You did it! What I mean – with your reviews you've managed that I reconsidered the framework of the story and this chapter is the result of this 'reconstruction'. The final result is that I had to rethink the further development, to rearrange some actions, to change the contents of separate chapters and add one more chapter. So … as from now on, there are 29 outlined chapters.

There may be more mistakes in this chapter. I finished it few minutes ago and only checked it once, so … please, be patient. But I didn't want to deprive you of this chapter. When you're done reading, you'll understand why.

But, the fact still remains: characters are OOC and in later chapters there will be lots of sappy moments, silly actions and no dark moments (at least that's what I INTEND to do – what I WILL do can sometimes differ…). After this intermezzo of slightly darker plot, the sun is going to shine brilliantly from the clear skies.

Chapter 15 – Revelations & Reveries, Part One

The way back to the hotel seemed to pass like in dreams. After they returned their gear John took Cameron's hand and didn't let go of it. Cameron was feeling like in a daze and had absolutely no intentions to let go of John's hand. She knew that they would have to have a serious talk and she was trying to prepare her explanation why she suddenly ran away. With a little surprise she realized that she was a bit ashamed of her reaction. It was reaction, more suitable for a moody teenage girl but absolutely inappropriate for a terminator from a dark future, built with a sole purpose to kill John Connor. The same John Connor who was now holding her hand and making her feel better than she ever felt in her entire existence. From time to time she cast him a look just to make sure that she wasn't imagining things and to notice his satisfied smile. Every time she looked at him, he seemed to have noticed it and squeezed her hand slightly. Quite a gentle squeeze, but it made her lips curve up in contempt every time it happened.

No one spoke a word, being happy just to be together again and knowing that they would be in the hotel soon, where they could have a talk and not be disturbed by anything or anyone.

After they arrived at the hotel, Cameron stopped in the lobby and caused also John to stop. He looked at her perplexed: "Why did you stop?"

"I think you should talk to your mother first." Somehow reluctantly Cameron gazed into his eyes.

John's face fell: "Why would you want me to talk to her now?"

"You've been away for quite a long time … searching for me." She let her head hung for a moment in embarrassment but lifted it quickly and continued: "She must be very worried for you." She was confused. Why wouldn't John want to talk to his mother? Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. Does these irritating things about which John wants to talk to me, include Sarah Connor? Or Derek Reese?

John's face revealed that he was really not happy with the thought to talk to his mother now and he looked into Cameron's confused eyes slightly pleadingly: "Cam, I really don't want to talk to her right now. After our talk, right?"

Cameron tilted her head: "John, does the topic, you want to talk to me about include your mother?

John's jaw almost hit the ground: "Where did you get this idea, Cam?"

"I may not be human, but I can tell when you're upset with something. And it's more than obvious that the idea to talk to your mother upsets you." Cameron explained to him calmly, but her eyes looked at him warmly.

John suddenly felt like a kid, caught with his hand in a jam jar and looked at his boots for a moment. How can she be so perceptive? Is she really a machine? Few human girls would deduct the truth so correctly but the supposedly unfeeling terminator manages it. Then he decided and looked in her eyes, gazing at him and requesting an answer. Before he answered a thought crossed his mind. Does she know how adorable she is when she tilts her head like this?

He inhaled deeply and answered: "Yes, Cam, it has to do with her. That's why I don't want to talk to her right now. Her or Derek."

Cameron gave him a ghost of a smile: "John, I still think it would be better to tell her that we're back. You don't have to talk to her, just tell her that we're here. If you don't, she might do something unpredictable."

John couldn't believe that it was Cameron, telling him that he should tell his mother. She's absolutely right! Mom will flip out if she won't know that we're back! "Cam, you're unbelievable. You know what … I'll call her and tell her that everything's OK and then we'll go to our room to talk. Agreed?"

Cameron smiled warmly at him upon hearing his words. He appreciates my suggestion. I did the right thing. She nodded and let his hand go so that he could fish his phone out of the pocket.

John felt a little odd after Cameron's hand let go of his. During their walk from the ski lift he got himself used to the feeling of her warm hand in his. It felt so natural, like their hands were made to hold each other. He smiled at her gently and reached for his phone. He dialed his mother's number and after two rings, she answered. They tapped in the correct codes. "Mom? It's me. I'm back. Everything's fine, sure. No, I would like to … Mom, it really isn't necessary to come down … Sure, she's with me … OK, if you insist … right, we'll be waiting in the lobby. Bye."

He looked at Cameron with slightly annoyed eyes: "She wants to come down, together with Derek. She wouldn't take no for an answer." He sighed and plopped down onto the couch. After he was sitting comfortably, he looked up at Cameron, still standing above him with an undefined expression. "Cam? Please, sit down." He tapped the couch by his side.

