Thanks so much to those who had made the effort to review and also to those who read!!!
TK-MR: LOL Mr Smith stills alive, i thought he died. And he's still want to sale the house with 1 million price.
What? John think Cameron would be weaker and tire easily? She is a cyborg, running by power cell, isn't she? :|
*"Whatever I feel would be felt by the baby,"* Eh? What? That meant the fetus 'boy' felt the sensation/emotion/feeling of his mother when his father... scr3wing her?
*Ask for John Connor*? That is not going to work, since John never was John Connor at the moment to any normal people.
Before running to Mexico, John and Cameron are John Gale and Cameron Phillips, right? so what name they get now? John Gage and Emily Gage? LOL
Wow... just some situation there.
*She like shiny things, she once told John but there is some exceptions; Cameron, for example.* LMAO
Nice work.
Yeah, I just thought bringing Mr Smith back would be a good idea! I'm glad you still remember that guy. For the part of John thinking Cameron tire easily; that was just to show his concern. And the third point…that's not exactly it but the baby would feel happy, sad etc when Cameron feels it. About their names, in this chapter, you'll notice they are now avoiding being around people so having an official ID isn't necessary. Thanks!
kaotic2: Thank you so much!
zahnfan23: Thanks a lot!
000
Thanks for all the support!
Chapter 30: North
She chewed on the food gratefully, ready to jump off at any time.
Riley couldn't remember the time she last ate cheeseburgers; or does she?
With a second thought, John came to her mind. The last time she had them was when John and her hung out at the mall. He'd treat her to cheeseburgers. Riley didn't know why but she missed him. Jesse, her fosters and John was all she had as 'friends'. Jesse was hot and cold, and still is. Her fosters didn't want her and kicked her out thinking she's some kind of nuthouse. John didn't want her too. He left with the machine.
Thinking about it made her sick. Riley didn't want to go back to the house. They lived there; John and it.
Riley let out a sigh to press down the urge to puke. She bit into her cheeseburgers, looking across the mall for something to entertain her and settled on the jewelry store. She like shiny things, she once told John but there were some exceptions; Cameron, for example.
*
Cameron placed her hand on her belly subconsciously as she watched John. It has been quiet since John pulling away from her. He flashed a small smile to her and continued moving forward. Cameron was reluctant to let him drive but know better than to ask when he'd already stated strongly no driving for her as long as he's around. John knows how restless Cameron can get.
"You've not spoken for 14 minutes." Cameron informed him monotonously.
John bit his lips, trying to hold in his smile but ended up chuckling, "You did that on purpose."
Cameron smiled, happy that her little joke worked out, "Yes…but that isn't false either. You haven't spoken for 14 minutes."
"Feels a lot longer when it's you I never spoke to." He smiled, "How do you always make me smile?"
"Like how you always made me." Cameron replied flatly. John laughed, taking her hand and bringing it to his chest while he drove.
For the next 40 minutes, they laughed and spoke and laughed again, the jeep was never short of laughter until they arrived at a cabin which they assumed was what the woman said.
John stopped the jeep a short distance from the cabin. He reached behind in the duffel bag for the shotgun. He came out of the car, pumping it.
"John," Cameron frowned, "What are you doing?"
"Preparing for situations like that village with loony people." John replied.
"He's an old man." Cameron said, signaling for him to at least keep a low profile with the shotgun.
"Old men are famous with guns. Especially those who live alone," John stated, "If he were to faint upon the sight of this, then that's too easy for us."
"John, we're not going to steal the cabin. We're supposed to live with him." Cameron reminded him as they walked to the cabin.
"I'll consider that." He muttered, walking to the front door of the cabin. With a harsh kick, the door swung open, hitting the rubber bung and rebounded. John held it open and walked in. The cabin was small and dusty. John signaled for her to stay outside as he explored it.
The cabin was smaller than he had initially expected. There is a queen sized bed to the left side of the door a small distance away from the window. Between the bed and the window is a brownish leather couch and on the other side of the bed is a hammock. There was a door on its left.
The counter, which is directly in front of the main door, is small and had two gas stoves on it. Behind the counter was a small fridge and a sink by it. The wooden table, which was directly in front of the door, had 4 stools around; John could plainly see the dust on it. A single light bulb hovered over the table. To the right of the door, is a huge chest and nothing more. The cabin was a little cramp as far as John could see, and dusty.
