Chapter 529

I Am You

John Henry felt confident again. They'd successfully conducted a raid and he continued his search for anything Skynet related. He even thought about what caused the 'trouble' and he was able to analyze everything and not glitch or shut down. He was at a loss as to what happened earlier. He wanted to know so he could prevent it from happening again. It was a feeling and experience he found very distressing. He knew Cameron experienced them on multiple occasions. He knew that must be torture to her.

His contact with Cameron was the only explanation. That was through his server into the server Cameron was on in the lab. It still made no sense. He determined he'd 'felt' what Cameron was afraid of. It was almost like one of her nightmares.

Cam stayed with him earlier but soon slipped out. He didn't know she was gone at first.

Now John was away again so he wanted to tidy up.

John Henry went to check where Cam was at earlier and put the cable away. He went to the storage closet and opened it. There was a heart shaped 'smiley face' on a piece of paper. There were a few words written on it.

'Cameron - never doubted you.'

John Henry felt a wave of emotion flood him.

He was - happy.

Maybe it was only he who doubted himself. It was clear all the others believed in him and that he could do his job. They all tried to help him restore his confidence. It worked.

He watched the 'problem' develop outside the lab earlier. First it was Vanna who couldn't pass and then John. He was going to go and assist John until he heard it was an 'order' from Savannah. That 'order' changed everything.

It seemed better to not get involved and let the issue resolve itself. It was the second time when Vanna went back that John arrived soon afterwards. That was when the harsh words were exchanged.

He tried to contact Savannah in the lab but CamNet blocked him. She told him to follow Savannah's 'orders'. He thought he'd done that and wanted to stop the needless confrontation. He wanted to help.

It looked like everything resolved itself soon enough. Savannah came out and smoothed things over.

At that point CamNet restored his view of the lab only to take it away again when Cameron and Savannah were alone.

Now he waited to see how events played out.

He watched the interaction of John, Vanna and Cammy in the hallway. He wondered what each of then actually thought about besides Cameron and Savannah.

Moments ago:

Savannah spoke softly to Cameron as she lay there inactive. Cameron looked terminated. She expressed her concern and love for Cameron. 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.

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 waited.

She believed in Cameron with all her heart….

Nothing happened.

It didn't work….

Savannah was CRUSHED she was unable to reach Cameron and reactivate her.

Savannah closed her eyes and wept.

When she opened them, Cameron's eyes looked into hers.

"Oh, Cameron…." Savannah said. "I'm sorry. I stole a kiss from you."

Cameron was pleased to be this close to Savannah.

"Savannah…. I knew you would come for me. You always come for me." Cameron said. "You've given me a 'gift' and not stolen anything from me."

Cameron hadn't moved yet. Savannah's face was still inches from hers. Savannah's tears were still fresh and wet on Cameron's cheeks.

Savannah started to move away.

Cameron arms came up across her back gently pulled Savannah closer and hugged her.

"I heard everything…." Cameron whispered.

Savannah managed a tearful smile. She'd spoken from her heart. She'd hoped her words would reach Cameron. It looked like they did.

"I wanted you to hear." Savannah said. "I meant everything I said."

Cameron heard noises from the hall outside the lab.

"Thank you." Cameron said. "For everything…."

Savannah still looked into Cameron's eyes. She wanted to be honest with her. She would have been with John if the base alarm hadn't sounded. It didn't matter if it didn't happen or not. The intent was there. It would have. It was close enough. She didn't want any secrets.

"Cameron, I was - with John." Savannah said. "I'm sorry."

Cameron appreciated Savannah's honesty and her willingness to take the 'rap' for something that could have happened but actually didn't. She was aware that John never made it 'in'. Savannah was still a virgin.

"It's what I wanted." Cameron said. "I want you to try again and next time to actually 'mate'. It's what I want. It's what MUST be. You MUST protect John. I'm asking you to help protect John for me."

Savannah wasn't surprised Cameron 'knew'. She was prepared for any consequences for her actions or near actions. It was close, real close. She could almost still feel John bumping around the outside. He'd been in too big of a hurry to get lined up properly.

"We almost did." Savannah said. "We were one second away from 'sharing'."

Cameron could only think about the anti-Metal faction and how much they hated her. They didn't even know her but they hated her. She'd only tried to help Future John as she tried to help John now.

"It's the 'Natural Order', Savannah." Cameron said. "It must be. You must protect John. You will allow him to grow and expand. He will become a better man and a better leader. You'll make him stronger and protect him. I only endanger him."

Savannah hadn't set out to seduce John. She didn't even know he was outside her room. She'd thought it was Cammy. Everything else just fell into place naturally. It was what they all wanted. That was the way she wanted it to happen. She didn't want it 'scheduled'. It would be her first time and she wanted it to be loving and organic.

"If it happens, it happens." Savannah said. "I won't initiate or stop anything that happens. I will let it happen the same way it almost happened this time. It felt so right. I WANTED it to happen. I was ready."

Cameron gave Savannah a gentle squeeze. None of the other girls stepped up like she'd asked them before. Now it was up to Savannah.

"Promise me." Cameron said. "That you will love and protect my John."

