Chapter 374

I Do

John listened to John Henry on the new operation Cameron terminated. It wasn't a surprise to him, even if it was somewhat.

"It was called Skyweb?" John asked. "I can see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

John Henry was proud of the fact that they'd been able to make a mockery of most of the things Skynet related.

"We've tainted the Skynet name." John Henry said. "We've also blemished the names of Skyscan and Skyshield."

John was painful aware of the sacrifices they'd endured to bring down what they could of Skynet. Most of that fell on the back of Cameron. The Day Of Loss stemmed from Duplicate Cameron's sacrifice. Luckily that loss was later alleviated.

"Cameron's done most of that." John said. "She did terminate Skynet here by herself."

Bob remembered the anxiety and loss that cause all of them.

"But at what cost?" Bob asked.

John still felt uncomfortable about it all. The fifteen months be believed Cameron was terminated was still there even if none of their team perished in reality.

"It was the price to save the future." John said. "She did just like she was programmed to do."

John Henry felt John was a little slow to grasp the reality of the situation sometimes.

"I can see you've been talking to Cameron." John Henry said.

John wondered about that. Cameron seemed a little closer to him recently. That troubled him. It was usually a sign that events might take a different turn. So far that hadn't happened yet. That didn't mean it wouldn't.

"Yes." John said. "She recently made everything very clear to me – again."

Bob was aware of how Cameron operated to protect the future. That usually entailed John finding one or more of the girls naked in his bed. He personally didn't see what the big deal was. Most animals mated with multiple partners. humans seemed to be no different.

"Who was in your bed this time?" Bob asked.

Cameron was still in some frantic effort to get John together with the girls. She'd often have them appear in his bed. She wanted them to produce offspring with John as the father before Judgment Day occurred. Her attempts without John's direct involvement all failed.

"It was Jesse this time." John said. "Cameron is never going to drop it. Last time it was Vanna."

John didn't like the way Cameron 'pushed' them. He thought they were all beautiful and he did want to be with them. He just didn't like the way Cameron did it. Even if the girls wanted to be there, which they all said they did, it was the way it was presented. He would leave and go sleep in one of the spare rooms. He would lock the door behind him. Cameron was relentless.

John Henry didn't think John was as 'strong' as he thought he was. He knew there were other females that John would actually desire more, if for nothing else but to be the 'first'.

"What about when it's Savannah?" John Henry asked.

John knew THAT would be a hard one to pass up, she was so young and beautiful. Her desire to please Cameron was unstoppable. Her desire to please him was apparent. He really wondered what Savannah would want without the manipulation of Cameron in her life. He doubted it would be him.

He knew in Cameron's future it was a reality with Future Savannah. It seemed to be inevitable.

"I don't know…." John said. "I really don't know. It seems like I know 'nothing' at times."

John Henry wasn't sure about that answer. It seemed to be open ended. He wondered about repercussion from elsewhere and if they factored into John's decisions.

"Is that because of Mrs. Weaver?" John Henry asked.

John Henry thought John may be worried about Savannah's 'mother'.

John didn't want to get on the 'wrong side of Mrs. Weaver. That wasn't really in his decision process. It was a moral issue.

"NO." John said. "It's because 'NOTHING' is the right thing to do or actually not do."

John Henry was concerned for his 'sister'. He understood what the arrival of Judgment day would do.

"Savannah loves you, John. She loves Cameron too." John Henry said. "She's told me this herself."

John felt a twinge of anger. It wasn't what he wanted to feel but it was there.

"That's because Cameron's brainwashed her." John said abruptly. "Cameron has indoctrinated her for half of her life."

John Henry knew differently. It was true that Cameron influenced Savannah but she was her own person too. She was a very hormone laden teenager at this point in her life. Her body called for her to do more. Her heart wanted more. It was only her mind that stopped her. That and her love for Cameron.

"No, John, Cameron hasn't." John Henry said. "I've talked with Savannah extensively about it, even with Mr. Ellison. The wedding dress fits her now, John. She wants to use it. It is only because she doesn't want to hurt Cameron that she hasn't."

John was fed up with this conversation and everyone else who wanted to plan his future and the future of others.

"What say do I have in any of this?" John asked.

