Here's the next chapter. After John and Cameron finally gave in to their feelings, what else is there to tell? A lot! Whole lotta lot (to freely paraphrase Led Zeppelin, lol). First: they have to tell it to Sarah and Derek somehow. Second: the vacation just began, there are still many days left to enjoy. And that's what they want to do. After all: that's the main reason they're here. But first things first – John told his mom to meet at the supper. So … supper plus inevitable talk with his mom; the second in one day. Gee … they've done more talking in one day than in entire season of the show, I guess. I only hope it's not too boring.

Chapter 17 - Revelations & Reveries, Part Three

"Am I dressed correctly for the supper?" Cameron stood in front of the mirror, pivoting from one side to another to look at herself just like any girl, trying to figure out if she made the right choice of clothing for the occasion. She tilted her head and her eyes ran down her attire. She chose a short, very short, sleeveless black dress, giving a whole new meaning to the famous little black dress.

John stood behind her and fought a losing battle with his hormones. He eyed Cameron like any hormonally driven teenager would, looking at a beautiful girl and his cloggy mind came up with one single clear thought: She's seducing me with everything she's got! He swallowed hard and his eyes ran down her smooth legs to her chose of footwear that was something completely unexpected. Instead of her usual choice – combat boots, she decided for black sandals with quite high heels that infinitely underlined the perfect shape of her legs. He had absolutely no idea that she even had something like that in her choice of shoes.

Cameron turned to look at him, expecting an answer to her question with creased forehead. "John?"

Her questioning voice finally broke the spell, John found himself in, and he abruptly snapped his eyes to look into hers: "Sorry, Cam, I missed your question?"

Cameron grinned at him, noticing his complete distraction and took a step toward him, putting her arms on his shoulders, clasping her hands behind his neck: "I asked if I chose the appropriate dress for this occasion. Do I look all right?" She cocked her head and looked at him seductively.

"All right? Hell, Cam, you look great, you look gorgeous; you're going to be the center of attention down there. Aren't you overdoing it a little? I mean … this sexy dress for an ordinary supper?" John couldn't help but drool a little over her appearance.

Cameron put on her blank face: "John, you said yourself that I should behave more like a human girl to convince your mother and Derek. I'm trying to fit in better, so …" She did her best to maintain the blank terminator expression, but she found it increasingly difficult to act so machine-like around John since she experienced his love.

"Yeah, sure, but still …" John was lost of words and finally grinned at her: "Cam, you'll be the most beautiful girl in the restaurant." He put his hands to her sides and pulled her into a kiss. After they broke it, he whispered: "Shall we go now my princess?"

Cameron nodded with a happy smile on her face and linked her arm with his.

After they arrived to the restaurant, Cameron quietly said into John's ear: "Sarah and Derek are already here – the fifth table on the right in the back." She slightly shoved her head in the general direction.

John turned and saw that his mother and uncle were really already there. He smiled a little strained and squeezed Cameron's hand gently: "Oh well, up into the dragon's cave then."

Cameron remained quiet for a second and then asked quietly: "Is this also an expression?" She looked at him with big eyes. She had never before heard such an expression.

John grinned: "Not exactly, I just made it up. But I know that you understand what I mean."

Cameron looked indecisive for a second but smiled at him and nodded.

Sarah sat at the table and waited for her son and Cameron to join them. She already had a short discussion with Derek to persuade him not to spoil anything. Derek managed to get rid of the alcohol induced dizziness quite good and was now more prepared to listen to Sarah, so he promised he would behave himself and not spoil the evening.

"Here you are!" John's voice from nearby brought her out of her thoughts and she looked at him. The first thing she noticed, however, wasn't John, but Cameron, standing there in her little black dress, her arm linked with Johns and smiling warmly at her son. She slightly shook her head and wiped her eyes as if she'd believe to hallucinate. The cyborg was so different from the one she knew that it took her breath away. But before she could say anything, John complained: "I see that you chose to sit at the opposite sides of the table, just to prevent me from sitting close to Cameron." He sighed theatrically and turned to Cameron: "Sorry, Cameron, but, seeing that we can't sit together, I think you should sit beside my mom. I'll take the free spot beside this sulking man." He looked at Derek to see if he would react to his comment but was surprised a little that Derek just glared at him and didn't say anything. But John didn't miss that Derek briefly looked at Cameron with wondering eyes, as if he wouldn't quite believe what he saw.

