Thanks everyone again. It's a pleasure to write a story, which comes on. I just hope I won't have to hide in a hole after I've posted some bad chapter. Not that I intend to, but it could happen. LOL. OK, not really serious, but with planned (and already outlined) 28-30 chapters, it can easily happen that one or more of them will not fulfill the expectations. *shrugs*

Those of you, who expect John to finally jump over his own shadow after Cameron tearfully thanked him for believing in her … read this chapter.

And yes, Cameron is evolving ... very fast. Every now and then she discovers something new (especially to tease John) and this chapter is no exception.

I hope you enjoy and if you have a sec … write down a review to tell me what you liked and what not.

Chapter 7 - The Morning

"Wake up John, it's time to go." Cameron's soft voice slowly penetrated John's foggy mind. Not really comprehending what she was saying, he slowly opened one eye, just to see her sitting on the edge of the bed with one leg curled under her and watching him curiously. Although he really hated when someone was watching him in his sleep, this time it definitely didn't bother him. He smiled at her groggily: "Hi Cam! What time is it?"

"It's half past seven and you told your mother yesterday we would meet her at 8.00 in the dining room. You should get up and get yourself ready." Cameron spoke in a soft, low voice while a small smile graced her full lips.

Suddenly John remembered how she fiercely hugged him yesterday while they were walking towards hotel from the pub. But he also remembered the awkward atmosphere when they returned into their room. Neither of them was really prepared to look the other in the eyes, they carefully avoided any direct contact, as if being afraid to get burnt. No one even mentioned her outburst and he had a feeling that she was ashamed of it, or at least she was completely confused as to how she should behave after showing him her affection so clearly. He didn't want to force her to talk about something what was obviously embarrassing for her, although her occasional looks at him revealed her insecurity, her hesitation but also longing. So he just let her slip out of the room to check the perimeter and, in spite of brooding over the event, fell asleep while she was absent, although he wanted to wait for her return to show her that he appreciated her emotional outburst. His sleep wasn't an easy one: he was plagued by nightmares. Nightmares involving Cameron, him and Cameron's death. He often had nightmares about terminators coming after him and killing him, but none of them was worse than this, in which Cameron vanished from his life forever. So he was more than happy when she woke him in the middle of the night and remembered how she looked at him worriedly and how cool and soothing her hand felt on his forehead. It was simply unbelievable how calming effect she had on him, how she managed to chase his nightmares away by just laying her small hand on his forehead, not even saying a single word.

He finally managed to open the other eye too and lifted his head to look through the window. Cameron obviously pulled the curtains aside and the sun was already rising behind the mountains, throwing its tender rays of light through the glass. He could feel the warmth on his face, closed his eyes and smiled contently.

"Why are you smiling John?" Cameron was intrigued by his behavior and was looking at him with tilted head and questioning smile on her lips.

He opened his eyes and smiled wider at her: "I'm just enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face." He inhaled deeply. "Just like I enjoyed your hand on my forehead in the night. Thank you for being there for me." His expression confirmed that he really meant what he said and it made Cameron smile wider. For a second she didn't know what to say, so she cast her look at her lap, but after a second she looked back at him.

"You were obviously having a nightmare. You were completely soaked in sweat and were trashing around. I'm glad that I could help you." She paused for a moment and continued with an insecure voice: "Would you like to talk about it? What were your nightmares?"

John suddenly felt like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck and stuttered: "Ahem … well … not really." How can I tell you that every night I dream of loosing you and it makes me realize how much you mean to me? How can I tell you that I love you; that I don't want to go on without you? Would you understand me at all? "I'm sorry Cam, not right now. Maybe someday…"

Cameron let her head fall and nodded sadly: "I understand John. You don't want to talk to me. I'm just a machine and I don't understand human fears." She lifted her head again and looked at him with sad eyes: "Maybe you should talk to your mother. She knows a lot about nightmares." She rose from the bed: "You should shower John, you're starting to smell."