Bob didn't see what the problem was in reality. It was very simple.

"You should try - 'I do'." Bob said.

John spun around and looked at Bob.

"I hope that was a joke." John said.

Bob tilted his head slightly. It was a fact of the future.

"No." Bob said. "It wasn't. It's destiny…."

John Henry felt the same way. The future already happened and John needed to catch up to it. John could delay the inevitable but he couldn't change it.

"John, you must embrace the future." John Henry said. "It's the 'Natural Order'."

John knew Cameron was behind all this and they were all in on it together. Cameron was obsessed with the future and what Future John wanted. Like all things Terminator related, she was going to pursue her goal until it was achieved.

Cameron was seldom around. Maybe when it was Savannah in his bed he would. Why not? He didn't know if he'd still be able to 'bust' her since she did have female lovers. One of them probably 'popped' her. He knew a lot went on down there with the girls. He would still be her first male and that was worth something to him and hopefully her.

Why shouldn't the future be the present?

Ron and Ronny were at Cameron's base. They were reprogrammed Terminators at this point. Since they couldn't be 'Cameron' they asked for termination instead. Cameron granted their desire and personally erased their chips.

Sheila hadn't left Cameron's side since this episode began. She sent Summer away to do some tasks. She wanted to talk to Cameron first, alone. She knew she needed to tell someone but whom? This might be something Cameron didn't want known. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was the thought of it that caused the problem.

She knew there was one person who could reach Cameron if anyone could. There was one person that could calm her. There was one person who loved Cameron more than any other.

Sheila called for Savannah.

Cammy answered the phone. Sheila gave her a brief run down.

"I'll bring her at once." Cammy said.

Cammy didn't want to let Savannah come alone.

"No." Sheila said. "Ally should bring her."

Cammy was insulted by Sheila's suggestion.

"Why can't I come?" Cammy asked. "I'm still 'Cameron'. I'm Cameron's clone."

Sheila thought that would be more of a problem than help in this matter.

"I need Savannah." Sheila said. "Cameron needs Savannah."

Cammy wondered where this was headed.

"I don't like it." Cammy said. "Should we tell John?"

Sheila could see that would make things even worse.

"What do YOU think?" Sheila asked. "Would YOU? I need you to trust me on this. I can't say more than that."

Cammy was sure there was some underlying issue that Cameron created to bring this on herself.

"No. I wouldn't want that. He doesn't understand the future." Cammy said. "I will get Savannah ready and send for Ally."

Sheila wondered where Ally was at.

"Isn't Ally there?" Sheila asked.

"No." Cammy said.

Sheila pointed at the closest Terminator.

"YOU." Sheila said. "Ronny, go get Savannah."

Ronny left.

"I heard." Cammy said. "I'll make sure Savannah will be ready and is in Ronny's custody."

Sheila ended her call to Cammy. She figured Cammy would be a problem and she wondered where Ally was at.

Sheila turned her attention back to Cameron.

"Oh, Cameron, what have you done?" Sheila asked. "What have you done to yourself this time, love?"

Sheila gently stroked Cameron's cheek. A tear would fall from her face to Cameron's face every so often. She hoped Savannah could reach Cameron.

Cammy informed Savannah she was taking a field trip with Ronny. As she spoke with Savannah she watched her casually unbutton one button on her top and then a second one. Her breasts were nearly exposed.

Cammy wondered why at first. She knew the answer seconds later. She 'blamed' Savannah's behavior on Cameron.

"Savannah, I need to talk with you." John said.

Cammy stiffened at John's voice. She knew what Savannah just did. She'd taught her that move, well - Cameron taught her that. It was to draw the target in and keep them close. You offer the target what they want. It made termination or mating easier.

Savannah smiled and arched her back slightly. Her nearly exposed breasts were prominent.

"I need to run a quick errand but as soon as I get back we can talk." Savannah said.

John looked at Savannah. She was stunning. How did she grow up so fast? Look at all that soft smooth flesh! He hoped Cameron hadn't used growth hormones on her. He wouldn't put that past Cameron. It seemed every time Cameron reached a new low, she found a lower one still. He was sure she'd do that with Young Allison too, if she hadn't already started.