"Cam, come on in." John called to her. He heard her walked in, glancing around curiously, "Looks like nobody's home." He said, "For a while now." John said, lowering his shotgun as he touched the wooden table with his finger and caught dust.
Cameron walked towards the bed and touched the string of the hammock, getting a lot of dust too.
"This is too easy." John said, walking to the big chest. He pulled out a pin and began picking the lock. John heard a click and flung the cover of the chest open, coughing as the dust choked him. This chest was empty, "Looks like he packed."
"What do you supposed happen to him?" Cameron asked.
"Probably decided to leave his old cabin and head for a city or something." John shrugged, checking the stoves, "These are still good. We could live here. What do you think?" John stood beside her by the bed.
"I think it's perfect." Cameron turned around, glancing at every thing which caught her attention. She walked to the table and touched the wood gently.
"Good, we're moving in. I'll get the stuff." John smiled, heading outside. Cameron looked as he walked out and she couldn't help but smile widely.
This is definitely one of her quirky dreams.
*
Riley shoved her hands into her jeans pocket, kicking up a good sized rock into the air as she strolled in the park. She was quite full after consuming a cheeseburger, 2 packets of fries, a can of coke and a cone of ice cream. Riley was bored and alone. She needed company and that's what John gave her.
She couldn't remember the last time Jesse gave her company and attention without snapping at her or marching off all of a sudden.
She sat down on the bench, watching the people relaxing in the park. She thought back to when she went to John's house looking for him, only to find him missing.
Riley muttered a small complain under her breath angrily about John ditching her, or not really, she initiated the break up first; thinking he'll beg for her forgiveness. It was completely unexpected and heartbreaking for her. She needed to come back to him or Jesse would wallop her to hell.
She reluctantly, knocked on the familiar door thrice and waited for someone to open it. Someone did and it was Sarah; John's mom.
Sarah shot her a different look from when she last visit. When she came for a visit, Sarah always frowned uncomfortably or stared at her but this time, she looked lost and her eyes were slightly red and puffy.
Riley could tell she cried.
"Mrs. Baum, is John in?" Riley asked, trying to feign a good warm smile, ignoring all the difference she observed from Sarah.
"He's not in." Sarah croaked out, seemingly trying to steady herself.
Riley was a little pissed that she had finally decided to disallow John from meeting her. She feigned a smile nonetheless, "When will he be back? If you could leave a message…"
"He won't be back for a long time," Sarah looked straight into Riley's eyes, seemingly able to control herself now; "Cameron and him went to boarding school."
"Oh…" Riley didn't try to hide her disappointment as she thought earnestly about what really happened. Obviously, Sarah wouldn't send John or Cameron to boarding school.
"Goodbye." Sarah forced a smile and made a move to shut the door.
"Wait." Riley said before she could, "Could I know which boarding school he attended?" Now Riley knew she had hit a bone as Sarah looked clueless.
"No," Sarah replied bluntly, "He doesn't want to see you, John told me that before he left."
Riley was visibly downed. She didn't believe a word Sarah said but was disappointed she could get nothing out of her, "Okay then. Sorry to bother you." Riley nodded and walked back down the path.
She went back home and tried to figure things out; taking extra note of Cameron and him. It meant that both Cameron and John are both gone now. This could only lead to the fact that both John and Cameron left or they both died. Riley would bet her life on the fact Cameron took John and ran away.
She sighed, dropping back down on her bed, staring up at the ceiling as she thought about how to explain this to Jesse.
*
John sighed deeply, pulling Cameron closer to him. It was getting cold and the flow of the river was surprisingly soothing for him to listen to, though he preferred listening to Cameron breathing.
He sat up a little and pulled the blanket higher to Cameron's chin. John glanced at the bolt at the door mildly, not feeling at all safe with only a bolt between them and whoever wants to kill them. Cameron had been sleeping the whole time and John only slept a moment before waking up and not having a wink of sleep after. He is too paranoid now that he had a purpose. He had to protect her.
She was exhausted from all the cleaning and dusting of their house. John felt guilty for feeding her canned food as dinner. It isn't good for the baby to just have that but she didn't want John to rush to the nearest supermarket which could be miles away or just nearby, either way, Cameron didn't want to venture out when it's getting dark. They shifted the jeep away from sight of anyone who passed by.
