Chapter 528

It Didn't Work

Savannah looked at Cammy and Cameron. They both should have rebooted. Nothing happened. They were both still inopreatable. Cameron's chip was back in her chassis. Cammy only contained her chip. Unless Cameron's chip 'infected' Cammy, she should reboot.

She remembered that sometimes there was a 'fail safe' mode that Cameron entered before. She was reactivated when she received a kiss from John. John wasn't there right now and she was.

She looked at Cameron and Cammy. She decided to try it on Cammy first. She didn't want to take advantage of Cameron in her current condition.

Savannah looked at Cameron again but kissed Cammy first to see what happened. She wanted to see if she'd entered 'Sleeping Beauty' mode.

She really wondered if she'd terminated Cammy and Cameron by her actions. If Cameron's chip was corrupted she was the one who corrupted Cammy. It didn't matter that Cammy told her to do it. She was still the one who did it.

Savannah silently waited.

Cammy's eyes opened and she sat up.

Savannah felt her hear skip a beat. She was elated.

"Cammy!" Savannah said as she hugged her.

Savannah was very happy Cammy was 'alive'. She would need to wait and see if there was anything 'wrong' with her later on. Based on how Cammy looked right now, that might be a possibility. She looked for her Taser. It was over on a workbench. Cammy was between it and her. She trusted her love.

Cammy looked around. She felt slightly confused. She could feel Savannah hug her and see Cameron on the other workbench, she was unmoving.

"Savannah…." Cammy said.

Cammy didn't seem as dazed now.

Savannah thought Cammy was OK.

"Cammy, how are you?" Savannah asked. "How's Cameron?"

Cammy really didn't know what happened. It seemed like nothing happened but she was out. There was a big blank spot in her files right now.

"I think I'm fine. I don't know for sure." Cammy said. "I was unable to communicate with Cameron. It's possible she's terminated."

Savannah didn't like that answer at all. It was the last thing she wanted to hear. There needed to be a better explanation.

"I don't believe that." Savannah said. "I refuse to believe that. I'll never believe that."

Cammy was painfully aware how much Savannah loved Cameron. There was also the reality of what she'd experienced. Everything seemed cleared up right now. She knew exactly what happened.

"When Cameron's chip was installed it overloaded all my systems. It automatically put me into 'Sleeping Beauty' mode. That's some safety feature. When that occurs, all I can do is repair any of my data that's corrupted or needs to be defragged."

Cammy wasn't sure how long 'Sleeping Beauty' mode would last on its own. Cameron was in that mode for a long time once. It appeared that DNA contact by someone that was trusted or loved would end the process and initiate a reboot. That seemed to be another safeguard as well.

Savannah was glad Cammy was back. She didn't want to lose her to be 'Cameron Prime' with Cameron's spare chip. She looked over at Cameron.

"Is Cameron in that mode?" Savannah asked. "Is she trying to fix herself?"

Cammy was unable to make 'contact' with Cameron. She was shut down almost immediately. Everything was speculation at this juncture.

"I really don't know." Cammy said. "I don't know what's wrong with her at this point. I know she hurt Holly when she was plugged into the server earlier. She wouldn't have done that on purpose to Holly."

Cammy looked toward the lab door with concern.

Savannah picked up on her change in demeanor immediately.

"What is it?" Savannah asked. "What's wrong?"

Cammy didn't know yet. There were angry voices.

"It sounds like trouble of some kind." Cammy said.

The noise outside intensified.

There were angry voices and shouting that Savannah could hear now.

Cammy immediately got up and moved toward the door. Savannah followed her.

Cammy opened the door.

Al blocked the path of John from entering the lab. It was obvious John was the one who'd been shouting.

Vanna stood in back of John off to the side.

"See, I told you so." Vanna said.

John looked angry. Al wouldn't move. This time hadn't worked any better for him than the last time. Angry words only made things worse and increased the tension level for everyone.

