A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing!

acer-sigma - Yeah, but I think it's understandable, he want's 'his Cameron', not an altercated one especially when there are so many claiming to be his Cameron. LOL you're so right in this chapter and some after he is so damn confused about what's going on.

shadow - Glad you liked it! Hope this was soon enough, probably not lol. Thanks for the review.

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Reign of the Cameron: Chapter 8, by The Crusader

Originally posted on November 7th, 2009

"He's coming to."

"Are you all right?"

"Back up, give him some space."

"What the Hell are you doing out here?"

"Did you see what happened?"

John awoke to all these voices. He opened his eyes to find that it was a platoon of Resistance Soldiers standing around him. A troubling thought came into his mind as he realized that these people would find Cammy, and then what would happen? They'd probably think she was Allison, but how would this overemotional Cameron respond to a group of soldiers. A group of soldiers that she said she didn't care about. But as he looked down to where he held Cammy in his arms, but she was nowhere in sight. He looked around and, as he feared, he couldn't find her even in the broad daylight. All he could see was destroyed endoskelatons all over the place. Did one of them belong to Cameron?

"What happened here?" He asked.

"We don't know." One of the Resistance soldiers said. "From the looks of things it was a machine vs machine battle. Doesn't make much sense though?"

John looked all over the graveyard of metal and called out Cameron's name. He didn't bother to call her Cammy, even though she probably wasn't HIS Cameron, he felt bad. He couldn't figure out why. Maybe because it seemed that this Cameron at least thought she was the real one. If she was the real one, then his words to her last night may have been the last words that he ever spoke to her. Ever since he lost her he wanted to tell her how sorry he was for the way he treated her, and now he had treated her the same way. Unless that wasn't actually the real Cameron.

It probably wasn't. He thought. So why am I acting like this?

"Cameron?" A voice came from the Resistance soldiers.

John saw a man step out of the crowd. He was well built and wore glasses over his dark brown eyes.

"You're looking for Cameron?" He asked.

"Yeah. I have been for a long time."

"I've seen her."

"You have?"

The camp made a rest stop, with soldiers taking turns patrolling the area since it was daytime after all. The soldier named Lewis, who claimed to have seen Cameron, pulled John aside.

"She's waiting for you, John." He said.

John felt great elation at these words, but suddenly reconsidered. Which Cameron had Lewis scene.

"This may seem like a weird question but, what did she look like?" John asked.

Lewis shook his head. He seemed to not be able to find the words to describe what he say.

"She...it...wasn't human."

It was apparent to John now that whichever Cameron it was that Lewis was referring to, she had to have substantial epidermal damage. Like she had whenhe last saw her. Maybe this was a new Cameron? The real one? Or was it just a battle scarred version of one of the Camerons he saw before. Either way he was suprised at Lewis' reaction. Most people would kill a Terminator without question. Why was Lewis helping Cameron?

"How did you meet her?" John asked.

"I was trying to outrun some metal in the tunnels. Didn't look like I was going to succeed. All of the sudden, another Terminator shows up, saves my life."

That ruled out Cammy, as she didn't seem to care about any of the Resistance Fighters. Could it have been the other Cameron with the sunglasses?

"Then it spoke to me. And, I mean, its voice sounded human...soft...sweet."

That almost ruled out the other Cameron, as she spoke primarily in a hard mechanical voice.

"What did she say?" John asked.

"The first time I saw her. She said that she's sorry she hurt you."

Those were the words that he had been longing to hear for so long. He rarely ever heard Cameron say she was sorry for anything. Neither of the other Camerons had said this. Did this come from the one true Cameron?

"And she misses you, and she want you to come find her." Lewis continued. "I recently saw her again. I went looking for her to tell her that you were missing from the base. She asked me to find you and tell you where she would be."

"What's going on at the base? What are people saying about my disappearance?" John asked.

"A bunch of rumors. Some say you ran away, but that doesn't make much sense. Don't see how anyone could get past our security by themselves. Unless they were really motivated."

Lewis gave him a strange look. "What the Hell happened with you and this Terminator?"

"It's a long story. But she's different from the others-"

"I know. I don't know how, but if we've got metal fighting metal...I'm guessing that's what happened here, it could be good for us. You gotta find Cameron, get some answers."

"How can I leave now, with all these soldiers here? Many of which I'm guessing are not as enthusiastic about this new plan as you are."