"It's important." John said.

Savannah moved up. She smiled and touched his cheek. She wanted to maintain control of the conversation. She knew if John was sexually aroused he would be thrown off target. Cameron came first in her book.

"I will be there as soon as I get back." Savannah said. "I promise."

Cammy cringed at the words. Savannah was 'hers'.

Savannah left.

John looked at Cammy. He wondered why she was still there.

"You're not going with her?" John asked.

Cammy didn't know all the details but she did know enough. She was also still upset that she wasn't allowed to go with Savannah.

"NO." Cammy said. "Cameron needs her for something."

John still looked in the direction Savannah went. He swallowed hard. He did want that.

"Does the wedding dress fit her now?" John asked.

That question caused Cammy a lot of worry. She didn't want Savannah taken from her.

"It does." Cammy said.

Cammy moved closer to John. She unbuttoned her blouse almost completely. She didn't even know she'd done it. Her protection reflexes kicked in.

"It fits me too…." Cammy said. "And I know what to do…."

Cammy was unsure why she said those things. She realized she was 'protecting' Savannah. She tried to draw John's thoughts away from Savannah. She made herself the 'target'.

John looked Cammy over. She looked exactly like Cameron. He liked what he could see inside her top. He needed to remind himself they all ran Cameron's program in some way. That was the real problem.

"I'll remember that when Cameron gets herself 'killed' again or disappears for a year or two again." John said. "You all need to be reprogrammed."

Cammy was offended by the reprogramming insinuation. John just indicated she wasn't 'good enough' the way she was. No wonder Cameron ran into such trouble with him at times. Hadn't Future John done enough reprogramming to mess up Cameron's life enough? The human girls weren't programmed. John needed to think things through a little better.

"You can't reprogram the girls, John." Cammy said. "They all have feelings too. Think about more than yourself for a change and start helping those around you that NEED you. None of them has ever wavered from the cause. Love does that to people – REAL people, John, the SAME as YOU."

There was something about that, it just bothered John. He loved them all too….

John knew Cameron did this to EVERYONE. Or did she? He didn't know how anything would play out of end. He wasn't even sure where things began. He did wondered what Cameron was up to with Savannah. He was sure it was no good – for him.

Savannah didn't know the full nature of what she was about to face. Cammy hadn't been explicit and Ronny didn't have much to say. She didn't like that 'Cameron' was no longer on Ronny's chip. He was just another Terminator now and Cameron's Terminators never said much at all.

They drove in silence for awhile. Savannah reached over and touched Ronny's hand.

Ronny looked at her with some surprise. No one ever usually touched him. There was something 'electric' about Savannah's touch. He knew she was the 'Chosen One'. He wasn't sure what that meant. He looked at her as she spoke with him. He answered her questions. He felt comfortable speaking with her. Other Terminators told him it was a pleasurable experience to deal with Savannah and she personally asked to know if they encountered any problems. She told them to come directly to her. Nobody else every expressed that concern or care for him or any of the Terminators.

They arrived at Cameron's base. They passed a few other Terminators along the way. They all noticeably were 'different' in her presence. He could see how they all looked 'alive' as she greeted them. She touched all of them. He could see this girl was something special. Cameron said the future would depend on Savannah specifically. He planned to ensure her safety as well.

He took her where Cameron was at. He turned to leave. She stopped him and thanked him for his assistance. She touched him on the cheek as she did. He left. He touched his hand to his cheek where Savannah touched him as he walked away.

Sheila was still slumped over Cameron as Savannah approached. A wave of fear rushed over her. This was worse than she'd expected. She didn't know Cameron was inopreatable. There was a feeling of impending doom.

Savannah rushed to Cameron's side. Fear gripped her from the inside like a vise.

"Sheila!" Savannah said. "What's wrong with Cameron?"

Sheila didn't know for sure other than what they'd spoken of at the time of the incident.

"I don't know." Sheila said. "We were talking and she glitched until she shut down."

Savannah touched Cameron's cheek. She brushed a few strands of hair off of her face. She leaned forward to kiss Cameron.

Sheila could tell Savannah thought Cameron was in 'Sleeping Beauty' mode. She'd thought that too.

