I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who reviewed this story. It's really good to see that you like it … invigorating for the muse.
So, after their "first time", Cameron and John are now involved in another typical winter activity. But that's not the end of it. John has something in his mind and he must send Cameron away to be able to fulfill his plan. But how can you send away an overprotective cyborg-girlfriend-lover who gets nervous when you're only two feet away from her? Friends might help.
Chapter 31 – Lured Away
After almost two hours spent on ice and significant improvement of their skating skills, almost everyone was already tired and the small ice bar at the side of the rink offered them an opportunity to rest for a while and also get something to drink. The 'being tired' naturally not including Cameron, who was still in her best form and was whizzing across the ice like the first minute after she entered the rink. And yet, together with John they were the first to take their places at the table in the ice bar and John didn't hesitate long when the waitress came to ask them what they'd like. Seeing that they also offered various teas he decided for the herbal tea, while Cameron this time decided that she didn't need any liquid and was completely content just sitting by John, almost curling herself into his side and enjoying the moment of closeness. She was wondering over her behavior for a while now and found it strange that she so longed for body contact with John. It definitely wasn't something an ordinary terminator would want, but she wanted it. An ordinary terminator wouldn't have desires at all and yet she felt how she desired certain things; being close to John ranking as the most powerful. She couldn't explain the feeling of warmth and safety when she was this close to John. She almost snorted in her thoughts considering the fact that she felt safe in John's arms, while being incomparable stronger and tougher than him.
Just as the waitress brought John's tea, Derek and Sarah joined them. As Derek saw what kind of drink John ordered, he smirked at him: "I wouldn't expect John Connor to drink tea. As I remember him from the future, he drank quite a lot of alcoholic beverages."
John shook his head and smiled at Cameron: "Is it true? Am I really that much of a drinker in the future?"
Cameron looked at him solemnly and gave him a simple nod: "Yes. You drink very much." She turned her eyes to the cup of tea and back to his obviously amused ones. "Too much for my taste."
John smiled: "Well, another thing I'm going to change. I won't become that hard drinking John Connor."
Derek smirked at him: "You should at least try something stronger. Mulled wine perhaps? It's not that strong."
Before he could continue, Sarah cut him off with ice cold voice: "Don't try to lure my son into drinking alcohol. If he says no than it's no."
Derek turned to her: "I wasn't really trying to persuade him. I was just teasing him."
Just as Sarah wanted to answer, Andrea and Tim joined them and interrupted the friendly rant. After they sat down, Andrea looked at John's cup, leaned closer and sniffed. She straightened up and asked: "Is this herbal tea?" After receiving John's confirmation in a form of a simple nod, she decided: "I'll have the same."
While all the others busied themselves with ordering the drinks, John looked a little lost in his own thoughts and it didn't escape Cameron. She turned to him and whispered into his ear, slightly brushing her lips against his earlobe: "Is something wrong John? You look absentminded."
John felt a jolt upon experiencing the contact of Cameron's soft lips and noting the reaction of his body to that touch. He had to force himself to concentrate on something else and turned to look at her. After he turned his head, he suddenly found it difficult to breath. Cameron's face was only inches away from his and their noses actually brushed briefly. He gulped and regained control over his tongue: "No, Cam, everything's fine. I was just thinking about how this vacation turned out."
Cameron looked into his eyes and wasn't convinced by his explanation, but didn't want to push the matter further. She just nodded and turned back to the others.
An inaudible sigh of relief emanated from John's mouth. He was definitely in on something and it was something Cameron shouldn't know yet. He had something in his mind and to realize it, he would have to return to hotel alone, without Cameron. Nice idea, but there was one catch; how to convince Cameron not to come with him. He had absolutely no idea how to achieve it. He could see that Cameron was uncomfortable each time they were more than three feet apart and how would he convince her not to follow him, was beyond his imagination.
"I'll take a large mug of coffee with extra sugar and milk." Tim's voice penetrated his mind and he suddenly knew how to pull his plan through. Luckily, they found new friends and they could perhaps help him in preparation of his plan. He saw that Tim looked at him and behind Cameron's back, he gestured with his head towards the restrooms. Tim understood his invitation and nodded.
"Cameron, I have to go to the toilet." John rose from his seat. Quite expectably, Cameron also rose, but he laid his hand on her shoulder and smiled affectionately to her: "I can take care of myself, Cameron. You don't need to come with me. After all: I'm a big boy already, don't you think?" The allusion to what happened last night was unmistakable and Cameron understood him quite well. Then he looked towards Tim who was already standing: "See? Tim's going too. Nobody is going to hurt me. I'll be back in a minute."