"It wouldn't be advisable if we would be sitting too close together." Cameron objected somehow half heartedly. "Sarah and Derek might get the wrong impression."

John looked at her for a second: "You know what, Cam? I don't care what they think. I may be still a teenager, but I know what I want. Please, Cam, sit down and don't let them bring you into bad mood." He smiled at her lovingly and Cameron felt how she involuntarily began to smile back. Yes, he wants to be with me! He likes me and he's even prepared to argue with his own mother. She nodded and sat down, close to him. John's next action surprised her again. He reached for her hand and took it into his, while looking at her and smiling gently. Cameron felt better than she ever felt in her existence.

They didn't talk, they just sat there, holding hands, looking into each other's eyes and smiling slightly embarrassed.

After a minute, the door to that staircase flew open and Sarah stormed through them with Derek in close pursuit. She looked agitated but at the same time relieved, while Derek looked like he'd just got out of the bed. What was, in fact, the truth. After Sarah sent him to the room, he really rested and tried to get rid of the alcohol induced dizziness. However with not exactly big success, so that he was still under strong influence of alcohol. But before they left the room, Sarah made him clear that he wouldn't return to the room alive should he continue his ranting. He promised her he'd behave himself and had every intention to fulfill his promise.

Sarah stormed to John, who got up and pulled Cameron with him, not letting go of her hand. However, Sarah was obviously oblivious to them holding hands. Her gaze was fixed on John's face and she smiled like a Cheshire cat. After she reached her son, she threw her arms around him, almost knocking him off his feet and squeezed him vigorously: "I'm so happy you're OK, John!"

"Hey, mom, not so violently, please," John objected in a mixture of annoyance and happiness. He knew how worried his mother was and accepted her reaction as normal. However, she just might be overdoing it. "I haven't been missing for a long time. There was absolutely no danger to me." He suddenly remembered how Cameron got him out of a not so innocent situation and looked apologetically at her. She just smiled back, letting him know she wouldn't reveal to Sarah what happened up the slope. He smiled back thankfully. The last thing he wanted now was his mother, jumping up and lecturing him about being cautious.

Sarah missed the exchange between her son and Cameron. She was so happy to have John back that she completely forgot their discussion earlier at the ski lift. She hugged him fiercely, like she wouldn't be prepared to ever again let him loose. Then she felt how he gently tried to get out of the embrace and suddenly remembered his annoyance earlier. Reluctantly, she let him out of the hug and looked at him: "Ahem, John, I'm sorry. I'm just so happy that everything's OK."

John coughed discreetly and looked into his mother's eyes. Yes, he was still upset about her action, but now he was finally able to see the emotions in her eyes. He began to understand her remorse. He just didn't want to clear it up just now. He had to talk to Cameron first. "Mom, I won't say that everything's OK now. After what you two obviously tried to do …" His eyes roamed towards Derek, who was standing behind Sarah and kept himself out of what happened between the Connors. After John's words, his eyes lifted to look into his nephew's eyes and he suddenly felt embarrassed. John shifted his look back to his mother, who was standing in front of him with a face, revealing her embarrassment too. "We'll talk about it later. I just wanted to let you know that I found Cameron and we're going into our room."

At his words, Sarah finally noticed that Cameron was standing close to her son. The cyborg girl looked at her with slightly tilted head and a ghost of a smile on her lips, while the eyes peered at her with unseen intensity. She probably knows it too. A thought shot through Sarah's mind. But in this moment, Sarah's attitude towards her son's protector seemed greatly confused. On one hand, she still saw the terminator behind her pretty face, but on the other hand she could see how her son changed after he found her again and she couldn't help but feel somehow thankful to her. True, John was still mad at her, but he was obviously prepared to talk to her in peace. If anything, Sarah wasn't stupid. She knew perfectly well that it was only Cameron's doing that John calmed down so significantly.

So Sarah did something unseen, something that let both men gasp in surprise and Cameron frozen with wide opened eyes. She threw her arms around the cyborg for a second and squeezed her tightly. "Thank you!"

In the next moment she let go of the teenage girl and looked confused and perhaps a bit ashamed. John stared at her with open mouth, Derek copied his action, while Cameron ... well, Cameron managed to regain her composure as first and looked into Sarah's eyes curiously: "What for?"

Sarah shuffled her feet and answered after a short pause, after directing her gaze into Cameron's eyes: "For being there for John. I don't know what happened up there and, actually, I'm perhaps not the one to lecture you, but … I see that John appreciates you being around and that's why I'd like to thank you for being there for him." She paused a bit but then her eyes hardened: "I would just like to warn you that you should really reconsider ever running away again. It might result in undesired consequences."