"I already tried that." Sheila said. "It didn't work."

Savannah looked at Sheila and faintly smiled. She then faced Cameron and gently kissed her on her lips.

Savannah waited.

Sheila looked on.

The other Terminators were in the distance and they watched too. The 'Chosen One' was here to help Cameron, their leader. No one was able to help her earlier.

Cameron's eyes opened.

A murmur went out amongst the Terminators in the background. Sheila felt the same way as they did.

"I'll be damned. YOU are the 'Chosen One'." Sheila said. "I want one of those kisses, love."

Savannah liked the way Sheila looked and looked at her. This wasn't the right time or place but she was interested.

"You already had one." Savannah said. "Well, Young Jesse did anyway. It was my first real kiss. It was for both of us, everything was…."

Sheila looked at Cameron and was satisfied there wasn't going to be a problem. She moved just right and a breast with a nipple ring popped out for Savannah to see.

"I'll leave you two alone." Sheila said. "Remember what's available…."

Savannah took in Sheila's beauty. It made her think of Young Jesse and how much she missed her.

Cameron sat up at this point.

"Thank You, Sheila." Cameron said. "I won't forget this."

Sheila left. She wasn't sure what part Cameron referred to. She was worried she'd said too much to Savannah in front of Cameron.

Savannah held Cameron in her arms at this point.

"Can you tell me what's wrong or happened?" Savannah asked. "I'm here for you, Cameron."

Cameron wasn't sure where to start. Her files still seemed conflicted. She wasn't sure what was real or what she thought was real happened.

"Savannah, I've done something terrible." Cameron said. "It is my worst fear."

Savannah could think of only one thing that was Cameron's worst fear. It was Riley. She was aware Cameron put the girls in John's bed. She hoped for her turn soon, when Cameron was ready.

"Did you pair John with Riley?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked distressed.

"It may be worse than that." Cameron said.

Cameron started to glitch again.

Savannah held Cameron in her arms. She reached out and took her hand. The glitch slowed and stopped. It looked like she prevented another shut down, for now.

"I'm here for you, Cameron." Savannah said. "We can work through any problems, we have before - we will…. I'll never abandon you no matter what happens. I swear it."

Cameron looked at Savannah.

"Thank you." Cameron said faintly. "I know you won't."

'What an angel.' Cameron thought.

Savannah really didn't know what could be so traumatic for Cameron.

"What's worse than John being with Riley?" Savannah asked. "I'm the one that will be at John's side, not her. You know I'll never allow that. John belongs to me - to US."

Cameron started to glitch again.

"Riley's having John's baby." Cameron said.

Savannah held her tighter. The glitch stopped. It was time to set some rules.

"NO. Riley is having Derek's baby." Savannah said. "THAT is what will happen, nothing else."

Cameron started to glitch again.

Savannah grabbed Cameron and shook her.

"STOP IT." Savannah said. "LISTEN to me."

Cameron was sure of what happened.

"But I was there - I did it." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't having any of this.

"NO - you didn't." Savannah said. "It IS Derek's baby."

"But…." Cameron said.

Savannah placed Cameron's hand on her neck.

"I KNOW THIS." Savannah said.

Cameron scanned her. Savannah was truthful, as always.

"How can you know?" Cameron asked.

Savannah knew this was a fear of Cameron's.

"I KNOW THIS." Savannah said. "It just came to me when I kissed you."

Cameron held Savannah and cried. They both cried. They cried for a long time about everything. They cried especially about Cameron's wish to search for the other Duplicates 'in some future' and Mrs. Weaver. She seemed to have so many problems and none of them ever seemed to be resolved they way she wanted them.

Savannah gave Cameron the strength she needed to control herself.

Cameron was aware only Savannah could reach her….

I Do

It's often been said that
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Will that statement hold up
As the beheld gets older

There is beauty that is physical
There is beauty that is within
To pick the former over the latter
Is where most choose to begin

If beauty is not universal
Then there is no beauty at all
The greater the beauty was
The longer will be the fall

What does one see
That another can not
Is it still really beauty
If from a clinic it's bought

When one is long overdue
Like some twisted déjà vu
It is easy to soon overdo
Does it start or end with - I do

Nobody