"What do we need to find here?" Emma asked, and Pops followed her gaze to the small fire place, they were in front of. "Is it an object that can take us home to my sister?''
Pops nodded, as he poked at the fire with a stick, trying to make it more warm for them, as the wind got even colder outside.
''Yes. And a way to destroy the other Terminator." Pops explained simply, watching her scoot further to the fire place, his gaze catching on her hand. It was red with blood, although he wasn't certain if Emma had even noticed. "Connor, your hand.''
"My what?" Emma murmured, turning her hand palm up to look at the deep line scratched along it. "Crap."
"Give it here." Pops ordered softly, To her surprise. Despite rolling her eyes, she offered him her hand to examine it. It was deeper than he would have liked, but it was barely bleeding, something she clearly obtained earlier in their search. "Does it hurt?"
"It does now that I know it's there." She told him with a bitter scoff. ''Thank you for telling me.'' she replied sarcastically, as Pops pulled out a wine flask from his jacket, causing Emma to raise an eyebrow. Since when did Terminator's drink.
''I didn't know you bucket heads could-'' Emma paused, as Pops began to pour the wine on her cut. ''What the hell is that?!'' Emma exclaimed in pain, as Pops placed the flask back into his hand.
''Rum and a bloody waste of it too.'' Pops replied simply, before gently taking her hand, much to her surprise. And wrapped it with an old rag from his jacket. ''But this should help.'' Tenderly he used his teeth to finish the job.
''Thanks...'' Emma mumbled, quickly pulling her hand away from his grasp. ''For treating me.'' Pops gave her a small smile. Before he suddenly asked her something that made her head whip around.
''What's your name, Lass?'' Pops asked, causing Emma to swallow, at least he didn't call her Connor, that time. Pops gaze never left hers when she spoke.
''It's Emma Elizabeth Connor.'' Emma partially lied, trying to hide the shock on her own face, as soon as she said it.
''Emma Elizabeth Connor...''Pops repeated, disbelief lacing in his eyes. Emma could tell he didn't believe her. If that was the case, why didn't he call her out on the lie?
Quickly she shook her head at those thoughts. Hoping to help ease her mind off some things. Slowly Emma stood, trying to retreat to her dorm. Until Pops suddenly grabbed her hand, causing her to whip around.
''What?!'' She demanded, quickly pulling her hand free. ''Do you want to tell me more stories about you and...Alice?'' Emma paused at the name, raising an eyebrow.
Pops nodded. ''I do...But,'' He paused, bringing his hand to rest under his chin, as if in thought. ''I think we have met before. You and I.''
Emma's face paled slightly, before she gave him her best glare. ''Are you sure? I would think I would remember meeting someone or a thing such as yourself.'' She teased, her gaze serious.
''Ah, my good looks.'' Pops smirked, but never left her gaze. ''Is it my looks, Lass.''
Emma rolled her eyes. ''No, ever since me and Sarah flipped that stupid switch on your CPU. you haven't stopped talking.'' Her arms crossed over her chest, as she saw a frown place itself on Pops face.
''Is it wrong that I'm trying to get you to open up?'' He suddenly asked, causing Emma to roll her eyes once more.
''Open up? Why in the hell do I need to do that?'' Emma exclaimed, giving him a look. ''You said I was an open book.''
Pops nodded slightly. ''Yes...But you're afraid to reveal yourself.'' He pointed out softly, trying not to raise his voice. ''Tell me, Lass. What has you so afraid? About opening up to people? And for one thing you lied to me about your name.''
Emma could feel her heart drop at that. So he did know she was lying, which made her angry. ''Why would I lie about a name given to me by birth?'' She teased, trying to see his reaction.
Pops simply shrugged, before he sighed finally in defeat and sat onto the floor. Emma sighed too, and sat beside him. Much to Pops shock.
''So tell me, Lass,'' Pops began, as he looked into the fire. ''Have you ever been in love? Cause I don't think I heard you right the first time?'' Pops teased, as Emma rolled her eyes.
''I was young and a fool,'' Emma began, wrapping her arms around herself. ''I was dumb teenager in love once. I will never make that mistake again.'' Suddenly to her shock, Pops chuckled.
''What's so funny?'' She demanded sending him her best glare.
''You would feel the same way as to me,'' He admitted calming down. ''If the only person you ever truly loved was taken from you in an instant.'' He replied.
Emma rolled her eyes, before spreading the small blanket out and laying down on it. Knowing that they were going to be in this room all night.
''What made you to turn your back on love?'' Pops asked, as he laid beside her, resting his head against the small pillow. ''What made you hide your true nature?''
''I was a teenager like I said before.'' Emma muttered, as she turned on her side so she was facing him. ''In the end my heart was crushed by the man I loved. But I doesn't matter anymore, I moved on.''
''That's why you're afraid to get to attached to someone.'' Pops mused after a moment of silence. ''Afraid to let them crush your heart again.''
''Well yes, congratulations, Sherlock,'' Emma rolled her eyes, ''You figured me out.'' Slowly she turned so she was facing the ceiling.
''But...'' Pops paused, his eyes fixating on hers. ''Do you think you could forgive the person who broke your heart. The one who made you turn your back on love?'' He asked, staring at the frozen woman intently.