"First chance I get. I'll get you out of here. Cameron said she'd be waiting at Star library, gave me a map too."

"Library. Didn't think any of those would be left."

"Apparently one of the machines thought books were a good way to learn about human behavior. Have you ever read a book, John? They're probably before your time."

"My Mom used to read me one when she was still alive. "The Wizard of Oz.""

John couldn't help but find it ironic, just how much more that book applied to his life now."

--

That night John was finally able to head towards the library. Lewis accompanied him on the journey for as long as he could, but it wasn't long until John was on his own. Lewis said that he figured that if John made it as far and as long on his own as he did, he could make it out here. Lewis asked John to try to get as much information out of Cameron as possible, find out what she was planning. It seemed strange to him that Lewis was so willing to trust this Cameron. Then again, John trusted Cameron a lot more before he found out about the lies, and before she went bad. And this may very well not be Cameron, this could be some kind of trap. But why would Skynet know all this about Cameron and his relationship with her? Why would they want to try to kil John Connor? He's a nobody in this future. Except to the Camerons, and to Allison. Derek. And Kyle. John missed his father, wished he could have spent more time with him. Was it impossible to return to base now, as he would be punished for leaving in the first place? Maybe not, if Cameron will provide the news that Lewis was hoping for. But how would the rest of the Resistance take to this?

He entered the giant tarnished library. Lights were on but very dim. John walked through a maze of book shelves. Most of the books had been burnt to a crisp, but as he went deeper and deeper back through this labryinth, he found less and less fire damage. He continued on, clutching his M7000 (Standarad Laser Rifle) close, and hearing nothing but absolute silence. Even the stereotypical librarian would want more noise in this place.

"John, is that you?" Cameron's voice called out.

It startled John for a moment. He looked around to see where the voice was coming from.

"Cameron?"

"You came. You got the message?"

"Yes I did. Where are you?"

"I'm close. Keep walking forward."

He slowly walked forward, not knowing what to expect. A part of his brain was screaming that this was a trap, but he couldn't stop his feet from moving. His heart pounding in his chest, he moved towards the very back of this library.

"Almost here." Her voice called out. It sounded very close.

John made the next left and...

Came face to face with a metal endoskelaton. It made him drop his gun right on the ground and stumble backwards with a scream. He himself didn't know if he was feeling fear or humiliation. He had been tricked, and tricked easily.

"John it's me." The Endoskelaton said in Cameron's voice.

John looked at the endo's small frame. It seemed somehow feminine, but it had the same red eyes as any other Terminator.

"I know I am different. Perhaps unpleasant for you to look at, but it's me."

John had no words. It was Cameron's voice, but what he was looking at was frightening. He had seen many endos trying to shoot him. Naturally when he first saw this one, he thought it was going to do the same. But if this one wanted to kill him, it would have done so already.

"You can look away, if that's easier." She said. "I'd understand."

"It's just a shock. When I asked what you looked like, Lewis just told me you weren't human...I thought you'd be-"

"You're disgusted seeing me like this. Aren't you?"

"No. No. Of course not. It's just...there are a lot of machines out there claiming to be Cameron."

"There are?"

"Yes. And I...I just...I just need..."

"Proof."

"Yes."

"Only the real Cameron would remember the things I remember. But I must admit that much of my memories are gone."

John sighed in regret. Every Cameron claiming to be the real one had the same story.

"What do you remember?" John asked.

"That you don't love me anymore." She replied, sadness coming out of her voice. It was so weird for John to hear that coming from a metal endoskelaton.

"That isn't true. I loved the real Cameron, I still love her." He said, then stopped himself realizing that she might be tricking him into giving away information about the two of them. And then she'd pretend that she remembered something that she actually didn't. A similar tactic used by fake fortune tellers.

"You didn't love me." She said. "You may have cared for me, but if you loved me you wouldn't have gone away to Mexico."

His heart sank at that memory, and the knowledge that no fake Cameron could have remembered that.

"No, you don't understand. I went away to Mexico because I was afraid of how I felt about you. I wasn't okay with it then, but I'm okay with it now."

"You kept seeing Riley, and kept pushing me away. You wouldn't even let me make you a sandwich."

"Only because I thought..." And he immediately snapped out of it. He came back to reason. "I thought you were manipulating me, trying to get me on your good side so that I wouldn't burn the machine parts. How do I know you're not manipulating me now?"