If John thought that Cameron's appearance would have some impact on his mother and Derek, he now knew that his expectations were the understatement of the century. He saw how Sarah's jaw fell open and she stared at Cameron like she'd never seen a girl in a black dress before and his uncle's reaction was no different, just a little better guarded and hidden. He grinned satisfied at Cameron and led her to the chair he chose for her, playing a perfect gentleman by grabbing the chair to let her sit on it like a real lady: "Here you are, my princess!"

Cameron seemed to enjoy his attention endlessly and after she sat down, she looked up at him and smiled: "Thank you John."

Sarah watched the exchange between her son and the cyborg breathlessly. Her eyes followed her son as he made his way around the table and as he sat down, he looked at her challengingly. The look on his face made her clear that he wouldn't tolerate any Sarah Connor trade mark remarks, so she bit her tongue and asked: "Is everything OK, John?"

"Sure, everything's perfect, right Cam?" He turned to Cameron and smiled tenderly at her. Cameron nodded enthusiastically and turned to Sarah: "Yes, Sarah, everything is just fine."

Sarah swallowed hard, looked at Derek, who acted uninterested and seemingly occupied with the menu. In fact he wasn't exactly looking at it, his eyes turned towards Cameron ever again. That's not possible! No machine can act like this one. It has to be some of her infiltration protocols. But as he looked into her eyes, he wasn't so sure any more. There was life in those brown eyes and she smiled far too natural to be just executing some infiltration programming. Could it be that I was wrong? Could it be that she's really different? He suddenly shuddered at realization that he considered Cameron as a female for the first time. After the realization hit him, he shuddered even more at recognition that it didn't feel wrong to call her a 'she'.

Cameron was carefully watching Sarah's and Derek's reaction to her and was satisfied to see that they were completely taken by surprise but that they didn't act hostile towards her. Not even at slightest! She believed to even see something in Derek's eyes. Something she could best describe as confusion, pondering and perhaps even a slightest trace of admiration. She was very well aware that her physical appearance was very appealing to human males and this time she decided to make use of it. As she noticed the results were quite satisfying. She smiled slightly and decided to hide behind a menu too, so she took it into her hands and looked into it. After a while, she looked over it into John's eyes: "John? Do you have any suggestions what I should eat? I'm not very familiar with it." She looked pleadingly at him and saw how he almost melted under the table at her puppy dog look. It seems that if I treat him to my puppy dog look he goes weak and is prepared to do anything for me. I should memorize it! But she knew that she would never use her power over John to force him into anything. Well … perhaps only into holding and kissing her. She liked kissing very much. It caused the waves of satisfaction sweeping over her and she was eager to do it again as soon as possible.

Sarah, who was meanwhile also trying to hide behind the menu, suddenly let her card fall on the table and turned to John: "John, could you please take care of tin miss? It's obvious that you're the only one able to help her." Her voice came out harsher than she intended to and she regretted it immediately after seeing how John's eyes darkened and hardened. She sighed: "Sorry, I didn't mean it so." She looked apologetically into Cameron's eyes and turned to John's afterwards. Why on earth did I just apologize to a terminator? Christ, Sarah, you're losing it! But deep down she already knew that it was only natural to act this way. How Cameron behaved since they came to this vacation was so different from any machine that she couldn't even begin to count the differences.

John cast his mother one, not exactly seriously meant, withering look and turned to Cameron: "I have no idea what you'd like. Perhaps some pasta?" Ha paused and continued carefully: "Can you taste the food at all?"

Cameron gave him an 'are you really that dense?' look: "Of course I can. I already told you once: I wouldn't be much worth if I couldn't feel. And tasting the food is one of these feelings."