John's jaw fell upon hearing her self-loathing words. "NO CAM! It's not that! Absolutely not! You're much more than just a machine and you understand much more than you believe. It's just … I don't want to talk about these nightmares to anybody. At least not yet. But … if I'll ever want to talk about them, you'll be the first to whom I'll come with my problems. You … not my mom!" He grabbed her hand before she could walk away and looked at her pleadingly: "You've got to believe me Cam!"

Cameron felt a surge of happiness as he grabbed her hand and she scanned him without even thinking. Her scan revealed her that he was telling her the truth. He really would talk to her first. Sadness vanished from her eyes and she smiled softly at him: "OK John. But you still should shower before we go to the breakfast. I wasn't lying when I said you were starting to smell."

John was happy that she believed him and smiled at her: "You really mean that, don't you? That I'm starting to smell?"

Cameron just nodded with a smile and pulled him up from the bed. "Yes, I do!" She lead him to the bathroom door, opened it and shoved him inside: "I'll prepare your clothes while you shower." Before John could object, she closed the door and he could only smile at the now closed door. He shook his head in slight disbelief, took off his clothes and entered the shower. He opened the water and set it to quite hot. While he tilted his face upwards to feel the spray of hot water caressing it, he thought of Cameron, joining him in the shower, of her firm body, pressing against his back, of her slender arms, encircling his body … He shuddered and opened his eyes. Jesus, I'm really starting to daydream. Wake up man! You're imagining things. Chill down!

He concentrated on washing and after he was finished, he looked around to see what he could put on. He could hardly walk out of the bathroom without any clothes on. He spotted two fluffy white bathrobes, hanging beside the door, one small and one large. Complimentary bathrobes! How nice! He dried himself and stepped out of the shower. After taking and putting on the larger bathrobe, he stepped out of the bathroom and stopped dead in tracks as he saw Cameron, wearing only the black version of the underwear which caused him so severe breathing problems just yesterday, rummaging through her clothes in the closet. "C … C … Cam?" he stuttered, swallowed and tried again: "What are you doing?"

Cameron turned to look at him with confused look: "I'm trying to find appropriate clothing for the breakfast. I have no idea what I should wear." She looked him up and down. Slowly. Deliberately slowly. "Nice bathrobe. You look dashing in it." She flashed him a smile and turned back to the closet.

John sighed heavily, trying desperately to look at anything else but Cameron's body and finding it impossible to look at anything else but at Cameron's body. She's doing it deliberately! She's reverted to her Skynet programming again! She's going to kill me! She's going to kill me with her looks! He swallowed again and began to breathe deeply. "Ahem … Cam! I think you should put something on. You're … you're …" He found it impossible to talk further with his mouth feeling completely dry.

Cameron turned to him again and tilted her head in confusion. Her face looked to him like a giant question sign. "Is something wrong John? Do you find my body repulsive? Am I disturbing you?"

John shook his head. "No, Cam, you're beautiful and that's the problem. It's just that I can't concentrate with you near me, wearing only underwear."

Cameron's mouth slowly curved into an impish smile: "So, you think I'm beautiful?"

John managed only to nod and decided that it was high time to get away from the walking heart attack, standing in front of him, gazing at him with her brown eyes. He squeezed himself past Cameron into the room and as he was there, he sighed relieved but at the same time disappointed that he no longer had such a beautiful view. "Your clothes are on the bed." Cameron said behind him with amused voice. He didn't dare to turn around, knowing he'd stare at her perfect curves again, so he just choked out "Thanks!" and went to the bed. He saw, that she really prepared his clothes, all being neatly folded on his side of bed. Now, being in safe distance from her and not being forced to look at her curvaceous body, he began to breathe normally and finally managed to check what she prepared for him to wear. "Cam? Aren't we going snowboarding?"

"Yes, we are? Why are you asking?" Cameron's voice revealed her confusion.

"Because you prepared jeans and sweatshirt for me and not snowboarding clothes."

