Epilogue

Winding Down

"This is just annoying, Cam. We're just finished taking down the most dangerous AI known to mankind, and we're going back to school?" John complained. "My mother is…is…augh!"

Cameron didn't quite understand what John was so upset about. She would rather he attended school than went hunting Terminators. It was much better for his health, and that had become one of her top priorities. But she had learned that John didn't want a conversation when he complained; he just wanted somebody to listen. So she kept that opinion to herself and stored it under data files of John's behavior. That file was growing very large.

"I mean, this is kind of the opposite activity one does after tackling Skynet with their bare hands, right? Going to school? Hey Cam, watch out: that text book is from the future. Why do I even need school if I'm already taking out machines? Right? Uh, we did fight Skynet with our hands, right Cam?"

"Yes, John," she replied. John's strike to the head had recovered without a mark, but his brain had taken a hard hit. He barely remembered anything of the confrontation with Skynet, and had to be told what had happened every couple of days. So far, he had never any objection to hearing Cameron tell him the story. Analyzing movements and speech patterns………comparing to past references………processing………John's behavior is not damaged by concussion; 57.6493 hours until next telling of story………emotion simulator automating………..emotion is affection………reminder: John did not remember English class 58A written essay due today………Recommended Course of Action: write for him when alone.

"It's going to be really quiet when we get back," John noted after a moment of silence. His voice and rate of speech had changed; was he sad that it would be quiet? John Henry and Ellison had left that morning; Mark, Jack, and Fred would be gone before they got back. While both parties promised to maintain contact, it would definitely be quiet. Joseph would not have anybody to spar with, which meant the houses' chances of remaining standing had increased. And there would be discussions throughout the house in just as many numbers. In an attempt to make John feel better, she massaged his shoulders.

John sighed. She hadn't had the chance to do that in a long time. It was one thing he definitely missed. In fact he wanted to kiss her just as bad, likely more, but they were supposed to be siblings. I bet mom came up with that on purpose. Still, it was only a couple hours, and maybe Cameron would let them skip, depending on what she thought of his mental abilities. He still got annoying headaches every once in a while. He found himself trying to remember the fights against Skynet. It was irritating not remembering. Cameron had told him again recently, but already the memories were fading. The only solid fact I remember is Cameron telling me she asked mom to marry me. Cam, not your best moment.

Suddenly his warning senses went off, and John reached for a concealed handgun in his bag. The T-1001 was walking behind them. Before he could completely draw the weapon, Cameron stopped his motion and gave him a smile. "It is safe," she assured. Trusting Cameron's processes, he turned slowly towards the liquid Terminator, and he noticed a few things that didn't fit. It had a book in its newly full hand, and it wore a regular smile.

"Good day sir," the T-1001 greeted, catching up to them. They walked together. "Going to school?"

"Yeah," John replied warily. What was going on? Was he hallucinating? "What are you doing?"

"I prefer to go for a walk in the mornings. It is a common activity and gives my processes time to think, Mr. Connor," the T-1001 replied. He noticed John looking at his hands.

"I thought you only had three fingers."

"I readjusted my body size and layout to leave enough matter for a full hand. It is a simple process, one I though you would recognize. But everyone is flawed, I have discovered," the T-1001 replied. He turned towards Cameron. "You helped me. I believe the correct response is thank you."

"You're welcome," Cameron replied calmly and just as friendly. John was doing double-takes. He was shocked when the T-1001 checked a watch.

"Excuse me; I have a D3-level Advanced Chemistry 207 class to teach in fifteen minutes. I read that being a professor gives access not only to libraries, but that one learns the best when teaching."

"What are you learning?" John asked, still stunned. Had Cameron forgotten to tell him part of the story?

"How to live," the T-1001 replied with a smile. "Until we meet again." He started to walk off across the street.

John hesitated, and then called out, "Hey! Wait!" The T-1001 stopped and looked at him. "What's your name?"

He smiled more broadly, as if recognizing some hidden feat. "I have decided not to tell you," he said, and walked on.

Numbly, John watched the T-1001 walk away to teach a class at a university. It had decided not to give his name, and noted that everyone was flawed, discovered by learning while teaching. He turned to Cameron, the woman he loved, for an answer, who was beaming at him with her own recently reminded secret. "I learned from your example, John," she stated excitedly.

A slow smile spread across his face. He took her hand in his. "Yeah," he agreed. "I guess you did."