John felt how his cheeks got warm and probably rosy and cursed himself for being so clumsy: "Yeah, you did, Cam. Sorry, it's just … I'm not used to … to …"

"Machines tasting the food and having feelings?" Cameron finished his sentence in a questioning voice with a ghost of a smile. "I'm a machine, John and there's no fairy or wizard to change that. I'm a mechanical life form and that's how it's going to be, so I have to accept it and deal with it." She stopped with open mouth as if she would want to say something more, but changed her mind. I can only hope that you will be able to deal with it too John. She looked at him slightly confused and then turned her eyes back to the menu: "I'll take the little mixed salad and chocolate ice cream. Pasta would be too much."

John was feeling stupid and stretched his arm across the table to put his hand over hers, resting on the table. "Sorry Cam, I didn't mean to hurt you. You know I never would, right?"

Cameron smiled back at him: "I know John. But I still won't take pasta."

John sighed and smiled relieved. He squeezed her hand one more time and pulled his own back to not challenge his mother too much.

Sarah witnessed their conversation with mixed emotions. She could clearly see that there was something going on between the two, but this was not the place to discuss it. Later she would talk to John and he would have some explaining to do. As me too! Christ, how can I expect to force him into anything after what I've done? She sighed: "OK, we should order then." Nobody had anything to object, so she motioned for the waiter to come and take their orders.

After they ordered the food and their drinks, Sarah tried desperately to initiate a casual talk, but failed miserably. Derek acted like he wouldn't be present at the table at all; John was answering with shortest possible words and looked dreamily at Cameron. The only one who seemed to be prepared to have a conversation at all was Cameron. I can't believe it! The cyborg is the only one who would talk to me normally! The human males wouldn't even answer me! For Christ's sake!

After the supper was served, they all engaged in the new activity. John was curiously eying Cameron. He did saw her taking a bite or two before, but until earlier in the morning, as she took a pancake for breakfast, he had no idea that she could eat almost as a human girl. He noticed how carefully and measured she sliced the salad into small pieces, popped them into mouth and chewed them thoroughly before swallowing. Suddenly she stopped and looked at him: "Am I doing something wrong?"

John swallowed the bite he just took off his steak and shook his head a little embarrassed: "No, you're doing it perfectly, I'm just mesmerized by you …" He trailed off and stopped before he would say too much. He didn't miss Cameron's thankful but also impish smile as well as his mother's annoyed look.

After they finished their food, with John being completely lost in watching Cameron how she obviously enjoyed her ice cream, John finally turned to his mother: "Mom, I think that there are some things we should discuss." A sense of déjà-vu came over him. Gee, we just had a talk like this in the morning and now for the second time in one day I have to have a serious discussion with my mother! He looked at her seriously.

Sarah nodded, relieved, that he was the one to initiate it: "Right. I think that we should probably go to my room. There are too many people here to remain undisturbed." She rose and turned to Derek: "Where are you going to be?"

For the first time this evening Derek opened his mouth to speak: "I'll just go into the bar and have a large mug of coffee."

Sarah nodded and added threateningly: "Don't try to drink any more alcohol!"

Derek shuddered: "As if I would! I've had more than enough of it for the time being."

Sarah nodded and grinned at him: "Good!" Then she turned to John: "Shall we?"

John nodded and stood up, reaching for Cameron's hand and guiding her towards Sarah.

Sarah looked at Cameron with big eyes: "But … I thought we'd have a talk alone? What's she doing with you?"

John looked at his mother: "She's going with me. There's nothing you or anyone else can tell me that can't be said in front of her. Besides … what are we going to talk about is her business just as much as mine. She's in. Period."

Sarah was taken aback with her son's resolute standing and as she looked into his defiant eyes, she knew that this was a fight she couldn't win. So she just nodded and went for the exit.

They ascended toward Sarah's room in silence, Sarah leading the way. She was glad to be in front of the two. She really wasn't prepared yet to look at their intertwined hands, to notice their loving looks, to be forced to look at the way they clearly showed their affection for each other.

