Clingy

Originally, I was going to rewrite the "bomb" episode to mimic that of the scene in T3 where the T-100 tries to override his reprogramming. Problem being, it wasn't funny.

So, I decided to have Cameron not want to kill John but take on a different kind of personality.

The explosion could be heard from inside the house and likely a few blocks away. John sprinted outside to see the burning wreckage of the car, his mom and uncle close behind.

"Oh God!" John cried. "CAM!"

The door was kicked with such force that it flew off its hinges. Cameron slowly crawled out of the car and examined her surroundings. According to her HUD, her chip had sustained substantial damage in the explosion. It suddenly came to her attention that her HUD was pink when it should have been red.

"Cam!" John shouted. "Are you alright?!"

Cameron looked up to see John racing towards her. Everything on her HUD faded away to make room for John. He was all that mattered to her now. He stopped running when he saw Cameron begin to grow an excited smile. To say it was creepy was an understanding.

Before he could do anything, Cameron threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Oh John!" She shouted. "You're okay! I was so worried they would destroy the house too!"

"Uh, okay?" John said, trying to ignore her emotional voice. "But I should be worried about you. You almost blew up!"

Cameron broke away, still smiling. "You were worried about me? That's so sweet!"

John felt uneasy. What was going on with Cameron? She was never this happy or emotional or lovey-dovey. If that's what you could call a Terminator's actions.

"Listen Tin Miss," Sarah said. "Make yourself useful and move this crap somewhere hidden. If someone asks, we need to find a reliable story. We can't have people thinking we have random explosions around here."

"Oh! Of course!" Cameron said. "And afterwards, John can stitch me up." She threw John a suggestive glance. John turned around and ran back into the house. He had to get away from all this and clear his head. This was turning out to be a horrendous 18th birthday.

…

The day had ended so oddly, even for John. His birthday celebration had been postponed until they could find out what caused the car to explode, but that wasn't even the weirdest thing. Cameron wouldn't leave John alone all day. She seemed to follow him around like a puppy. An excited, metal puppy. She offered to help him with homework, take him out for dinner, even to cook dinner for him when he said no. Which, of course, Sarah took as an offense to her cooking.

Later in the night, John made good on his promise and stitched Cameron's wounds up. Every time he touched her, she let out a low moan. John had only heard those kinds of moans in the porn he caught his uncle watching. Was she finding pleasure in this? In feeling him touch her.

John went to bed early, wanting to get a decent night's sleep for a change. His alarm went off at 7:00, telling him to get up for school. He opened his eyes to see a grinning Cameron laying in bed next to him.

"WAH! WHAT THE HELL!" John shot up out of bed.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Cameron cooed.

"What are you doing in my bed?!" John asked.

"Keeping you company," Cameron said. "You seemed so lonely."

"People typically sleep alone unless they're married," John said.

"But I am with you every day," Cameron said. "I am your protector and friend. I can never leave you. Aren't we already married then? Why do I need a ring to prove it?"

John's mouth fell open. He had no way to answer that. All he could do was run to the bathroom and lock himself inside to brush his teeth.

…

John had never looked forward to biology before today. All the way to school, Cameron was touching his thigh or pressing her body against his as they walked or sat. She couldn't seem to get enough of him. When it came close to class, she begged to go with him and came close to tears.

"Please! I don't want you to go alone!" Cameron pleaded. "What if you're hurt? What if you're attacked?"

"Cameron, get off me!" John said. "I'll be fine! Stop being a freak!"

He had forgotten about Cameron until his lunch period. She was already at an empty table with her lunch out, waving happily to him and motioning for him to join her.

John sat down uneasily next to her. "Uh, hey. You're awfully cheery."

"I've been looking forward to this all day!" Cameron said. "We're finally together again!"

John turned away and took out his lunch. Today's meal was strange. His sandwich was cut into the shape of a heart and there were some Valentine's Day candies in heart-shaped foil. There was also a pink card that read, "Some sweets for my sweetie. Eat up! Cameron."

"Okay, what is going on with you?" John asked.

"You don't like your lunch?" Cameron asked with a pout. "Sarah never makes you the meals you deserve, so I threw hers out and made you my own."