Vanna noticed Cammy now. She wanted to see whose side she would take. All the other Terminators refused to assist her once they found out the 'order' was from Savannah. The problem all stemmed from her poor choice of words to Al in the beginning.

Cammy didn't understand what the problem was.

"Al, move over so John can enter." Cammy said.

Al didn't glance back. He needed to control John.

"Negative." Al said. "I must remain at my post. It was Savannah's order that no one enter the lab."

Cammy immediately moved up and joined AL. Savannah's order needed to be carried out.

"Sorry, John, Savannah's order stands." Cammy said.

Vanna already knew how it would play out.

"I told you so." Vanna said again.

Savannah heard what was said. She didn't intend for what she'd said earlier to be taken as a strict 'order'. She would need to be careful going forward about some situations. She wanted a diplomatic end to this situation.

Savannah walked forward between Al and Cammy who both now blocked the path into the lab.

John took a few steps back and joined Vanna. He could see that Savannah wanted to get everything straightened out.

Savannah touched Al's arm and smiled at him.

"Al, John and Vanna can come in." Savannah said. "You are free to return to your duties. Thank you for your service. I appreciate your diligence."

Al immediately stepped to the side. Savannah moved with him. She knew the difficult situation he'd been in.

"John, I'm sorry." Al said. "It was my duty to protect Cameron and Savannah. Cameron is vulnerable in this condition. I followed Savannah's order until she was ready to issue the next one."

John didn't want to make a big deal about this. He was glad that Cameron or Savannah would be protected if they needed to be.

"Were you protecting Cameron or Savannah?" John asked.

Savannah gave Al's arm a gentle squeeze.

"I needed to protect both of them." Al said. "Both are of equal importance."

John wondered where he fit into the picture for protection.

"Where do I rate?" John asked.

John knew all their Terminators would back Cameron if it ever came down to it. He figured all of the girls would too. He'd pretty much seen them all do that before including the Duplicate girls.

Savannah didn't like John's tone. She let him know it.

"John, stop this." Savannah said. "He was only doing his job. It was what I wanted."

Savannah moved around and faced Al.

"Thank you, Al." Savannah said as she reached out and touched Al on the cheek. "You may go. I appreciate what you did. Cameron will too. I'll make sure she knows of your duty and sacrifice. I know this was a difficult situation."

Al smiled at Savannah and left. He didn't like to stand up to John but he was very pleased at how Savannah treated him. He touched his cheek where Savannah touched him as he went around the corner. That touch meant something to him. It was 'electric' but it wasn't electric in reality. It just 'felt' that way to him.

John saw the effect Savannah was able to have with all the Terminators. If fact she seemed to have the same effect on humans as well, including him.

He decided to drop it. He knew he wasn't going to be able to argue with Savannah any better than he'd been able to argue with Cameron. Sarah warned him of this long ago. She reminded him that no one could 'control' her either. It was clear that the females he cared for would have great influence over him.

He wanted Cameron and Savannah both protected as well.

Vanna liked how everything played out. She could tell John was still steamed. She moved up next to him and took his arm as she led him into the lab,

"Relax, John, this is about Cameron." Vanna said. "Let's go check on her."

John looked at Vanna. She was right.

They entered the lab behind Cammy and Savannah and headed for Cameron. Vanna released his arm when they arrived at Cameron's side.

"So where are we?" John asked as he looking at Cameron.

Savannah really wished there was an answer for that. There wasn't a good one.

"The same place we were before." Savannah said. "Cammy was forced to shut down when Cameron's chip was installed in her. I thought we lost both of them for a while."

John looked at Cammy. He didn't want her to end up like John Henry or Cameron was earlier.

"Are you OK?" John asked.

Cammy smiled at John.

"I'm fine." Cammy said. "Thank you for asking."

That was a little more of a response than he'd expected.

Savannah filled him in on what she'd observed and Cammy told him of her experience. She didn't mention Cameron was possibly terminated.

Vanna thought Cammy was a little over animated. She wasn't so sure she was OK.

