This chapter became much longer than I first planned. I hope there's no bad mood because of that. But there have been so many things I wanted to clear that it grew and grew and grew … until it reached this number of words. Splitting it into two separate chapters was not an option, so …

I hope you like it.

Chapter 10

"Are you sure that there's no danger for you if you allow Weaver to install these upgrades into you?" John's voice was clearly showing how uneasy he felt about the idea to let Catherine Weaver fiddle with Cameron's systems.

After they returned from the meeting in Zeira Corporation building, they retreated to their room and John was clearly stressed. It wasn't the attack that was nearing quickly, moreover it was the fact that his wife would have to be cut open and he would have to allow some other machine to tamper with her. They were now sitting on the bed, looking at each other, holding hands and Cameron tried to reassure John that everything would be all right. She clearly saw how stressed he was and that was absolutely unacceptable for her.

"Of course, John! After all, I won't be in stand-by mode. They can exchange the capacitors without shutting me down. I'll be aware of everything they will be doing with me." She smiled at him reassuringly, her thumbs gently caressing his knuckles, feeling how he tensed every now and then.

"But … won't it hurt you, to be cut while being aware of it?" Stress was clearly heard in John's voice and it wasn't wearing off as Cameron hoped it would.

"I can control the pain." She avoided answering him directly.

John noticed how she evaded answering his question and made his own conclusions. He was sure that it would hurt her, but she would never admit it. So he pressed on: "I know that you feel things. I know that you feel me touching you." His hand gently slid up her arm, causing her to shiver a little. "See? I know that you feel it and if you feel such gentle touch, then you definitely have nerves or something like that in your organic skin and you can also feel the pain. Right?"

Cameron hung her head for a second, trying to find the right way to persuade him before looking into his questioning eyes again. "Yes, I can feel the pain, John. But I can also control it. One of the advantages that my body has against the human one is that I can control the sensations. I feel everything, but I'm able to discard any sensation if I chose to. So I always chose to feel your touch, but I always chose to ignore the pain. Sure, I feel it, but am able to gain control over it. Not like humans … I can function even when I've been shot, stabbed, cut …"

John thought for a moment and looked deeply into his wife's eyes. He saw nothing but sincerity, love and understanding in them, so he decided that he should believe her and not press the matter further. Sure, she sometimes still hid small things from him, he knew that. But it was always to his benefit and he knew that for sure. After all … are there any couples that don't hide their small secrets from each other? As long as it's about completely innocent things it doesn't matter. And he believed that she wasn't deceiving him now.

"OK, if you say so. But I'm still not comfortable with it."

"I know and I understand. You don't have to be comfortable, I just need you to accept and understand it." Cameron smiled at John's expression, leaned to him and kissed him lightly on the lips. But she underestimated her husband's emotional state. She just wanted to give him a reassuring light kiss, but instead they were few seconds later almost wrapped around each other, their tongues eagerly exploring the other's mouth.

His hands roamed almost subconsciously under her top and caressed her flawless skin, slowly reaching for her perfect breasts. As soon as his fingers touched the fabric of her bra, she shuddered and dug her nails in his back, pulling him even closer, and her tongue took over the initiative. She leaned backwards, pulling John with her.

"Are you sure?" John's mouth left hers for just a second.

"More than I've ever been!" Cameron almost panted in anticipation and lust and she pulled them both down into lying position resolutely. John couldn't do anything else but smile into the next heated kiss and obey his wife.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I know that the plan actually sucks, but we don't have any better." Sarah glared at Derek irritated. She knew that their plan most likely meant that not everyone would make it back, but she had no idea how to do it better. "There are five machines, Derek, FIVE! We always had problems with one and now we're facing five of them. Not to even mention the mercenaries. I have no doubts that they are the best of the best. Even your experiences from the war may not be enough!"

Derek sat on the chair, supported his head with his arm, elbow leaned on the table and looked at Sarah. For the past ten minutes they've been discussing the forthcoming operation and agreed only on the fact that it was their chance to take out the Skynet before it could assume the control of the weapons systems and began its crusade against humanity. Everything else was a matter of different attitudes and perceptions. While Derek insisted that the plan was bad, Sarah saw the flaws in it, but also saw that they didn't have any extensive choice of other possibilities.

"If you have any better idea, out with it, Derek!" Sarah was getting impatient with Derek's complaining, without giving a positive and constructive input at all. Nagging, nagging, nagging! Does he ever do anything else but nag and complain?

"I have none!" Derek barked angrily. He wasn't angry at Sarah or anyone else, but at himself for not having any useful ideas.

"Then shut up and stop bickering!" Sarah returned in the same manner. She paced around the room like a lioness in the cage, almost wearing a path in the carpet. Then she suddenly stopped and looked at Derek: "However, I do have a suggestion for John."

