Chapter 128

Hello Love

The mission at the Skynet facility had been an overall success. The downside was that Riley had been shot and was 'out' cold. Her vest absorbed most of the blast from the shotgun.

The teams pulled away from the raging inferno and left it behind.

They destroyed some version of 'Skynet' and captured another Terminator for parts or to harvest the Coltan for projectiles.

Cameron checked Riley out herself and made sure she was not hurt too bad, she would survive. She was relieved to learn that. After having tried to 'mend the fence' with Riley, she did not want to be thought of as 'allowing' Riley to be terminated under her watch. She could picture the whispers now. She didn't want any finger pointing.

She wanted all of their team on the same page. She didn't want any hard feelings among them, either Metal or human. She worked hard to make sure that no one would have any problems with her. She seemed to have enough problems on her own. Somehow most of those seemed to be created by herself. She didn't need or want any more.

Cameron personally tended to Riley as soon as they got back to the base. Holly, Jesse and Gail all assisted her. Jesse volunteered to wash and clean Riley as well as change her clothes with help from Holly and Gail. This allowed all three of them to carefully 'inspect' Riley and make sure there was no additional damage. Cameron watched them from the side of the bed. She observed everything there was to 'see' on Riley.

She could not help notice that Holly and Gail seemed to have some 'attachment' to Riley. It was also apparent that Jesse and Gail were rapidly becoming 'friendlier'. She thought of some future plans. It would be better for John if ALL the girls were tied to each other or female Metal. Being attached to female Metal would further insure their safety. She began to formulate a plan.

It was not long after they finished cleaning Riley up that she stirred.

Riley's eyes opened slowly.

Jesse held her hand.

"Hello, love." Jesse said.

Gail, Holly and Cameron were there as well.

"We have been with you since you were hurt." Cameron said. "I need to apologize for not watching over you better."

Riley looked around. She was somewhat confused.

She noticed that Cameron's face started to heal already. She felt bad because she'd caused that damage by not being careful enough.

"I'm sorry, Cameron…." Riley started.

Cameron absentmindedly touched her face.

"Don't worry about it. I have experienced worse." Cameron said. "I'll be back."

Cameron was ready to leave the room. She looked at Holly to see if she wanted to stay but Holly followed her out. She'd seen the way Riley and Holly looked at each other at times.

"We will leave you three alone." Cameron said.

Holly and Cameron left the room.

Cameron looked at Holly for a moment. She decided to throw it out there and let Holly know she approved of what she was 'thinking'.

"I want you to think about 'it'." Cameron said as she left Holly.

Holly looked at Cameron as she departed. Holly already thought about 'it'. She was still unsure what she wanted. There were other females Holly thought about as well. There was still John to worry about. Cameron was not going to be around forever….

Jesse was very concerned that Riley was injured protecting her.

"You got hurt saving me, love." Jesse said.

"Sometimes it's nice to have help." Riley said.

Gail got up to leave.

Jesse reached out and touched her hand.

Gail paused.

"Thank you for saving me too, Gail." Jesse said.

Gail was captivated as she looked into Jesse's face.

"I won't forget what either of you two has done for me." Jesse said.

Jesse stood and kissed Gail on the cheek.

Gail nodded and left. She felt very 'confused'. New feelings and 'emotions' flooded her. These were things that were new to her. They were in her programming but had not been activated before.

Outside the door Gail halted and turned. She reached for the door handle and then stopped. She wanted to go back in and say something to Jesse. The trouble was, she did not know what to say. She was felt things she did not know she could feel.

Gail turned and walked away. Everything seemed very uncertain. She felt something 'different' happen to her.

She was worried she may be about to malfunction.

Gail began to wonder if these were the 'feelings' Cameron needed to deal with all the time. If so, they were very unsettling. Gail considered running a diagnostic to try to delete them. They caused confusion and uncertainty. Even with that uneasiness, Gail liked the feelings. She decided to wait and do nothing to see how they evolved or if they'd go away on their own.

Even though Gail did not want these feeling, she somehow wanted more….

Jesse sat next to Riley again. They were alone now.

"You are going to have a few small scars but nothing big. You will recover nicely." Jesse said. "Your vest took all of the shot."

When Jesse brought up scars it made Riley think of the large one she'd seen on Jesse.

"Jesse, I have seen your scar…." Riley started.

Jesse reached up and absentmindedly touched her right cheek.

"That was meant for my face. The three men who 'used' me after it was done to me prevented that from happening. They did not want it to spoil their 'pleasure'." Jesse said with tears in her eyes.

She didn't want to feel grateful to them for that as they'd all assault her several times each. She was forced at one point to take all three at once. They needed to hold a gun to her head to make her do it.

That sickened Riley some. She'd been through some similar experiences. She was never branded or scarred, at least on the outside.

"I'm sorry, Jesse…." Riley said. "I am glad I was hurt instead of you today."

Jesse didn't like to see anyone get hurt

"I'm going to help you get better." Jesse said.

There was a slight smile on Jesse's face.

"Thanks…." Riley said very sleepily.

Riley soon drifted off to sleep.

Jesse ran her hand gently across Riley's cheek.

"Thanks, love." Jesse whispered.

Jesse kissed her softly on the cheek. She took in Riley's disheveled beauty. Jesse wanted to get to know Riley 'better'….

Seeing Riley like this made Jesse – hungry.

Jesse always hungered for the females.

Cameron left Riley's room and made sure she avoided John and everyone else. She stopped by her room and looked at herself in detail. She was very disgusted at what she observed in the mirror.

She considered going into seclusion for a few days. She did not like others to see her face damaged, especially John. Maybe Vanna could do something for her. She headed to the lab.

