Chapter 38

Swimming

Cameron was much better today than yesterday. Vanna and Allison were relieved. It was a hard night for Cameron and a world of revelation to the girls. They learned a lot about Cameron and themselves. What was the most mind boggling was what Cameron wanted for John and THEM. Cameron asked them to take a big step in their lives which they hadn't contemplated seriously. It did cross their minds at times in passing but never as a serious endeavor. Cameron was dead serious in what she asked of them and wanted. If it would keep Cameron from seeking or allowing herself to be terminated, they would seriously consider it.

In fact both Allison and Vanna thought about it during the night on their own. They did not know the other one seriously thought about the same thing. Their relationship did have limitations on reproduction and both of them knew they weren't going to get any younger, especially Vanna. She was a few years older than Allison. She was aware her biologic clock was running faster the older she got. She did not want to pass the prime age for reproduction. She'd often wondered why she never ended up pregnant before with all that was done to her against her will. She'd 'received' plenty of genetic materiel over the years especially as a young teenager. There were a few times she thought she was pregnant but wrote it off to malnutrition when her body resumed its normal cycle a few months later.

Vanna wanted to take some control of this situation. She wanted to offer Cameron some options and a chance to try something different. She figured the more things she could get Cameron involved with the less she would dwell in the past. Cameron's past was not a place anyone should linger in or revisit.

"Cameron, I am taking Savannah and Allison swimming today." Vanna said. "I would like you to come along."

Cameron was somewhat intrigued at the offer. There was only one problem and it was a big one.

"I don't swim." Cameron said.

Vanna knew that and was ready to offer Cameron some further incentive.

"Maybe not but you sure look HOT in a swimsuit." Vanna added. "I'm sure you will turn a few heads."

Allison shot Vanna a quick glance. She figured that was true on two different 'levels'. Allison was also aware she did not look as Hot as Cameron even if they were identical.

Cameron looked down at the front of her sheath. She was very self conscious about her appearance. She did not want anyone other than Allison or Vanna to see her topless or nude.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I am still damaged."

That made Vanna a little upset. She knew beauty was more than skin deep.

"That is what the swim suit is for. I am damaged as well." Vanna said. "It is part of who I am. I am still who I am on the inside. I'm still who I always was. The real 'me' is inside of me, just like it is in you. You are your program, not your chassis or sheath."

Cameron did know that to be true. Her face showed a slight sad frown. She looked down at the ground. It still bothered her how she looked. She wondered if maybe she'd offended Vanna even bringing appearance up. Vanna's scar could never 'regenerate' without some cosmetic surgery.

"I don't know." Cameron said again. "I don't know."

Vanna wondered if maybe she'd inadvertently sent Cameron down the wrong 'path' at this point.

Allison redirected the method of trying to get Cameron to go with them. She would appeal to her Terminator side as opposed to her vanity side.

"Who will protect us if something goes wrong?" Allison asked as she winked at Vanna.

Cameron's head popped up. The frown was gone. Cameron knew her responsibilities. The girls would need protection, especially Savannah. She'd previously been targeted for termination.

There was now a slight smile on her face.

"I will get my swimsuit and go with you. I will make sure Bob is here with John and Jim is with Sarah." Cameron said. "I will protect those I love. I must protect those I love."

Cameron knew that was her function and duty. It was also more than that now when it came to the humans that were closest to her.

Allison thought about current events. It was worth some friendly gossip.

"Speaking of Sarah, she seems to have her own bodyguard now in the form of one Resistance fighter known as Kyle Reese." Allison said.

Vanna looked at Allison and both of them smiled and giggled a little.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. The specific association seemed logical to her.

"Sarah needs companionship more than protection. She is the toughest fighter I know." Cameron said. "She needs more than memories."

Vanna thought that was a very prophetic statement from Cameron. She looked at Allison and then back at Cameron.

