Chapter 1009
Just A Number
Young Allison headed off to her room. Cameron and Anna headed down into the bunker. Savannah stayed upstairs. She wanted to check things out.
Cameron looked over the monitors with Anna.
Savannah looked around in the kitchen. Everything was neat and put away. There were no dirty dishes out or any in the dishwasher. She was aware that Young Allison was neat and orderly. She figured that Young Allison already ate breakfast. She wanted to ask to make sure. She decided she would go down into the bunker with Cameron and Anna and ask.
She started to leave the kitchen when she heard the shower door open in Young Allison's bathroom. She quickly moved in that direction. She saw that Young Allison's bedroom door was wide open. She moved up and looked around the door. She didn't see Young Allison in her room. She must be in the bathroom already. She'd heard the water turn on as she approached the bedroom door. She knew that Young Allison would want to get the water warm before she entered.
Savannah looked around behind her and silently entered Young Allison's bedroom. She realized that she was spying on Young Allison but she couldn't help herself. She'd done the same thing for all of the females at the Resistance base growing up. That included Riley and Sarah as well as all the girls from the future.
She looked between the small gap between the door and the door frame. She saw Young Allison look at herself in the mirror. She was completely naked. She could see both the front and the back of her at the same time from her vantage point. She was tempted to enter the bathroom and take her.
Savannah checked herself. She gave herself a mental blow and retreated from the bathroom door. She hurried out of the bedroom and headed straight for the bunker. She didn't look back and she hurried away. She wondered what was wrong with her for doing that and having thoughts like that. She quickly went down the steps and into the bunker. She acted as if nothing had happened.
"Did Young Allison have breakfast?" Savannah asked.
Anna didn't want to be accused of dereliction of duty. She watched everything Young Allison did. She felt that she'd been very vigilant.
"Yes, she did." Anna said. "I've watched her prepare each one of her meals or witnessed her eat it."
The discussion made Cameron worry about Savannah. She hadn't thought much about it until Savannah checked up on Young Allison.
"It's past lunch time." Cameron said. "You both should eat."
Savannah didn't think much about it for herself. There didn't seem to be any regular eating pattern for her.
"I think I'm lucky if I get one meal a day half of the time." Savannah said.
Savannah immediately regretted her statement. It would cause Cameron to worry now.
Cameron knew that was true and the blame centered on her.
"That's my fault." Cameron said. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to drive you so hard."
Savannah wanted to keep Cameron from glitching.
"It's no big deal, Cameron." Savannah said. "I can hack it."
Cameron thought about the precious cargo Savannah carried in her womb for Vanna.
"It is a big deal for both of you." Cameron said.
Savannah reached out to touch Cameron's cheek and reassure her.
"Cameron, it's fine." Savannah said. "I'm fine."
Cameron still looked worried.
Savannah thought maybe she should leave Cameron alone for a little bit. Young Allison should almost be ready. She didn't want it to seem like she'd actually checked earlier.
"I'm going to check on Young Allison." Savannah said.
As soon as Savannah was gone Anna looked at Cameron.
"What's happening at the old supermarket?" Anna asked.
It was clear that something fishy was going on there.
"That's what I'm checking." Cameron said. "I wanted to booby trap the place. I was overruled."
Anna was aware that not many people could overrule Cameron. She decided not to comment on the subject. She checked a few monitors for some details. She was a little worried when she spotted the nearest team.
"I see Derek's team is responding." Anna said. "That's probably because they were the closest."
Cameron was aware of that and it wasn't news she wanted to hear. Derek was only supposed to do recon and surveillance. Any activity at the old supermarket could turn into combat. The Syndicate or the Grays could be planning something.
"That isn't what I want to see." Cameron said.
Cameron and Anna looked at the surveillance footage. They were able to see two men moving through the alley. Their shirts appeared to be somewhat ragged and dirty.
"They look like homeless people." Anna said.
Cameron tried to help some of the homeless people before under Savannah's urging. The strange part about that was many of them didn't want to be helped. There were many options open to them to various programs from both the city and the county. There were also private groups like churches and foundations that assisted as well for people who didn't want to deal with the government.
"There's a shelter nearby." Cameron said. "I don't know why they don't go there."
Anna read that about one third of the homeless suffered from an underlying problem.
