author's note: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter! You guys are great!

LadyKryptonite294 - Thanks for the review. And you're right, it would be funny to see Ms. Darbus recognize John in the future. :)

Elessar-4-TnT - I agree. John and Cameron have two totally different perspectives. I like writing John because he's human and its hard to get Cameron's mechanical way of thinking right. I do actually have a few moments with other POV, like Cameron and Riley, but I prefer to focus on John.

Pjazz - Thanks! Your fic "Secret Diary of Cameron Baum" actually partially inspired the "jealous" reaction. It's exactly like something Cameron would do.

Augustus Paladin Maximus - I think you're thinking of "Cameron gets a Virus" by Metropolis Kid. I read that too. But, yes, actually, in this fic, Cam does like chocolate. And I agree with you about the "Hot N' Cold" song.

Dre4mwe4ver - Hey, welcome! I actually had wondered why you hadn't reviewed before, since you'd read all of my other stories. Anyway, thanks for the review, I like your insight. And yes, there's probably English speaking waiters, but you never know.

King Steve - Oops. I didn't know frog legs were French. I know next to nothing about them, just that they are made from frogs and look kind of nasty. To me, at least.

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Chapter Seven:

As You Like It

Riley was hungry when she entered her hotel room. After seeing the accidental meal in the restaurant, she'd lost her appetite. Now, however, she was starving, and she still had that big box of chocolates John had bought her.

When she entered, she spotted Cameron sitting rigid on the edge of her bed, reading…was that a dictionary? Riley shook her head, ignoring her weirdo roommate. She reached into her suitcase and frowned when she realized the box of chocolates were no longer sitting there.

She looked up at Cameron. "Have you seen those chocolates that John bought me?"

"I ate them," Cameron replied calmly without looking up.

Shock exploded onto Riley's face. "What?!! I thought you weren't into food!"

"Chocolate is a girl's best friend."

"Yeah, this girl's best friend!" Riley shot back. John's little freak of a "sister" was really starting to grind her nerves. "They weren't for you!"

"You should have eaten them faster," Cameron stated coolly.

Riley couldn't believe this. If not for John's warning about Cameron being a psychotic killer-woman in her mood swings, she probably would have taken a swing at her roommate.

***********

John stopped in front of Cameron and Riley's room, his towel thrown over his shoulder. He knocked once, then poked his head in when he realized they'd left the door cracked.

"Riley? Cam?"

Both girls appeared, scowling at each other. John wasn't sure he wanted to know why.

"A bunch of us are going swimming till it's time for the next show," he explained. "Do you want to come?"

"I don't swim," Cameron stated.

John saw a broad grin cross Riley's face. "Perfect. Let me get ready." Riley ushered him out the door and shut it, but not before he caught a glimpse of Cameron's crestfallen face.

***********

Cameron stood at the edge of the pool, observing John's movements in the water. Several of the other boys were wrestling and dunking each other's heads under the surface. She concluded that this was not a murder attempt, merely a game that human males liked to play in the pool. John was wading in the deep end alone. He was always alone. The outcast. Being John Connor can be lonely.

Cameron wished she could swim.

Riley finally arrived at the pool in her swimsuit and put her towel down on a lawn chair, heading for the ladder to enter the deep end with John. She glanced at Cameron as she strode past, her expression smug, victorious. Cameron felt a strange emotion of anger and jealousy before she slid her foot out into Riley's path.

Riley tripped over her boot and fell forward, toppling into the pool headfirst. She surfaced, coughing up water and sputtering angrily. John appeared to be distressed…and angry. Cameron frowned, remembering John's request. This might constitute harming Riley.

"Cameron! What did you do?" he demanded.

Cameron looked down into the water at Riley, who was still choking out some chlorine water. "Riley is a klutz," she stated. "She tripped over my foot."

"Because you stuck it out!" Riley shouted.

John looked up at her, disappointment written on his features. This was worse than his look of anger. "Did you?"

Cameron hesitated, unwilling to lie to John anymore. "Yes."