Savannah's promises to Cameron always just slipped out of her mouth. She would promise to do anything Cameron asked of her. Those promises started when she was a girl and Cameron was 'Cammy' to her them. Now there was a real Cammy and she was Cameron's clone.

"I promise, Cammy – Cameron." Savannah said.

Savannah's face was still inches away from Cameron's face. They were both still encased with her red hair.

"Promise me…." Savannah said.

Cameron looked at her. She tilted her head slightly.

Savannah could see that she'd gotten Cameron's attention with her request.

"Promise ME." Savannah said. "That you'll remain at John's side when I'm there with him and with MY Allison. The way it IS in YOUR future. That is the 'Natural Order'. We've both seen it. It's the FOUR of us. I want your promise to ME. I've never asked for much, if anything, ever."

Cameron felt a glitch impulse. She didn't want to glitch out now. There were so many variables and so much to do. Skynet needed to be challenged and fought. Her future seemed doubtful.

"I don't know if I'll survive." Cameron said. "I'm not…."

Savannah could feel Cameron tense up. That wasn't what she wanted. Now it looked like Cameron was going to offer excuses. That wasn't what she wanted either. It was time to be forceful.

"Promise ME." Savannah interrupted. "I've always done as I've promised you."

Cameron looked into Savannah's eyes still. She held Savannah in her arms. She didn't need to scan Savannah to know she spoke the truth.

"Yes, you have." Cameron said. "You've given life to two of John's babies for me, for your future selves. You've sacrificed greatly for me. You've saved me and protected me."

Savannah could have done without those reminders. They were all things that affected her personally. Some of them still haunted her greatly. It wasn't the parts about almost dying either. That was something she could accept. She needed more from Cameron.

"PROMISE ME…." Savannah said.

There was a long pause. It was the moment of truth.

"I promise, Savannah." Cameron said. "I promise for YOU."

It was what Savannah wanted to hear. She really hoped it was true.

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

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

They held each other and smiled. Savannah laid her head next to Cameron's head, her red hair covered Cameron's face now.

Cameron was very content that Savannah was with her like this. Her presence was very comforting. The close contact was soothing.

"I can feel your warmth." Cameron said. "I can feel your heart beating."

Savannah could feel her heart pounded right now. She didn't really have any control over it.

"I want you to feel it." Savannah said.

Cameron liked the symbolic nature of it all. She knew that love really happened in the mind and the heart was used to physically express that love.

"Your heart beats for both of us." Cameron said. "It beats strong, pure and true."

Savannah always tried to make her feelings known to Cameron since she was a girl. They'd only grown stronger and deeper with time.

"It beats for you." Savannah said. "It belongs to you. It always has."

Savannah wished she could 'melt' into Cameron and provide her with everything she needed to feel complete and whole.

There was a knock at the lab door.

Cameron could hear they were impatient outside in the hall. That was Cammy's knock.

"Cammy heard all that." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't ashamed. She often spoke with Cammy about it. She needed Cammy to always understand that Cameron came first to her.

"She's heard it all before, many times." Savannah said. "I hide nothing."

Cameron heard Cammy relay positive information to John and Vanna. That seemed like a good thing at this juncture.

"They'll come in soon." Cameron said.

Savannah still lay on top of Cameron with their heads next to each other. There breasts touched each other's. Her heart still pounded. It hadn't slowed.

"Do you want me to move or remain here?" Savannah asked.

Cameron would be content to stay like this with Savannah forever. It didn't even need to be sexual since Savannah's love was pure. It radiated from inside her. It didn't need to be physical but that would be another way to express that love. It would always be love with Savannah and never lust. There was a difference, a big one.

"I don't care." Cameron said. "This is the 'Natural Order'. They must accept the future…."

Moments ago:

John and Vanna were very worried. It seemed to take too long. If it was going to work it should have. Neither Cameron nor Savannah appeared at the door. It didn't look good.

"Can you hear what's happening?" Vanna asked.

Cammy would have preferred if she hadn't. Then again what she heard was what Savannah always said.

"I hear everything." Cammy said.

John wasn't sure what that answer meant. He'd expected results.

"It's been awhile." John said. "It mustn't have worked."

Vanna saw a tear run down Cammy's cheek. John saw it too.

They both knew Cameron was back….

John went to rush in.

Cammy stopped him. She gave him a stern look and knocked.

Vanna and John both knew what that meant….

They waited another thirty seconds. It seemed like thirty minutes.

Cammy opened the door for John.

He went to rush in but checked himself somewhat. He didn't want to look foolish.

Cammy and Vanna held back a little longer.

Cameron and Savannah stood side by side. They held hands.

John lost control and rushed to Cameron and gave her a hug.

Cameron and Savannah both hugged him back - together.

Vanna and Cammy watched.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Vanna softly said to Cammy.

Cammy knew what would play out. She'd seen it herself in Cameron's future. Maybe it was a little sooner than she'd anticipated. It was inevitable.

"It's what I wanted. It's what Cameron wanted." Cammy said. "It's the 'Natural Order' of time. It's the future."

Cammy and Vanna walked up and greeted Cameron….