"Many suffer from mental illness." Anna said. "They should be in institutions where they could get proper care. Very few people are ever sent to an institution anymore. They don't realize that the era of 'political correctness' is what has fueled and exacerbated the homeless problem. Mental illness is a serious problem."
Cameron wondered about that. She was sure she suffered from some form of mental illness too. She was aware that the definition of mental illness or a psychiatric disorder is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Mental disorders are usually defined by a combination of how a person behaves, feels, perceives or thinks. She was sure she fit into all of those categories. It was a very unpleasant feeling.
"Sometimes I think I suffer from mental illness." Cameron said. "I've tried to hurt myself before and I take too many chances."
Anna didn't think that was a thought that Cameron should dwell on. To dwell on issues in the past that were done and over with served no purpose. She tried to stress that point with Young Allison as often as possible. Sometimes Young Allison worried about her parent's separation. That seemed to cause her unnecessary anxiety and stress over something she didn't have any control over and it was done and over with. She believed Cameron should focus on the present and the future.
"You're still here." Anna said. "I know of your struggles."
Cameron thought about some of the events and escapades she'd been involved in. Savannah was there with her on some of those. Other times she was alone. That often seemed to be the case. That was usually when the worst things happened to her. There was no moderating influence to hold her back.
"I think Savannah has saved me about half of those times." Cameron said.
Anna possessed all of those files through the 'Neural Interface' with Savannah.
"She is the 'Chosen One'." Anna said.
Cameron looked upstairs. She knew there was another.
"They both are." Cameron said.
Cameron filled Anna in on all the details of what happened at her base and on the drive over.
Anna was deeply concerned with the change in events. She didn't want Savannah to go either. She knew that there was someone else who would be totally devastated. It was someone very important to her.
"That's a catastrophic development." Anna said. "It will destroy Young Allison."
Anna felt that was news that wouldn't turn out well for Savannah or Young Allison. It would devastate Cameron and cripple the Resistance.
Cameron was sure that she would be affected the most. Savannah seemed to act as a missing part of her program. Without Savannah she would be lost.
"It will destroy ME." Cameron said. "I need to try something."
Cameron made a few calls. She thought she could at least throw a road block up to refocus Savannah's attention. She didn't view it as a ploy. She saw it more as a learning experience for Savannah. Maybe it would be for her as well.
Savannah went up to Young Allison's room. She expected her to be finished and ready. She felt that she'd waited enough time since she checked on her earlier.
Young Allison's bedroom door was open. That was how it was earlier.
Savannah saw all Young Allison's clothes were laid out.
She figured that Young Allison must be in the bathroom still. She turned to leave. She wanted to give Young Allison some privacy. She felt she'd violated it enough earlier. She saw such beauty in Young Allison. It was different from the beauty that Cameron and her clones possessed. It was different from Allison, even though they were the same person.
"Savannah." Young Allison said.
Savannah stopped and turned.
Young Allison stood there naked. She held a towel in her hand.
Savannah's eyes looked over every square inch of Young Allison in a second. The urge to go to her was overwhelming. She wanted to be with her. She wanted to be with her right now. She felt if she did that she wouldn't think about her parents. She wanted Young Allison's love. She didn't think she'd ever seen a more perfect body anywhere. Savannah knew that she needed to show restraint and exhibit some control over herself. She was supposed to be a mentor and friend to Young Allison. It wasn't her goal to seduce her.
"You need to finish dressing." Savannah said. "I'll come back."
Young Allison wanted more. She wanted more from Savannah. She was aware of the restrictions that she'd placed on herself previously. Only Savannah, John or Cameron would be able to touch her first. She reached up and cupped her breasts and bounced them up and down several times. Her right hand drifted down and indicated between her legs.
"What's there to see?" Young Allison asked. "It looks like a couple of swollen mosquito bites and some peach fuzz. It's nothing new to see. You've seen it all before, even if it all wasn't at the same time."
Savannah saw as much when they changed at the pool. The difference here was that this was in Young Allison's bedroom. She knew that Young Allison normally laid clothes out on the bed. They weren't on the bed. They were laid out on the dresser. She understood the significance of that. Young Allison wanted to use the bed with her. She needed to be the adult in the room even if she didn't want to be. As much as she wanted Young Allison, she didn't want to complicate her life. She knew that once the relationship started in a physical manner that it would affect both of them mentally and emotionally.