"Are you OK, Cammy?" Vanna asked.

Cammy was pretty sure her time was limited. There was a contingency plan. She drew the short straw. She was the one there.

"I'm still checking." Cammy said. "It's unimportant. I need to have Cameron's spare chip installed. I need to become 'Cameron' – John's Cameron."

Savannah didn't want to hear such talk. She wasn't about to allow Cammy to be terminated.

"NO." Savannah said. "I won't approve that. I won't allow that."

John wondered if Savannah could 'order' that to happen or not happen. It seemed like she could. The Terminators would follow her 'order'. That also meant she could countermand his 'orders' to the Terminators if she chose to do so.

Cammy liked that Savannah stood up for her over 'Cameron' in this case. She needed to remind Savannah what Cameron wanted.

"Savannah, you know it's Cameron's order that her chip be installed in a clone or Duplicate of her." Cammy said. "Everyone sacrifices for John Connor."

Savannah felt it was way too early to make rash decisions like that. It was only a few hours since this all started.

"Not today they don't." Savannah said. "I won't allow that to happen - yet."

John was disgusted by all of this. Cameron could still 'hurt' people, even when she was deactivated.

John did notice Vanna and Savannah stood on each side of Cammy. All three of them looked Hot. He knew if he'd listened to Cameron years ago that Vanna and Allison would still be together and both of them would be with Cameron and him. They would have been a close family and have children by now. Cameron would have seen to that. Everything would be different. Now it was Savannah's 'turn'.

"…John…?" Savannah asked.

John blinked his eyes and looked at Savannah. He'd missed her question completely.

"I'm sorry. I was worried about Cameron." John said. "I was thinking about some things…."

Savannah wanted to try a few more things with Cameron. Now that John was here, he could try. She wondered what he zoned out on but figured everyone had a lot on their mind right now.

"John, give Cameron a 'kiss' and see if that brings her out of her maintenance mode." Savannah said. "She may be deep in 'Sleeping Beauty' mode."

Cammy, Vanna and Savannah went to another part of the room to put things away. They wanted to give John some privacy with Cameron. They understood the seriousness off the moment and its implications one way or another.

John was glad the girls left him alone with Cameron. He understood they all loved and cared about each other. He moved up to Cameron and spoke softly with her. He then kissed her.

He waited, nothing happened. He didn't think it would. He knew he'd been – replaced.

"Savannah." John called.

Savannah and Vanna returned.

He looked at both of them and then concentrated on Savannah.

"It didn't work." John said. "Can you please try it?"

Savannah wanted to do that very much. She was self conscious about it, especially in front of the others.

"No. I can't." Savannah said. "Let Vanna try."

Vanna looked at Savannah and then at John. It didn't seem like her place.

"John, I can't." Vanna said.

John wasn't sure why the girls were hesitant. Maybe there was something he didn't know. Maybe it was something he didn't want to know. They still needed to do something. What else was left?

"Please." John said. "I need…. WE need Cameron back."

Vanna looked at John and Savannah.

Vanna quickly gave Cameron a kiss.

They waited.

Nothing happened.

"Savannah?" John asked. "Please, for Cameron."

Cammy returned. She assessed the situation. She knew how Savannah felt on several levels. It was her job to protect Savannah.

"Please, leave Savannah and Cameron alone for a few minutes. We should all wait outside." Cammy said. "Savannah is uncomfortable doing this in front of you."

Savannah was pleased that Cammy took control. Cammy knew her well.

John thought about protesting but he could see Savannah was uncomfortable to do this in front of them, no - him.

They all left….

Savannah and Cameron were alone.

John, Vanna and Cammy waited in the hallway,

They hoped Savannah could reach Cameron.

John knew if Savannah was able to reactivate Cameron that it really was over between Cameron and him. He'd known for a long time it already was. Cameron seemed to tolerate him if nothing else. She would offer to perform her 'wifely duties' for him and leave. She no longer took satisfaction or pleasure out of their 'couplings'. It was simply a function to perform. Like washing the dishes or mowing the lawn. It was a 'job' that needed to be done, so one did it.