After they entered the room, Cameron scanned it quickly and was a little disappointed to notice that Sarah and Derek obviously weren't exactly fans of tidiness. The room was scattered with their stuff like a path of a tornado. She decided that hers and John's room was much more comfortable and tidy. She moved some Sarah's clothes, lying on the bed, aside to make place for herself and John to sit down.

Sarah took a seat on a chair in front of the two and looked at John expectantly.

John sat down beside Cameron and took her hand. He felt how she gently squeezed it and felt thankful for the subtle support Cameron gave him. She's always there for me, she never backs off. How couldn't I have noticed it before? In this moment he finally admitted to himself, that he was terrified to have this talk to his mother. As they talked earlier at the ski lift, he was so irritated and upset that he said some things he regretted. But now … he calmed down, he wanted this to be a constructive discussion, he wanted his mother to understand him, to see what he saw in Cameron. Despite his behavior before, he was also still a boy and the woman, sitting in front of him, looking at him, was his mother, someone who impacted his life more that anyone else.

He sighed heavily and looked into his mother's eyes: "Mom, first of all I'd like to apologize for what I said earlier today. I was upset and crazy of worries so some things simply slipped my tongue. But not everything." He stopped for a second and looked into Cameron's eyes. She looked at him gently and smiled encouragingly to him.

He returned his gaze to Sarah: "But nothing can change the fact that you did something I simply cannot understand. So, please, tell me: why did you try to separate me from Cameron? What were you thinking?" He tried his best to control his anger, which began to rise again.

Sarah sighed heavily, but forced herself not to drop her head and to stay focused on John's eyes. It was important to her that he knew that she was being sincere. "I'm so sorry for what I tried to do. I couldn't accept the fact that Cameron could be so close to you. I've seen how you reacted to her and I thought that it was sick, to act towards a machine in that way. She was sent back as a protector and that's all she should be." She slightly lifted her hand to stop John, who was already opening his mouth to answer her and according to his dark face, his remark wouldn't be exactly friendly.

"I said that I thought so. Past tense! The point is … today I have been taught that I was wrong. I saw the way you acted as you believed Cameron had ran away. I saw just how much you care for her." She hung her head for a second, but then lifted it and looked into Cameron's inquisitive eyes: "And you … the way you acted today … I can't start to describe how shocked I was and still am. Today you began to change everything I believed in. I don't know if it's your infiltrator profile, something you were programmed to do … However, I saw you acting as an infiltrator before and this, today … it was different. It seemed more real."

John cut her off: "Mom, this is the real Cameron. She's not acting, she's not following some programming, she's just being herself."

Sarah nodded not exactly convinced and looked into Cameron's eyes. Cameron returned her look: "What John says is true, Sarah. I've changed since that car bomb. I'm feeling things differently. It still confuses me, but I'm not running any infiltration protocols or subroutines."

Sarah's eyes fell to their joined hands and she noticed how Cameron clutched to John's hand as if she would be holding something very precious to her and like she would never let it go. She nodded to herself and looked into John's eyes again: "I know that I can't undo what I've done. I can only tell you how sorry I am and promise you that I'll never go against your wishes again. And to beg you to forgive me. I'm sorry, John, I really am and I'm so ashamed that I let myself go so far."

John nodded absentminded and after a second looked into Sarah's eyes: "I suppose that it was Derek who launched the idea to separate us, wasn't he? Somehow I can't believe that my own mother would do something like that. No matter how much you hate machines."

Sarah fidgeted a little and delayed her answer. But she knew that John would insist on getting the answer, so she swallowed and nodded. She didn't trust her voice to answer him.

John nodded solemnly: "I thought so." He paused and for few seconds they were all silent. Then he looked into Sarah's face resolutely: "Mom, I'm still mad at you for what you did, you know that. After all, I'm your son and am every way as stubborn as you … maybe even more. But I believe that you thought to be acting to my benefit. Although the result was exactly the opposite of what you wanted to achieve. But … you realized your mistake and you are prepared to admit it. Look … I told you in the morning that I may not agree with you, but that I love you. And I'll say it once again."