John felt somehow relieved to see his mother back to normal, no matter how much he appreciated that she was obviously close to accepting Cameron, so he grinned slightly: "Trust mom to be mom." He turned towards Derek: "I guess you and I will have to have a man to man talk. Alone and undisturbed."

Derek nodded. He didn't trust his own actions, so he restrained himself to the minimally needed interaction. "I guess we do. Later. And John … I'm glad that you're OK too." He didn't even try to look at Cameron, he just turned around and went for the stairs.

John shook his head after his departing uncle and turned to his mother: "Cameron and I will now go up to our room. I think we should meet at supper if it's OK with you?" Subconsciously, his hand searched for Cameron's and after he found it, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

This time Sarah didn't miss the intimate way of her son's interaction with Cameron and bit her tongue just on time before serving a poisonous remark. Now was not the time for such things. She nodded: "OK John, as you wish. We'll meet in the restaurant then." She forced herself to turn around and went for the staircase.

After the door closed behind her, John sighed relieved and turned to Cameron: "That didn't go too bad, right?"

Cameron nodded with a ghost of a smile: "I think that Sarah Connor is beginning to understand that her son isn't a kid anymore."

"Better yet … I think that she's slowly beginning to understand that you're different than the machines she met before. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it … my mother hugging you?" John shook his head incredulously and smiled at Cameron: "She didn't even comment on me holding your hand. Although she noticed it."

"Things can change very quickly if the right catalyst is applied," answered Cameron.

John looked at her a little confused, but smiled immediately: "You're quite right. Now … shall we go to our room to talk?"

Cameron just nodded and they went for the lift.

After arriving into their room, Cameron felt a little nervous. She knew that the moment of truth was nearing unavoidably and she wasn't sure how to tell John why she ran away. Probably it would be the best to tell him everything. He trusts me and he'll understand me.

Cameron took off her jacket and looked at John: "John … I …" But she was cut off by his finger on her lips.

"Cam, please! You don't have to be afraid of the truth. Just tell me why you ran away, why you hid in the forest. And please … tell me everything; you don't have to protect me from anything." He smiled at her affectionately while guiding her to the settee. He sat down and pulled her after him.

Cameron smiled at him relieved that he was so gentle and sighed like any girl would. "John, first of all, I'd like to apologize for running away. It was stupid and I endangered you." She paused and looked into John's eyes. He smiled at her: "Cam, please, don't blame yourself. I'm sure you had a damn good reason to do what you did." He nodded at her to continue.

Cameron was happy that John obviously didn't resent her, so she continued: "After we've been separated, I was all the time hoping to find you somewhere on the slope. But our groups were obviously always so far apart that I couldn't. Until that time." She stopped for a second and looked into his eyes with guilty eyes. "I was following my group and I saw you, how you just joined yours. I wanted to call you but in that moment I saw how Andrea crashed into you and you kissed." She dropped her head for a second.

John gasped. So she really saw what happened! He opened his mouth to explain everything to her, but Cameron stopped him by putting her finger against his lips. "Please, John, let me finish." John nodded, reached for her finger and kissed it gently, trying to reassure her that it was just a misunderstanding. He didn't miss how Cameron's eyes widened slightly at his gesture and smiled at her lovingly.

"After I saw you kissing her, I was devastated. I don't understand why, but it hurt so terribly. I didn't know what to do so I decided to run away to think about it. I was afraid you'd prefer her over me." She was definitely having problems expressing her emotions and looked helplessly into John's eyes, but, before he could react, she continued: "I was thinking to retreat and protect you from afar." John's eyes showed his horror at the thought he could lose his Cameron and he squeezed her hand. "But, after I heard you calling for me, I was even more confused. I saw you kissing Andrea and yet you were looking for me. I decided that I should talk to you what really happened." John's eyes looked relieved, but she wasn't finished yet. "After I found you and after I realized that you care for me, I replayed the scene and I saw that you probably didn't want to kiss her." She looked into his eyes pleadingly, begging him to tell her what she so desperately wanted to hear.

John felt that she told him everything and was now just waiting for him and sighed deeply. Before he began talking, he gently ran his finger down her cheek and caused her to smile involuntarily. "Cam, I'm so sorry that you had to see it. It was just like you realized all by yourself: she was trying to hit on me and even kissed me. But I didn't want her to kiss me, please, you've got to believe me. She's not the one whom I want to kiss …" He trailed off and gazed dreamily into her eyes, but recomposed himself quickly: "So, it was just a big misunderstanding. I don't want Andrea, I would never deliberately hurt you. Yeah, she was too insistent in her attempts, but after what you saw, we managed to clear everything and she understands that she's not the one. She knows that my heart beats for someone else … for you."

