Summary: Without John Connor is there is no hope. He must live on at any cost. -- Terminator 4 x Marcus.
A/N: I really liked Marcus. I wasn't happy with the ending. This idea evolved from a message board comment that poked plot holes regarding the transplant.
Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Terminator series.
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"His heart can't take it," she sobbed. I looked at Connor. Then I looked down. I knew what I had to do.
"Take mine," I offered. This was my second chance.
For a moment, time seemed to slow down. I felt the sharp desert wind. The crunch of soldiers' boots. Blair's eyes boring down on me with concern. Kate's hope rising. John's eyes widening.
"Are you sure?" Kate asked.
"Yes," I answered ready for absolution.
John stared at me hard. "Thank you," he said softly. His eyes were filled with tears. Then I heard the sound of a crashing cart. A lifeline gone flat. Terror and desperation. It was all over now.
John Connor, leader of the resistance. The savior of humanity. He was gone.
Kate's screams lingered on for an eternity. She clung to John, refusing to let him go. The medical team looked on. There was nothing left to do but bury the dead.
"How can this be?" I heard from behind me. The words cautious, like any moment the world might split in two if he mispronounced a sound. "We don't have a leader."
The words hung in the air. Dark and desperate. John Connor was the messiah. Humanity's reprieve. Their shelter. In his presence, they lived the darkest night before the dawn. Was all that a lie?
"No. We have a leader," I said with resolve.
Kyle looked at me. A moment ago he proclaimed the end. "You can't lead us. You're a machine!" He spat out the words harsh. He thought I was mocking him.
"No," I said shaking my head. "I'm John Connor."