Sarah looked into his eyes hopefully, but didn't say anything, sensing, that he wasn't finished yet.

"But today things have changed thoroughly. What was an option in the morning is the fact now. While I was up there on the slope, searching for Cameron, hoping for the best and fearing the worst, I finally managed to realize something." He paused, clutched at Cameron's hand and inhaled deeply. "Mom, you have to know, that Cameron and I are in love!" After saying the words he didn't dare to immediately look at his mother or Cameron, but kept his eyes downcast, fixed on his shoes, expecting the outburst. After few seconds nothing happened and he lifted his eyes to look into his mother's completely flabbergasted face. Her jaw hung open and she was obviously holding her breath and looking at John in absolute shock. Then he turned to look at Cameron and almost had to laugh aloud as he saw a very similar picture as he'd seen while looking at Sarah. Cameron stared at him unmoving with slightly opened mouth and eyes, big as saucers. "So? Does anyone have anything to say?" His courage returned, although he knew that his mother's reaction would come inevitably.

Cameron remained completely silent, she just closed her mouth and her eyes shrank to their normal size and John would bet that he saw something like pride in them. Sarah meanwhile also managed to close her mouth and get over the initial shock. "WHAT?" She exclaimed aloud and glared daggers into John and Cameron.

However, John managed to regain his courage: "I think that I made it quite clear, mom. I love Cameron and she loves me. And we will be together, no matter what anyone else has to object." He stared defiantly into Sarah's eyes, challenging her to oppose him.

Sarah was on the verge of exploding and she had to restrain herself not to give in on her impulses. She knew that John wouldn't take it easy, should she react like she wanted too. After all, I should have expected it. It was more than obvious that something was going on between the two. But love? She swallowed hard and turned to Cameron, who was eyeing her with a mixture of curiosity, defiance and expectance. "Is it true? Can you feel anything? Do you even know what love is? Do you … do you love my son?"

Cameron took a second to think over the questions, tilted her head and answered, looking Sarah directly in her eyes: "I already told you that I changed after the car bomb. Yes, I can feel emotions, yes, I know what love is and yes, I love John. Maybe not just like humans do, but I do."

"But how do you know that what you feel is love? Have you ever loved before? Sarah was having difficulties coping with the new situation. "Is your love real?"

"No, I've never felt love before. I wasn't even capable of it. How do I know that it's love what I feel?" She paused, looked into John's eyes, squeezed his hand and smiled. Then she turned back to Sarah: "If love is when you want to spend every second with a certain person, then I feel love. If love is when you're prepared to die for that person, then I feel love. If love is when you feel good only when you're with the object of your desires, then I feel love." After she finished, she stared defiantly into Sarah's eyes but after few seconds she added: "And it's very real to me."

Sarah was taken aback after hearing Cameron's words. Cameron was describing her exact the same feelings she felt when she was with Kyle. Still, a worm of doubt was eagerly on its work. "How can I know that you're not lying. It's not as if you've never lied before. How can I be sure that you're not lying now."

"You can't." Cameron answered calmly, but her eyes looked at Sarah with fire. "You have to believe me. Besides it's not exactly your decision. If John believes me than you should trust him that he knows. If anyone knows me then it's him." She turned and looked at John, who was staring at her with unhidden admiration in his eyes. "Do you believe me that I love you, John?"

John nodded vigorously without hesitation and turned to his mother: "I trust her with my life, mom." He grinned: "Do you remember what I told you this morning about my suspicions concerning her chip after she went bad?"

Sarah nodded weakly, while Cameron furrowed her brows and looked at John questioningly. He just smiled at his lover and continued: "Well, we had a talk before the supper and I was completely right. I hadn't done anything, it was all her. She overrode the kill order and chose to protect me because she wants to be with me." He looked into Cameron's bright eyes and couldn't help but stroke her cheek gently with his other hand, causing her to smile happily at him.

Sarah saw Cameron's reaction to John's tenderness and sighed heavily. "So, you're programmed to protect him? Why did you then try to kill us?"

