmitted diseases. Around him, John could hear the snickering of his fellow classmates, he simply rolled his eyes and groaned.
'Grow the fuck up!' he thought and continued to watch the teacher talk about reproduction.
Cameron tilted her head quizzically, she knew this, could probably teach the class better than their teacher was, but allowing herself to just watch and listen made her think.
'John and I are a consenting couple and we've committed coitus.' She thought, she knew no matter how much her programming or rather how much she would evolve, she'd never be human, beneath her 'stomach' region was her advanced digestive track, a set of tubes and machinery which broke down food and water into nutrients for her sheath. This thought sent negative feedback into her CPU, it made her sad.
'John and I cannot have children.' She thought. She knew eventually a man like John would want children, any female in the future would want children with the John Connor, to some it would be considered an honor. But she, his girlfriend the one he loved and love him in return, couldn't give him that.
She felt a hand touch her's, she glanced to see John giving her a reassuring smile, he had hazard a guess at the meaning behind Cameron's forlorn look when the teacher had been speaking about reproduction, he knew like she knew they'd never have children, naturally, but then again, either way if they stopped Judgement Day or not, they'd find a way, naturally or not.
From her seat Riley watched the two, she watched John placed his hand on Cameron's and narrowed her eyes. 'He's awfully comfortable with it.' She thought. Perhaps he was fucking it, like a super advanced sex doll. 'Or maybe he's in love with it.' That made her want to vomit.
The thought that John Connor would split with a human girl to be with one of them was insulting and disgusting, maybe the rumours she'd heard amongst the soldiers were true, John Connor was fucking metal, a hot female looking metal, but metal none the less.
She closed her eyes and sighed. She wouldn't say anything, or do anything, he … they were her chance at freedom and security, 'better to be on the stronger side' she mentally argued with herself. At this point, if John Connor could guarantee her safety and protection even after Judgement Day, well then, John could have his own cyborg harem for all she cared.
Morris himself noticed the activity, he'd also get a better look at John's and Cameron's faces, it showed affection and caring, more than he'd seen John ever give to Cameron.
'Maybe they went on a family bonding trip.' He thought, but watching them, something seemed off, he didn't know what. 'Maybe they BOTH got their hair done.' He wondered, hair was never his specialty.
John patted Cameron's hand before looking back to the front where the teacher continued to talk, immature snickers sounding throughout the lesson, a single thought ran through John Connor's mind: 'I'm supposed to lead these immature bastards to victory?'
Biology ended not nearly soon enough, and the pupils of the school were unleashed for lunch.
"Alright." He whispered to Cameron without looking at her. "I want to get you alone …" he began.
Cameron smiled slightly at the implications. "I was wondering when." She said back with a slight seductive toe to her voice.
Whatever John was thinking and going to say crumbled away at what Cameron had said, even stumbling over his own feet.
"C-Cam." He squeaked, a blush rising to his face, though her face portrayed no reaction he could see it, that small glint of mischievous satisfaction in her eye. "Very funny Cam." He chuckled before nudging her with his hip. "Maybe later." He said in his own seductive tone.
"As you were saying." Cameron said to diffuse the sexual tension.
"Yeah, as I was saying, I want to get you alone … so we can discuss the plan regarding Jesse. I don't like having her out there, and I'd like a solid plan of what to do with her."
"I could kill her, with the element of surprise and using Riley's voice I could catch her off guard." Cameron suggested.
John winced, they could do that, but he wasn't one for having people killed, and from what he'd heard from both Cameron and Derek, he would eventually but for now, he'd rather keep that aspect of himself as far away as possible.
"That'll be our final plan." He said reluctantly as he glanced into Cameron's eyes. "Until then, I want a plan in case she becomes more trouble."
Cameron nodded. "We'll get lunch, and discuss it." She said.
"Right, speaking of Lunch, how're you?" he asked.
Cameron paused for a moment her CPU running through what he could mean, it came to her suddenly, her wounds.
"My organic covering has fully regenerated." She smiled.
"Great." He sighed in relief. "Alright maybe between Lunch and our next class you could remove the bandages and get yourself cleaned up."
"No problem." She replied as the couple joined the queue.
Not too far behind the couple who were making their way to lunch, Morris and Riley followed.
"So what's wrong, you look agitated." Morris said noticing the sour look on Riley's face.
"John and Cameron." She said.
"I thought you were okay with John and you breaking up." He replied.
"I'll tell that to them, but no, I'm not." She grumbled.
"And what's wrong with Cameron? Sure she's overprotective but …" he began only to be interrupted.
"How can you be so happy? Cameron isn't interested in you aren't you angry?" Riley demanded to know.
"Well, I was a little at first, but it weren't like me and her had anything, besides, there's still plenty of fish in the sea." He said optimistically, with his usual smile on his face.
"Whatever. Just look at them, all close and cuddly." She growled.
"Well yeah, they're family." He said, confused as to what she was getting at.
"Yeah, but they were never that close before." She replied staring as the two talked, John suddenly stumbled but continued to walk beside her. "They're not acting like brother and sister." She grimaced.
"Wait." Morris said as he seemed to realise. "You don't think they're … " he said pointing at them with his thumb staring at Riley as he did so.
"They're?" Riley asked anticipating his answer, wondering if he realised they aren't really family.
Morris gathered himself and sighed. "You don't think they're …" he glanced to the 'Baums' " … fucking, do you?" he asked.
"Maybe." Riley said shuddering at the thought.
"But isn't, like you know, incest illegal?" he asked.
"Exactly which means." Riley rolled off awaiting Morris' answer, hoping the boy would realise.
"John and Cameron are secretly doing it." He gasped and clapped his hands together. "Lucky bastard."
Riley seemed to have a brain fart. "Wait, what? Lucky?" she asked in shock.
"Girl, if I had a sister as hot as Cameron I'd have done her when we started puberty."
"Oh my god! You pig!" Riley slapped Morris' arm.
"Ow! Sorry, it's the truth." He winced while rubbing his arm.
"Well it isn't right, he can't go with someone like her." she said.
"What do you mean 'like her'?" he asked.
Riley opened her eyes knowing she'd almost let something slip.
"You know, like, not all there." She lied tapping her head with her index finger. "And she's his sister, so his mentally challenged sister, he's fucking her."
Morris thought about it for a minute, 'Hmm'ing and 'Ahh'ing. "So, what you're saying is, John is manipulating Cameron for sex?
Riley blinked looking at Morris. 'That'll work.' She thought. "Exactly, it's not right, poor Cameron."
Morris shook his head narrowing his eyes at John. "I can't believe John'd do that, he's always been a straight up guy. I can't believe he's doing that." He huffed in annoyance. "I'll talk to him, John's my best friend, he'll listen to me."