He knew Cameron operated outside of her original programming for him. He doubted Future John programmed that into her, to be his wife. He'd tried to ask Future Allison about it. She said Future John would never talk about anything regarding Cameron – before. The next thing he knew Future Allison tried to make a move on him. She was 'all over' him. He made a hasty retreat. He wondered why. She was so desirable and Hot.

"Some things never change." Future Allison laughed as John retreated.

Cameron later told him some more. Future Allison needed to really 'push' to get Future John to touch her at the start of their relationship. She knew what she wanted. Future John was worried about the 'age' difference. He wasn't sure if this was about Future John and Future Allison or Young Allison and him. It was all related somehow.

That whole encounter made John wonder about the nature of how that relationship was started…. Whatever it was, Future Allison was very dominant. He was sure the near year of time Future Allison spent with Cameron only reinforced that or made it 'worse', that all depended on one's point of view.

As they waited, it was apparent Vanna was unhappy that she couldn't reactivate Cameron with her kiss. She knew Cameron loved her as she did Cameron. If Savannah could do it, it would mean she'd been 'replaced' in Cameron's heart….

Vanna wondered who was in Cameron's 'heart' now. If she were to make a bet, it would be Savannah. If Cameron didn't reactivate she was going to remove the heart and look. Whoever's photo was next to Cameron's photo was the only one that would be able to reactivate her. She hoped it wasn't River's photo….

There was a lot for everyone to think about. Most of that seemed to center on their own shortcomings.

Vanna looked at John. She wanted to be with him. Now wasn't the time to talk about the 'three way' with Savannah, him and her. If Cameron remained deactivated and Savannah wouldn't allow one of the Terminators to give up their chassis it would improve her chances to be with him. She hoped after the 'three way' he would appreciate her experience over Savannah's youth.

John looked at the lab door, Cammy who smiled at him a lot and Vanna who looked like she was somewhere else.

Savannah waited until they all left. She felt a little more comfortable now.

She sat next to Cameron and looked at her. She took Cameron's hand in hers. She gently touched Cameron's cheek with her other hand. It was a gesture of love.

Savannah spoke softly to Cameron. She expressed her concern and love for her. She told Cameron she was needed for the future, for John, for all of them and for her.

She moved her face in front of Cameron's face now. Her hair fell like a red waterfall around her face and Cameron's face. It enclosed the area between their close faces.

"Cameron." Savannah said. "You're invincible."

Savannah's tears silently fell on Cameron's face.

"Cameron." Savannah said. "You're eternal."

Savannah's tears ran down Cameron's cheeks as if they were Cameron's own tears.

She didn't know what would happen. What if she couldn't bring Cameron back?

Savannah cried for both of them.

"I believe in you, Cameron." Savannah said. "I always say your name when 'we' are together in those 'moments'. It's only you I ever see."

"I love you, Cameron, and you love me." Savannah said.

Their faces drew closer, their lips were about to touch.

Savannah didn't want to kiss Cameron in this condition.

"Please forgive me for this…." Savannah said. "I want to help you if I can."

Savannah gave Cameron a gentle kiss.

"I'm sorry…." Savannah said.

Savannah moved her head back a couple of inches to better observe Cameron's face. Her red hair still enclosed both of their faces. They were only inches apart.

Savannah waited.

She believed with all her heart….

Nothing happened.

It didn't work….

Cameron was - terminated….

It Didn't Work

Everyone thinks
They give it their all
The bigger the lie
The greater the fall

Exactly how far
Is all of the way
It's really a lot shorter
Than what people say

Everything it seems
Is made to be broken
Words become meaningless
As soon as they're spoken

There's a big jolt
When things slip of the rails
It's an inevitable fact
Sooner or later everything fails

It all boils down
To who was the jerk
When reality strikes
That it didn't work

Nobody