"That's very true, Cameron.' Vanna said. "We all need more than memories. Memories can only keep you going for so long. The darkness creeps in after awhile. Nothing good ever come with the darkness in a heart, mind or soul."

Cameron felt she only possessed one of those three things, maybe two depending on how one looked at it.

Allison saw it for what it was.

"I did not know Kyle was into her so much." Allison said. "He is head over heals falling in love with her. It is very beautiful actually."

Cameron focused on the biological aspect of the relationship as opposed to the emotional one.

"Sarah has a decade or more for producing offspring. Her ovulation cycle is in three days. I will inform her." Cameron said. "She is almost in her 'window'. She may desire to reproduce again."

Allison looked at Vanna with that revelation. It was doubtful it would go over as intended by Cameron with Sarah.

"That might not be a good idea." Allison said.

Cameron wondered why not but said nothing. She would let Sarah know anyway. It was a legitimate point.

Vanna wondered about something else. It seemed outside the scope of Cameron's function for one.

"Do you always monitor her?" Vanna asked. "Is that a good idea?"

Cameron did not think it was an issue. It was what she'd done for a few years.

"Sarah died from cancer in my future half a decade ago." Cameron said. "I make sure nothing is wrong with her. John wants his mother healthy. I make sure it happens and she stays that way. I must protect those that I love and the ones they love."

Allison wondered what else Cameron did that they did not know about.

"Do you monitor us?" Allison asked.

Cameron smiled at Allison.

"Yes. I must protect those that I love." Cameron repeated.

Vanna and Allison looked at each other. They liked the fact Cameron said she 'loved' them. They did not think it was the same 'love' they both felt for her. They both would ask Cameron if she really wanted them 'to be' with John and if so, they both wanted to know when their next 'window' of conception would be. This might be something beneficial to all of them. They also both wondered if they did have a baby if Cameron would 'take' it away from them for herself. That was a real possibility.

Vanna let Allison borrow the swimsuit that was the same as the one she bought for Cameron. That way Allison and Cameron would really look like twins.

Cameron and Allison stripped down to put their swimsuits on.

Cameron did not think about her 'defect'.

Allison noticed something on Cameron.

"Cameron, look what is starting to regenerate." Allison said as she pointed.

Cameron looked down and a big smile came over her face.

"Finally." Cameron said. "It looks like Resequencing my processor with a new DNA sample from you worked. Thank you."

Now she was 'happy'. No, she was elated.

Allison looked at herself and Cameron in their swimsuits.

"How do you look better in your swimsuit than I do?" Allison asked. "They are both identical!"

Cameron noticed that too. She was very pleased that soon John could see her again.

"I don't know. We are the same. At least I will look Tight again now." Cameron said. "I like to look Tight. John likes me to look Tight."

Allison wondered about the extent of their relationship. She did not think it was that far developed.

"Did John tell you that?" Allison asked.

Cameron did not need words to know. She had eyes and could see the 'reaction' her appearance produced with John. She also scanned him to make sure he was healthy.

"No, I can tell when I monitor him what he likes." Cameron said.

Allison thought maybe she'd better back off some.

"TMI, Cameron." Allison said.

Cameron felt her actions were necessary and justified.

"I must protect John." Cameron said. "Being happy protects John's mind."

Allison thought being 'happy' would also protect Cameron's mind as well.

Vanna and Savannah walked up. They overheard them talking about John.

Savannah was very happy with all the attention that John shared with her. He always tried to see that she was allowed to do fun things. He always looked out for her and made sure she was protected. None of the 'bad' people tried to hurt her again.

Savannah spoke with innocent honesty.

"When I grow up I'm going to marry John." Savannah said. "I like John, he's nice."

Vanna saw the statement for what it was, a childhood 'crush'.

"You never know, Savannah…." Vanna added.

A much different reaction occurred with Cameron.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She reached out and touched Savannah on the back of her neck and began to run calculations. She hadn't considered this possibility. It would be a few more years but John's chances for offspring just went up. There were no toxins present in Savannah either. Savannah was the 'Prime Specimen'. This new revelation was something she would foster and nourish. She thought today was better than yesterday. There was a new ray of hope.

