Thanks to everyone who reads or even reviews this story. Your reviews have really helped me and due to them I even changed some things. So you could say that the readers are also involved in creation of this story.
This chapter is concentrated more on development of relationships (plural!) between the characters. No action, but I hope that you'll like it nevertheless.
Chapter 22 – Shopping & Talking
After they returned to their room, John sat on the settee and looked at Cameron, who was carefully hanging her jacket on a hanger, brushing every residue of water from it. Even before they entered the room, she meticulously shook every drop of water from the fur and now she was brushing it, probably to judge if it would be necessary to dry it or she could let it dry on the hanger. She turned the jacket few times around and scrutinized it thoroughly to see if it was clean enough to satisfy her standards.
A small smile crept on his lips as he looked at her. She really is different! She's definitely not a terminator any more. Which terminator would be so worried about a piece of clothing? Hell, even a human girl wouldn't be so painfully meticulous. She's not a human girl either. And that's why I love her, that's what I love her for. He tilted his head like Cameron would do and kept on looking at her.
Cameron obviously noticed or sensed his amusement so she turned to him with a blank, but still expressive face. No one else would see it, but John learned how to read her blank face and he saw slight confusion in her eyes. "Am I doing something wrong? I thought it was normal to take care of clothes after they've been so wet."
John shook his head and grinned wider: "No, Cam, you're not doing anything wrong. I just enjoy looking at you."
Cameron obviously understood that he was just amused and that she didn't do anything wrong, so she tilted her head to match his heads' position and made few steps towards him: "Why would you enjoy looking at me, John Connor?" Her eyes got that mischievous gleam which John came to love so much.
His grin turned into smile: "I guess you know that Cameron Phillips. If you don't, then you'll have to work harder on your psychological education."
Cameron slowly smiled slightly and made another few steps towards him, so that she was now standing so close to him that their knees touched: "Oh, I believe I could think of some reasons. But it's not appropriate for a girl to have to say them."
"Oh dear! Shortly you protested because I called you a girl and now you're proclaiming being a girl yourself. What a change of mind in such a short time!" John mocked her lovingly, just to see her reaction.
Cameron understood perfectly that this was not the time to answer with her machine logic, but to make use of her gathered experiences instead. "I'm still not a girl, John. I am not and I never will be. But you consider me a girl, so I'm just trying to play along." She wasn't sure if it was the right answer and according to a slight hurt, which flashed over John's face, it wasn't. She already opened her mouth to apologize, but was stopped by John, raising from his position to stand close to her and putting his finger on her lips.
He shook his head slowly. "Cameron, please don't do that. I know perfectly well that you are physically not a human girl. I know what you are. We've had this discussion already. But to me, there's more than just your physical appearance that attracted me from the first moment; that made me fall in love with you. I love your soul, I love the intelligence in your eyes, I love your unique mannerisms. Sure, I love your body too; I'd be lying if I'd say that I don't. But it's not the only thing. So, please, don't try to play down your importance." He paused and sighed deeply, before returning his look to her eyes, which gazed at him inquisitively. "Cameron, you are your own person. That's something you should never forget. Don't bow to anyone's wishes, even if you think you should, but don't want to. Don't say to me things you think I'd like to hear. Tell me the truth, even if it isn't exactly the nicest. Don't try to reduce yourself to less than you are. And you're someone. Someone important."
He bowed to her and gently brushed his lips against hers. Before they touched he could see confusion, but also understanding in her eyes. The kiss was really just a fleeting one, but after he retreated, he could see that Cameron's eyes began to sparkle wetly.
Since he stood up, she was standing stiffly like a statue and didn't even answer to his kiss, she just stared at him. After he looked into her wet eyes and smiled gently at her, her stiffness suddenly vanished and she launched herself at him and hugged him fiercely. Her head came to rest against his chest and she strengthened her hug while letting out a small gasp when she felt his arms encircling her torso.
John felt like he'd been squeezed by a snake, this time not mentally but physically and he smiled a little constricted: "Cam, my ribs are definitely breakable, you know?"
Cameron instantly loosened her grip, retreated a bit and looked into his eyes: "Sorry, John."
John just smiled back and put his hand on her cheek: "Don't apologize for your feelings." His thumb caressed her lips: "Now, go to the bathroom and dry yourself. You look fantastic when you're wet, but still …" He gently patted her back.
Cameron obviously got her feelings under control and looked at him with a ghost of a smile: "I think it would be more reasonable if you'd go in there first. You're as wet as I am."
John shook his head relieved that she returned to her normal self: "Nope, ladies first! I insist!"