"You don't."

And in those two words John was beginning to lay all doubt to rest. The innocent sincerity in her voice and in her words could only have come from the cyborg that he knew. But he still had questions.

"You have your voice, why don't you have your skin?"

"Because I don't want skin. I like my body the way it is."

John stood for a moment processing these words. He often wanted to ask her what it was like to have skin versus not having it. Now he knew, and it wasn't the answer he was hoping for.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, John. I know you were hoping that I'd have that pretty face again."

And suddenly he felt guilt and the need to reassure her.

"No, Cameron. You know it's not that. I felt your power cell, I've seen your metal face."

"My true face."

"And I still came across time for you."

"Then why do you seem disappointed in me?"

"Because I just...thought you liked your skin. You used to paint your nails and stuff. You told me you could feel, so I thought that maybe you might have liked to feel the wind blow through your hair. Your hair was so soft, I've dreamed of touching it again."

"Again I am sorry to disappoint you. Yes I can feel, but not like you. And I only painted my nails because I needed to look like a 16 year old girl back then. That's what 16 year old girls did. Now there is no need for me to blend in."

"I see." John said, trying to hide his reaction to what she was saying.

"But there are things I learned back then that I did enjoy, John."

"Like what?"

"Like reading."

She held out a book to him. John walked over to her. He was going to prove to her that he didn't care if Cameron was a machine, or if she never wore her skin again. He knew what she was and loved her.

She handed him the book and he looked at the cover. "Wizard's First Rule" by Terry Goodkind.

"Funny, never thought Sword and Sorcery appealed to you."

"It's the story of the two main characters that intrigues me. Richard and Kahlan. They are from two completely different worlds but they fall in love. But he's the Seeker, the one who is supposed to defeat the evil Darken Rahl. And she is the Confessor, a woman with great magic power. She can never rid herself of this magic, though she really wants to. They cannot be together, because her power will kill The Seeker if she loses control. They agonize over this, and at one point Kahlan tries to kill herself, fearing that she will betray Richard."

"Does he stop her?"

"Yes. And they find a way to be together, even though she still has her magic."

"And do they defeat...what's his name?"

"Darken Rahl. Yes. Or at least they think. In the next book he returns from the Underworld."

John took a moment to look at the book, pondering it's connection with his own life.

"I also made sure that I kept this for you." She said, as she handed him a copy of Wizard of Oz. Something that only she could have known.

Cameron. He thought. It is you. It's really you!

But he wouldn't say it out loud. There was a part of him that still couldn't be sure. It was hard to tell what Cameron was thinking. As unexpressive as she usually was when she had a face, without one she was less expressive, if that was even possible.

"I owe it to you to explain why I left."

"Was it like Kahlan? Were you afraid that you were going to betray me?"

"No. I was afraid, but I left because of my mission. Future you sent me back to ensure the future alliance between humans and machines."

"So you were allied with Weaver from the start?"

She took a moment to answer.

"Only because I believed she could help you."

"You want me to trust you, and you just give me more secrets. I wanna trust you Cameron, but trust works both ways."

"If you don't trust me I understand. But I hope that you will."

"So what happens now."

"Go." Cameron's voice sounded weak, as if it were strained like someone about to cry. "Go and come back when you are ready to trust me."

"Cam-"

"I don't want you to have to second guess me. Take time to decide whether you can trust me or not. I will wait for you John Connor. I will wait forever if I need to."

"I know." John said, a tear rolling down his face. "I'd wait forever for my Cameron too."

"Good." She said.

John was missing the faint smile he'd usually get right about now.

"You should go now, John. I hear the Resistance soldiers are searching for you. You don't want them to be suspicious."

"I will see you again. I promise."

She held out her metallic hand. John took it. Her hand felt cold, but somehow it didn't matter. He wanted to do this for so long, and now he finally had. Cameron let go of him and turned away. It took John a long time to get himself out of there. He wanted to stay with her, wanted to comfort her. But there was still a lingering doubt in his mind. One that he could not ignore. He turned and ran away from her, knowing that if he turned back for a moment he would go back to her. With great reluctance, he left the library. But he carried "Wizard's First Rule" and "The Wizard of Oz" with him.

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A/N: There you go! Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed!

I'll try to update this story more since there are more chapters that I can pull from.

Please review! One word is all I ask.