They both knew that 'second place' - was 'last place'.

Cameron went with John. It was clear where they were headed.

She would have liked Savannah to go in her place with John right now. It wasn't to be.

Cammy needed to get things cleaned up in the lab.

Vanna took Savannah away. She wanted to speak with her privately.

"It's you that Cameron loves." Vanna said.

Savannah wondered what this was about. She wasn't the only one.

"Cameron loves you as well." Savannah said.

Vanna felt she'd failed. That thought still bothered her.

"Only you could bring her back." Vanna said.

Savannah gave it a lot of thought. She wasn't so sure about that at all. She believed Cameron reactivated with John or Vanna. She thought Cameron 'held out' for her since she was hesitant to act.

"Did I? John and you may have also." Savannah said. "I think we all could and did."

Vanna was confused. She didn't understand the implications or the reason.

"Really?" Vanna asked.

Savannah thought about the future and everything else all the time. There was a lot of free time since she didn't really have any friends to hang out with. She could only study and train so much.

"Cam and Cammy are not random cyborgs. They're both allowed to run with their 'Cameron' programming only, even if it is out of date. It's still 'Cameron'." Savannah said. "Cammy doesn't even have a second program. I took the second chip out. Ally's been firewalled on Cam's chip"

Vanna knew that was true. There was another variable.

"What about Camille?" Vanna asked.

Savannah smiled. Young Jesse was a 'backup' for John that was physically separated from all of them most of the time. If they were 'wiped out', Young Jesse would step up and fill the void. She'd already proved her willingness to do what Cameron wanted.

"Young Jesse gave birth to a baby for Duplicate Jesse." Savannah said. "John's baby. What do you think?"

Vanna set her jaw some and clenched her teeth for a moment. It was all very clear right now suddenly.

"I think that Cameron will do whatever she has to do to get her way…." Vanna said. "To – win."

Savannah didn't see her own actions as any different in the long run.

"WE all will." Savannah said. "I'll do whatever I have to do to keep Cameron 'alive'."

Vanna still found it hard to believe that Savannah already had two children at her young age.

"The babies and John?" Vanna asked.

Savannah promised the functions of her body to Cameron as a girl. She'd kept those promises and planned to continue them.

"It's all for Cameron." Savannah said. "I guess 'myself' too if you look at it that way."

Vanna hung her head. Her body was worthless. It was only good for the pleasure of others.

Savannah could see Vanna take a 'blow to the gut'.

"Vanna, I'll have a baby and give it to Cameron as her own and then I'll have one for you." Savannah said. "I promise."

Vanna wanted that so much. She'd listened outside Savannah's door at night before. She knew the tears were for her two girls somewhere in the future, two different futures.

"You would give me your baby?" Vanna asked. "I could never take it from you."

Savannah already knew that. There was a way around that 'issue'.

"It will be your baby too." Savannah said. "It will be your baby."

Vanna sensed something different here.

"How?" Vanna asked.

"I've asked Cameron to do as she did with Allison and her mother. It will be your genetic material. I'll only carry and deliver it for you." Savannah said. "It would be from your body - YOUR baby."

Vanna sucked in her breath. Wait. They were both Savannah Weaver.

"You would do that for me?" Vanna asked. "We're the SAME person. That would be pointless."

Savannah knew it made a difference even if it didn't in reality. The same genetic material was inside both of them. It still mattered where it came from.

"Would it? That way it really would be your baby, from your body. You'd accept your own baby." Savannah said. "You're ME and I'm YOU."

Vanna grabbed Savannah and hugged her.

"Thank you." Vanna sobbed.

Savannah also knew she would have Cameron backup Vanna's genetic material up with one of hers. Either way, it was still really Vanna's baby. If she ended up with 'twins', then she would have 'her own' baby too. If only hers worked, Vanna would never know it wasn't her genetic material that was used. It still was even if it wasn't. It was all sort of a mind trip.

Savannah saw the future, two of them, with her own eyes. She knew they needed to beat 'Judgment Day'….

Vanna saw the look on Savannah's face.

"Is something wrong?" Vanna asked.

Savannah thought the answer was obvious.

"I HATE Skynet." Savannah said.

Vanna hoped Cameron never became Skynet….

Savannah knew if Cameron ever became Skynet that it would be up to her to control it, guide it or stop it….

Vanna wondered if that wasn't the whole point to all of this. To create a 'backup' and way for Cameron to be controlled if it all fell apart and she became Skynet.

Savannah was Cameron's safeguard from becoming evil.

The fate of the world could end up depending on the love of one girl - Savannah.

Vanna new that Savannah was truly the 'Chosen One'.

I Am You

Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who's the fairest of them all
Who would actually
Make that call

The mirror is only a reflection
It does not tell the whole truth
One needs to dig deeper
Maybe even hire a sleuth

Does one really want to know
What is actually behind the mask
There's a lot more hidden
It's a daunting task

Does one seek out someone different
Or someone who's the same
Maybe that's where they fool themselves
As they play life's game

Don't be too surprised
When everything goes askew
As one picks their own reflection
You are me and I am you

Nobody