"No! No, we shouldn't say anything, not yet, we have no proof anyway." She said suddenly, she'd thought it out real quick, if Morris confronted John, John would find out it came from her Cameron would found out, and Riley would 'disappear' at the very worst, or fall out of favour with Connor and his metal, she couldn't let that happen.
She had to defuse the rising situation. "Listen, Morris just ignore I'm just being the jealous ex, he's obviously paying more attention to her because he doesn't have me, right?" she said pleading Morris would believe her.
The young man looked at Riley then to John and Cameron, "Yeah, I guess you're right." He said with little conviction just as the pair entered the lunch queue a few students behind Cameron and John.
The line for lunch moves slowly but steadily, John began to look around as if trying to find something.
"Scanning for threats?" Cameron asked a hint of humour in her voice.
"Something like that." John replied with a smirk on his lips, Cameron tilted her head curiously at him before John decided to explain himself, "Every time we've been in this lunch line, something or rather someone has come to pick a fight and we, well you, get into trouble." John explained as he turned his head back towards the back of the line, he mentally noted Riley talking to Morris who's expression looked sour.
"I'm just making sure we at least get a heads up in case the Jocks try anything." John concluded.
Cameron nodded, their encounter with the jocks were putting them on the radar, such exposure was bad and if it continued would have to be dealt with, with zero tolerance.
Cameron felt her hand twitch into a fist before seizing up briefly, she glanced down to her hand and forced it back open.
The sound of John exhaling brought Cameron's attention back to him. "They aren't here yet, so if they aren't here now, they probably won't be coming." John said as he turned back to her.
"Hallelujah." Cameron quipped causing John to chuckle briefly.
With lunch in hand the couple sat down at a table in the far corner, John noticed Riley and Morris keeping their distance. 'Perfect' John thought. He cast his gaze up to Cameron who was staring at the food on her tray with an incredulous look.
"Problem?" John asked.
"This food looks inedible." She said with a hit of disgust in her voice.
John smirked. "That's cafeteria food Cam. That's how it is." He picked up his burger and took a bite out of it.
"You should eat healthier John, all these foods are too high in fat and could damage your circulatory system." Cameron chastised.
'And we aren't even married.' He thought with good humour. "I'm sorry Cam, but it's this" he said pointing at his burger, "the soup or the lasagne." He said pointing between the women dishing it up and the lasagne on Cameron's tray.
Cameron looked at the burger in his hand, her tray then brought up a memory of the soup. Her decision was immediate. "Carry on." She said before tucking into her jacketed potatoes.
A comfortable silence passed between the two before John decided it was time to get down to business.
"Alright." He said putting down his fork. "We both agree Jesse is a problem right?"
Cameron sipped her water before putting it down. "Yes, she is a potential threat and should be dealt with."
"I know you wanna kill her." he said calmly, "But killing isn't always the answer."
"It's always the preferred solution though." Cameron replied.
John sighed, he loved this girl but sometimes … he smiled. "Yeah, I guess I can understand that, once they're dead they can't hurt us anymore, directly anyway." He said then shook his head. "Okay let's sum up what we know." He suggested.
"Alright." Cameron nodded.
"One; we know her objective." John began as he placed a finger to his left thumb. "Two; we know she's using Riley as an accomplice, Riley is the weak link in all this, she's got no expertise, no training, nothing, she's a civilian, and we can exploit her fear." He said as he tapped his left index finger.
"As we have been doing, to offer her safety, civilians in the future do anything for their safety." Cameron put in.
John nodded in agreement. "Three: Jesse knows most likely where we live and we know where she's lives but she doesn't know, that we know where she lives, I hope."
"There is a potential that she is allied with Derek." Cameron added.
John winced at the thought, truthfully, Cameron had told him last week about Derek's and Jesse's future past relationship in the future and that the likelihood that she had made contact with him was high. Suddenly it made a lot of sense to John, where Derek had been going his 'contacts', but what really hurt him was his Uncle, his own flesh and blood could be betraying him to a traitor.
It had been that very night that John had told Cameron the Connor's deepest secret, Kyle Reese was his father.
Two Days Ago
John and Cameron were in his bedroom, John sat at his desk Cameron stood infront of the close door, it was night Cameron had returned from checking the perimeter and had informed John all within the house hold were asleep, apart from himself and her obviously.
"John." Cameron began. "There is something I've been meaning to tell you."
John looked at her curiously, her tone sounding ominous. "Is something wrong?" he asked.
"It's about Jesse." She began.
John looked at her curiously. "New information?" he asked.
"No. Information about the future, I have been debating whether or I should tell you as it could cause some damage." She explained.
John said nothing his curiosity outweighing his worry.
"In 2027, Jesse Flores had a relationship with Derek Reese." She informed him.
John blinked. Blinked again and stared before his mouth began to work. "Derek and Jesse were …" his voice trailed off just as Cameron interrupted.
"Possibly still are." She said.
John looked deep into her eyes his mind going over this sudden information, he didn't care at this moment why she hadn't told him, but rather a lot suddenly added up, Derek disappearing for hours if not days.
"He's meeting with her." he said quietly in disbelief.
"That is most likely scenario, from what we know they share a common interest." Cameron explained before walking over to John and sat at the foot of his bed.
"Yeah, they both wanna kill you." John breathed in slowly and exhaled deeply. "He could be feeding her information, she could know anything about us, the passcodes, our routines, anything."
"Derek Reese has become a threat, he should be dealt with." Cameron said before placing a hand on John's knee. "I'm sorry."
John took Cameron's hand in his and stared deeply into her eyes, tears glistening in his own. "We can't Cam, we can't kill him."
Cameron tiled her head briefly before straightening it up. "I know you trusted him but …"
"No Cam." John interrupted, he closed his eyes and forced the betrayed feeling he had down into the pit of his stomach. "We can't kill him."
Cameron watched as John opened his eyes and looked deeply into her's. "But why?" she asked. "He is likely giving information to a traitor, he has betrayed you."
"NO!" John snapped angrily, Cameron's eyes opened wide in shock. John stood up and paced the room his face red with anger and misery. He looked to his beloved and saw her forlorn look. "I'm sorry Cameron. I'm sorry."
He knelt down to her and kissed her on the lips. "I'm sorry." He took her hands into his and looked into her beautiful brown eyes, she had given him information, trusted him with future information, and she loved him as he loved her, he trusted her, her trusted her with his family's secret.
"We can't kill him Cameron, he's family." He said softly
Cameron raised a brow curiously. "Family? You mean as a team unit?" she asked.
"No, I mean in blood." He explained, Cameron actually looked at him confused. "His brother, Kyle Reese, was my father."
Cameron's eyes opened wider he knew she was immediately scanning him.
"I should have realised." She said softly she looked, almost in awe at the realisation. "You're alias in 1999, as John Reese should have been obvious, you facial pattern and skull proportions are similar to Sergeant Reese. I don't know how I didn't realise this sooner." She said
John chuckled at the look on her face before moving closer to her again and kissed her lips. "It's the family secret."