They found a small backyard that was facing the river and John made some changes to the fence. He fixed a gate wide enough for their jeep to drive in and park there for the night.
The cabin looked great after the dusting. John dumped their bags into the chest, not bothering to unpack since they're still settling.
They found out that the door by the hammock was the bathroom with clean water, probably from the river itself. The water was ice cold and John silently planned to purchase a heater to provide warm water.
John felt he had so many things to do and yet remained undone. He had to purchase a heater, fill up their fridge, and get some infant clothes and toys for their baby. He'd talked about the infant stuff with Cameron just before they slept and he laughed when Cameron told him that their baby could start practicing with a Glock, so he/she didn't need toys. Despite her promises that she'll clear it before letting the baby play with it, John disagreed.
They had a good laugh about it before Cameron fell asleep in the midst of their conversation.
John chuckled at the memory before glancing at the frosted glass window. Some light was visible on the outside. He forced his eyes shut and wanted to get some sleep before Cameron woke but felt the excitement denied him of that. He can't wait to shop for the baby's toys and clothes, which they had planned to do today.
John stopped and thought deeply. Now he had a place for Cameron and him to settle while they waited for the baby to be due. He'd hate to move while she is heavily pregnant so decided to keep a very low profile from now on. Also, some changes would have to be made for the changes to come. The wait for the baby to arrive is killing him.
He pressed his cheek on the top of Cameron's head, kissing her gently. John felt her stir before her eyes fluttered open.
"Hey," He whispered. She shifted and looked up at him though her long eyelashes.
"Morning." Cameron replied softly, still looking bleary. She brought up her hand and gently rubbed sleep from her eyes. She stifled a yawn, leaving John looking at her, amused.
"Not exactly. It's just daybreak." John smiled, "Sorry, I didn't know a kiss would wake you up."
"Not just a kiss." Cameron said with a smile. John didn't think she'll know he's been kissing her gently all night since he couldn't sleep. She noticed he had a habit of stealing kisses on her in her sleep. She liked that, "I was getting up anyway." She slowly sat up.
"We'll drive to the nearest town to get breakfast." John informed her as she sat up and left the bed, walking barefooted to the chest, nimble and graceful steps. He stared at her as she did so. She was wearing her long sleeved shirt and just knickers; he could tell she neglected to wear her bra not that he's complaining.
John couldn't understand why there weren't any changes to her body since her pregnancy apart from her middle. From what John read, there should be other changes to her body to support the growing belly. Abnormality scared him.
"Alright," Cameron replied, fishing out toothbrushes and toothpastes in two separate packets. She pulled out a fresh set of jeans and shirt for John and threw them across the cabin to him, landing right on his chest. She'd never miss. He pulled the clothes off his chest and sat up in bed just in time to see Cameron ducking under the string of the hammock and entering the bath.
He watched as she took off her shirt and knickers, neglecting to shut the door as she showered. John smiled as he watched her. She caught him staring and shut the door abruptly.
(0)
They were lucky to find a small town with an oil station and a supermarket only a good 15 minutes drive from their home. It was 8am the moment John and Cameron arrived. After they showered at the cabin, they have rested on the bed, chatting softly in each other's embrace. Cameron noticed their inefficient usage of time but didn't care anymore. She's enjoying herself and so is John. Besides, judgment day is in four years, might as well enjoy them.
John bought Cameron to a fast food restaurant for breakfast and they headed for the supermarket immediately. They got into a brief debate to whether buy any toys for the baby. John insisted they needed to but Cameron was still on her stand of letting their baby learn to shoot guns and didn't have a need for toys. In the end, they decided to buy them with John's strong disagreement to their baby being anywhere near firearms before 2.
This time, they bought enough food to last them for a good long while without coming into town all the time. The point about moving to Mexico was to keep away from people and be invisible, even nonexistence. John made sure to buy plenty of stuff that Cameron would need for nutrients while she kept picking the ones he love to eat. They couldn't decide which to buy and ended up purchasing everything.
The supermarket mission is getting more difficult every time in John's opinion but Cameron just looked happy to be out with him which in turn made him smile.