Derek's head shot up from his self pity fixation and looked at her astonished: "What?"

Sarah rolled her eyes as she saw his reaction, but only a second later she began to grin at him. He looked so flabbergasted that she almost forgot whom she was dealing with … an experienced resistance fighter, a man who lived through hell and came back. Sometimes he really behaved like a young, inexperienced boy. And she liked such moments.

"I said that I have a suggestion for John. Nothing that would change the world, but still important."

"You've got my undivided attention." Derek's eyes reduced to their normal size and his head left the safe support of his hand, looking at Sarah with interest.

"I believe that it's a bad idea to put Catherine Weaver and Cameron in the same team. Two most capable fighters in one group isn't exactly the best solution. What if some machines evade the first group and wait for the second? How will we defeat them? Especially when I consider the fact that we won't have any really effective weapons. You couldn't possibly walk around with your 50 caliber sniper gun, could you? And everything else is like we'd be throwing sticks at them. Using a rocket launcher in confined spaces is something I definitely don't want to try. It would probably be the last thing I'd try in my life." She chuckled a little humorlessly before continuing: "I think that they should split: one into each group. And as far as I know my son, he'd insist on having Cameron in his own group." She rolled her eyes, faking annoyance, while she grinned at her companion.

Derek nodded lost in his thoughts for few seconds before answering: "I believe it's a good suggestion. Cameron and Weaver might be stubborn, but if you explain it to them like you just did to me, they just might understand it. And John would only be too happy to have his precious piece of metal by his side."

"DEREK!" Sarah suddenly yelled at him in disgust. "Don't you ever again use such expression for my daughter in law!" She stepped few steps towards Derek threateningly, her fists clenched at her sides. She might have had her difficulties accepting Cameron as a person, even bigger problems accepting the fact that her son was in love with her and the biggest issues accepting that they actually got married, but gradually she accepted Cameron in her heart and fought just as fiercely to protect her as her son. Well, maybe just a little bit less fierce …

Derek laughed at her outburst: "Just kidding, Sarah! I learned to like her too. But I have to tease you sometimes if not for anything else, then just to see how you'd react."

Sarah closed in on him and before he could evade, she punched him in the shoulder: "Reese! Don't ever test me again!" But her lips already curled in a small smile.

"Ouch! Woman, you have no idea how strong you are!" Derek whined and clasped his hand over the spot where Sarah's fist made contact with his shoulder.

"Believe me, I do! If I'd hit you with everything I've got, you'd be now lying unconscious." Sarah retorted still smiling at him.

Derek's face stretched into a smile too: "Definitely. Now … about your suggestion … when are you going to tell John?"

"I was thinking about right now." Sarah already turned towards the door of her room in which they have been sitting.

"I don't think that it's such a splendid idea." Derek's voice reflected his anxiousness and he jumped up to stop Sarah.

The Connor matriarch stopped and turned back to look at Derek astonished: "I don't get it! You just said that it's a good idea …"

"Your suggestion for the action definitely; that's a good idea. But the idea to go to him right now; believe me, it's a bad one." Derek explained hurriedly, not wanting to allow her walking out the door just now.

Sarah looked at him confused for a second, before it dawned on her: "Oh god! You mean … they … oh, shit!" She shuddered at the thought that she might have walked in on a scene she never wanted to see. Scene, she knew were a regular occurrence in their room, but she still tried to persuade herself that they didn't happen. Shit! Why am I being so prude? After all … they're MARRIED!

"I'm almost sure. After all, they vanished into their room as soon as we returned home and I don't think they're there just to have a small talk or go over the plans." Derek grinned at Sarah.

Sarah shook her head: "Right! My mistake!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"There, these are the last ones." Catherine Weaver arranged the items she just brought on the table neatly and swept her eyes over them to categorize each and every one. Even though she already had the inventory list, she double checked it … just in case.

John Henry took a long look at the various electrical components, lying on the table in front of him, silently checking the schematics of the TOK-715 endoskeleton and electrical connections. He wanted to make sure that everything was there. Once they started the upgrades on Cameron, there would be no time to go searching for some eventually missing item. After few seconds he smiles satisfied and looked at Catherine: "Everything's here. We will be able to upgrade Cameron tomorrow without any problems."

Catherine Weaver nodded wordlessly.

John Henry looked at her inquiringly and after she didn't say anything, he asked: "Something's bothering you, Mrs. Weaver. Care to tell me?"

Catherine took a deep breath, instantly wondering why she did it. She was a machine and didn't need to breath and yet she did such human thing. Maybe I'm getting too wrapped up in this human thing. Maybe I shouldn't take all human habits. Then she turned towards John Henry: "I'm thinking about young John Connor and Cameron Connor. They seem much more up to the task than I expected them to be. Especially John surprised me. I didn't expect him to act so mature already."

