This chapter is actually about half of what I originally meant as chapter 5, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to edit it all. So what I did (because people want an update!) is cut it in half to where I finished editting. Of course, show me the typos... I don't have a beta reader. Some of you have offered... without me asking... so I'm going to assume my proofreading just sucks that bad? LOL

Dani sat on the couch and folded her hands in her lap.

"Why the hell do you look like you expect me to eat your face off?" Sarah asked.

Dani blinked. "I don't, I'm just…"

"I make you nervous?"

"A little…" Dani at least had the decency to look sheepish.

Sarah sat back and put her feet up on the coffee table, folding her hands over her stomach in the ultimate relaxed position. She played with a few options in her head.

She assumed Cameron was telling the truth. While the cyborg had lied before, Sarah really didn't think she possessed the creativity required to come up with such an elaborate, screwed up story. Which meant there was a high probability that whatever escaped this young woman's mouth would be a lie.

So.

How did she want to play her cards?

"I just wanna ask you a few questions," Sarah started.

"Um, sure."

"I don't know what to believe from Derek, because he's definitely biased. I want the other side of the story. I've seen how you looked at Cameron. What do people really think about my son screwing a tin can?"

Dani looked a little shocked.

Just what Sarah was going for. "What, you think I love and adore her?"

"Um, no, I.. well…" Dani stuttered, not really knowing how to answer that question.

"Please, spare me. If it wasn't for the fact that I love my son more than life itself, I'd have melted her a long time ago." Truth.

Dani felt her way carefully. "It's sort of the same way in the future. If people weren't so loyal to John, she wouldn't be around. I think a lot of people feel like they owe him their lives or something, so they just put up with her."

"So people really don't like her?"

"Oh, well a lot do, sure. But a lot also don't."

"And… you don't."

"It doesn't sound like you do either," Dani countered.

"I have my reasons. What are yours?"

Dani lifted up the right side of her shirt. There was a two-inch, badly healed scar on her side. "This is why."

Sarah narrowed her eyes. "She gave you that?"

"Damn right she did," Dani said, momentarily forgetting who she was speaking to. "Metal bitch stabbed me with my own boot blade. Left me for dead."

"But why? She never deliberately hurt either of us." Well, it was a half-truth. She never did any harm to them while she wasn't all malfunctioning.

Dani shrugged, looking a bit uncomfortable. "I don't know. It always seemed she just had some sort of problem with me. She didn't like that John and I worked together so much with the younger soldiers. I guess she got jealous."

Sarah almost laughed out loud. Jealous was definitely the one emotion Sarah could never have denied Cameron having. "Yeah, she does have a problem with that."

Dani snorted. "Tell me about it. Anyway, she said it was an accident, but I know it was on purpose. We were out in the field and an explosion knocked her senseless. I had run over to see if dreams really did come true and she was out for the count, but she came back online, grabbed my boot knife, and stabbed me. Then she just left me there. I guess she made up some sort of excuse when I didn't die, and of course, John believed her." Dani shook her head. "She has him completely wrapped around her deadly metal finger. It's disgusting."

Sarah pursed her lips. Cameron and Dani's two stories were way eerily similar, and she had been a mom long enough to know when kids were lying… this one definitely had something to hide.

"MOM!" Sarah looked up as John ran into the living room.

"SON! What?"

"We have a problem."

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

Cameron knocked on Derek's open bedroom door before walking in. She found him sitting on his bed, his head in his hands.

She sat down next to him and folded her hands in her lap. "You know you shouldn't go. Catherine and I can take care of the problem ourselves."

"Yeah, I know. Same old, same old. Vested interest clouds judgment and leads to unnecessary risks. I'm old enough to know the drill," Derek sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "And no, you know you're staying here with John."

"Sarah should not go either."

Derek rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Cameron, if there was anything I could do to convince her to keep her ass here, I would. The last person I want with me is Sarah Connor with her sunshiny persona. I'd rather travel with the Candy Man."

Cameron searched her database, but came up empty. "Who is the Candy Man? What brand of candy does he sell?"

Derek held up his hand. "Forget it, he's just an urban legend. He's like the boogeyman."

"Oh, thank you for explaining."