They bought a good amount of bread and a whole different lot of stuff to eat with the bread. John had decided that he'll hand wash their laundry since it wouldn't be very comfortable for Cameron to bend over or sit for too long, so they purchased some detergent for the clothes. Cameron objected into buying a big tub but John insisted they needed it.
She began to wonder how long he'll last with washing laundry.
Cameron felt that more argument was beginning to occur between them, especially about whether she should do some stuff instead of sitting back and resting; which John said she'll do when she is told to. Cameron heard of couples arguing and separating: At least in school they do this. But she didn't want that, they're having a baby and she just wanted John to stay with her.
"We'd better load this into the jeep." John said happily, glancing at the number of bags in his hands and Cameron's, "Then we'll look into toys!" He grinned. Cameron nodded, sighing inwardly. She couldn't believe how excited he was when a few months ago, she thought he'll dump her for getting pregnant. She'd wanted to get rid of it secretly but now, she was glad she didn't. Cameron hadn't really thought if she'll be able to kill the priceless gift John gave her.
(0)
The toy store was huge! John and Cameron stood in front of the tall racks, staring at all the toys and baby clothes.
Cameron felt her excitement die away upon sight of the amount of toys they have. It was making her dizzy just trying to pinpoint on something she think the baby would want.
She could just feel the excitement radiating off John just beside her as he slipped his hand into hers and pulled her to start on the first shelf. They picked up a trolley on the way and Cameron knew, this would be a long walk.
John practically dived to the first toy he set his eyes on the moment they set sight on the first rack. He took the toy off its hook and started fiddling with the toy in the casing. Cameron watched John, amused. He looked like a five year old.
"Cam, look at this." John stepped back with the toy in his hand and stood beside her. She saw that he had a small fan in his hand. Cameron did a brief glance and figured it was to be used in the pram with the baby when he/she is bored. It works as a fan and also plays music and was able to light up, "We should buy this."
"I don't think we need a pram." Cameron smiled, taking it from his hands. John looked purely disappointed, like his mother had just disallowed him to purchase his dream toy.
"We need it. When the baby sleeps." John snatched it from her before she can place it back.
"Then we just need a regular fan,"
"No." John stated firmly, all smiles gone in an instant, watching Cameron hopefully. She sighed, giving up on this pointless conversation, nodding lazily. His face lit up and John went forward to look for the best color, "Blue? Or pink?"
"Yellow. It's unisex." Cameron said dismissively as she pushed the trolley down the aisle. John caught up quickly, depositing a red fan into the shopping cart. She rolled her eyes and glanced sideways at John who was unnaturally fascinated by the toys…
"Hey." John whispered. Cameron looked up from the files she was reading. They were just walking from the meeting hall to their private quarters. She, as usual, was busy reading through the mission reports which she would tell John about since he would be too lazy to read those lengthy ones the experience men wrote.
Cameron looked for John only to find him kneeling on one knee by a small child. Despite the bad lighting, Cameron took in the small child's features. The child was a male. He had a sparse number of strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes. Cameron noted the fact his eyes are red and puffy, indicating that he had been crying.
"Hey, look at me." John cooed gently. Cameron had never seen John like that except to her when they were having one of their intimate moments of caressing and kissing. She watched as the child looked up at John, "Are you lost?"
He gave a hesitant nod.
"So do you know where your mommy is?" John continued to probe the child gently.
"No…" He replied quietly. Then John slowly reached out and scoped the child into his arms. Cameron took note of how dirty the child was but John didn't seem to see them and pulled the child close to his clean fatigues.
"Let's go find your mommy alright?" John asked. The child nodded and John spun around, glancing at Cameron, and walked back towards the civilian tunnels. As they walked, their boots echoing in the empty and damp corridors, Cameron continued examining the child. He was wearing rags that exposed skin on his body on certain portion to the environment and he was bare footed. Then Cameron saw a small fresh cut on his leg.
She gently reached out and brushed her finger over his leg. The child barely winced even if it did hurt. She examined the little blood on her finger and spoke up, "John. This child belongs to the Brent family down the civilian tunnels according to my files."
John looked at her and nodded with a small smile. He glanced down at the terrified child, "Hey." The child snapped his head to John's direction, "What's there in your hand?" Cameron listened in, tilting her head in confusion. She didn't understand the purpose of this meaningless conversation.