"Of course. I wouldn't want you to get your brand new snowboarding clothes dirty at breakfast. We'll return here to change after the breakfast." Her voice revealed that she thought it would be obvious why she prepared jeans for him and slight note of annoyance over his slowness was definitely recognizable. "I definitely don't want to risk any dirt on my white pants. How would I look in stained clothes?" She was clearly disgusted upon sheer thought of having her new clothes dirty.

John grinned at himself and decided that he should try to look at her again. So he turned and saw that she was standing at the closet, turned to look at him, one hand still in between the hangers, the other on her hip, but still wearing nothing but the sweet black undergarment and a big frown on her face. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But … if you want me to put these clothes on, I'd like you to dress similarly."

Cameron's face lit immediately: "I was just thinking the same. But thank you nevertheless, John." She breathed tenderly.

John suddenly felt as strong hands would constrict his throat again and managed only a nod. She's seducing me! Oh Lord, I'm so doomed! I may not look at her! Absolutely not! Then he turned back hastily and took the clothes in his hands. He walked towards the bathroom again and as he was at the door, he met Cameron's curious eyes: "Where are you going John?"

"To change. I can't do it here … with you in the room." His red face revealed how he felt.

Cameron smirked evilly: "There's nothing you could possibly show me that I haven't seen before. But if you suddenly became too modest or too prude to change here in front of me … well, suit yourself." Her grin grew wider and she grabbed her jeans and a light blue T shirt to put them on. "However, I'll need to go to the bathroom too, so I suggest I go in there and you can change here in the room. I promise not to peek."

John's mouth fell open at her remark and he just nodded. Oh dear, she's getting far too good at this humor. Where did she hide it before?

Cameron saw that she achieved the desired effect and smiled self satisfied while she squeezed herself past John into the bathroom. It was a tight fit and she pressed herself deliberately closer to him than it was really necessary. Yes, she really enjoyed teasing him and seeing how her behavior, her body and her words affected him.

After another five minutes they were both ready to go to the dining room to take the breakfast. At leaving the room, John opened the door for her: "After you, my lady." He grinned at Cameron, who looked at him wide-eyed and smiled a little shakily. She still couldn't completely understand how John openly showed her that he cared for her. She simply loved this new caring John.

Sarah and Derek have already left their room, but before they began their descent to the ground floor, Sarah grasped Derek's sleeve: "Derek, don't you dare show or even say anything to John! If you reveal just a tiny bit of our plan, if you only hint that we're after something, I swear I'll kill you myself! Is that clear?"

"As if I would! I'm not a kid and I know very well what may and what may not be said." Derek snorted dismissively at Sarah.

They stopped at the entrance to the restaurant and scanned the guests in there. They didn't see John and Cameron, so Sarah decided to wait for them at the entrance. It didn't took too long before she saw them coming out of the elevator, smiling at each other and talking vividly. They didn't hold hands as she feared they would, but they did walk very close to each other, so that their hands brushed against each other with every step they took. Sarah's face darkened considerably at the sight but she suddenly felt a nudge under her ribs from Derek. She turned to look at him irritably. "Don't let them gain any suspicions, Sarah. You look like you'd be ready to drown the metal in a dry teaspoon." She realized Derek was right and forced herself to look friendly.

"Hi mom, we're on time, right?" John was obviously in a good mood today and he smiled widely at his mother. He cast a look into Derek's direction and his face darkened considerably: "Hi, Derek."

Sarah smiled back: "Absolutely. You're even two minutes early and that's something I should write down in my diary. If I would be writing one."

John grinned: "How was your night?" Without waiting for her answer, he turned to Cameron, who just greeted his mother warmer than usual. "Yesterday we managed to buy everything we need. And we even met two guys from San Diego, who'll come around later to make us company."

Sarah had to swallow not to reveal herself that it was no news to her what John told her: "Really? Don't you think it could be risky to befriend someone so fast?"