Cameron kissed him in return then looked at him sadly. "You do not wish Derek to be terminated as he is the blood connection you have to your father." She said, now understanding John's reasons.
"Yeah, that's why, he's my Uncle." John replied.
Cameron frowned before pulling John into another kiss.
Present Day
John focused back onto Cameron's face. "Yeah there's that."
Cameron said nothing.
John's face scrunched up as he put his mind into overdrive to come up with a plan.
Cameron had seen this look before with future John when thinking of a quick plan, his nostrils would flare, his eye brows would scrunch together and his lips nearly resembled a fish.
"Alright." He said as his features relaxed. "I want to know her schedule, that times she's out the time's she's in, don't need or care what she's going just how long she takes." He said.
"It would be best to get all the information we can." Cameron replied.
John nodded. "Alright, I want to her when she in, when she's out, for how long, who she meets who she's with."
"Consider it done." She replied.
John smiled taking her hand in his and kissed her knuckles as he smiled affectionately at her to which she gave a smile in return.
"When we've got all the information we need, then we'll track her down, alone, so we'll have the advantage, she'll meet our demands and if she doesn't …" his voice trailed and he looked down sadly. "Well, can't say we didn't give her a chance." He began to rub Cameron's knuckles affectionately with his thumb.
Cameron smiled at the affectionate gesture John was giving her.
"I know you don't like it when people die John, but sometimes it's necessary." Cameron said.
"I know, I know, it's something I've had to deal with a lot recently." He sighed. "I just hope there's a way around it."
"If there is, you'll find it." She said comfortingly before leaning forward and kissing John briefly on the cheek. She could tell he didn't like thinking about the possible betrayal of his Uncle or the possible need to kill Jesse. She needed to cheer him up, and her CPU had given her a good choice, she immediately brought up her chronometer. "John we have twenty minutes till our next lesson." She informed him.
"Okay, what should we do?" he asked.
Cameron merely looked at him hungrily and gave him a sultry smirk.
The couple walked into Geography not twenty minutes later, John looking flustered and red as he tried his hardest to keep a dopey smile off his face, Cameron strode infront of him to any normal person they would see her usual emotionless expression, but those like John would notice the twinkle of satisfaction in her eye.
Riley looked watched them, her mind reeling at the possibilities at what they had done, it made her sick to her stomach.
Morris too was dumbfounded, looking at the red face of John, it made him sick, thinking that John was manipulating his sister, but somewhere deep within the back of his mind a tiny voice said 'Lucky Bastard!'
John paid attention to Geography guessing that in the future he'd would need to know the lay of the land to aid in co-ordinating attacks against Skynet, that being said today's lesson was about Greece, the deepest parts of Greece, something he most likely wouldn't need to know.
The bell rang and History was to begin. John groaned, his most hated subject, his problems were from the future, not the past. Or so he thought.
"Everyone settle down." Said Miss Stone.
She looked at her eager class and mentally frowned, she knew damn well they weren't eager for her class, rather than she was the final lesson of the day, even now she saw some students glancing at the clock and she hadn't even started roll call. Regardless she herself found herself looking at the clock every now and then.
She got through registration quickly enough and announced to her students the topic of the day.
"Now class, continuing on from last lesson on early American history and World War One, we'll be talking about the great Pioneers of the 1920s." she gave them a fake smile as she heard a chorus of groans.
Surprisingly, Cameron liked history, she found herself being fascinated on mankind's technological evolution, from the Knights of old with their broad swords, to the revolutionary soldiers of mind 19th century with their single shot flintlock rifles, all the way to modern day technology.
Besides her John was still very much awake from the blowjob she'd given him in the janitor's closet after they finished their lunch, it was rather ironic that the aftermath of that had been the healthiest meal of the day, with that thought she ran her tongue around her mouth once more.
Suddenly her facial recognition data appeared on her HUD.
T-888 SHEATH MODEL 709 LOCATED
Cameron set her gaze on a picture of a man on the screen, the teacher naming him 'Myron Stark' an engineer of sorts who's company built large corporate buildings.
Even now through the old styled moving picture she could tell it was a Machine, the dead look in the eyes, the stiff body posture, large frame.
She glanced down as others around them wrote notes in their books, she too wrote notes that her teacher instructed while using her other hand to write down a message to John, a simple few words, she tore the piece of paper from the page and passed it to John while the teacher had her back turned.
John looked at her questioningly then glanced at the paper ad read it.
"Myron Stark – Series Triple Eight model 709"
John's eyes widened considerably, then looked up to the screen.
"You sure?" he whispered quietly.
"Affirmative." Cameron whispered in return. "It must be dealt with."
John nodded in agreement, questions rising in his head, what was it doing in the 1920s? Where was it now? And how to find it?
The lesson was a mind blurring event from that moment on, John's thought strictly on this Triple Eight. He sighed then turned his head to the clock, just as the bell rang out across the school.
Every student rushed to get their books away into their bags, none however were quicker than John or Cameron.
As a wave the students left their classrooms and made their way to the exit doors, welcoming the bliss of freedom.
"Hey John. John!" came a voice behind the rushing pair, they turned seeing Morris coming up to them.
"Hey John I need to talk to you man." Morris told him, John noted the stern look in his eyes, whatever it was John didn't have time right then.
"Morris, me and John need to get home fast, we can't talk." Cameron told him as she slyly put herself between Morris and John. "Perhaps you can tell him tomorrow." She offered.
Morris looked from her to John and sighed. "Alright, see you later." He said reluctantly.
John and Cameron turned and made their way back home quickly.
"What do you think Morris wanted?" John asked as he and Cameron moved quickly back home.
"I don't know, he appeared upset about something concerning you." She replied.
John monitored his breathing as they moved. "Seemed like it, wonder what's wrong."
"We'll find out tomorrow." She said.
"Yeah, hopefully we'd have dealt with Stark." John mumbled to himself.
"It'll be dealt with." Cameron said warmly before giving John a small smile.
The pair returned home and saw the other jeep was back. His mother and Uncle had returned.
They walked in and were greeted by Sarah, Derek and Danny standing near the dining table, Susan Jones sat in the living room watching television quietly, trying to be as small as possible.
"John." His mother said in a steady authoritative voice. "We need to talk."
'Oh shit.' Were the first words that came to the future General's mind.
"It's sick John." Derek said suddenly.
"Derek!" Sarah quickly snapped turning to glare at the man.
Reese grumbled but kept his mouth shut.
John and Cameron glanced to one another.
"No, don't look at her for help." Sarah chastised as she crossed her arms.
"What's wrong mom?" John asked.
"You think I wouldn't know John?" she said in annoyance. "You think I wouldn't notice the way you've been these past few days. Tired, during the days, more so than normal, groaning with pains in your body?" she chuckled darkly. "I wasn't born yesterday John."
She looked to Cameron and shook her head. "I bet you didn't think so either did you?"