Cameron slowly let him out of embrace, but the warmth that spread through her after hearing John's words remained: "OK, John, if you insist … Just for the record: I can't get cold, but you … you can!"
John laughed at her answer: "Of course I can. Now get in there and make yourself beautiful!"
Cameron's lips twitched into an impish smile, and she turned towards bathroom: "For whom should I make myself beautiful?"
"Why? For me, of course!" John answered resolutely, but with a slight note of mock in his voice.
"So …" Cameron turned back to John, "you want me to look beautiful for going to the store to buy us bath suits?"
John suddenly felt quite uncomfortable. This was something he hadn't yet worked out how to tell her. He knew that he'd have to tell Cameron soon that he wouldn't be coming with her, but he still pushed it a bit aside. He couldn't even understand himself, why was he avoiding it like a kid avoiding unpleasant thing. Perhaps he didn't want to hurt Cameron's feelings? He wasn't sure, but he knew that she somehow took the decision from him by asking this question. He looked into her expectant eyes and frantically thought of a plausible excuse why he wouldn't go with her.
Cameron noticed his slight hesitation but didn't think it would be of some grave significance, so she just waited for his answer.
"Well, Cameron, you know … I'm quite tired and I thought I'd just stay here in room and rest a bit. After all, I have to be fit for the visit to the wellness." He came up with an excuse which sounded a little lame even to himself; but at the moment he couldn't think of anything better. "I will probably try to get some sleep while you'll be in the shop." He looked into Cameron's face that was now shoving quite unmistakable although very subtle disappointment. He sighed and resisted the wish to hold her.
Cameron wasn't exactly surprised to hear him saying that. She knew him good enough to know how he hated shopping. Besides, they've been shopping just two days ago and it was probably enough for him for next four weeks. However, she still couldn't help but feel disappointed. Then she suddenly remembered how her pouty puppy dog look worked wonders on him before and put on her best puppy dog look and for a good measure pouted quite obviously. "I was hoping you would come with me, John. I really was."
John felt how his determination began to melt under her weapons like snow in Kalahari Desert. She really knows how to use her female features! I guess she could melt steel the way she looks at me now. And yet he couldn't allow himself to fall under her spell again. He had something very important to do and it could never be accomplished if she'd be with him. So he steeled himself: "I'm sorry Cameron, but I'm really quite tired. I promise to go with you the next time. Besides: you are much, much better in such things than I. I'm sure you'll make a perfect purchase and I'd be just standing in your way."
Cameron realized that her pouting wouldn't work this time, but still maintained it; just to show him that she didn't appreciate it going alone: "Well, in one thing you're right John. You would be standing in my way." She grinned slightly at him. "You'll simply have to accept my choice of your trunks."
John knew perfectly that she was teasing him and smiled at her: "Of course, honey. I'll wear whatever you'll choose."
Cameron smiled involuntarily upon hearing him calling her 'honey' again and she made few quick steps to John, bowed to him and give him a quick kiss: "Thank you!"
John was not only surprised upon her action, but also upon her words: "What for?"
"For calling me honey. No one has ever called me so nice." Cameron explained to him like to a little child, while strolling towards the bathroom again.
Before John could answer her, she vanished in the bathroom and left John alone. She's definitely changed. It looks like she'd let her feelings guide her actions instead of her logic and programming. I think I love her even more than I loved the girl I first met in New Mexico. John grinned slightly and shook his head to clear it. He had an important mission and he couldn't allow himself to be distracted by Cameron or anyone else.
After Cameron returned from the bathroom, he looked at her with admiration. In a relatively short time she managed to look like she'd just step out of a beauty salon. Her hair was obviously washed and dried and it fell like a curly waterfall down over her shoulders, surrounding her face like a halo. She applied just the right amount of make-up, so that it underlined her natural beauty. As his eyes wandered lower, he had to force himself to snap them back to her face. She wore nothing but a purple lacy undergarment. He could clearly see her look as she was trying to see his reaction to her appearance. She's doing it again! She's trying to cause me a heart attack. Oh no, my dear, this time I'm resisting you!
He jumped up hastily: "So, my turn to get cleaned. If I'm not finished in time and you'll leave before I come out … well … chose something nice for me. And of course something even nicer for yourself." He hurried towards the bathroom, not missing a slightly disappointed expression on her face. As he came to her, he bowed slightly to her ear: "You look fantastic, Cam!" He quickly kissed her on the earlobe and took a look into her eyes. His words obviously achieved their goal, for her face brightened up and disappointment vanished from it.