Derek stood up and grabbed his duffel. "Think her body could fit in here?"

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

"You're not to go anywhere. You stay here, and you keep out of sight." Sarah held John by the shoulders, effectively putting him under house arrest.

"Mom, seriously, I know the drill," he said, rolling his eyes.

"I know you know the drill. It doesn't stop you from disobeying every time."

Cameron came up behind him. "I will not let him out of my sight."

Sarah didn't doubt she wouldn't either. She pulled John into a hug. "Just for once, be smart and listen to what we tell you. Keep an eye on Savannah."

John sighed and hugged his mother back. "I promise to survive a week without your presence."

"Don't be a smartass."

John laughed and kissed his mom on the cheek. "You be safe as well. Come back in one piece, and make sure Derek comes back too. I don't think that'll be too difficult with a T1001 helping you."

Cameron made a face. "With Derek, you never know."

Sarah had to agree. "I'll do my best." She looked at Cameron, who was standing expectantly beside John.

Surprising everyone, and making John wonder if she was glitching, Cameron held out her arms. "I promise I won't kiss you."

Sarah didn't really know what to do. As much as she was getting used to Cameron, the idea of her son and the machine, and even starting to like her (although she'd never admit it to anyone), she wasn't quite sure she was comfortable hugging her. Unfortunately, she wasn't sure she was a big enough asshole not too. Reluctantly, she allowed Cameron to pull her into a hug. John watched in blatant shock.

Not one to let an opportunity go to waste, Sarah whispered quietly in her ear. "Anything happens to John, you burn. No questions asked, no hesitation."

Cameron pulled away and looked Sarah in the eye. "I'll pour the thermite myself."

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

John shut the front door and locked it.

"God I didn't think she'd ever actually leave."

Cameron stood at the window and watched the SUV drive away until it was out of sight. "They should not be going."

John shrugged and plopped ungracefully onto the couch. "Eh, I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. I'll embrace my mom-free vacation with open arms, thank you very much."

Cameron closed the curtain and looked at him sternly. "Derek is in grave danger. Are you not aware of the gravity of the situation?"

John rolled his eyes. "Yes, Cameron, I am. I simply have faith. Between my mother and Derek, and the ultimate terminator termination terminator…" he paused, going over what he just said in his head. "No, just terminator terminator… terminatrix? Yeah, that makes sense. Anyway, between the 3 of them, one of them not even needing the other two… I'm positive the Reese brothers will survive, my existence will be secure, and the future of humanity will still be saved."

"I guess we'll see." She was still not comfortable with them going, but John had a point. A week without Sarah hovering around really deserved a little rejoicing.

"I'm bored."

Savannah, who'd been watching out the other window, turned around to face John, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

John stared at her, his face blank. He didn't recall ever needing much more than some sticks and leaves to have hours of fun.

"Dani's outside playing with the kittens."

"I don't want to go outside, it's too hot," the girl whined.

"I bet she never had a tea party before."

"I don't want to play tea party."

John stuck his tongue in his cheek. What the hell did she want him to do?"

Cameron saved him. "I downloaded The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast on John's laptop for you. It's on the kitchen counter. You can go get it and bring it in here carefully."

Savannah grinned from ear to ear, and ran into the kitchen. John gave Cameron a quizzical look. "When did you do that?"

"I don't sleep."

"Well, whatever. Awesome idea. She'll be occupied for a good 4 hours now."

"That was the whole point, John." Cameron helped Savannah set up the computer and started the first movie.

"I'm going to go downstairs to do some laundry." She winked at John and smiled, before heading down to the basement.

It took John all of three seconds to catch the hint and eagerly follow behind her.

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

"Don't touch that dial, Reese."

Derek paused, his hand halfway to the radio. "But…"

"Don't touch it."

"But this is the lamest radio station in existence. They play that stupid Pina Colada song once an hour, and every other song is Celine Dion. It's bloody torture."

Sarah narrowed her eyes. "I like the pina colada song."

Derek glared back at her. "I'm the one driving."

"It's my vehicle."

"Under a fake name."

"Doesn't matter."

"Yes it does."

"Says who?"

"Me." Derek quickly reached over and changed the station. Luckily it was playing 70's rock music.