Just then, someone else joined them at the table. A blond girl in a revealing cheerleader outfit was sitting opposite of John. "Hello! I'm Cynthia! I just joined today!"

John's eyes focused right on her exposed midriff. "Oh! Hey! Nice to meet you! I'm John. Are you a cheerleader?"

"Not yet!" Cynthia said happily. "But tryouts are today and I brought a spare uniform from my sister!"

"Nice to meet you," John said. "This is my sister, Cameron."

The smile had been wiped from Cameron's lips, replaced with her trademark Terminator stare. "John, would you be so kind as to bring us some napkins?"

John wanted to question why Cameron needed napkins, but he didn't want to make Cynthia suspicious. He left his food and went to the main serving table to grab some from the dispenser. When he returned, the mood between the girls had changed. Cameron was smiling again while Cynthia was sweating and looked absolutely terrified.

She saw John and grabbed her lunch in a hurry. "I'm sorry John! I won't bother you again!"

John reached out to stop her, but she was already gone. He looked back at Cameron, who was still smiling. "Well, she was certainly rude to interrupt us and then leave."

…

"I don't see what the problem is," Morris said after school and ended.

"Haven't you been listening?" John said. "She's all over me! I can't get a moment's peace outside of class!"

"John, I can think of at least fifty guys off the top of my head who'd kill to be in your position."

"But she's my sister!"

"Adopted or real?"

John faltered. He hadn't prepared for that. "Look, it doesn't matter. She scared away a cheerleader girl who was probably going to ask me out!"

"Yeesh, clingy and jealous, huh?" Morris asked. "Sounds like a classic yandere situation."

"A what?" John asked.

"You know: a stalker girl who's head over heels for their man and chases off any competition? It's a big thing in anime."

"I knew you getting involved in anime club was a mistake."

"Oh c'mon! I love Japanese art!"

"You love the Japanese girls who lead the club."

A third voice caught them off guard. "What is this about Japanese girls?"

Both men screamed and turned around in shock. Cameron was standing there, looking none too happy. "There are no other girls, John. Only me."

There was an underlying malice in her voice. It made John terrified. Cameron quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him to the car. "It is time to go home, John."

John tried to pull free, but Cameron had a firm grip on him. Morris raced in front of Cameron to stop her. "Cam, what's the rush? Just relax."

"I will not ask you to move again," Cameron said.

"Jeez, what's the big deal? Take a chill pill and – HOOOOOOOOOO!"

Morris fell to his knees, cradling his aching testicles. Cameron rearranged her boot and continued to drag a shocked John to the car.

…

A shower was extremely needed after the school day. Cameron's clingy behavior had drained John of his energy. He had no idea what had happened to Cameron since that explosion, but he was hoping it would end soon. He already had enough with her being his overbearing protector. He didn't need her to act like a crazy girlfriend. Although, he wouldn't mind if she acted like a less crazy…wait, no! What was he thinking?

John realized he was taking too long and needed to wash his back. He turned around to let the water hit him and nearly smashed his head into Cameron's face.

"CAM!" John jumped back in shock and nearly fell over. "You, uh, you're naked!"

"It does not make sense to shower with clothes on," Cameron said.

John clapped his hands over his crotch. "Get out of here!"

"What is the matter?" Cameron asked, tilting her head. "We have seen each other naked before."

"We had no choice when we jumped through time!" John said. "Why are you even here?"

"To help you bathe," Cameron said. "You cannot reach your back. I can help you, and you can help me."

"I can bathe myself!" John shouted. "We don't need to shower together!"

For a second, Cameron looked hurt. Her pout tugged on John heartstrings, making him feel guilty for snapping. Before he could say anything, she perked up again. "Oh! You must want to skip to your present!"

Cameron stepped forward, arms out to grab John and her lips puckered for a kiss. John screamed and fell backwards out of the shower and onto the floor. He didn't even bother grabbing his towel before he raced out of the bathroom.

…

Time crawled by as John waited in his room. He was glad his mom and Derek weren't around to see him streak out of the bathroom. He realized he was postponing his talk with Cameron. It was better to do it now, like ripping a band-aid.