"We're not exactly friends; we just thought that we could spend some time together. Besides … Cameron is here to protect me fiercely from anyone and anything. Right Cam?" he grinned at Cameron.

"Absolutely John. I'll never let anything happen to you." She nodded at him and turned to look at Sarah: "I swear!"

Sarah coughed to cover her slight confusion and said: "Oh well, I guess you two know what you're doing. Shall we go and take breakfast?"

"Now that's what you should've said a long time ago!" exclaimed Derek and began to grin. "I'm starving!" He didn't wait for the others and entered the dining room with resolute steps.

John and Cameron just wanted to enter the room too, as Sarah grabbed John's arm and stopped him: "After the breakfast, we should talk, John. In private!" She looked at Cameron, who stopped to wait for John and looked at Sarah blankly.

John looked at her perplexed: "About what?"

"Oh, just a small mother to son talk." Sarah answered nonchalantly, hiding her tension perfectly. She was still hoping to persuade John not to pursue a relationship with Cameron without having to go through with Derek's plan. She had a bad feeling about the plan, they developed jointly.

John frowned: "Is that really necessary? I'd like to go to the slope as soon as possible. Besides, we said to Tim and Andrea that they should come around at 9.00." It was obvious that he was trying to avoid the talk with his mother at any price. He didn't know what she wanted to discuss with him, but he had a vague idea that it would probably involve him and Cameron and it was a subject, he definitely didn't want to discuss with her at this time.

"Yes, it is. It won't take you long. And tin miss can prepare herself in the meantime." Sarah remained unwavering. She definitely had to have this talk and she had to have it without Cameron around.

John sighed: "OK, if it really is that important, I guess we could sit down for five minutes. If it makes you happy…"

Sarah smiled a fake friendly smile: "Yes, it does. Now, go and have some breakfast." Then she turned to Cameron: "What are you going to do while John eats his breakfast?"

"I'm going to have my own breakfast, together with John." Cameron's face didn't reveal any emotions and she stared blankly at Sarah. "I can eat, you know." She added, turned around and left a dumbfounded Sarah, standing in the doorway and gaping after the cyborg, who just told her she could eat, more or less pointing out that Sarah had no idea what she was capable of.

"You asked for it, mom." John couldn't help but smile slightly at his mother. He himself was a bit surprised at how Cameron countered his mother's attempts. She's progressing not day by day, but hour by hour. Unbelievable! He shook his head at Sarah and hurried after Cameron.

Sarah still stood there and stared after Cameron and John, who already caught up with the cyborg girl. Did she really just tell me she's going to have breakfast? Together with John? I definitely must have this talk with my son. She shook her head and finally entered the dining room too.

After John caught up with Cameron, he whispered in her ear: "Cam, don't overdo it with my mom, please. She's a bit jumpy when it comes to you and if you continue to defeat her in every discussion it won't be very good for your relationship."

Cameron stopped and looked at John with surprise: "Am I supposed to let myself be insulted? Are you suggesting that?"

John vehemently shook his head: "No, absolutely not! I'm just trying to tell you to be careful. My mom is sometimes reacting a bit irrational when it comes to machines in general and to you in specific and I wouldn't want you to get hurt in any way."

Cameron's expression lightened: "You care for me?"

John just nodded.

"Then I'll try to be a bit more reserved in my answers. But I won't let anyone more insult me for being what I am. I didn't choose this form of my existence; it was given to me and I will not allow anyone to judge me for what I am and not for who I am and what I do." Cameron's voice revealed her determination to fulfill her words, should the need arise.

John looked at her with open mouth. She just very clearly told him that she has her own will that she wants to be accepted as a person. "Cam, what's happening to you? You never expressed an attitude before. And now … now you're finally telling everyone that you are someone that you want to be considered." He smiled at her widely: "I love the new Cameron; Cameron, who wouldn't allow the others to treat on her."