Cameron looked slightly put off: "Nobody can protect you better than I."
"Absolutely! But I don't think it would be well accepted if you'd accompany me to men's toilet." John grinned at Cameron's pouting lips.
"I wouldn't mind." Offered Cameron in deadpan and slightly tilted her head.
John laughed aloud and shook his head: "I know you wouldn't. But I'll still go by myself. It's simply a guy's thing, you know?" He bowed to her and gave her a quick peck on her cheek while still laughing.
After he finally managed to persuade Cameron not to follow him everywhere like a lost puppy, he met Tim before the restrooms: "I would like to ask you to do me a small favor."
"Sure, name it." Tim was ready to offer his help without any second thought.
"I need to prepare a surprise for Cameron, but she would never let me return to the hotel alone. So … if you and Andrea could somehow manage to keep her from accompany me for an hour or so, I'd be in your eternal debt." John looked expectantly into Tim's questioning eyes.
Tim grinned: "I won't ask what kind of surprise you have in mind. Sure, we can take care of her for a while. It's just … do you have any idea how?"
John shook his head. Tim asked exactly the question which was gnawing at him. He had absolutely no idea how to persuade Cameron to let him go alone. But before he could say anything, Andrea joined them. She cast a questioning look to her brother and he explained her, what John just asked him to do.
"Hmm … I might have an idea." Andrea was obviously very quick in finding a possible solution to John's problem.
John looked at her expectantly: "Yeah?"
Andrea grinned at him and then looked at Tim: "I could ask her to come with me to buy a present for John. After all, she should know him the best and would also have to know if there's something he wouldn't like. Besides … we girls are much better in such things than you guys."
John's face lit up and he nodded to his friends: "That could work, I guess. You'll just have to find a plausible excuse why would you want to buy me a present."
"Oh, that won't be a problem. After what happened …" Andrea trailed off, slightly embarrassed at the memory of her futile attempts to get into John's heart.
John just nodded: "I'd like to go as soon as possible. I'd appreciate it very much if you'd ask her now."
"No problem. I just have to go to the toiled to keep the appearance." Andrea grinned and continued after seeing John's confused expression: "I pulled the same trick as you two."
John grinned in realization that Andrea saw through his little trick, nodded again and turned to go back to the table. Already from afar he could see that Cameron and Sarah were obviously talking about something while his uncle sat there with arms crossed, keeping silent. And yet he could notice that he didn't look at Cameron as icily as he used to. Maybe they'll finally warm up to accept Cameron as a person.
Cameron noticed his approach immediately and gave him one of her shining smiles, causing Sarah to roll her eyes and sigh in exasperation. I can't believe that I'm actually accepting the possibility that she's not acting. But the way she looks at John …
Her son saw her reaction and grinned. Well, mom, if you think you've seen it all … He stepped to Cameron and before he sat down he bent over to her and gave her a kiss on the lips, which she all to eagerly returned. From the corner of the eye, he saw how Sarah's eyes simply couldn't stop rolling and grinned into the kiss satisfied. Then he pulled back with an audible smack and sat down, putting his arm around Cameron's shoulders.
Before they could annoy Sarah and Derek any further, Andrea and Tim returned. Andrea didn't lose any time; she stepped to Cameron and whispered something in her ear. John knew what she was whispering, but pretended not to pay any attention to the girls. He could see Cameron frowning slightly and she looked at him with question in her eyes. He slightly pursed his lips, raised his eyebrows and shrugged as if he really wouldn't have any idea what this girl's stuff was all about and yet at the same time encourage her to go with Andrea. His expectations were met only few seconds later, as Cameron stood up and proclaimed: "Andrea and I have something to discuss." Her frown disappeared as she saw the faces of the others, looking at her expectantly. "Girl's stuff!" She added for a good measure and reassurance. She definitely wasn't thrilled to leave John alone again, but Derek and Sarah were there and she would keep an eye on him. She wouldn't allow Andrea to drag her somewhere from where she couldn't see him.
Both girls went towards the boarding, just far enough away from the group that they couldn't hear them and stopped there.
"I wonder what they could have to discuss. Girl's stuff my ass!" Sarah snorted, while not addressing anyone in particular.
"Yeah, mum, girl's stuff. Is that so unbelievable? Don't you think that beneath everything Cameron is just a normal girl?" John was not pleased by his mother's reaction and answered sourer than he actually intended.