Savannah spotted Cameron, she seemed in a hurry. She did not look happy.

"Hi, Cameron." Savannah said as she ran up to her.

Cameron put her hand up to her face to hide her damage.

Savannah reached up and gently pulled Cameron's hand away.

"You are beautiful however you are." Savannah said.

Cameron did not think so.

"I am damaged." Cameron said.

It didn't bother Savannah.

"That's just on the outside." Savannah said.

Cameron felt it worse on the inside.

"I feel it on the inside too." Cameron said.

"That's just in your head." Savannah said. "I love you however you are."

Cameron wondered if that was true.

"You do?" Cameron asked.

Savannah smiled. She lifted Cameron's hand to her neck.

"I do." Savannah said. "I will love you no matter how you are. It does not matter if you are damaged."

Cameron scanned Savannah and could tell she spoke the truth. This sweet girl loved her no matter what. It was not just for her appearance or what sexual favors she could offer. It was 'pure sweet love'. It was 'true love'.

"I believe you do." Cameron said.

Savannah pulled Cameron down some. She kissed the damaged spots on her face.

"There, it is all better now." Savannah said. "That is what my mother used to do for me. My real mother."

Cameron had to reflect that Savannah had suffered as much emotional trauma as anyone had. She needed to deal with the loss of 'three' parents. She needed to deal with the loss of everything. Everything was taken from her. Now she lived in seclusion while the world thought she was dead.

Savannah could still see that Cameron was sad. She'd listened to her 'ask' Allison, Vanna and Jesse to 'help' her before. It did not seem than any of them did.

Savannah placed Cameron's hand back on her neck.

"I love you. I will do anything for you, Cameron." Savannah said. "Am I ready?"

Cameron quickly withdrew her hand. She could not make this girl who loved her more than anything compromise herself for her. Now she felt guilty. She did not want to taint or abuse Savannah's love.

It was love to die for.

"Thanks you, Savannah." Cameron said. "You can study or play now. I need to see Vanna."

Cameron wanted what Savannah offered. She was not ready to steal her innocence or future from her. Savannah was the best of the lot.

Cameron arrived in the lab.

Vanna looked over Cameron.

"Nothing is damaged except your sheath." Vanna said. "You are in good shape overall."

Cameron saw it differently.

"You know it bothers me when the damage is on my face." Cameron said. "John will not like me damaged or ugly. I do not want to look ugly. I must always look Tight."

Vanna thought Cameron placed too much emphasis on appearance.

"Cameron, John or myself will never love you less based on how you look. Even if you are in a 'server' I will still love you." Vanna said. "That is how I first loved you."

Cameron wondered how anyone could love a 'pile of junk'.

"Really?" Cameron asked.

"Really. You are loved by everyone around here like no other. Gail and Holly are fond of you even though they won't admit it. They will soon enough." Vanna said. "No one can be around you for very long without falling in love with you."

That was something that Vanna was able to see first hand. Anyone that was around Cameron for very long 'fell in love' with her.

Cameron touched Vanna's neck.

"Vanna, maybe John should not see me for a few days…." Cameron said.

Vanna was aware Cameron was scanning her but said nothing.

Cameron continued to scan her.

Vanna knew right away where this conversation was headed. It seemed to be where they all ended up at, at some point. Cameron wanted them all to have a child with John. They could either keep it or 'give' it to Cameron.

"Cameron, I can't. I can't do that to you. I won't." Vanna said. "I know how it would hurt you."

Vanna wanted to be with John but she did not want to hurt Cameron to do it.

Cameron could not understand why no one wanted to 'help her'. It was what she wanted. Judgment Day was coming and that would change everything. It would make some things impossible for some of the humans. The ability to have children was very limited in the future.

"Please." Cameron asked. "It is not 'to me' it is 'FOR ME'. It needs to 'happen' before Judgment Day."

Vanna could feel Cameron's pain. She did not want to make it worse by doing what Cameron wanted, especially the way she wanted it done.

"Cameron…." Vanna started.

Cameron was very frustrated. Nobody listened to her.

"I don't know how to make you understand, any of you, it is what I WANT. I am – unable…." Cameron said and then started to cry.

Vanna held her tight.

Cameron stepped away from Vanna. She wiped away the tears from her cheeks. She looked Vanna directly in her eyes.

"Please don't make me 'ask' Riley." Cameron sobbed. "PLEASE."

"Oh, Cameron…." Vanna said and started to cry too.

Vanna could feel her pain. She thought the torment in Cameron's mind must be awful for her. She really wished that River was here right now for Cameron.

Vanna did not know anyone who could stop Cameron's agony. It seemed all so self created and perpetuated.

It seemed Cameron's worst enemy was not Skynet. It was herself.

Cameron went to check on Riley again. Jesse was asleep in a chair. She was slumped over against Riley still holding her hand. It was a touching scene. She left quietly. There were tears in her eyes. It felt like a knife stabbed her heart and a dagger stabbed her mind. There was a lot of pain. Her left hand glitched wildly.

She was conflicted on what to do next. A million thoughts flooded her mind. She needed help. She wanted someone to help her.

"River - HELP me!" It was the last thing Cameron said as she collapsed.

Chains Of The Mind

My mind is held in chains
I can not break free
I am no longer alone
For you suffer like me

No one can understand
Nor would they care
They only see themselves
Unable to dare to share

What is love I ask
What is it to you
Is it only physical
Am only I askew

How can I soon escape
Where is this chain's key
Is there no form of salvation
I will never live to see

I can not retreat forward
I can not advance back
Please, please, please I ask
Give me a fatal heart attack

Please give me death with honor
Take my worthless life from me
Please set my chained mind free
Is this too much to ask of thee

Nobody