"THAT is the point." Savannah said. "You know the proper thing to do right now."
Young Allison didn't want to cause a problem. It was clear there was something that bothered Savannah. She'd hoped that maybe the offer to be with her would help Savannah get past whatever her troubles were. It wasn't to be. At least not right now. She threw on a shirt, some underwear and a pair of pants on. It took her about twenty seconds. She put her bra back in the dresser drawer. She hadn't put it on.
"Done…." Young Allison said. "They can come off just as quickly."
Savannah watched her put her shoes and socks on.
Young Allison was ready to go. There was one last thing that needed to be done. She picked up her hair brush and looked at Savannah. She still wanted to connect with Savannah in a personal way.
Savannah understood the unspoken request. It was something she used to do for Young Allison a lot when she was younger. She wanted to do that. She wanted to touch Young Allison and feel her closeness next to her.
"Would you like me to brush your hair?" Savannah asked.
Young Allison smiled at Savannah.
"Yes." Young Allison said. "I'd like that very much."
Savannah could see Young Allison wanted the personal contact and closeness as well. She didn't want to put her troubles on Young Allison's back. She could see Young Allison had her own troubles. She knew what they were as well. It was her duty to help Young Allison get past her troubles.
"You feel very lonely." Savannah said. "You miss your family."
Young Allison looked at Savannah with her big brown puppy dog eyes.
"I am lonely and I do miss them." Young Allison said. "It's only been a few days."
Savannah knew Young Allison's desire to go into the past and return as a middle-aged teenager. She didn't agree with that at all. She thought it was totally unnecessary. She knew it was going to take a terrible toll on Young Allison personally. She knew what it was like not to have your family. Young Allison would still be able to return to hers. That was something she could never do or could she?
"How are a few years going to feel?" Savannah asked.
Young Allison didn't plan on staying more than a year, maybe two years tops in the past. She wasn't going to argue that with Savannah. It was just going to happen.
She would 'add' and extra year or two to her age to make up the difference. She would ask for the Terminators involved to go along with her plan. She wasn't sure if she would need to 'order' them to lie or not. It would be for 'peace of mind' for John and Savannah mainly. She was aware a lot of females lied and subtracted years off their age to be 'younger'. How was that any different to add a few years to be 'older'? She knew exactly what Allison looked like naked. As soon as she was even close to those dimensions she was coming back and she would be 'old enough' in everyone's eyes for everything.
Young Allison thought she better stick with the subject. She couldn't help but think about what happened to Savannah at a much earlier age than she was now.
"I don't know." Young Allison said. "This is what happened to you at an even younger age."
It was still a sore spot with Savannah. It went back to what she wanted to do and told Cameron on the drive over what she planned. She didn't know what the right thing to do was or not. Why couldn't she see her parents again? Why couldn't she save them? She was a trained Resistance fighter. She could protect them. There were many thoughts that boiled up that she couldn't contain.
"Everything was taken from me." Savannah said. "EVERYTHING…."
Young Allison knew something similar happened to her, well Allison, in the alternate future.
"I'm really sorry about that." Young Allison said. "You must be stronger than I'll ever be. I don't know if I would be able to deal with that. I really don't."
Savannah understood they all protected her from termination and took her under the arm of the Resistance.
"Vanna, Sarah, John and Mr. Ellison all helped me." Savannah said. "Vanna was much like my mother to me. I figured out who she really was. I never told them I knew for a long time."
Savannah always saw that when they went out how Vanna was very protective of her. Whenever any males looked at her, Vanna made sure that they knew that she knew. She'd seen her touch the pistol that she carried with her at all times when they were out. She was sure Vanna wanted to use it on more than one occasion but she didn't because she was there.
Young Allison could see that Savannah was lost deep in thought. She didn't want to intrude. It seemed to calm and soothe Savannah as much as it did her as she brushed her hair.
Savannah finished brushing Young Allison's hair.
"There, you look beautiful." Savannah said. "I mean more beautiful than usual. You're always beautiful."
It always pleased Young Allison to hear Savannah tell her that. She only thought that she was average but it was nice to have someone tell her that she was beautiful and mean it. She wanted Savannah to know that she felt the same way about her and meant it.