Sarah noticed the edge in his voice and realized that her remark was actually a bit off. Damn! When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut if I don't have anything smart to say? When will I learn to control my tongue? That'll be the day! She just nodded to John.
Meanwhile Andrea explained her idea to Cameron. She could see that Cameron wasn't exactly thrilled and frowned at the blonde slightly. "I know that you have all right not to believe me after what I tried the other day. But please, believe me that my intentions are purely friendly." She blushed slightly and looked at the floor for a second before she continued: "I'd like to buy him something nice to apologize. It's not only my wish. I've discussed it with Tim and he agrees with me completely. We crossed the line. But we know it now and would like to show to you both that we really mean good. I like you both very much and I really would want you to accept me as I really am. And Tim too." She put all her persuasive ability into her words and gave Cameron a puppy dog look, very much alike Cameron's own when she wanted to get something from John.
Cameron registered the resemblance and involuntarily grinned in her mind. She's using the same tactics as I do when I want to persuade my John into something. She tried to read the expression on Andrea's face and couldn't find any traces of deception or lie. True, she wasn't touching her so she couldn't be 100% sure, but she believed that Andrea was telling her the truth. And still it bothered her that she would have to leave John alone, without her protection. So she continued to frown slightly at her friend: "I understand. I just don't know why you need me for something like that. You could buy something without me." She slightly tilted her head while waiting for Andrea's answer.
"That's true, but … I don't know him very well and I'm afraid I could get something he wouldn't like and make things even worse. That's why I need the help of an expert, someone, who knows John in and out. I need you." Andrea was very convincing in her attempt to persuade Cameron.
Although she wasn't inclined to give in to flattering, Cameron nevertheless felt valued that someone was asking her for her opinion and advice. She may be correct. I know my John the best, even better than Sarah. She contemplated for a second and then nodded: "OK, I'll go with you. But we should hurry. I don't like to leave John alone for a long time."
"You two lovebirds! Can't get enough of each other, can you?" Andrea smirked at Cameron and earned herself a glare.
"It's not like that!" Indignation could be clearly heard in Cameron's voice.
"Oh, sure not. It's completely different." Andrea still wouldn't let go and continued her small tirade. But then she got serious again and added: "OK, we should go then."
Cameron nodded and suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, looking at Andrea confused.
"What? Is something wrong? Did you change your mind?" Andrea was beginning to doubt her persuasiveness.
"No. I didn't change my mind." Cameron stuttered: "I … I don't know how to tell it to John that I'm going with you. He might want to come with me." She looked slightly helpless, like a small girl, who just got herself into a situation which occurred to her like insolvable.
Andrea grinned. If it's only that! You have no idea Cameron! "Oh well, leave him to me. I'll tell him a nice story why we have to go alone. You know the magic words, don't you?" She tilted her head while looking at Cameron. Great! Now I'm beginning to act like her!
Cameron noticed Andrea's head tilt and she felt inexplicable annoyance over it. That's MY gesture! Then she shook her head: "No, I don't. What are the magic words?"
Andrea smiled: "Why, 'girl's stuff' of course! We, girls, can get anything by using the phrase. It makes the boys run away like hell because they think it involves shopping for girlish things, underwear and other stuff, reserved for the girls."
Cameron still wasn't convinced: "I don't think my John would run away." Her frown deepened.
Andrea's head bobbed up and down vigorously: "He would, believe me! Just ask him to come with you to buy tampons. I'm sure he'd find million excuses why he couldn't accompany you at all."
Cameron thought for a second and realized that Andrea was probably right. She remembered how cranky John always became when he was supposed to go shopping. Well, at least until this vacation. She gave Andrea a small smile: "I guess you're right." Then she added almost hopefully: "So you'll tell him, right?" She couldn't understand herself: a fearless terminator was almost wincing at the thought that she should tell her lover that she would go shopping with another girl. Maybe I'm defective? I'll have to check my systems later for possible anomalies.
Andrea felt victorious to have finally persuaded Cameron and nodded with determination. "Sure I will!"
They returned to the table just to see John in vivid discussion with Tim. As he saw the girls approaching, he got up and tried to go to Cameron, but was intercepted by Andrea, who winked at him so that Cameron couldn't see it and dragged him towards the spot, she just minutes ago occupied with Cameron. John let himself be pulled there and look at her questioningly, raising his eyebrows in silent inquiry. Andrea just nodded and after they reached the spot, she explained to him that she would be going to get some girl's stuff, together with Cameron. She already wanted to confirm the success in her mission, but John quickly put his finger to his lips, signaling her she shouldn't say anything. Although it appeared strange to her, she nodded and restrained herself from saying anything that would indicate that her persuasion was very well planned and agreed upon.