Sarah reached over to change it back, but Derek slapped her hand away.

Which earned him a punch in the arm.

And he paid back with a pinch in the side.

"Reese!"

"Connor!" Derek mocked.

Sarah sat back and folded her arms across her chest.

"Exactly how necessary is it that YOU live? Kyle is obvious, but you? Are we sure we can't sacrifice you?"

Derek gripped the steering wheel tighter. "John made me promise to bring you back in one piece. He didn't say you had to be ALIVE."

**********

"Don't stop, John."

John looked into Cameron's eyes. Her hair hung down past her shoulders, covering her face, which was gleaming with sweat. Infiltration technique? Her lips were slightly parted, and her eyes held his in a sensual intensity only she could do.

"I'm not. I won't." John was breathing heavy and sweating profusely, but he kept going.

"Faster, John."

Moaning, John took a deep breath and pushed himself faster. He wasn't going to last much longer.

They made it to the front porch and John collapsed on the steps. His arms stretched over his head in an attempt to open his airways more.

"Are you trying to kill me?"

Cameron stood over him, not even breathing heavy. Of course, she doesn't actually have to breathe.

"That would be counterproductive to our mission. I am simply helping you get into shape."

"Right." He looked her up and down. "Could you at least pretend to look tired? You're making me feel fat."

Cameron rolled her eyes and quite ungracefully collapsed beside John on the steps. She held her arm over her face theatrically, and whimpered softly. "Oh, woe is me. I'm John Connor, future leader of the resistance, and I can't even keep up with my girlfriend," she mocked. She thought about actually using John's voice, but decided it would be too "freakish".

Said future leader of mankind raised an eyebrow and glared at his girlfriend-turned-actress. "You forgot to mention my girlfriend happens to be a cybernetic organism who never gets tired."

"Exactly," Cameron returned the stare.

John just shook his head and stood up, needlessly holding out his hand to help Cameron up. "That was quite a performance, Macbeth."

"I read a couple books on acting at the library, and watched several plays on film. I don't sleep."

John paused halfway through the front door. "When did you go to a library?"

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

"Yes, mom. Everything is fine. Would you like Cameron to tell you as well?" John had his feet up on the coffee table and his laptop in his lap, talking to his mother on the phone.

"No, she'd just lie for you. Let me talk to Savannah."

John rolled his eyes. "No, she's outside playing in the sprinkler. I'm not getting up just so you can ask her if I'm lying."

"What about that Dani girl?"

John groaned. "Give it up mom. She's outside too. Probably building some sort of fort out of leaves and sticks."

The phone was quiet for a few moments. "Cameron didn't kill her, did she?"

"UGH mom, seriously." Then John really thought about it. "As funny as that might be… no, she's sprinkler hopping with Savannah. Cameron's out at Wal-Mart buying some sort of protein powder."

Another silence. "What the hell does she need with that?"

"She evidently found my physique lacking, and decided to start me on a rigorous workout routine, and claims pancakes don't supply sufficient amount of protein for muscle building and stuff."

Sarah grinned. "So, she started making fun of your belly pudge?"

"I don't have belly pudge," John grumbled.

"Okay, you keep telling yourself that. In the meantime, are you keeping an eye out for strange murders? This terminator is way overdue here, and we're all getting rather concerned."

John leaned his head against the back of the couch and stared at the ceiling. "You mean, Derek's driving you crazy, and you're discovering just how boredom can dangerously effect advanced terminators?" He could hear his mom grinding her teeth on the other end.

"When Cameron gets bored, she's constructive. When Catherine gets bored… she gets scarily bitchy. When Derek gets bored, it's like dealing with a toddler."

"Sounds like fun. Listen mom, I gotta…"

"Yeah, yeah. Talking to your only mother you haven't seen in almost a week isn't cool, I know."

John rubbed his eyes and stood up. "No, actually, I promised Cameron I'd have the dishes done and the kitchen cleaned by the time she got home."

Sarah, laying on her lumpy motel bed, stared at the ceiling as if it had suddenly warped and grew fur. "How come you never clean the damn kitchen for me unless I ask you 10 times and nearly whip you into action?"

"Because you're not sleeping with him," Derek piped in, coming from the bathroom with a towel around his waste.