After entering the bathroom and closing the door, he inhaled deeply. This was close! If I'd stay in there for another minute, she'd won. He sighed relieved that he managed to win over his hormones and went into the shower.
He deliberately tried to extend his stay in the bathroom for so long that Cameron would already be gone. Not because he wouldn't crave spending every moment with her, but because he wanted it too much.
"John? I'm going now. I can't be late." He heard Cameron's voice and smiled. "Sure, Cameron. Enjoy and find something beautiful. I'll be waiting for you."
He heard the door open and close again and after that he carefully opened the door of the bathroom, peeked outside and realized that he really was alone in the room. Only then he dared to get out and padded towards the closet to find something to wear.
Sarah huffed annoyed at Cameron. "I think you should finally decide what you want to wear!" She eyed the cyborg girl irritably. Cameron stood in front of the vast selection of bikinis and bath suits, clearly undecided what to chose.
Cameron turned to her with blank face: "I can't decide which would look better on me. Do you think that the blue one would be OK?" She held few hangers with different bikinis in her hands, looking at them and trying to decide which one would be the most appropriate.
Sarah exhaled a long breath: "I don't think that I'm the right person to give you fashion advices, Cameron. You're probably better in this stuff than me! I just know that it's taking you too long. I've chosen the suits for me and Derek in three minutes and now I'm following you for more than 40 minutes without any success. It's getting late and I think you really should decide."
"You should leave her time. She's obviously concerned what John would like." Andrea snorted at Sarah, while helping Cameron by holding another five hangers with different bikinis. She earned an annoyed look from Sarah, but no comment.
Cameron suddenly spoke up: "I'll try this one and this one and this one … and this one." She discarded some of the hangers she held in her hands, grabbed two from Andrea's hand and strolled purposefully towards the changing cabins.
"What's gotten into her now?" Sarah looked after her in dismay and shook her head, while Andrea just grinned. Cameron behaved just like she would, should she be the one who'd be buying bath suit. She definitely approved Cameron's choice: four bikinis in different colors – royal blue, black, purple and scarlet. Needles to say that they were all very small, even tiny.
"I think that she's about to decide which one she'd like." Andrea's voice was clearly bemused upon the communication between Sarah and Cameron. She could see that Sarah, although pretending to be the tough one, still had a weak spot when it came to her son. And every time Cameron brought John up, Sarah's eyes suddenly looked much softer. She could even see that Sarah looked at Cameron differently than she tried to show publicly – more like a mother hen would look at its offspring. But whenever she got the feeling that someone was looking at her, her expression turned into stone. Yes, Sarah was definitely hiding her true feelings towards Cameron. And her true feelings were not negative, they were just the opposite. To Andrea it looked like Sarah would like Cameron very much.
Meanwhile Cameron reached the changing cabins and locked herself into one of them. Sarah and Andrea followed her, Sarah with rolling eyes and Andrea with smug smile on her face. After few minutes, the door opened again and Cameron emerged, dressed in the royal blue bikini. Small, cut out to cover almost everything, while at the same time letting no doubts what was hidden beneath it. Andrea suddenly felt how jealousy swept over her. She had an almost perfect figure, but Cameron's was beyond perfection. She cast a quick glance towards Sarah and saw that she stared at Cameron with slightly opened mouth too.
Cameron saw the strange looks the two women gave her and frowned: "Is something wrong? Is it inappropriate?" She looked at herself and couldn't understand why they both stared at her. She found the bikini quite acceptable and according to her understanding John would also highly probably like it. Therefore she returned her confused eyes towards Sarah.
Sarah finally snapped out of trance and spat: "I think that John will like it very much. Perhaps too much!"
Cameron still gazed at her confused. Why would it be bad if John liked this bikini? After all, I'm choosing the one he'd like. "Why would he like it too much?"
Andrea meanwhile also got over the sudden jealousy attack and grinned before Sarah could answer: "I believe that Sarah means that you look beautiful and John will, just like probably all other men, stare at you."
Sarah huffed and folded her arms in front of her chest: "Not quite, but close enough. I'm not sure if it's wise for you to wear this one. Perhaps you should find something more … covering."
"But I think that it looks good on me. Why would I want to hide my body?" Cameron still didn't quite understand why Sarah objected her choice. However, this time her voice sounded slightly smugly after hearing Andrea's comment.