"Think what?" Cameron asked innocently.
"You two are having sex aren't you?" Sarah said staring John in the eye. "Don't lie to me."
John froze, what was going to happen now?
"In correct Sarah." Cameron said suddenly all eyes turned to her. "You are right guessing the reason behind his lack of sleep and aches are because of me, though are not directly my doing." She explained.
"What're you talking about?" Derek asked mentally adding 'Metal' to the end of his sentence.
"Observe." Cameron stated as she walked towards Sarah, the elder Connor frowned as she looked up to the Cyborg girl.
'Wait a second…' Sarah thought as she narrowed her eyes. "When did you get taller than me?" she said incredulously.
Suddenly Derek stood to his full height as did Danny, it was then they noticed the subtle height difference between Cameron and Sarah.
"The FUCK? Machines can't grow." Derek spoke out.
Everyone turned to look at Cameron's shoes, they were the basic steel toed boots she always wore.
"John has been upgrading my Endoskeleton." Cameron announced.
Everyone even Susan stared at John.
"What does she mean by upgrade John?" Sarah asked slowly, her calm obviously being pushed down by her growing anger.
"I thought about what happened with the Triple Eight who owned the Hummer, she was almost killed," he began
"They don't die John, people die, Machines are destroyed." Derek shot out.
"Shut Up!" John said in a raised voice. "She was almost killed, destroyed whatever, either way I couldn't let it happen again." He turned his gaze to his mother. "So I did what I thought was necessary, I had her take it's Endoskeleton apart, and I altered it's parts to be more suitable to her frame and size." As he spoke he walked towards his mother until he stood infront of all of them right beside Cameron.
"So I made her slightly taller, which allows her better reach, she's faster, stronger, maybe slightly more durable, but she's more powerful now." John said in a slow simple tone so they'd understand.
"You made the Machine tougher?" Derek asked shocked to hear what he was hearing.
"Yes." Cameron spoke up before John did. "I'm tougher than before, I'll be able to deal with Triple Eights with less difficult and perhaps deal with the Terminatrix."
Sarah looked to John. "So, that's it, making her Tin-Miss Mark 2?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'd stay up at night working in the shed on the parts and my arms and back would be aching after I was done." He explained.
Sarah looked to Cameron again then back to John. She made a noise that sounded like a laugh and tried concealing it in her mouth. The noise came again. Then again.
"Mom?" John asked cautiously.
Everyone looked at Sarah with worry as it seemed the woman had finally gone insane.
"No, no, I'm, I'm okay. I'm okay." Sarah said as she waved everyone off as she continued to keep her laughter in.
It was a few awkward minutes before Sarah calmed down, she looked hysterical.
"Mom would it have been so bad if me and Cameron were having sex?" John asked.
Sarah shook her head then stared John right in the eye. "Under this roof, under my rules? Yes. It would, not yet anyway, while we're on the subject, ground rules."
John groaned while Cameron pouted.
"Hey, now I think I'm being more than fair." Sarah said with slight annoyance.
"Alright, lay it on us." John said reluctantly.
Sarah smirked, she felt in control again rather than how things had seemed to feel recently.
"Alright, no sex at least for now, no kissing or any PDA infront of any of us, well me or Derek." She smirked seeing John groan before turning her attention to Cameron. "And no sleeping in his bed."
"Aww come on mom!" John argued.
"How can I be sure you won't have sex if you're in the same room?" she asked with a smirk.
"Can't you trust that I'll listen to the rules and be responsible?" he asked
"No." Sarah replied simply.
"At least allow me to stay in his room while he sleeps Sarah." Cameron spoke up
Sarah looked to the Cyborg-girl and frowned.
"He loves me, please." Cameron asked softly.
Sarah stared at the Machine frowning.
"Come on Sarah, you're not gunna fall for the puppy dog eyes are ya?" Derek said in annoyance.
"Alright, fine, you can sleep together, clothed." She said emphasising 'clothed'
Derek groaned behind her, Sarah could imagine it.
"Not a word Derek." Sarah said as she sighed then looked to her son. "I'm trusting you here, don't let me down." She smiled at him.
"Thanks mom." John replied with a small smile of his own.
John and Cameron quickly retired to his bedroom, John once again sat on his desk chair while Cameron sat at the foot of the bed, there was a brief silence between them, Cameron awaiting for John to speak and John listening in case the other followed.
Knowing they weren't followed John smirked mischievously. "I can't believe we got away with it." John rolled over to Cameron on his seat and kissed her passionately on the lips. "Ah you're amazing." He chuckled
Cameron's face brightened as she smiled at John's compliment. She always received a lot of positive feedback in her CPU from John's compliments, which in all was only an 1/10th as much as sex but compliments were still nice.
"Thank you John. However we didn't lie completely, Sarah just assumed your aches and pains from the last few days were due to sex." She explained.
"True, I was able to cover those aches and pain pretty well." He replied with a smirk on his face and winked at her causing Cameron's cheek to flare up into a blush.
John leaned back in his chair and released a content sigh as he rested his right leg on the right arm of his chair.
There was a peaceful silence between the two lovers.
John closed his eyes, resting them as he felt weary. 'There's still a potential Triple Eight threat.' He thought to himself.
"We still need to deal with that Triple Eight." John commented.
"Yes, we do." Cameron replied.
"You have any idea what we could do?" John asked, not moving from his position his eyes still closed.
"If we're engaging a Triple Eight there can be no 'we' John, it could be dangerous." Cameron told him, "I may be your girlfriend John but I need to keep you safe."
John didn't reply.
"You're still going aren't you?" she asked.
"You bet." He said calmly.
"John this isn't a laughing matter, a Triple Eight is still a big threat." Cameron chastised him.
"I know Cameron. I know, any Machine is a threat, I'm well aware, but I'm not letting you do this alone." He said finally opening his eyes and looking at her. "I'm gunna help you, even if I have to make little pot shots from a distance."
Cameron felt conflicted, annoyance at his persistence to put himself in danger thus making her mission tougher, but loved knowing her John would do anything to stay with her.
"You make me confused John Connor." She commented
"Sorry." He replied humorously. "A man's gotta take care of his woman." He smirked.
Cameron blinked and furrowed her brows. "But it's my mission to take care of you." She tilted her head.
"Well how about we take care of each other?" John offered cheekily.
Cameron conceded. "Very well John."
"Right, now again." He said, his mood all serious once more as he leaned back into his chair. "Where do we start looking?" he scratched his chin in thought. "Any ideas?" he asked
"Where did people used to go to find information?" she asked plainly.
"Newspaper?" he asked.
"No." she shook her head. "The library." She let her answer settle with John before continuing. "We need to find out more information on Myron Stark."
John shifted in his seat as his eyes focused on her. "Okay Cam, it's your show, when do we leave?"
"It's my show?" she asked.
"I mean it's your mission, you're in charge." He smiled.