John sighed, putting his fingers to his temples in a human gesture of weariness. "This is insane," he muttered. "This is worse than with Derek…"

Cameron perked up at the mention of Derek. Knocking Derek into a pool would be greatly satisfying.

***********

That night at dinner, John was still in a bad mood over the pool incident, and he was definitely not looking forward to another dining experience with Cameron and Riley.

John chose the seat on the end, with Riley beside him. Cameron was forced to sit across from Riley, giving her an intimidating Terminator stare. Riley appeared uncomfortable, trying to ignore it. John had just about had it with their petty war. Cameron was a Terminator, for crying out loud.

Riley suddenly jerked beside him, eyes flashing dangerously at Cameron. "You kicked me!"

John took a deep breath. It's like babysitting a five-year old…

"Cameron," he ordered.

Cameron looked up at him with unwavering eyes. "I had a twitch."

John shook his head in disbelief. "Just stop it, okay?"

Thankfully, she didn't try to injure Riley anymore. The waiter brought their drinks and food, and John began to eat.

About halfway into the meal, Riley went to the bathroom and John spotted Jason whispering something to Cameron. She smiled sadistically. John huffed in annoyance. Whatever they were planning had to have something to do with Riley.

When John wasn't looking, Cameron grabbed a handful of sugar packs and ripped them open, pouring them into Riley's drink just like Jason had suggested. She took the straw and stirred them in carefully until they dissolved into the liquid.

"Wait till she takes a sip of that," Jason said with a broad grin.

Cameron spotted Riley exiting the bathroom and started casually eating her meal again. John glanced back over, sending her a suspicious look.

Riley sat down beside him and unassumingly took a sip of her drink. Her eyes widened and she spit it out, coughing and hacking. Jason snorted trying to hold in laughter and John saw a slow, proud smile cross Cameron's face.

Riley stood up, slamming her hand down on the table furiously. Cameron stopped smiling when Riley looked her in the eye. "Listen to me; I am sick and tired of you being such a total jerk! Why can't you just accept the fact that John can choose who he becomes friends with? You're just like his mother; you're both complete control freaks, always wanting to have things go your way! Well, John doesn't have to listen to you! And I don't have to put up with this complete humiliation and public hostility. I won't put up with it anymore!"

Riley slammed her chair in and stalked towards the door. John stood up quickly, stunned. He'd never seen Riley lose control before. He heard Jason snicker.

"Dude, you got her good," he whispered to Cameron.

Cameron, who hadn't seemed bothered as Riley chewed her out, smiled faintly. John whirled on her. She may not care what Riley thought, but she cared about what John thought of her. He was the only one she would listen to.

"Cameron!" He ordered. His eyes were narrowed and he was fuming, having reached his own breaking point. He was done trying to be the mediator in their immature fights. Someone had to stop it and he was the only one who could. "Stop, alright? Don't go near her, don't talk to her. Just leave her alone."

Cameron's face fell at the seriousness of John's tone, and she locked eyes with him for a full twenty seconds. He held her gaze until, finally, she relented. "As you wish."

John swallowed hard. It was impossible to miss the reference.

**************

During the last performance, Riley had stayed clear of Cameron…and Cameron had stayed clear of John, opting to sit near Ms. Darbus. Riley didn't know what John had said to her, but she knew it had to have hurt Cameron. That should have brought a little comfort to Riley, but she didn't really feel victorious. Despite the fact that Cameron had been antagonizing her all week, Riley still felt a little guilty for forcing John to take care of the situation so absolutely.

When they got back to their hotel room, neither of them spoke to the other. Riley started organizing her suitcase for the trip back, while Cameron stood staring out the window into the rain. The gloomy night seemed to mirror both of their moods perfectly.

Riley couldn't take the silence anymore. She had to have some answers. "Why do you hate the fact that John likes me?"

Cameron gave no answer and Riley sighed. "What happened after I left the restaurant? Why the sudden truce?"

"John asked me to leave you alone."

Riley chewed her lip, thinking. At first, she'd believed Cameron had started this war because she simply hated the fact that Riley was taking away her best friend, her "brother" whom she'd been with nearly her whole life. But Riley was starting to see that there was a deeper motive behind Cameron's jealous actions than she'd first imagined. "So, you stopped just because John wanted you to?"