"Well, it's your call after all. I know that I'm just a nag and you'll finally do what you want, dress what you want, as long as you think John would appreciate it." Sarah answered with clear signs of resignation in her voice. She knew perfectly that there was no chance to change Cameron's mind, should she decide something. And she obviously decided that she'd buy this tiny piece of cloth. Not that she wouldn't look great in it. Hell, why do the terminators have perfect bodies? No problems with being too fat, no problems with their figure at all.
Cameron saw how annoyance in Sarah's eyes slowly ebbed away. Andrea, on the other hand, looked at her with clear admiration and with something that Cameron once occasionally saw in Riley's eyes. She had a hard time then to analyze that expression but after a long time of analyzing and watching, she concluded that it must have been jealousy. After she came to that conclusion, she asked herself why would Riley be jealous at her. It took her another extended period of time to finally reach the conclusion that Riley saw her as the opponent in her battle to win John's heart. She definitely felt that Cameron was dangerous, not only in physical sense, but also in emotional. And now she saw similar expression on Andrea's face and it made her wonder why would Andrea be jealous of her. They already cleared the relationship between her and John and Cameron really didn't see the reason for Andrea to be jealous. I'll have to analyze this. Perhaps John could explain it to me? But … on the other hand … it's probably a girl thing and I'm not sure if John is the right one for such problems. It took him forever to finally realize what he feels for me.
"I'm afraid there'll be quite few family disputes in the wellness today." Andrea suddenly giggled.
"What do you mean?" Cameron again didn't understand her friend and looked a little lost towards Sarah, who obviously understood the meaning of Andrea's words and smiled slyly.
"Oh, I believe that Andrea means that the majority of the men will stare at you and will be at least reprimanded by their girlfriends or wives. At least!" Sarah grinned wickedly at her.
Finally Cameron understood what they meant and a sly grin crept upon her lips. "Do you think so? I don't care what they think, as long as John likes my bikini."
Sarah exhaled sharply and just barely managed to control herself not to say something poisonous: "Yeah, sure. It's all about John, right?" She huffed.
Cameron answered in deadpan: "Yes, it's all about John." Then she turned around, entered the cabin again and closed the door.
Sarah looked after her annoyed and almost missed Andrea's words: "I think it's so cute how much these two are in love." Her voice clearly showed longing. I can only dream to find such love sometime.
Sarah this time chose not to answer. She was afraid that her voice would betray her feelings. She partly shared Andrea's opinion, but wouldn't admit it. Not yet.
After John got dressed, he quickly left the hotel and turned in the other direction as the women before. He knew exactly where he had to go to fulfill his mission. He had checked everything even before they came here and was confident he'd be successful. After a short walk, he reached his destination and gazed through the window at the items, displayed inside. His eyes swept across everything and finally found what he was looking for. After finding it, he grinned satisfied and opened the entrance door.
He didn't need long to finish his mission and soon he was walking back towards the hotel with content smile on his lips. After he reached the hotel, a sudden thought crossed his mind. He should talk to his uncle. The two of them almost didn't talk since they arrived here. So many things happened, so many things changed and they were still overdue in explanations. So he decided to go to him first.
After reaching the door to the room, Derek shared with Sarah, he knocked resolutely, hoping that his uncle would be in. It didn't take long and the door opened, revealing Derek, leaning from behind the door to see who was disturbing him. After he saw John, he opened the door and straightened. John then saw that his uncle held a gun in his other hand, hidden behind the door.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Derek." His voice was slightly mocking although he knew quite well how suspicious his uncle was and even approved of his caution.
"If I'd known that it was you, I probably wouldn't even open the door." Derek tried to make a joke, but after seeing John's quizzical look, which clearly showed that his nephew wasn't amused at least, he added: "Bad joke, right." He shrugged and stepped aside: "Won't you come in, John?"
John strolled past him and after Derek closed the door, he sat on the chair: "I think that there are some things we should discuss and clear, right?" He looked at his uncle with slightly tilted head but clear challenge in his eyes.
This definitely isn't John Baum. This is John Connor. Shot through Derek's mind upon seeing the determination in John's eyes. He took a seat so that he was looking at John directly and nodded: "Yes, I think there are."
John waited a second and began: "First of all, I'd like to know what you were thinking with your action trying to separate Cameron and me. I've heard it from my mother, but I'd like to hear your version too." He stopped and looked at Derek with clear annoyance on his face. Even the memory of the plot, Derek and Sarah tried to realize, made his anger rise again.