Cameron thought it over for a moment. "Can I order you to stay here?" she asked
John smirked once more. "No."
'Darn.' She thought. "We best leave after dark, approximately seven o'clock tonight, when the others are out or busy." She suggested.
"Good plan." He said then thought for a moment. "But how will we get in? Isn't the library closed at that time?"
It was then Cameron gave him a knowing smirk. "I have contacts." She said with an air of mystery to her words.
The rest of the night the couple planned for their encounter with the Triple Eight: their plan of engagement if (or when) they face it, Cameron obviously would go in first and hand it hand to hand while John would cover her with a weapon. She noticed him weighing up his Colt Anaconda.
"Are you sure you want to use that John?" she asked.
"Hey I gotta got efficient with some time haven't I? This'll be perfect opportunity." He replied
Cameron nodded, it was best to agree.
If they could pin the Machine, Cameron had her trusty tactical folding knife to remove it's CPU.
Their planning finished they got up when they heard Sarah calling them for dinner.
"Wonder what's been cremated now?" John wondered out loud as they got up from their seated positions.
"Whatever it was could have been appetizing, once." Cameron quipped making John chuckle.
The couple went downstairs and saw the still timid Susan Jones sat at the table next to Danny and Derek.
John glanced over to his mother who was dishing up the food, it looked … edible.
"Wow mom, that actually looks good." John commented not bothering to hide his shock.
"Keep it up smart guy, I can always make the rules LESS merciful." She shot back in good humour.
It was then Danny got John's attention as he spoke, or rather stuttered.
"Um-ugh a-actually John, it ugh … it was me who cooked." The dark skinned man admitted.
There was a sudden look of relief between Derek, John and Susan; the latter having tasted some of Sarah's cooking before.
"So." John said his eyes locked onto Susan while he sat down. "How're you doing?" he asked.
Susan looked at him, she'd not spoken to John before, the most she'd spoken to was Danny. "I'm missing presumed dead, a killer robot …"
"Cyborg." Cameron interrupted.
Susan looked at her knowing what she was and nodded timidly.
"A killer cyborg, is out to kill me for something I haven't done or possible never did, and knowing that the Sarah Connor from the Cyberdyne incident back in '97 wasn't actually crazy and is actually in this room with me." She said.
"And how are you?" John asked again since Susan didn't actually answer his question.
"All of that considered? I could be worse." Susan admitted.
"You could be dead." Cameron offered, everyone turn to look at her, eye brows raised everyone except John and Susan looking at her with annoyance. "Sorry."
With makeshift family sat down at the table, Derek shuffling closer to Susan to keep distance from Cameron.
"I think this is the first time I've noticed us all actually sit at the table together and eat." Danny commented as Sarah sat down with her dinner.
Cameron quickly ran through her memory banks since she, John and Sarah had travelled through time. "This is the 3rd time it's been done. It's been a while."
"It's actually, kinda nice." John said as he put some cut up potato into his mouth.
"I guess." Derek grunted and he shovelled food into his mouth.
Dinner continued and concluded without much conversation, no one brought up John and Cameron's relationship.
Later that night when everyone has either settled down or gone to bed John and Cameron were packing.
"We should pack lightly." Cameron has suggested.
Armed lightly with a duffle bag, which held Cameron's Benelli semi-automatic shotgun loaded with the last few Hyper Alloy shotguns shells and a few spare shells, dangling around loosely, the couple made their way out quietly, and got into one of the hummer.
"We need to make a stop before the library." Cameron stated.
"Where to?" John asked as he kept his eyes on the road.
"A 24 hour grocery store, take a left here." She instructed.
John continued to follow Cameron's directions before it dawned on him. "You've done this before." He smirked.
Cameron glanced to John. "Yes, when it was early in the morning I would do this, then go to the library, I'm interested in the past, it affects everything in the future." She explained.
"Truer words have rarely been spoken." John commented with a small smile on his lips.
After getting a bag of doughnuts John drove to the library and parked up.
"So what are the donuts for?" he asked.
"A present." Cameron replied, she stepped up to the door, John about to ask what she was doing when she knocked on the door. "now we wait."
Confused but trusting John stood next to Cameron.
After a few minutes John heard the door locks on the other side operate just a few moments later the door slowly slid open revealing a brown haired bearded man in a wheelchair.
"Chocolate glazed donuts." Cameron stated as she held out the paper bag to the man.
The man smiled and rolled back as Cameron stepped forward with John bringing up the rear.
"Could you close the door behind you?" the man asked, John did so.
"Hey Cameron, it's been a while." The man said pleasantly as he rolled himself over to a desk where Cameron placed the donuts.
"It has, I'm sorry I've been gone so long." She replied.
"So, how was your friend in Mexico, you find him?" he asked.
John shot a shocked looked to the man then to Cameron.
"No, he wasn't there." Cameron replied calmly.
"Bummer." The man said then glanced to John. "Who's your friend?" he asked
"Oh, this is John." She said pleasantly. "John this is Eric, my friend." She said introducing them
"Hey nice to meet you." John said as he strode over to Eric and stuck out his hand.
"You too buddy." Eric replied pleasantly shaking his hand.
"How's things with that blonde bitch?" Eric asked turning to Cameron.
Cameron noted a curious but almost smug look from John.
"She's been dealt with, my brother doesn't see her anymore." Cameron replied.
"That's good, you said she was becoming a problem." Eric smiled.
"She was, but it's alright now. He's learned." She smiled in return.
"Good, glad everything worked out." Eric smiled before rolling himself to a different part of his desk.
"Eric, could you help me and John please?" Cameron asked.
Eric looked at her and smiled. "Sure, what do you need?"
"We're looking for local history, early 20th century." She said.
Eric narrowed his eyes as they aimlessly moved around, his brow furrowed as he thought. "Ugh, yeah. Follow me." He said turning himself and rolled off.
John and Cameron followed. "Blonde bitch?" he whispered as he held in a chuckle.
"She was, still is." She replied.
"How does he know about Mexico?" he asked.
"He doesn't not the truth anyway." She replied. "Eric is my friend, we talk, I tell him what happens in my life, well not the full truth." She explained.
John nodded, as long as the man didn't know too much, who was he to complain who Cameron talked too?
Eric led them to a section in the library. "Here's history, local history, anything more specific?" he asked.
"We're looking for a guy called Myron Stark, ugh me and Cameron are doing a paper on him for History." John lied.
"Ah! Ugh, not heard of him, but he'll be here, somewhere." Eric replied waving his arm across the books. "Need any help?" he offered
"Please." Cameron accepted.
"It'd be best if we split up." John said before looking to Cameron. "That okay with you?" he asked.
Cameron paused for a moment, they were fairly safe in the library, no one but them would be here right now. "Okay."
The three separated Eric staying with Eric and John going off to look on his own.