"Yes."

Riley paused, leaning back against the bed post. She should have known this from the beginning. She should have recognized the reason for Cameron locking her in the closet. She'd yelled at John for not coming to let her out, but she should have realized why John had forgotten all about her that night. "You care about him a lot, don't you?"

Cameron still didn't turn around. "Without John, my life has no purpose."

Riley closed her eyes. How absolute was that? It was there. The proof. "So that's why."

Cameron finally turned away from the window. "Why?"

"Why you hate me," Riley finished. "Because you think John's in love with me. You're jealous."

Cameron didn't reply and Riley pursed her lips. "You love him." Cameron didn't answer, which only proved Riley's theory. She shook her head sadly. "Well, you don't have to worry about me getting in your way. I've been noticing some things about John." She took a deep breath, her heart breaking as she added painfully, "He loves you too."

"No he doesn't," Cameron replied quickly. "Not anymore."

Riley frowned. Did she seriously think John's feelings would change over that one argument at dinner? Was there more? "Why has that changed?"

"John changed. He's growing up. He's come to conclusions, agreed with his mother and Derek about…certain things. John's not stupid."

Riley didn't understand what "certain things" meant, but she did know one thing. "But he's still John."

Riley saw Cameron's face soften, and she was struck by how much Cameron truly cared about John. "Yes. Still John."

*********

John couldn't take it anymore. How had things gotten so out of hand? Everything had gone wrong. Something had happened between Cameron and Riley. They weren't fighting, but they'd seemed resigned, like something was resolved between them. Something had happened. And so, something had broken between John and Riley too.

She'd avoided him during the last play. So had Cameron. After a while, John had decided to step up and take charge, knocking on her hotel room.

"Riley!" he called. "Come on. Talk to me. What's wrong?"

Riley opened the door, and stepped out, closing it behind her. John didn't see Cameron inside. Maybe she was in the bathroom or something. He caught a glimpse of Riley's face, her eyes overcome with emotion.

"Riley," John began. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" she repeated. She pursed her lips, as if considering something. "John…do you even care?"

What kind of question was that? "Of course I---."

Riley held up a hand, and he trailed off. "Riley," he started. "If there's a problem here, I…I want to fix it."

"Do you?" Riley asked.

"Yes," John protested. Where was this new attitude coming from? Had Cameron said something else to her? "We need to work this out. I need to know what's wrong."

"Why don't you ask Cameron?"

John's eyes widened. "Ask Cameron? Is that what this is about?"

Riley's eyes flashed dangerously. "Don't give me that, John. I'm not stupid. You lied to me. You told me she was your sister, then you say she was kind of "adopted" by your family? And you concoct some freakish story about her being a psychotic mental patient with brain damage, which I'm not sure I believe."

"It's not a big deal," he protested. Why was she making such a fuss about this? Surely she could see that nothing was between him and Cameron.

"It is a big deal!" she countered angrily. "This isn't some innocent secret, John! You have another girl living at your house and you expect me to be just okay with that? An adopted child, who just so happens to be your age, and…she's beautiful," she admitted reluctantly. "And except for the issue with her brain being missing, she's perfect for you." John lowered his eyes. Even through her intense hatred of Cameron, she had a certain insight into Cameron's behavior that he had never understood. Maybe it's a girl thing.

Riley hesitated, eyes softening in pain. "And she loves you."

John shook his head slowly, jaw clenched. "No she doesn't." She can't love me. They don't know love…

"I don't know what you're seeing, but it's totally not true." Riley insisted. "I've talked to her, John. I've seen the way she looks at you when your back is turned."

"She wants me safe, nothing more," John replied.

Riley crossed her arms. "And why do you think that is?"

"I know why that is," John said coldly. I'm her mission. There's no other reason.

Riley shook her head. "You can keep telling yourself that, John. But you're only lying to yourself." Her voice caught in her throat. "And you're lying to me. I see the way you look at her too, the way you desire to be near her. You love her and you don't even realize it."