"No mom. She's not programmed to do anything at all. She's her own person, has her free will and can do whatever she wants. She managed to firewall Skynet's kill order so that it can't ever resurface again." John smiled fondly and proudly at Cameron.

Sarah was not so sure but didn't want to argue at this moment. "John, have you ever thought how you will convince people that she's to be trusted? Have you ever thought about the problems her nature might cause in the war? Have you ever thought of her being the target of assaults after people will find out that she's a machine?"

John stared at his mother defiantly and nodded: "Yes mom, I have. And I have only one answer – we will find a way. No matter how difficult, stony, rocky it might be, we'll find it. Because I'm not going to do this without her … or without you. I need you both, mom, so please … don't make me choose between two women I love." His voice got a pleading undertone as he looked into his mother's eyes expectantly.

Sarah sighed and hung her head. Her son knew exactly how to strike a nerve or better – how he could convince her to let him have his way. She knew him good enough to be absolutely sure she'd push him away should she be openly against such a relationship. Even more … she wasn't sure he'd chose her over Cameron. As a matter of fact, she believed he'd choose Cameron. She could see how they both behaved, how they exchanged meaningful glances, touching each other and sitting together too close for her taste. But then … how would she behave if she had a chance to enjoy moments with Kyle? Probably the same way her son and Cameron did. But what astonished her the most was the fact, that Cameron was initiating the exchange of affection just as often as John. If she wouldn't know what she was, she'd never believe that she was a machine. She acted so human-like!

"John, I won't say that I approve of your relationship. I don't and I think it's not natural. But I can see that she makes you happy and if it takes her for that then I'm willing to give her a chance." She turned to Cameron: "And you, tin miss, you should know that if you ever hurt him, I'll find a way to disassemble you bolt by bolt and burn you."

"If I ever hurt John, I'll be the first to destroy myself." Cameron answered with completely serious voice and looked resolutely in Sarah's eyes. Somehow Sarah believed that she was telling her the truth.

Sarah's eyes turned to John and she suddenly felt unbelievable tired. She began to massage her temples and groaned: "This is not over yet John Connor. But not now. Go and take tin miss with you."

John grinned at his mother: "Mom, don't forget that you did something not very nice to me." Sarah's eyes snapped up to look at him. She really forgot that the topic of this talk wasn't John's relationship with Cameron but her betrayal of his trust. She suddenly felt a bit ashamed. But before she could say anything, John continued: "Mom, I can't say that it's over." He copied her words almost perfectly. "But I will never bring up this mistake again. In time I'll also be able to forgive you. But not just yet." He looked into Sarah's sad eyes, stood up and stepped to her. For a second he looked at her and then bowed to her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then he turned and stretched his arm towards Cameron. She stood up, took his hand and turned to Sarah: "Thank you Sarah."

John tugged her towards the door and left confused but slightly smiling Sarah behind.

After they reached the door of their room, Cameron stopped and caused John to stumble a bit, for he wasn't ready to let her hand go. "What? Why did you stop, Cam?"

Cameron looked at him with questioning eyes: "John, why did you tell Sarah that we are in love? I know that I love you and I know that you love me too, but I still didn't expect you to immediately tell it to Sarah. I don't know if it was a wise decision."

John grinned at her: "You're wrong Cam. This was the best opportunity to tell my mom. We would never get a better one. She was plagued by guilt to have plotted against us and she was reluctant to put up a fight against our relationship. On every other occasion she'd not only yell, she'd probably do much more. But so … call it leverage or whatever you want, I simply used the occasion, I used her weak moment to drop this bomb." He bowed to her and kissed her deeply, forgetting that they were still in the corridor.

When she felt his lips on hers, Cameron gave herself into this sensation and surrendered into sweet kiss. After their lips finally parted, she whispered: "John Connor, you're one wicked son of a …" Her further words were stopped by John's lips. After another kiss he stretched to her ear: "I know, Cam. I learned form the best: my mom and you!"

Cameron's head jerked back and she looked at him astonished: "While, you …" And yet again John stopped her with a kiss.

TBC