Terminator: Return of the Fallen
Part XVIII
The following morning, I could hear Sarah in the shower. I knew it was her, because I could hear a nine millimetre being loaded and set down on the toilet seat. The door was not locked, so I let myself in. I know it was rude, but there were some things that had to be said. Just to be on the safe side, I kept my hand in front of my eyes.
"Sarah.... don't worry, my eyes are closed. I just wanted you to know that, whatever you need, I'm here for you. Just say the word". Silence. "I know that you are a strong woman and you are not used to asking for help, mainly because there was no one around to help you. But you are not alone, and everyone in this house would do anything to help you". Imagine my surprise when I hear Reese's voice from behind the shower curtain.
"I know that you can't see it, but she has a huge smile on her face right now. We appreciate your support, Lieutenant Zacks. Now please, vanish!"
"REESE!" I open my eyes to see two silhouettes behind the shower curtain. "You finally did it! Mazeltov! I am so happy for both of you. Happy because of the sex thing not because of the cancer. I'm sounding inappropriate again, aren't I?" I can hear Sarah laughing softly in the shower.
"Don't leave, keep saying stuff like that".
"Trying to cheer her up, Reese?"
"No, trying to make her laugh so that her breasts jiggle". The sound of a hard slap can be heard in the bathroom. "Ow! It was only a joke, Sarah".
"I think I'll let you two sort this out. Oh, and Sarah, don't aim for the face. Next time, aim for his package". Reese's silhouette doubles over and places his hands over his crotch. Sarah starts laughing again, it is a nice sound to hear. As I leave the bathroom, I unintentionally run into John.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Sir! At the moment, I outrank you boy".
"Don't forget who promoted you in the first place! Is that my mom's voice? Where you just in the bathroom with my mom?"
"Ok, this is not what you think. Yes I was in there, but I didn't see anything. Cross my heart and hope to... well I can't actually die, but something really painful". At that moment, we hear a shriek followed by Sarah screaming.
"NO! PLEASE DON'T!" Reese you idiot, what did you do?
"MOM!" John runs towards the bathroom door, and I catch him before he can get the door open.
"Whoa! Ok, before you go in, there is something you need to know".
"LET GO OF ME YOU WALKING TOASTER! CAMERON! GET THIS ASSHOLE OFF ME!" I can hear Sarah and Reese talking in the bathroom. They are definitely not pleased that John could hear them.
"Shit! I didn't want him to find out this way. I didn't want him to find out, period".
"Sarah, he is going to find out about the cancer eventually. You can only hide it for so long".
"Not the cancer! I meant that I didn't want him to know that I am sleeping with his uncle!" This is really going to mess him up. Cameron walks up behind me.
"Your hearing is better than mine; you know what is going on in there".
"I know what is going on in there". Despite the fact that Sarah is in no danger whatsoever, Cameron still uppercuts me in the jaw. Stunned by her unexpected attack, I let go of John. He rushes into the bathroom.
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT?"
"I'm a soldier, I follow my orders".
"Touché, Cameron. Have you noticed that nothing is being said in there?" I walk in to the bathroom to find John standing there with his mouth wide open. "John? Hello?" No response. This is definitely not good. Savannah walks over to the bathroom.
"Why is everyone yelling?"
"Oh, hi Savannah! Go back to sleep sweetheart, I just need to help John out of the bathroom".
"Can't he do that on his own?" How the hell do you discuss this situation with a six year old? I'd rather stare down a T-800 than talk to her about this. Think of something simple, FAST!
"Uh, John is having.....grown up troubles. Ok. So don't worry about it, just go back to bed. Alright, sweetheart?"
"Ok. I hope you fix John's grown up problems".
"So do, sweetie. So do I". After Savannah has gone back to bed, I walk back to John. "Man, I think he blew a fuse or something. Cameron? Could you help me out here?"
"My...mom, and...my UNCLE!" Oh good, his brain is still functioning.
"He speaks! Are you all right, Johnny?"
"Don't....call me....Johnny! What....the hell......is going.....on here?"
"Do you have a stutter all of a sudden? Or are you just in shock from seeing your mom and your dad's brother in the nude?" This time, John picks up the nine millimetre and shoots me in the head. "Why do the Connors keep doing that?" Sarah tries to take control of the situation.
"John, I know that you are upset. You just have to understand...." I pick John up and throw him over my shoulder. "Hey!"