Derek sighed, but kept his gaze into John's eyes: "I won't lie to you John. I'm not searching for excuses. I've been through hell in the future and I think you can understand why I hate the machines. No matter how beautiful she is on the outside, she's still a machine. And machines are made to kill people. So it's quite clear that I don't exactly trust her. I think that she's manipulating you into believing that she feels something for you. Or at least I used to. Besides … it's not natural to have a relationship with a machine! I never wanted her to go away; I just wanted her to be what she is: a machine, protecting you. That and nothing more."
John felt urge to cut his uncle off for few times during his speech, but restrained himself. He knew that it would be the best to let Derek talk as long as he wanted to. Especially because he knew how difficult it was for him to speak openly about his feelings. For Derek it was even difficult to speak so much at all. But now it looked like he'd be finished. John almost grinned at himself, thinking that this was probably the longest speech Derek ever gave.
"I can understand your motives, Derek. I can understand that you are trying to protect me." He leaned forward in his seat and gazed intently at Derek: "But you have to understand me too. I'm not a kid anymore. Yeah, sure, I'm still very young, but I'm no kid. I've seen and done some things that changed me. Things, no guy my age should be forced to see or do. But I did." He sighed deeply: "I know exactly what you expect from me. I'm not ready for that yet, but I'm working on it. And in these efforts I need every helping hand I can get. You, mom, Cameron. Each of you gives me something, each teaches me something. But Cameron can give me something neither you nor mom can. She can give me a support you can't; she can give me love, my mom can't; she can be there for me whenever I need someone to hold me."
Derek looked into John's eyes and saw that he really meant every single word. He saw that the boy absolutely believed in what he had said. He saw the steel in his young eyes.
But John wasn't finished yet: "I have tried to deny it, I have hidden from it, but I can't escape it. I don't care if you think it's unnatural, I don't care if the whole world thinks it's perverted … I love her and I'm not letting go of her. You must know that she's my rock in the storm. She is a cyborg, true. But given a chance to show who she really is, she would surprise you. No, not surprise … she'd shock you. I'm not telling you to like her. I'm just asking you to give her a chance. She's much more than you think and believe."
John paused and Derek used the interruption: "I've had a similar discussion with your mother before. She too thinks that we should give her a chance. I can't say that I'm thrilled about it, but I'm definitely willing to do so. I care about you John. If she makes you happy, I'll try to accept it. Just don't expect from me to like her." He huffed indignantly.
John grinned at him: "Hey, that's all I could ever ask from you." Suddenly his face darkened: "Just don't try anything like you just tried. This time I let Cameron have her revenge but next time I'll do it myself. And in such a case I think you'd have better chances with her than with me." Then he smiled again: "Maybe you'll even come to like her, who knows."
Derek snorted: "Yeah and pigs can fly!"
"It's all the matter of perception and right force. I'm sure Cameron could make a pig fly. At least for a substantial distance." John mocked and stood up. "Derek. I know that you care for me. And I care for you too. However, that doesn't mean I always have to agree with you. You are sometimes such a pain in the ass that I'd rather kick you than listen to you. But I guess you know that." He grinned wide at his uncle, who also got up and stood in front of him.
Derek grinned back: "And you, John Connor? Don't you think that you're like me too? After all … we're family and you can be just as annoying as me."
John nodded: "I guess you're right." He stretched his hand towards Derek: "As I've already said to my mother: in time I'll surely be able to forgive you two what you did. But it will take some time for you to regain my complete trust. It's something you have to earn and what you did … it definitely wasn't something to strengthen my trust in you." Derek stepped to him and grabbed his outstretched hand. John clasped his other hand over Derek's forearm: "I'm glad to have you. As strange as it seems after what you did, I really am."
Derek let go of his hand and just nodded. He found it difficult to speak and he didn't trust his voice, so he restrained himself to wordless confirmation.
"I'd better get to my room now. Cameron doesn't know that I'm out and I told her I'd be sleeping. Should she return before I'm back … well … I don't even want to imagine what she'd do." John grinned at his uncle.
Derek smiled conspiratorially: "So, you're already deceiving her? After only two days of being in relationship? Oh well, I can understand. Women can be such a nagging pest. Even cyborg girls, I guess."
"It's not what you think. I had something to do and she shouldn't know what." John cleared the situation.
Derek got a bad feeling: "So you're preparing something for her?"
"You'll all see what it is when the time comes." John didn't want to reveal anything and turned to leave the room.
He quickly made his way to his room, hoping that Cameron was still out shopping. After he reached it, he sighed relieved that she wasn't back yet. He undressed and carefully stowed his clothes into the closet so that Cameron wouldn't find out that he left the room while she was absent and jumped under covers. Oh well, I could really take a quick nap before she returns.
TBC