"It's m'toy." The kid mumbled, glancing nervously at the 'toy' in his hand. Cameron looked at it. She hardly classifies that under toys. The 'toy' had a long stick which the child held and at the end was a small net which looked pitifully stuck there by a thin thread.
"What does it do?" John continued the 'meaningless conversation'.
"It catches my meals." The child replied, enthusiasm growing as he told John about his toy. They walked towards the civilian tunnels with John talking to the child the whole time. By the time they arrived there, Cameron identified the family and returned him. Then they made their way to their quarters.
"Why did you ask that boy so many questions?" Cameron asked curiously as they walked.
"He was scared." John replied simply.
"But it was unnecessary." Cameron cocked her head, "I don't understand."
"I was just…" John pursed his lips, thinking hard how to explain this to Cameron, "making conversation."
"Why?"
"It's what we do…" John replied, "Humans do things just because." He smiled at her curiosity towards this subject.
"Thank you for explaining."
Then for the next few days, John spent his free time chatting to Cameron while collecting some scattered parts. By the end of the week, he started 'work'. Cameron sat by him patiently and watched. By another week, the thing John was building took the shape of a mini robot. Cameron cocked her head as John turned it to face her. He grinned playfully, holding its arm and making it move up and down towards Cameron.
She frowned slightly, examining this queer creature that had an unnaturally big head, small body and all four limbs. It was shiny because John got the parts from the surface world where all the endo are destroyed in fights. Cameron weighed it slightly and concluded it was light. She didn't know what it does but John kept it by his bedside.
Then she came into his quarters one day, to pick up the file he told her he needed and forgotten to bring to the meeting, and she found out the small robot is missing. When she asked him, John grinned widely and replied, "I gave it to the child we helped the other day. Kids need their life, their toys."
"Cam?" John said softly, picking up another toy.
Cameron snapped out of her reverie and looked at him, "yes John?"
"Are you alright?" John walked to her, ignoring the toy for once.
"I'm fine." Cameron sighed, "Just, can't this wait for when the baby's born?"
"That'll be too late."
"At least when it's visible that I'm pregnant." Cameron smiled, placing a hand on his arm.
"It is visible." John said defensively, his hand shot up and rested on her swollen belly. Cameron chuckled, pushing down his hand.
"Alright, you win." Cameron laughed, amused. John looked at her and grinned before he threw another toy he picked into the shopping cart.
"This is really fun Cam." John browsed through the variety of toys, "There are many interesting toys here."
"Yes." Cameron replied, looking around, taking in all the mini 'laptop' to regular rattles.
She watched with a small smile as John picked up toys to examine them, all ending up purchasing the item. Among all the toys they have in their cart, Cameron only picked the toy gun, which is very practical in terms of letting the baby get use to firearms.
"Hey, a cellphone, the baby could call me," Cameron heard him mumble as he picked up a blue artificial plastic cell. He pressed at the buttons and threw it into the cart. Cameron chuckled, feeling the baby move around a little.
They spent the afternoon shopping for toys. John managed to sneak some jumpers and mini jackets in the cart as they made their way to the counter.
They purchased the items after Cameron looked through some of them and decided not to have it, reminding John that they had a little space constraint in the cabin. John was disappointed but was never unwilling to obey Cameron if she made sense and he didn't.
Cameron watched as John paid for the toys, looking more than happy to be purchasing these. She understood why John was acting this way. Future John told her kids need their toys and he always wanted to have a chance to go shop for them but Cameron never thought it'll come to reality.
Cameron reached out and placed her hand on the back of his neck gently as they walked out of the store. John looked surprised but smiled widely at her, enjoying the subtle contact. He knew there's a possibility Cameron was scanning him but there's also a possibility she isn't. The truth is, Cameron is not. She just wanted him to know she understood by giving him a small smile and a little caressing and John got it.
"Love you." He said gently as Cameron removed her hand.
"Love you too." Cameron replied. He grinned, kissing her on the cheek before heading to drop their stuff in the jeep before eating their lunch.
John's definitely enjoying every moment of this. He knew the next 5 and a half months would be the best time of his life.
To be continued…
Next chapter (Last chapter of 'I'll always come for you'): Life goes on for everyone. Riley started to fit in while John and Cameron stayed hidden without an identity to be recognized.
John, help me…
And…don't forget to leave a review before you go!
-Hinotima24