Morris sighed as he sat on uncomfortably on the porch of the house nursing a can of beer in his hand, he could hear the party going on inside, he heard the front door open up behind and quiet steps coming up behind him.
"Any luck?" Morris asked.
"I can't get in touch with him no." Riley answered reluctantly before sitting down beside him with her own beer.
"You called the house phone too?" he asked.
"His mom doesn't know where he is, I've tried his cell he isn't answering." She replied.
"text?" Morris asked.
"No reply." She groaned with frustration.
"That isn't like him, John's a good guy." Morris frowned.
'That fucking metal bitch is twisting him' Riley thought angrily. "Maybe he's with Cameron."
"You don't think he snuck out with her to, you know, do you?" he asked.
'Ugh.' "Maybe." She replied. "Who knows anymore?"
"That aint right." Morris turned to look at Riley and saw the look in her eyes.
"What happened between you two?" he asked, not wanting to upset her any further.
"It's personal, some things came up and, well, he broke up with me." Riley shrugged her shoulders feigning disinterest. "Doesn't matter now."
Morris patted her knee. "It does matter, I can tell." Riley turned to look at him. "I know people don't think much of me, but I can see it, he hurt you, maybe more than he realises. You're a nice girl Riley, you don't deserve this."
Riley smiled softly but the smile didn't quite reach her sad eyes. "Thank Morris."
Truth be told she was upset, she'd lost her chance at the big time, sure she hadn't told Jesse, she knew the woman would flip and she had to keep the secret to ensure she got anything out of Connor, his protection. But she liked him, some part of her did like him.
"You're a nice guy Morris." Riley finally said as she took another sip of her beer. "I've said it before; you're a good friend to John, he needs those."
Morris chuckled and scratched his head awkwardly. "I do my best."
"HEY!" came a yell from the door.
Both turned around to look at Miguel, the host of the party.
"WHERE'S MY FUCKING LIGHTER BITCH!" he yelled angrily.
"I haven't got your lighter." Riley replied
Miguel walked up to them, his pants seemingly in danger of falling down to his ankles.
"I know you got my lighter, people said they saw you took it." He said getting right up to her as she stood up.
"Hey man, come on chill." Morris said timidly as he stood up.
"Keep out of this retard!" Miguel said as he looked at Morris before looking back to Riley.
Now Miguel was taller than Morris, buffer than Morris, probably tougher than Morris, but Morris was at just the right height too …
Miguel was suddenly pulled around, his eyes just too slow to adjust as Morris' forehead came crashing into his face knocking him off his feet, Morris straddled Miguel pinning to boy's arms down with his legs and proceeded to smack his fist into Miguel's face over and over again.
He didn't know what he was doing, he didn't know why, he wasn't a violent person, in the future, he would guess that between finding out the girl of his dreams not only didn't like him that way but may also be fucking her brother, the fact that Miguel and his friends had always made fun of him except when John came into the picture, and now, he didn't know, he just knew at that moment something just snapped.
"Jesus Morris, get off him, stop that's enough!" Riley cried out.
Morris only stopped when he felt someone's arms wrap around him and physically remove him from the very still Miguel and drag him away from the house.
"Shit Morris." Riley gasped looking him over once they away from the house. "You could have killed him."
Morris shook his head as if coming out of a trance, he looked at his hands both covered in blood, Miguel's blood.
"OH MY GOD! I KILLED HIM!" Morris gasped before hyperventilating.
"MORRIS! Morris! Calm down, he's not dead, he's fine, well unconscious and ugly but he's alive." Riley said trying to calm down the frantic boy.
"Oh god, oh god, why did I do that, why did I do that?" he mumbled loudly.
"Morris, Morris, chill, everything's gunna be okay, don't worry about it." Riley said calmly. "Everything's gunna be okay."
"How? He'll call the cops, I'll get busted for assault and battery then I'll go to jail!" he blurted out hysterically.
"Don't worry, I'll think of something." She said. 'Or rather the Machine can think of something.' She thought to herself.
"Come on, let's get out of here." Riley said before walking off pulling the upset Morris with her.
Cameron stood outside the library John and Eric standing behind her.
"He was at the wrong place at the wrong time." She commented as she calculated the date using the stars.
"What's she talking about?" Eric whispered nudging John's leg.
"Just agree with her, she's good at this stuff." John replied.
The trio had gathered information about Stark, the first picture of him from a newspaper clipping of a fire that burnt down a club with him staring up to the stars, John had asked why he was staring upward which led them to where they were now.
"Did you find anything John?" Cameron suddenly asked.
"Stark went into construction." He called back. "He hired everyone that could work and paid them equally, which at the time was considered insane."
"That was the 1920s for yah, still a racist time." Eric quipped. "I'd know my great grandpa was Irish."
"Oh right." John replied to Eric before looking back to Cameron. "His rival Rupert Chandler thought he was a nobody, but suddenly it seemed Chandler started having a lot of bad luck, people going missing, plans being destroyed that sort of thing, Stark's Industry flourished."
"Stark Industry, didn't become Iron Man did he?" Eric chuckled.
'He already was.' John thought to himself, but chuckled for Eric's sake.
By now Cameron had walked back to them. "Anything else?" she asked.
"That's all I got up to." John shrugged.
Cameron stared down to the floor in thought before looking to Eric, she was worried? That sounded right. He hadn't eaten his donuts, when he discovered her pistol, he had trouble firing it against the made-up target she made for him; a picture of his ex-girlfriend infront of two phonebooks, lack of appetite and weakened bones and muscles made up a case that his cancer, the very disease which left him chair ridden had returned. She had yet to voice her worry.
"Where did you get the information?" she asked John. "It was in some books, but it made reference to video footage." He told her.
Cameron looked to Eric. "Does the library have to footage?"
Eric looked worried. "M-maybe, but we're not supposed to go in there, if anyone found out they'd have my ass."
John knelt down to Eric. "Look man, you've been great to us, helping and everything, if you can get us into the footage room, we'll never let it get back to you, we promise."
"Please Eric." Cameron pleaded while using her pleading doe eye.
Eric winced looking at her eyes, then looked to John. "Alright, alright." He sighed frustrated. "The key is in the desk, third draw on the right, it's a big old skeleton key. Hard to miss."
"I'll go get it." John told Cameron before rushing off.
When John was gone Eric spoke up again. "You've changed." He commented.
Cameron glanced down to him. "I have?" she asked tilting her head.
"Yeah, you seem, I dunno, more expressive, happier and I think I know why." Eric replied smirking a little at the end.
"Why?" she asked.
"The dude." He said hinting at where John went. "Your boyfriend?" he asked slyly.
Cameron couldn't fight the tiny blush. "Yes."
Eric smiled and nodded his head. "Awesome."
Minutes later the trio were watching old news footage, the information backed up what John had found in several old books, and they found an interview of one of the survivors of the fire when she was an elderly woman, speaking about fire appearing from nowhere, and a man walking around naked, only to discredit what she said saying it was probably the stress from the event. Though John and Cameron knew otherwise.