He gazed into her eyes, which were suddenly becoming dangerously wet and wide in surprise. "John?" Her soft voice caressed his ears. There was so much emotion in the way she asked his name, there was so much insecurity, hope, suppressed happiness that he simply couldn't hold it any more so he bowed to her and tenderly brushed her lips with his own. He felt how she at first remained passive in shock, but after a second, her lips began to respond to his and they sank into a beautiful kiss, their first kiss. Nothing else mattered; the world around them could in this moment well cease to exist, they probably wouldn't even notice it. They both needed just one thing: each other. They have been dancing around their feelings for quite a long time now and the dam finally broke, they couldn't suppress their love anymore.

Cameron felt how Johns arms hugged her and his hand got tangled into her hair and began to caress the back of her head. As if the overwhelming sensations of his lips on hers weren't enough, his hand on her head sent additional jolts of pleasure through her. For a split second she asked herself what was going on with her, but the sensations of her first kiss were so overwhelming, that they rolled over her logic like a heavy steam roller and let her enjoy the moment. Hesitantly she rose her arms and hugged him back. Her hand rested on the back of his head and gently stroke it. If someone would later ask her how she felt in this moment she'd probably have significant difficulties to describe it. She felt like all her logic would shut down, her senses all concentrated on John and everything else became void. In different words: she was lost in love.

John felt like his heart would explode, so fast was it beating. He was finally kissing the girl of his dreams, the girl, who wasn't literally the girl. Nothing else mattered, just the girl in his arms, kissing him so passionately, trembling slightly from the pent up emotions, finally set free. He felt like the world would finally be set right. Everything before was gone, everything that awaited him was unimportant. He wanted this kiss to last forever. Why did he wait for so long? He didn't know and he didn't even want to know, he just realized what he's been missing by being such a pain in the ass for such a long time.

The kiss seemed to last forever. After they finally separated their lips, they remained closely hugged and John put his forehead to hers, looking into her eyes with unrestrained love. "Do you believe me Cam, when I say that there's no one else but you?"

Cameron smiled at him a little shakily and tried her best to nod while maintaining their touch. "I'm sorry John."

"What for? You've nothing to be sorry for, Cam. If there's someone who should apologize than it's me. I put you in a terrible situation, I caused you pain … you're the one who should be asked for forgiveness and I'm asking you to forgive me. Can you?" John understood now how fragile Cameron actually was. He neglected the fact that he has been living with emotions since his birth, while Cameron realized that she was capable of them just few weeks ago. She was just like a baby, a child, getting acquainted with its emotions, scared of what it was feeling, insecure as of how to respond to them. In this moment he made a solemn vow to himself to always be there for Cameron to help her understand her feelings, to make her feel wanted and loved, to be the shield for her heart. His heart rose in sudden pride upon reaching such decision. I know that you were sent back to protect me. But I will protect you just as fiercely. I won't let anything happen to you. I swear!

This time Cameron straightened up and looked into his eyes in confusion. She regretted almost instantly to lose the close touch with her John and brought her forehead back to touch his. "I don't understand John. Why would I have to forgive you? And what?"

John inhaled deeply: "Cam, I've been such an idiot for such a long time. I knew that you began developing emotions, but I simply ignored it. I selfishly thought that you'd master them, like it would be a minor inconvenience. But I forgot one thing: I know the emotions my entire life and still don't understand them, while you experienced them for the first time few weeks ago, but I simply ignored the fact and thought you'd understand them and be able to control them. I was never there for you to help you, to try to teach you, to be your rock in the storm. That's what I'm asking you to forgive me. And I promise you to always be there for you. I'll help you understand what you're feeling. I'll explain it to you. I'll be your rock in the storm. If you'll let me. Will you?"

Cameron's eyes were brimming with tears. She so didn't expect this! He loves me! He wants to help me! I'm not alone anymore, I've got my John! The first tears were beginning to spill over and began their travel down her cheeks. She strengthened her hug. "Thank you John! Thank you. I will always let you help me. I've missed it so much as you stopped explaining things to me." She paused and sniffed: "I'm so happy that I was wrong." She smiled through tears: "Isn't it strange? Few hours ago I was so desperate that I ran away and now … now I'm happier than I've ever been."

John cupped her cheek and gave her a gentle kiss. "Not only you … I've never been happier in my life either. I love you, Cam."

"And I love you John!" Cameron couldn't help but giggle through the tears and put her lips on John's again.

TBC