Sarah threw a pillow at him. "You're disgusting, Derek."

John had heard the whole thing and laughed. He didn't point out that his uncle had a highly valid point. If not the only point.

"Fine, go clean. I want that kitchen spotless when I get home. Don't forget to move the toaster, don't just wipe around it. And clean out the leftovers in the fridge. There's some scary Chinese food in there that's probably growing legs by now."

"Yes, master," John said, in a creepy Smeagle voice.

Sarah hung up the phone and glanced at Derek. "You know, I used to think he was a lot like Kyle. But now I see… he takes after you."

Derek shrugged and pulled on a t-shirt. "He might get his smart mouth from me, but everything else is Kyle. Including his taste in dark, mysterious, hard-as-nails women… literally and figuratively speaking, of course."

Another pillow found its mark on his face.

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

John wiped down the last counter and hung the towel over the oven handle to dry. He grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured himself some orange juice. Closing the fridge, he turned around and almost ran right into Dani.

"Thanks, that was thoughtful of you." She boldly took the glass from his hand and drank half the glass. John just stared at her, not quite sure how to react… being that she was female. He'd have probably knocked a guy halfway to Guatemala. Instead, he just shook his head and headed for his bedroom in the basement. Unfortunately, she invited herself in and followed him down.

"Why aren't you outside with us? The weather is hot, and the water feels great on sweaty skin."

John glanced up from turning on his laptop to catch her running her hand across her bare abdomen. He suddenly noticed she had borrowed (of course, 'borrowed' might have been an overstatement) Cameron's purple bikini. It definitely looks better on Cameron. While he may have been biased, it was undeniable that the top was a couple sizes too small. She busted him eyeing her excessive cleavage.

"A little more than you're used to?" She wore a sultry grin that made him a little uncomfortable.

"Um…" He wasn't really sure what to do or say. He just stood there speechless, trying to find a way out of the situation he could clearly see progressing in a bad way.

"They're real, too. Nothing artificial in these." Dani cupped her breasts with her hands.

"Um, yeah, they're great. I mean, that's great. Look, I need to…"

Dani reached behind her back and untied her top, effectively silencing John as she let it fall away from her chest.

John stared, as any teenage boy would do. It wasn't everyday a random woman untied her top and flaunted her bare breasts.

Wait, this is so not right. Somehow, John managed to get his tongue working and found his voice. "Dani, what are you doing?"

"What do you mean, John?" Dani asked with faux innocence.

"Knock it off, Dani. Please put your top back on and get out of here."

Dani tossed the bikini top at John, who instinctively caught it. "Seriously? I find it hard to believe the young General Connor isn't enjoying the sight of a real woman's breasts…"

"Dani! I won't ask you again." He advanced towards her with the intent of returning the top and pushing her up the steps, but just as he held his hand out, the basement door opened.

"John! You should not have left Savannah outside alone, it's way too dangerous. You know better than that, you need to be more respons….ible."

Cameron paused halfway down the steps when she saw the sight before her. Dani stood topless a mere foot away from John, who held her top in his hand. A feeling so strong it surprised her welled up inside, causing tears to fall down her cheeks. Without another word, she turned around and walked back up the steps.

It all happened so fast that John barely had time to process the situation. He saw the look of extreme hurt on Cameron's face, and saw the tears sparkle on her cheeks before she ran back upstairs.

"Wait! Cameron! It's not what you think!" Oh, God. The line every guilty man uses. This is so not good. John dropped the top without a second thought and ran upstairs, aggressively brushing past Dani without a glance.

He reached the top of the steps and looked around. There was no sign of Cameron.

"Cameron!"

He ran to the back door and stepped outside. Savannah was sitting on the back porch with Skittles in her lap.

"Savannah, have you seen Cameron?"

Savanna pointed towards the front of the house. "She came out here and told me to sit on the porch and don't move, then ran that way."

John patted her head in thanks as he ran past her and around the side of the house. When he reached the front yard he looked everywhere. The minivan was in the driveway, heat still creating a haze above the hood, and Lizzy the mother cat was sun bathing on the sidewalk… but no Cameron.

"CAMERON!"

A dog barked in the distance, but Cameron didn't appear. She was gone.