"Thank you." Young Allison said. "I hope to be as beautiful as you one day."
Savannah started to get up.
Young Allison felt the need to reach back at Savannah right now. Maybe there was only one way Savannah would allow her to do that.
"Stay." Young Allison said.
Young Allison took the brush and moved behind Savannah. She started to brush her hair.
Savannah and Young Allison looked at each other in the mirror as Young Allison worked. It was a simple act that said so much to both of them. They both knew how much they loved each other.
"Is this an illusion or reality?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah looked at Young Allison in the mirror as she stood behind her.
"It's an illusive reality." Savannah said.
Young Allison was aware that there was reality on Savannah's end with three future versions of her. It bothered her that Savannah was with 'her' but it wasn't her.
"You've experienced the reality of 'this'." Young Allison said. "You've been with three future versions of me."
Young Allison wanted to tell her that she wanted that as well for herself. Why couldn't they share together? What would it hurt? No really, what would it hurt? It was going to happen anyway. Why did they need to wait? Why did she need to wait?
It made Savannah feel a little guilty to share with Young Allison through her future selves. It was a little unfair in a way. She'd experienced every inch of Young Allison's body through her older selves. They were all the same but they were all different as well. It was very exciting for her. Maybe it was because she'd been able to experience other versions of Young Allison that she hadn't allowed their relationship to progress like it should have.
"I have." Savannah said. "I haven't been a 'good girl'."
Young Allison felt jealous of herself. Well, the older versions of herself.
"You know everything about me and my body." Young Allison said. "I know that when you were with them you thought of me sometimes. You were with me but it wasn't really me. I want that too."
Savannah knew everything Young Allison said was true. Maybe the part that bothered her was that with each version of Allison she was with, she always did think of Young Allison at some point when they were sharing.
"Everything will happen when it's supposed to." Savannah said. "Things can get complicated very quickly. It's not all fun and games."
Young Allison finished brushing Savannah's hair.
"YOU look beautiful." Young Allison said.
Young Allison moved around and faced Savannah who was still sitting. She sat on her lap facing her. She put her arms on Savannah's shoulders and laced her fingers behind Savannah's neck. She looked directly into Savannah's eyes.
"I'm going with you." Young Allison said.
It was clear to Savannah that Young Allison knew of her plan to visit her real parents in the past. That was why Young Allison offered herself to her. She wanted their love to be consummated so it was real. It wouldn't be just emotional any more. It would be physical. They would be bound to each other at that point.
"Now I know why you weren't dressed yet." Savannah said. "Who called you? Was it Cameron or CamNet?"
The look of love radiated from Young Allison's eyes.
"Does it matter?" Young Allison asked.
Savannah could tell by that response it was both Cameron and CamNet that called her. She figured they did it independently of each other.
"It was both of them, wasn't it?" Savannah asked.
Young Allison didn't see the need to lie about it.
"Yes." Young Allison said. "They're the same core program. You know how much they both care about you and love you, just like I do. Where do you think they get it from?"
Savannah didn't want to ruin Young Allison's life.
"You can't go with me." Savannah said.
Young Allison already made her mind up that she would follow Savannah to the ends of the Earth if she needed to.
"I'm going to." Young Allison said. "You're not going alone."
Savannah and Young Allison saw this as a challenge to each other.
Savannah thought she would have to do something she didn't want to do. She would need to issue 'orders'.
"I'll have CamNet send me." Savannah said. "I'll order her to erase the data."
Young Allison knew how to play hardball. She didn't like leaving things to chance either.
"I'll order her to restore the data." Young Allison said. "When I spoke with her I already 'ordered' her to make a copy of all TDE data that can't be erased."
Savannah could see that Young Allison already 'one upped' her.
"Our orders can't countermand each other's." Savannah said. "We need to work on a compromise."
Young Allison wanted to make her position clear. She wasn't going to back down from hers either. She was willing to give up everything including her family to be with Savannah in a different timeline or time period.
"Even if you go, I'll have the information and follow you and arrive five seconds after you arrive." Young Allison said.
It was clear every move Savannah made would be countered by Young Allison. It appeared that Young Allison was ahead of her at every stage.
The two girls stared into each other's eyes.
Savannah could see that Young Allison wasn't going to back down.
"You will too." Savannah said.