John opened his mouth to speak, then shut it. Was she right? He had been so sure he'd been falling for Cameron in the drama. Even these past few days, he'd felt that strange desire to protect her from Riley's insults. He still searched for her company. He noticed things, sometimes unconsciously scanning the crowd to reassure himself she was still there. Had he been denying it? Because it was impossible, wrong somehow for John Connor to be in love with the enemy?

"Riley…"

Riley held up her hands in defeat. "I'm done, John. I can't take this. I'm done with all the Baum family craziness. This…whatever this was between us…it's over."

"Riley!" John protested.

She didn't answer, simply opened the door and entered her room, leaving John feeling helpless, distraught, and confused.

************

For their last night in Canada, Jason had decided to throw a mini party in his and John's room. He'd stocked up on sodas, chips, and Oreos, inviting all the LA County students over. John hadn't expected Riley to attend, and he wasn't surprised when she didn't show up. He wasn't in much of a party mood, laying on his bed while the other students laughed and talked around him.

He saw Cameron enter the room and purposely ignored her. She was the cause of all this. She was the reason his life was falling apart at the seams. She saw him, but apparently picked up on the fact that he didn't want to talk to her and wisely stayed away.

Finally John couldn't take it anymore. He stood up swiftly and left the room, heading downstairs into the lobby where he collapsed onto the couch. No one was around this late at night, and he was finally able to be alone with his thoughts.

His peace and quiet didn't last long. Cameron came up to him, offering a bowl of crunchy Cheetos. John refused to take any. She looked hurt, but merely stood there, watching him.

"You're angry," she stated.

John scoffed. "Yeah, you got that right."

"You're angry with me."

John didn't answer. She knew exactly what was wrong.

"Why?" she asked.

John swiftly rose from the couch, face flushed with anger. "Because you're just a machine!" he exploded. "You lie. You always lie! You're…you're not human and you never will be!" He saw the shock in her eyes, but he couldn't stop. "You get in my head and you say the right things but it's meaningless! You can't feel, you can't have emotions. Everything that happened in that performance was just that—a performance. You didn't mean any of it. Because you can't mean any of it."

Cameron was silent for a moment. "Is this about Riley?"

"No, this is not about Riley," John growled through gritted teeth.

"You're lying," Cameron stated.

John slammed his fist down onto the coffee table. "Blast it! Riley basically dumped me because she believes I'm in love with you! Because you had to tell her that we're not brother and sister. And not only that, but you had to tell her…" he trailed off, pressing his lips together tightly. "That was low, Cameron."

"What was low?"

"You. Telling Riley that you love me just to get her to break up with me."

"I didn't tell Riley," Cameron replied. "Riley knew."

"There's nothing there to know," John shot back. "You don't mean any of it. I just--I wish…" He slumped back down into his chair, not looking at her. "I wish I'd sent back someone else…"

He saw the flash of hurt cross her face and he told himself it wasn't a real emotion, just a triggered response. But he couldn't help the sick feeling that starting burning in his heart. She didn't say anything, and if she was human, he would have thought she was trying to maintain her composure.

"I will not bother you anymore," she said quietly. "I'll stay away unless your life is in danger."

He should have felt some relief at that. It's what he'd wanted all along, some space. But somehow it only made him feel worse. It made him feel guilty.

"I will no longer attempt to be your friend," she finished. She set the bowl of Cheetos down beside him, then turned slowly and started walking away. John bit his lip, wondering if he should say anything. She suddenly turned around and he heard a catch in her voice when she stated, "When I said you had many friends in the future, I was not lying."

John refused to make eye contact. He felt too much like a jerk. Cameron lowered her gaze as well as she added, "I was one of them."

He slowly raised his eyes, but she was already walking away.

Again.

John put his head in his hands. He'd been unnecessarily cruel. Cameron was the only thing he had left, the only one who could actually understand him and what he was going through. He'd already acknowledged that he would never be normal; unconsciously he knew that meant he could never be with Riley. There was only Cameron, the only girl he'd ever truly loved.

Why was this so hard? Was the stress of being the savior of mankind finally reaching its breaking point? Why was he pushing away everyone he'd ever cared about?