Cameron smiled.

Allison and Vanna both saw what Cameron did but said nothing. They would talk about it later because it bothered both of them. They would discuss if Cameron was just curious or prompting them to do as she asked. Savannah was a girl and she did not need Cameron to prompt her or try to direct her future.

Savannah spotted something on Vanna. It broke the spell of concern that Vanna and Allison felt.

"Vanna, you have a mark just like me on your leg." Savannah said.

Vanna looked down at her small crescent shaped strawberry birthmark.

"How about that." Vanna said as a statement. "It is something that makes us special."

That led Savannah to another revelation.

"Vanna, when I look at pictures of mommy and daddy, mommy looks like you when she was younger." Savannah said. "Look, we even have some of the same freckles but you have more."

Vanna did not like where this was going. She tried to stay positive.

"That is so sweet to say, Savannah." Vanna said. "We can pretend we are 'sisters'."

Savannah liked that idea.

"I like that. Vanna is now my 'sister'. I always wanted a sister. When I see mommy again I will tell her I have a sister." Savannah said. "Allison and Cameron look like twins. Are you twins?"

Allison wanted some direction here as well.

"In a way we are, Savannah. We are like sisters, mother and daughter and friends. We can pretend whatever you want to." Allison said. "Life can offer many possibilities."

Savannah smiled.

"I can't wait to tell mommy." Savannah said.

Cameron watched and listened to the interaction. She believed that Savannah should be told the truth about everything. It would all come out one day. There was no need to wait. Savannah would be a Resistance fighter one day. Her training should start now. That would also allow her to be a better mate for John in the future.

After they reached the pool area Savannah noticed some prizes.

Savannah said they were having a contest to see who could hold their breath the longest underwater. She asked Vanna if she could help her try to win. Savannah told her that is what sisters do. They help each other.

"I will try too. Is there a prize?" Allison asked.

Savannah spotted one thing she wanted.

"There is a teddy bear for the prize." Savannah said. "I want a new teddy bear."

This turned into a good day for Cameron on several levels. Her body would be Tight again and Savannah opened a new future for herself and John.

Cameron spotted three teddy bears.

Cameron smiled.

"My turn." Cameron said. "What color would you like, Savannah?"

"Purple." Savannah said. "I can't wait to tell mommy if we win."

"We will win. I only play to win." Cameron said. "The game is never over until I win."

Vanna and Allison heard that statement and it made both of them worry even more about Savannah.

Cameron would spend much more time with Savannah from now on. Cameron made plans for Savannah. She would to teach her everything she possibly could. Savannah was important to the future, every future.

Savannah's importance went up for Cameron. Cameron decided to mold Savannah in her image, the image of the perfect female. Cameron scanned Savannah again. Cameron decided to MAKE Savannah the human version of herself. Cameron silently looked around; she now knew that Savannah was the 'Chosen One'.

Cameron heard what Savannah said about Mrs. Weaver. She wondered where 'mommy' was at too and what was she doing? The fact that Mrs. Weaver sent Kyle back was a positive. Then again there were the two deactivated Terminators she sent back as well. She would re-review the data again on them when she got back. Everything checked out twice but she would review it again. She felt she was missing something. They must have a purpose or function.

Swimming

When we dip our foot in life's water
It may lead to joy and happiness
Or it may lead to brutal slaughter
Leaving behind nothing but sadness

We all take the plunge sooner or later
Do we drown or come up swimming
We may be filled with ecstasy
Or left with our head spinning

It is not about how far we can sink
It is about how fast we get back up
To hold our head high and stand tall
Life offers more than a half empty cup

If we see someone flounder
We know the right thing to do
Remember they are a person too
What if that person was you

Life or another may push
One off into the deep end
Remember in reality there is one
On which you can always depend

Nobody