Cameron was quite surprised even over her own words. She didn't really want to say what she just said, but the emotions got better of her, probably for the first time in her existence, and she said what she felt, not what her logic dictated her. After hearing John's words she slightly opened her mouth and looked at him with very confused eyes. But before she could say anything, John turned towards the counters, where food was waiting for hungry guests: "Come, Cam. Let's find something good to eat." He didn't wait for her answer and draw a beeline towards the counters.

Cameron stood there for a second with open mouth and gave John's back a glare. But she suppressed her slight annoyance at his action and followed him.

As she joined him at the counter, where he was trying to find something good, she admonished him: "You should take some fruit and vegetables. Considering that your body is still not fully developed it is of utmost importance that it's regularly provided with necessary intake of vitamins and minerals, therefore the fruit and vegetables would be the wisest choice."

John looked at her flabbergasted: "Are you kidding me? I should eat something like that for breakfast? No, my dear Cam, I'll go for …" He trailed off as he saw that she grinned evilly at him. "Oh yes, you are kidding me!" He grinned himself and shook his head in disbelief, how easy he fell for her subtle joke.

"Yes, I am kidding you, John. But I still advise you to take some fruit and vegetables. It's really the healthiest choice here." Her slightly evil grin turned into tender smile.

"I know, Cam. I will take some of them, but I'll also take something else."

"Pancakes?"

"Absolutely not! I won't even try pancakes as long as we're in this hotel. I'll get enough of them in burnt state after we return home." John's face showed clear disguise over idea he would have to eat pancakes even on vacation.

"But maybe they're not burnt, like you're used to. Perhaps you should at least try one to see, how pancakes taste when they're properly cooked." Cameron's smile turned back into evil smirk.

"Wait a minute! Did you just insult my mom's cooking skills? Haven't I told you to be careful only few second ago?" John worked hard to suppress laughter upon hearing Cameron's poisonous remark, but didn't completely succeed so his shoulders began to shake in quiet suppressed chuckling.

"Yes, I did insult her cooking skills. And no, she can't hear us, because she's 23 feet away and I was talking too quietly for a human to hear me over this distance." Cameron continued to grin at John. Then she turned to the counter: "I'll take a pancake and you can taste it later. I don't require food in such quantities and I'd be glad to share with you." She turned back to him with a small smile: "Would you like some jam or perhaps some jelly or something else? Chocolate?"

John finally got his laugh attack under control and answered with bemused voice: "Chocolate would be good." Then his eyes traveled across Cameron's face with admiration: "Cam, you're unbelievable. I'll really have to take care not to fall into your disgrace. Ever."

Cameron's face turned into serious one: "John, you know I would never do anything to harm you."

"I was talking about your speaking and joking mannerisms, Cam. You're getting so good at them, you can probably counter anyone you want and make them feel like fools. And I wouldn't want to feel like a fool."

Cameron raised one eyebrow: "Oh, that's what you meant. Well, I can't promise I'll never do it. But only if you'll deserve such a treatment."

John giggled: "Here you go again! Cam, let's just take the food and join our family over there." He tilted his head towards the table at the window, where Derek was already mightily at work to annihilate substantial quantities of food which was piled high on his platter. Sarah was also already sitting at the table with a large cup of coffee in her hands. She obviously chose to just drink the coffee and didn't take any food. With Derek being concentrated solely on his most important task of consuming unbelievable quantities of food, she had nothing to do but to stare into nothingness, albeit her face revealed her annoyance with clearly unsocial behavior of her room mate.

John began to fill his plate with food and looked at Cameron, who neatly placed a large, golden brown looking pancake in exact center of her plate and began pouring hot chocolate over it in a perfect symmetrical pattern. "Cam, you don't have to do it so perfectly."

Cameron looked from her plate to his eyes and back. After a split second she gazed into his eyes again: "I love symmetry. It's nicer to have everything arranged perfectly than to have it look like the wild water would scratch it together."

"Can't argue with that." John smiled at her. "Shall we go to the table?"

Cameron nodded and followed him towards the table where Derek and Sarah were already sitting.

TBC