About one minute later, Andrea and John returned to the others, who were still sitting at the table, waiting for them. John could see Cameron's questioning look and he couldn't get rid of the feeling that she was somehow confused about this whole thing. Perhaps it's just that she wants to stay with me. He smiled and reached for her hands: "I'll be fine, Cam. You should hang out with friends a little."
Cameron already opened her mouth to protest, but decided not to and simply stretched to his lips and kissed him warmly. It wasn't a long kiss, but it unmistakably showed them that they understood each other perfectly. It was a promise of the things to come later, when they were together again and alone. "Don't have too much fun without me." She whispered in his ear.
John's grin almost split his face in half: "Are you jealous Cameron?"
Cameron thought for a moment and looked him directly in the eyes: "I guess I am."
"Well, honey, you have absolutely no reason to be. You are the only one who will ever occupy my heart. I don't think I'll ever have real fun without you. No matter what." He whispered back in her ear.
"Dammit, John! Do I really have to see all this snuggling with Cameron? I'm still your mother and it feels really awkward to look at my soon, almost making it out in the public!" Sarah complained with irritated voice.
Derek, who was until now unusually quiet and reserved, grinned and nodded to her: "You actually asked for it Sarah. Now you've got it."
"Oh, shut up, Reese! If you don't have anything smart to say, then just … just be quiet!" Sarah's irritation now turned towards Derek, causing everyone to grin.
"Thank you Derek for taking the beating instead of me." John mocked and bowed in Derek's direction.
"Anytime, anywhere, anyhow, John!" Derek returned the bow.
Sarah almost fumed and had to restrain herself from saying anything inappropriate. "MEN!" The single word fell like a spat in front of men's boots. She shook her head, lifted it high and marched demonstratively towards the entrance to the ice field. She almost forgot that she was wearing skates and almost fell, but managed to regain her balance in the last second to maintain her dignity.
"You just gotta love her, don't you?" Derek snorted at John while looking after Sarah. "I guess she wouldn't take it good should I tell her now that she looks incredibly hot when she's pissed off?"
John shook his head laughing: "Definitely not. Not her. You'll have to find another way and much more suitable time to tell her." Then he turned to Cameron, who was possessively clutching to him: "Go with Andrea and enjoy. I'll be waiting for you in the hotel."
Suddenly Cameron looked alarmed: "I thought you were staying here with Derek and Sarah! You said nothing about going back to the hotel."
John cursed himself for his little slip. He didn't want to tell her that he'd be returning to the hotel and now he had to find a believable reassurance. And he had to find it quickly!
"Cam, I just told you that I probably never will have real fun without you. And skating without you is really completely uninteresting. I'll be better off in the hotel." He bowed to her ear: "Thinking about the last night." He straightened up just to see slight blush creeping over Cameron's cheek. This and her tiny timid smile set his heart one gear higher. "Maybe we can try it again after you return?" His tactics to distract Cameron from persuading her train of thoughts was obviously working, for Cameron didn't answer immediately and simply nodded, not knowing what to answer. It didn't happen too often that a cyborg wouldn't know how to respond to a human, but this was one of those times. She didn't trust herself to say something smart, so she limited herself to nodding.
"So, shall we go now, Cameron?" Andrea broke the spell that was beginning to form between Cameron and John.
"Yes." Cameron limited her answer to the basics. She finally let go of John and turned to Andrea to go.
"Have fun girls!" John and Tim in unison waved them good bye.
After they left, John turned to Tim and Derek: "I'll return to the hotel now." He winked to Tim: "You know why."
"And old Derek Reese is excluded from the circle of trust again." Derek complained not exactly seriously.
John nodded at him: "Yes. This time you are. But don't worry too much; you'll find out soon enough." Then he added seriously: "Could you please tell my mom that I went back to the hotel?" He glanced briefly at Sarah, who was already on the ice and at the moment on the other side of the rink. "I wouldn't want to disturb her brooding now." He waited until Derek gave him an affirmative nod, then he turned and left.
Derek waited for a second until Tim distanced himself too. He shook his head and murmured barely audible: "I bet this has got something to do with the machine."
TBC