"I'll handle this. You two get dressed. By the way, what was with the shrieking?"
"Derrick wouldn't stop tickling me!" Oh brother.
"Smooth, Reese. Very smooth".
"Shut up, toaster boy".
"Witty comeback, do you write your own material". Sarah starts laughing again, and John starts to mumble about throwing up. "Not on me, future General Connor. Remember, I still outrank you and it is inappropriate to throw up on an officer". By the time I have carried John out of the bathroom, everyone else is standing in the hallway.
"What happened?"
"John and I had a....disagreement".
"A disagreement? With a nine millimetre?"
"Yeah, the Connors seem to favour that weapon for some reason. I think it doesn't pack enough of a punch for our purposes. Anyway, everyone go back to bed. I've got to have a discussion with the General". After everyone has left, I put John down.
"What the hell is going on here? Derrick....and my mom?"
"John.......Reese, is in love with your mother". John looks like he is going into shock, again.
"Bullshit!"
"It's true. He told me awhile ago. He's just been too afraid or too stubborn to do anything about it. Until now, that is". John still looks considerably annoyed by today's events.
"It's not right. I mean, he's my dad's brother for God's sake!"
"John, your dad is dead. I think two people who love each other deserve to be happy. They need each other, now more than ever". Oh crap, why did I say that?
"Why now?" Shit.
"John, there is something you need to know about your mother".
"She has cancer". What the hell? How did he know that?
"How long have you known that?"
"It seems like ages. The advantage of having a body guard with built in sensors".
"Cameron told you. That makes sense. So, you've known about this longer than she has?"
"Looks that way. Don't tell her that I know, ok".
"Oh, that won't be a problem John. She's standing at the bathroom door".
"What? How do you know that?"
"Terminator hearing. I think you two have some things to discuss". I walk away to let them have some privacy. This is a family matter, and I am not part of their family. Allison is waiting for me in the living room.
"How are they?"
"The Connors? They have some things to work out, but I think they will be fine. How are you doing?"
"I'm all right. Thank you for your concern".
"Hey, what kind of brother would I be if I didn't worry about my little sister?" Allison smiles and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm taking the Colonel on her first trip outside of the house. Just to pick up some supplies. You want anything?"
"No. Do you need a body guard?"
"I think we will be fine, but thanks for offering".
"Be careful, there might be more Terminator prototypes on the loose. If you see anything suspicious, do not hesitate to call in the cavalry. J.H. and I will rush in with our railgun and M82s to blast those bastards to hell".
"Don't worry, you'll be the first person we call. I have to get dressed, see you when we get back".
"Bon voyage".
I tried my best to avoid Sarah and John throughout the day. This is a life changing event, and I want them to work it out privately. Savannah would occasionally ask me what was wrong with John and Sarah, and I would always give her the same answer: grown up problems. By the time Allison and young Sarah returned, the tension was so intense that the entire house could explode at any moment.
"How is everyone?"
"Don't ask. How was your trip?"
"All right. There is someone I would like you to meet". A young man follows Allison into the house. "This is Jerry. We met at the grocery store and he volunteered to help us carry our bags into the house".
"Uh, Allison, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure". We walk into the hallway together, out of earshot from Allison's new boy toy.
"You brought a stranger to the Safe House! Are you out of your mind?"
"He seems harmless enough. You aren't jealous, are you?"
"What? Why would I be jealous of that?" Allison starts giggling.
"Trust me Charley, Jerry is harmless. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to show our guest around the house". Guest? What the hell? Since when did Allison start bringing boys home?
"Hey, Jerry is it? Could I have a word with you?"
"Sure thing man. You must be Charley, right? Allison has told me all about you".
"I hope not. Come into the hallway for a minute". Don't kill him. He follows me into the hallway. Must...not....kill...her boyfriend.
"What's up, bro?" I hate him already. I grab him by the throat and lift him over my head with one arm.
"You listen to me; Allison is like my little sister. So you will be very gentle to her, and very patient, and very kind. If you ever, ever do anything to hurt her, then so help me God I will break you in half. Is that understood?"
"Yes! Yes! Anything you say!" I drop him flat on his ass.
"Good boy. Now, go help Allison with the bags".
As he turns to run away, I spot something in his back pocket. It is a Cyberdine key card. Shit, I am going to have to kill him after all. Allison is not going to be pleased. Why does everything in my life have to be so complicated?