"I know that building." Eric said as he looked at the near finished structure. "That's Pico Tower."
"Pico Tower?" John asked before looking back to the footage.
"Yeah, it's been closed off for years, but they're reopening it December 2010 when the new Governor takes over." He said.
The footage finishes mentioning that Myron Stark disappeared after the building construction.
"I know where he is." Cameron announces and storms off.
"Hey dude we gotta go, we'll be back later." John tells Eric before rushing off after Cameron.
"Hey what? Where who is?" he calls after them. "What the hell is going on?" he mutters to himself.
"So what's Stark doing here?" John asked as he drove towards Pico Tower.
"It seems his mission is to Terminate the Governor of California on December 31st 2010." Cameron commented.
"How do you know this?" he asks.
"Because in the future history says Governor Stallone was Terminated on that day." She replied.
John thought for a moment. "But why?" he asked.
"I'm not sure." Cameron replied sadly.
"I bet whatever he did happened in a, a different future. Whatever it was Skynet didn't like it and he a Triple Eight take him out." John theorised.
"That's a good theory." She commented with a smile.
"Alright, we're here." John announced as he pulled up outside the tower. "let me get ready."
Cameron waited patiently as John removed his jacket, slid on the large black leather shoulder holster, and slid the large magnum revolver into place before putting his jacket back on then grabbed Cameron's shotgun.
"I'll take point." She said as she got out of the jeep followed by John who nodded his head in agreement.
Cameron forced their way in breaking locked gates and opening locked doors, and made their way to the main room of the building.
"In here." She said scanning the area.
"Right behind ya." John said while shouldering the Benelli shotgun scanning the room through the iron sights.
Cameron walked down to the end of the room opposite the stage, she looked to the stage and played through a simulation of the Governor being shot and co-ordinating the best target angle.
John watched glanced at her making his way steadily over to her as she stood still staring at the stage, "Cam?"
Cameron looked to him but didn't reply, instead moving closer to the pale white wall and began knocking on it.
"Cam?" John asked again confused.
Cameron continued knocking until the sound changed, becoming more hollow in tone.
John's eyes opened wide as he aimed directly at the spot.
Cameron knew John had her covered as she slammed her arms against the brick creating a small hole, they saw him it, Myron Stark, Cameron grabbed the bricks tearing them from the wall just as the Triple Eight came out of stand by and looked around.
Cameron quickly reached forward grabbing the Machine's Tommy Gun and pulled it against the hole, immediately John pressed the barrel against the Machine's chest and fired sending it flying back through another lay of thin brick wall.
Cameron broke through the first layer as she spun the gun around and unloaded the old drum magazine into the raising Triple Eights back, before throwing the weapon away taking a firm grip of the Machine's suit jacket and throwing him against an elevator's gate.
John came through the second hole and watched as Cameron dominated the Triple Eight smashing it's head through the wall twice and kicked open the gate, the enemy Machine pushed back slamming her against the wall behind them.
"HEY!" John yelled out distracting the Machine, and fired once more knocking the Machine into the elevator shaft. "Cameron?"
"I'm okay John." She replied, suddenly a hand grabbed at her boot and pulled pulling her into the shaft.
"NO!" John yelled and ran towards the shaft, he could hear metal slamming against metal, reaching it he saw Cameron on her back being pummeled by Stark.
"Hey! Asshole!" John called enraged. Stark turned and looked up. "I'm John fucking Connor!"
The Machine's eyes seemed to open wide in awe before beginning to climb out of the shaft, John stepped back aiming his shotgun, he saw Stark begin to climb out of the hole before being pulled back in, just before a smaller hand grabbed onto the flooring.
"Cam." John gasped and rushed to cover her in case Stark try to same move.
He looked down and fired at the Triple Eight just as it grabbed Cameron by her jacket just as she climbed out.
"Stand back, I have an idea." She instructed before turning around.
Slowly Stark himself up as Cameron reached into the shaft and pulled on the elevator's cable and stepped back, seconds later the elevator unit slammed onto the bottom half of the Machine.
John and Cameron watched as the Machine twitched temporarily before trying to pull itself away from its damaged half.
"I guess you could say he's, half the man he used to be." John quipped wiggling his eyes brows and smirking.
Cameron looked at him with a "Really? You just said that?" kind of look, he glanced at Stark who also had a look that made John feel like an idiot.
"Just do you thing babe." He said patting Cameron's shoulder gently.
Cameron pulled out her knife and marched towards Stark.
Cameron and John returned to the Library to check up on Eric.
"What the hell happened?" Eric exclaimed seeing Cameron bruised.
"It's nothing I'll be fine." She replied.
"Well thanks for your help Eric, we're gunna go write our report, I'll just get out stuff." John said as ran off to get their belongings.
Cameron watched John leave then turned to Eric. "You should go see a doctor." She said suddenly.
Eric's turned back to look at her having followed where John went. "What?!"
"Your cancer has resurged, it's back." She told him.
"Wait what?!" Eric nearly yelled in shock
"You haven't eaten, you had trouble with the pistol, you're getting weaker." She replied.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Eric exclaimed incredulously. "You can't just do things like that! You can't carry a gun around and freak people out and walk into the bathroom when a guy's taking a leak and ask him if he's gunna kill himself. And you can't just blurt things out like "you have cancer", especially to somebody who's already had it! You have no clue, do you? You have no idea what it's like to have something inside of you...something that's damaged." He said in anger his voice rising.
Cameron frowned, this wasn't going as she planned, her CPU began creating a cover story. "It's like a bomb, waiting to go off." She knew, once she was scared she was like that, scared that one day she'd turn against John.
A perfect cover story was created in second and she knelt down to Eric. "I had a friend once." She began calmly looking right into Eric's eyes. "She had cancer once, and like you, she got over it, we all thought she was in the clear, but then, she lost her appetite, she was becoming different, we didn't realise it till it was too late, the cancer had come back, and not too long later, it killed her." she lied perfectly. "You're my friend Eric, I don't want that to happen to you too."
Eric paused, his mind seemed to freeze, he felt like a jerk. "Shit, I … I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled."
"It's alright, I should have explained myself better, please check with a doctor, for me if not for yourself." Cameron asked gently.
In the corner John smiled to himself, he'd heard every word, and though Cameron lied, he was proud of her, in her own way of showing it, she was truly worried about her only friend.
"You're learning Cam, you're learning." He said softly to himself.
John walked back to them where Cameron was still knelt infront of Eric. "Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yes John." She said before standing up then looked at Eric. "Will you be okay?"
Eric felt a lump caught in his throat and nodded waving her off. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine, maybe I'll get a soda, have those donuts." He chuckled. "Getting kinda hungry." He smiled.
"You sure man? We could order a pizza?" John offered.