Young Allison wondered if she should ask one of the Terminators to scan her so that Savannah would know her response was true. She believed Savannah would know it was true.
"I swear it." Young Allison said. "I'll go anywhere you go. It doesn't matter where or when. There's no sacrifice I won't make to be with you. I want to be with you forever and forever is a long time."
Savannah pulled Young Allison in close. They held each other tightly. It was clear their love was strong.
"I love you, Allison." Savannah said.
"I love you, Savannah." Young Allison said.
Savannah felt very confused about everything. She knew that she needed to think about more than just her wants and desires. She also needed to think about Young Allison and what would be best for her. Young Allison was her responsibility forever and forever was a long time.
"What are we going to do?" Savannah asked.
Sometimes Young Allison wondered if she was 'good enough' for Savannah. Sometimes she didn't think so and it wasn't a good feeling.
"I don't know." Young Allison said. "We already know our future, all of it. I want to be older…. I want you. I want you to have me."
Savannah could see events needed to play out. She could see there were still options open to Young Allison that she wouldn't have any control over in the past.
"I want that too." Savannah said. "You'll miss me as you're growing up in the past. Maybe you will find someone else. Your life won't be restricted like it is here. Like mine was – is."
Young Allison was very frustrated about the age issue. She didn't see what difference it made. It didn't make a difference now. Why should it make a difference going forward?
"I don't care if you're older than me." Young Allison said. "You're still you. We don't need to be the same age."
Savannah felt very self-conscious about her age as compared to Young Allison. She was always afraid that maybe Young Allison would find someone younger.
"I'm almost two years older now too than before." Savannah said.
Young Allison was aware of the noble acts Savannah did for the older versions of herself who were damaged by Skynet. She wasn't really sure if there could be a higher honor than what Savannah did for 'herself'.
"It's because of the babies. I know." Young Allison said. "Isn't Future Allison as old to you, as you are compared to me? Does that make a difference about anything? Allison's only a few years younger than our mother. You share with her and you've shared with my mother as strange as that sounds. You've also shared with Vanna and frequently with Jesse. They're both even older. Does it make a difference for anything? Isn't love blind? Isn't that how it's supposed to be?"
"That's all true." Savannah said.
Young Allison wanted a better answer from Savannah.
"Does it make a difference?" Young Allison asked. "Does any of it make a difference when love is involved?"
Savannah never thought about age when she was with the girls from the future. She only thought about the girls.
"No, it doesn't." Savannah said. "I love them just as much."
Young Allison wanted to point out the reality of the situation.
"Age is just a number." Young Allison said. "We're the same age mentally, almost."
It was where the years were or more accurately weren't that made the difference, not the years themselves.
"I don't know, Allison." Savannah said.
Young Allison wanted more. She wanted it now.
"I do…." Young Allison said as she still looked into Savannah's eyes.
Savannah wasn't sure what that meant and was afraid to ask.
Their faces were inches apart.
It was clear what they both felt and wanted.
No one needed to take anything. It was all right there and available.
Cameron wondered what happened to Savannah. She wondered if there was some problem.
"I'm going to get them." Cameron said. "I want to take them for something to eat."
Anna saw what Cameron was really doing. She wanted to call her out on it before she acted.
"We can both hear them." Anna said. "You're uncomfortable by what's happening now."
Cameron didn't think she was jealous but she was very worried about Savannah. She didn't want to lose her. There was more than one way that she could lose her.
"I don't want to be but I am." Cameron said.
Anna could tell Cameron was worried about both of them.
"Which bothers you more?" Anna asked.
Cameron was worried about Savannah right now for several different reasons. She was also worried about Young Allison.
"Both of them…." Cameron said.
Anna didn't think she needed to remind Cameron of the future but she did anyway.
"It is they that belong together." Anna said.
Cameron was deeply troubled by a past event.
"I don't want to do to them what I did to Vanna and Allison." Cameron said. "I meddled in their relationship and fractured it."
One of the monitors showed footage of Allison and Vanna separating from each other to go be with their Metal lovers.
CamNet was the one who sent that footage. It was clear that she was a silent partner on the conversation.
"You did that to them." Anna said.
Cameron could see it was all her fault. It always seemed that everything that was messed up came back to her and landed at her doorstep.