Emma shrugged. ''Cant say that I can...'' She admitted, turning to face him. ''He was with another woman when I found him.''
After that Pops went dead silent as did Emma. ''Goodnight, Terminator.'' Emma spat out, before turning on her side and going to sleep.
(Two days later)...
It had been two days since their talk in front of the fire place. And now they finally found the device that could them back to Sarah and kill the other Terminator. It was finally over, they have come an end to their mysterious journey. However there was a few things that Emma needed to do...
''Are you alright, Connor?'' Pops asked, as they entered another Cabin, which to Emma's relief had metal steal bars for a jail. But as she gazed into his eyes, she saw some concern in them.
''I've been thinking...'' Emma paused, placing her gun down onto the table. ''I think it's best if we part ways from here.'' She looked at him and felt relief as he acted the way she wanted him to.
''I'm afraid I cant have you do that.'' Pops stepped towards her in disbelief. She could see the anger and utter betrayal in his eyes. ''As promised I gave us a way to go back to you're sister and defeat the Terminator.''
Emma could feel her heart squeeze at his words. She knew she was hurting him and being way to unfair. He had helped her find a way back to her sister, and now here she was double crossing him.
''But you're not coming with me.'' Emma growled, walking to the door, Pops quickly following her.
''I'm not going to let you do this.'' He replied angrily. Emma heard him approach and whipped around to glare at him.
''Don't take another step closer.'' She seethed her eyes full of anger and distress. As she grabbed her gun and pointed it at him. She could see the hurt in his eyes as soon as she did it. But that was enough time to push him back so he fell onto the floor.
''Screw you.'' She growled, as she watched him stagger to his feet. ''I know what you really want. All you want is revenge on the T-1000.''
''Right now I'm fighting for something else.'' Pops admitted, as she grabbed her leg, causing her to fall to the floor. ''A Promise I once made.''
''Well, to bad your going to break that promise.'' Emma rolled her eyes, but deep inside her head was spinning.
''I promised her I would never stop fighting for us.'' Pops admitted, pinning her against the floor. ''And I will make that promise made.'' Quickly Emma swung at him once more, but he easily caught her leg.
''Good form.'' He commented. And Emma had to admit his strength did come in handy. ''You must have had a decent teacher.'' Pops waggled his eyebrows. Emma moved to punch him in his face, but he moved aside.
''Oh, you have no idea.'' Emma grunted before lunging at him. But to her dismay he caught her lunge for the sixth time. And made her drop her gun. And with a flick of his wrist, Emma spun in the air once more and landed roughly on her back.
''Shit.'' Emma cursed, as he slowly stalked his way towards her. Her heart raced in shock as she had to admit defeat. And here he was standing over her.
''I win.'' He grinned, but frowned when Emma took out a small device from her pocket. Emma smirked.
''Not quite.'' Before Pops could do anything. He was suddenly sucked against the bars of the cell, as Emma shot him with her gun, meant to stop a Terminator.
''Thank you for your help but I'm done with you.'' Emma growled, before looking towards the door, until Pops voice spoke.
''Have I told you a lie?'' He asked, the sorrow in his voice nearly making Emma's heart crush. But made her face him. He was pleading with her, trying to get her to rejustify her actions. But she was having none of it.
''Let me tell you a little secret.'' Emma began, slowly meeting his gaze. ''I know when someone is lying. Tell me why is the real reason you clearly desire to go back to 1973?''
She could see his jaw clench and she smirked, at the irritation in his gaze. ''To get revenge on the thing that took my love from me.'' Pops repeated with a growl. His answer almost mocking her.
''I've waited so long for this moment.'' Pops admitted, meeting her gaze. He looked at her in way that Emma knew. that he knew what was going to happen next.
But she pursed her lips, not liking this at all. ''You still didn't answer my question. But I guess your just wasting my time.'' She began to walk away.
''You should know.'' Pops said knowingly, trying to fight back against the magnetic pull that her gun did to him.
Emma whipped her head around. ''What's that supposed to mean?'' She demanded angrily. ''Tell me.''
''Did you really think I wouldn't help you?'' Pops asked, before locking his eyes with hers. ''I would expect you have a little faith in me, Alice.''
Emma's eyes winded in shock as she took a step back in fear. He had figured her out. All her walls she built because of him, crumbled down, leaving her exposed. Did he know who she was the whole time. That she wasn't really Emma but Alice Connor.
''Oh, yes. Despite the fact you tried to conceal you identity and blocking me out. I knew who you were the moment we ran into each other again.'' Pops replied, sensing her confusion. '' I would recognize your eyes anywhere. The same ones I dreamed about for over the past 3 years.''
''Dammit, Daniel, why didn't you tell me?'' Alice demanded angrily, as she put two and two together. ''You were never re-programmed. You sent yourself back in time. Your CPU didn't need to be messed with. You were playing both me and my sister.''
Pops shrugged. ''I thought you would open up to me yourself. As for the other things yes. But I did not play both you and your sister.''
For a moment Alice was silent before she glared at him, and turned away. ''Goodbye, Daniel.'' She replied bitterly, before walking out, causing Pops to pull at his arms.
''Connor!...Alice!'' He yelled after her with so much sorrow. Alice had to block out his voice. She couldn't face him, no, not after what he had done. Right now all that cared was getting back home to her sister and defeating the other T-800.