"Nah you kids go, make out or whatever, I'll see you later." Eric said kindly.
With their goodbyes, John and Cameron left Eric to himself and drove home.
"Hey Cam, you got Stark's chip?" John asked.
"I've got it." She replied patting her jacket.
Stark had been an older model Triple Eight, it's chip was intact when removed. "What're we gunna do with it?" John asked.
"I'll take care of it, don't worry." Cameron replied with a smile.
At home Sarah was already asleep, Derek and Susan too, only Danny was awake to greet the returning couple.
"Riley called John." Danny said as he entered.
"What she say?" he asked curiously.
"Wanted to talk to you, your mom found out you weren't here and got mad, I told her to wait till tomorrow before she grills you." Danny smiled.
"Thanks, I'm looking forward to it." John replied sarcastically.
"Hey Cameron, can I talk with you for a second?" he asked. "That okay John?"
John nodded, he trusted Danny enough. "Sure." He looked to Cameron, "I'm gunna get ready for bed." He kissed her on the lips before going up stairs.
Cameron smiled watching him before walking up to Danny, her emotionless expression on her face.
"What do you need?" she asked.
"Riley called again later, asking for you, privately." Danny informed her and passed a piece of paper to her. "Ring her on that number."
Cameron looked at it and nodded. "Thank you."
She walked into the living room and dialled the number on her cell phone.
"Metal." Came Riley's voice.
"What do you want?" Cameron asked a hit of annoyance in her voice.
"Listen, Morris might be in trouble, we were at a party and he beat up the guy who lives there, you know Miguel?" Riley began.
Cameron brought up a list of profiles for people at their school named Miguel that she knew, one caught her attention immediately. "The one who makes fun of John and Morris?"
"Yeah him, well listen Morris is afraid Miguel will get the cops on him and …" Riley tried to explain.
"How does this affect me?" Cameron interrupted with little patience.
"Morris is known as John's best friend, is Morris goes to jail …" Riley trailed off.
Cameron narrowed her eyes, if Miguel called the cops or made trouble, that would put Morris in jail of get attention to him, and with John as his best and possibly only friend could make trouble for John.
"What do you need from me?" she asked not even trying to conceal her cold anger.
"Deal with Miguel, and I'll owe you one, whatever you want." Riley offered.
"Very well." With that Cameron hung up, then proceeded upstairs into John's room. "John?"
She entered the room and saw John laid in bed. "What's up?"
"Eric called, said I left something back at the Library, I'm gunna go pick it up. I won't be too long." Cameron lied with a smile.
"Sure, have a safe drive." He said before nuzzling his head against his pillow.
"I will, I won't be long." She repeated before closing his door and strode out of the house.
Miguel was furious, his nose was broken, he had two broken teeth and a black eye, all because of some punk retard, he'd only told his 'homeboys' after everyone else had gone home, not wanting to feel embarrassed around a lot of his classmates.
"Dude we gunna go find that little retarded son a bitch and we're gunna kick the fucking shit out of him." One of Miguel's homeboys told him.
Miguel spat blood into the sink and grimaced, before opening a draw and rooting through it. "No man. I'm gunna put a cap in that little's shit leg." He said pulling out a small snub-nosed chromed revolver.
The boys looked to one another and frowned. "Shit man, you sure?" said another homeboy.
"Okay fine." Miguel conceded. "Maybe I just scare the shit out of the little bitch and pistol whip his ass." he said before putting the revolver between his belt and pants.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Mom must be back already." Miguel muttered before going over to the door, he wasn't scared about her seeing the gun, he'd tell her to 'shut the fuck up.'
He opened to door and looked into two brown eyes.
"De fuck?" Miguel exclaimed.
"Hello Miguel." Cameron greeted with a fake sweet smile. "How are you?"
"My nose got busted by your brother's fucking dip shitted friend, now what he come get you to tell me to back off?" Miguel said getting up in her face.
Cameron didn't flinch and looked down the pathway. "I can only see one car, where's your mom, did she get the police?"
"Fuck dat, mom don't know shit, she went out to get pizza, I don't need no fucking pigs to clean my shit." He spat out.
Cameron turned to face him and smiled. "Good."
Before Miguel knew what happened two shots had been fired into his body, and was pushed back with great force knocking down the three other boys with him, Cameron strode into the house, one pistol in one hand and Miguel's revolver in the other, she waited while the boys got back and tried to run Cameron fired into their body's with Miguel's revolver killing them.
Everything was quiet. Perfect.
Cameron dragged the bodies around the room, setting them up in different places, to remove any incrimination of a third party, namely herself. She broke table legs, smashed glass stabbing one into Miguel's blackened eye before putting the revolver into his hand as if he'd fired it, she picked up her back which she'd brought and pulled out another pistol, she opened fire on Miguel's body putting only a few more holes into his body before putting the pistols into two of his 'homeboy's' hands.
To add to the scene she searched the room for alcohol, finding whiskey she got out multiple shot glasses, put them into the hands of the corpses to get their finger prints, and then poured whiskey down their throats.
Cameron stepped to the front door, turned and examined her work as if she was an artist looking at her painting. The scenario was perfect.
Miguel and his friends got drunk on whiskey, they had an argument, a fight broke out which escalated, one boy broke glass against Miguel's face, Miguel shot the boy and the other's both of which gunned down Miguel with their dying breath.
'I could work in movies.' Cameron thought to herself before leaving.
It was the perfect crime, she didn't have finger prints that could be traced, and the guns were unregistered and untouched by any of the Connor/Reese clan.
Cameron drove home feeling accomplished, she decided she deserved a reward, she'd go home, snuggle up with John and ride him like a bucking bronco.
'A good night's work well done.' She thought before looking over Stark's chip.
This was something else entirely. Stark's lower section had been dislocated rather than damaged, it was … repairable, and they had his chip, she could teach John how to reprogram, this would be beneficial in the future.
"Practise makes perfect." She said to herself, before pocketing the chip.
She parked up, got out of the jeep, stepped into the house, climbed the stairs, removed her jacket, boots and socks then snuggled up next to John, and smiled.
"I love you John." She whispered.
John grumbled and instinctively put his arm around her and snuggled up to her tightly.
Jason's Notes
Hello everyone. I humbly apologise for being so long, with the one-shot Christmas story I did for Transformers this got pushed back. I wanted to make an extra-long chapter to apologise and make it predominantly John and Cameron.
I'd also like to say, this story is going into semi-Hiatus.
No, no, it's not finishing, it isn't stopping, I just want to branch out and do other things, I'll upload this story slowly, but other stories will have my attention over this one. I can tell you now, this story has still a long way to go.
Also I debated whether or not to put the lemon in of John and Cameron, so I didn't if you do, put it in a PM or a review.
If you're a fan be on the lookout for my Pokémon X Adventure, and my Teen Titans story.
This is my signing off for now.
Your forever friend.
Jason Voorhees.