"I've done that to Savannah and Young Allison as well." Cameron said.
Anna knew that she was supposed to be Young Allison's Metal lover. That hadn't happened yet nor did it appear it would anytime soon.
"FIX it." Anna said.
Cameron knew that the genie was out of the bottle.
"How?" Cameron asked. "I don't see how at this point."
Cameron headed upstairs. She couldn't help herself. She didn't want to lose the girls.
Savannah and Young Allison could hear someone coming.
Young Allison held her position. Her face was right in front of Savannah's face. She wanted that first real kiss. She wanted it now.
There was a knock at the open door.
"Go away." Young Allison said.
They saw it was Cameron and the timing bothered both of them. Cameron said nothing and reached for the door to shut it.
The door closed as she soundlessly left to give them privacy. It seemed to be Cameron's way of silently giving them her approval. It was clear that if they wanted to go all of the way that it was fine with Cameron.
Young Allison decided to play her cards. She rolled the dice.
"Give me what I want now, right now." Young Allison said. "Then I'll let you go. I won't follow you into the past. You'll have your freedom. I'll have my memories of you."
Savannah knew Young Allison could play hard ball.
"And if I don't?" Savannah asked.
Young Allison simply told it like she believed it was going to be.
"Then you'll stay with me until you think I'm 'ready'." Young Allison said. "AND make sure no one cuts in front of you."
Savannah looked at Young Allison and gritted her teeth. She didn't want anyone to touch Young Allison before she did.
"I'll KILL them." Savannah said.
The words slipped out of Savannah's mouth without her even thinking about them. It was an instinctual reaction.
Young Allison didn't bother to mention that she'd already ordered Anna to physically prevent her from being with anyone other than Savannah, John or Cameron. It was an order that only Savannah and her could change together.
"You're very dominant." Young Allison said.
Savannah thought she was just being honest. Maybe she was a little dominant at times as well.
"I am." Savannah said. "You drive a hard bargain."
Young Allison thought she knew how to play the game as well as anyone. She was totally serious in everything that she'd said.
"We both can win." Young Allison said.
Savannah didn't believe for a second that Young Allison would let her go off into the past and not follow her, especially if they'd been together before that happened.
"Either way you know I'll stay with you." Savannah said. "I know you'll come after me."
Young Allison wanted to make everything perfectly clear. It was what she was going to do. It was what was going to happen. There was no force in the Verse that could stop her.
"I'll follow you anywhere." Young Allison said. "Either way, we will still be together."
Cameron went back down to Anna. She looked very upset.
"Young Allison 'sent me away'." Cameron said.
Anna felt that was something that Cameron brought on herself.
"You interrupted a private moment." Anna said.
Cameron couldn't get caught up in this. She'd already set some events into motion. That's what she needed to focus on.
"I've scheduled something to happen." Cameron said. "I still want the girls to eat first."
Anna thought there was more than one option available.
"We can get some fast food." Anna said.
Cameron was aware that the girls like to eat that type of food, even if it wasn't as healthy as other types.
"That's fine." Cameron said.
Anna lifted her shirt so Cameron could see her sheath.
"I need to put some meat on these bones." Anna said.
Cameron thought that Anna looked beautiful. She remembered when Savannah looked just like that.
"You must age at the same rate Young Allison does." Cameron said.
Anna felt she still had a few inches on Young Allison.
"I'm taller than her." Anna said.
Cameron didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
"You look like Savannah's younger sister." Cameron said. "You're very beautiful however you are."
Anna listened.
"They're – coming…." Anna said.
Cameron looked uneasy with THAT statement. She remembered she shut the door and Young Allison was sitting on Savannah's lap only inches away from her. She'd wordlessly given them her approval to do whatever they wanted to do when she closed the door and walked away. She believed they had a right to choose their own Futures and who they wanted to be with. Who did she think she was anyway? She was just a scary robot from the future. Who would want that?
Just A Number
When one touches another
What is it they really seek
Do they want someone strong
Or do they want someone weak
Some treat others
As if they're a whore
They're just out
To run up a score
They're given a number
Their name is taken away
They don't really matter
They're just another lay
Each person to them
Is just someone to use
Once they're finished
They would rather snooze
They don't think twice before they act
Any feelings will encumber
At the end of a long day
The other is just a number
Nobody