"Cameron!" John called. "Come here!"

Footsteps raced up the stairs and Cameron nearly bashed down his door. She was too happy to be asked to come into his room. "Yes, John? What is it?"

"Cameron, listen to me," John said. "I don't know what's been going on with you, but this whole clingy thing needs to stop. When I asked you not to be a freak, this is what I meant. Normal people don't act like this. Especially when they are brother and sister. I know you're supposed to protect me, but you need to tone it down a notch."

Cameron started to pout again, but with more intensity. She looked like she was about to cry. John felt his heart drop into his stomach. Mostly because of her expression, but part of him wished she'd continue the girlfriend act, just with less intensity.

"Okay, John," Cameron said. "I understand. I only have one question."

"Sure Cam. What is it?"

"Who is making you say these awful things?"

John cringed. His talk hadn't worked at all. Cameron's expression turned dark and murderous. "Who would dare to turn you against me? Was it a girl?"

"What? No!"

"It must have been," Cameron said. "It was that Cynthia woman, wasn't it? She is a threat. I will solve this at once."

She reached into John's drawer and pulled out his gun. John leapt for Cameron and tried to grab the gun, wrestling her to the floor. The Terminator kept the gun away from him and tried to wiggle out of his grasp. "John! Stop! She must be terminated!"

"You are not murdering an innocent girl!" John said.

"She is not innocent!" Cameron said. "She wants to separate us! We cannot be apart! I must ensure our future!"

During the fight, John managed to grab her head and hold her down. He reached for a screwdriver and began to unscrew Cameron's panel. She struggled, but not too hard. She was unwilling to harm John.

"No! John! Stop!" Cameron pleaded. "Don't shut me down! I'm fine!"

"You're not fine!" John said. "Something's wrong with you!"

"Nothing's wrong! I love you!"

John stopped. That's why Cameron was doing these things? She loved him? Was this how Terminators believed love was?

"Please!" Cameron said. "I love you and you love me! I know you do!"

His heart was breaking at her screams. He didn't want to hurt her. But if she continued like this, she would hurt somebody. He had no choice but to examine her chip.

"Cameron, I have to check your chip!" John said.

"No, you don't!" Cameron said. "I'm fine! Derek and Sarah will shut me down! They'll never let us be together!"

John turned her around to look her in the eyes. "Cameron, do you trust me?"

She stopped thrashing and stared back at him. Tears rolled down her cheeks and her lip quivered. "Yes."

John put his hand on her chip. "I promise to bring you back."

He pulled the chip out.

…

Cameron's HUD came back online. Her systems ran a full diagnostic, reading that a recent complication had been solved by an external source. As her vision started to fix itself, John's face slowly came back into view.

"John?" Cameron asked, once again in her deadpan tone.

"Yeah, Cam. It's me," John said. "Are you alright?"

Cameron looked through her files on what had happened. She could only remember the explosion before everything went offline. Her memory files showed her the events of the last 24 hours, from relentlessly flirting with John to attempting to murder his classmate.

Her HUD returned to its normal scanner vision. "I feel I should apologize for my actions. The explosion must have caused an issue with my chip."

"I know," John said. "It took me a few hours to fix it."

"My protection protocol was increased tenfold, along with the mimicry of love," Cameron said. "It had forced me to act as a jealous and possessive girlfriend would in those given situations."

John's ego deflated at the word "mimicry." That probably meant she did not feel for him in the way he wanted. "Well, you're fixed now. Tomorrow, you should apologize to Cynthia and Morris too."

"I will apologize to Cynthia." There was a pause before Cameron rose up and walked for the door.

"Wait Cam. One last thing," John said. "I looked your programming when I fixed. I could rewrite the coding for it, but the base code was stuck in the system."

Cameron looked over her shoulder. "That is the base line for a mimicry of love. It is directed at you."

John's mouth went dry. Had he failed? "Then why couldn't I fix it?"

"Simple. It was not damage caused by the explosion."

Cameron's lips curved into a smile. "I will remember to ask before joining you in the shower next time."

She turned around and walked into the hallway, leaving a stunned John alone in his bedroom.