"You like him, don't you?"

Catherine pursed her lips a little: "I wouldn't go as far as 'liking' him, at least not yet, but I do admit that I find him intriguing, trustworthy and reliable."

John Henry smiled slightly, sensing that Catherine Weaver was avoiding the truth slightly. She did like John Connor. "In short words … you like him!" He had to tease her a little more.

However, Catherine didn't react to his teasing and continued: "And the TOK … I can't believe that any machine could act so human. In infiltration mode yes, but not under normal circumstances. If I wouldn't know what she is, I'd believe her to be human. Remarkable!" Catherine Weaver shook her head slightly as if she wouldn't believe her own words.

"Yes. I like them both too. They are very nice and friendly, not to mention capable." John Henry nodded towards the CEO of the Zeira Corporation.

"And yet I still have desire to control them both. I want to retain some kind of control over the situation and I fear that if I'd leave them in charge, something would go wrong. I don't know why, but that's how I feel." Catherine Weaver looked thoughtful.

John Henry shook his head slightly: "I think you shouldn't try limiting their control of the situation. You should let John lead. He may not be very experienced, but he's got what it takes to make him a good leader. I'm sure that his wife is a good compensation for his lack of experience. If you try to interfere too much, you might antagonize not only him, but Cameron too."

"I know that and I'm trying to stay in the background. But it's difficult to step back after all the time I've been the one to be in the lead." Catherine looked at John Henry as if she'd be seeking help from him.

"I know you'll do the right thing, Mrs. Weaver." John Henry gave her one of his creepy smiles, before turning back to the parts on the table. After few seconds he turned his gaze back to Catherine: "I believe you don't have any hidden agenda with Cameron Connor?"

"Why would you think so?" Catherine looked genuinely surprised.

"Oh, just an idea." John Henry couldn't completely hide his slightly smug smile.

"No, I don't. I might have had some plans of my own before, but after I've met the Connors, I changed them. John Connor is invaluable asset and TOK-715 keeps him going. If I'd take her from him, I'd lose him too. So no … I have no hidden agenda, I just want to make sure that she's able to withstand the EMP or electrical shocks."

"I'm really glad to hear it, Mrs. Weaver."

XXXXXXXXXX

Tim and Isabel stepped out of the car and as soon as Tim rounded the hood, he reached for Isabel's hand and laced his fingers with hers. Hand in hand they stepped towards the entrance to the house, talking quietly. Isabel suddenly began to giggle lightly and she leaned her head on his shoulder, making him beam like a lighthouse at night.

They reached the door, but before Tim could even reach for the knob, it opened abruptly, revealing Lesley on the other side of it. His face was dark and he looked at the two frowning, appearing even bigger than normally: "It's about time you came back!" His words were directed at Isabel.

Isabel stopped giggling and gave Lesley a death stare: "It's none of your business what I do in my free time." Her voice cut like a knife and she lifted her chin defiantly before pushing the big guy aside and guiding Tim into the house, demonstratively holding his hand and literally pulling the young man after her.

Lesley stepped aside, clearly annoyed that Isabel ignored his words, but not answering her. He saw the worried look that Tim gave him and grinned darkly. At least one who fears me!

After entering the living room area, Isabel noticed that Edward, William, John and Cameron sat there and discussed something. As soon as they entered, the discussion stopped and four pairs of eyes turned towards them. Cameron's and John's eyes instantly zeroed in on their entwined hands and they both began to grin appreciatively. Edward and William controlled their facial expressions better, but it was clear that they had nothing against them holding hands. Their eyes showed that they wouldn't try to separate the two newfound lovebirds.

"I told her that she should concentrate more on the job than on some other ac…" Lesley never got to finish his complaint.

"Ease up, Lesley! It's not like it's the end of the world! At least not right now!" John interrupted him and looked slightly annoyed into big man's direction. Ever since he first met him, he never could really warm up to him, the attitude that he showed towards Cameron, being the most important reason for his dislike of the resistance fighter. "They like each other and that's that! They're both grownups and have the right to decide on their future. Who are we to try to interfere?" He challenged the man and looked straight into his eyes.

Lesley looked at Edward in hope to gain support there, but saw that Edward sided with John in this matter. "Lesley, don't forget that you cannot control anyone's life. You, of all people, should have known it." Edward's voice was calm, but resolute.

Suddenly images from his youth flashed before Lesley's mind; images of his first commanding officer, trying to break him and remodel him to his liking. And he realized that he'd been trying the same thing with Isabel. He tried to force her to see things his way. And with a stubborn woman it was exactly what he never should have tried at all.

"I'm sorry, Isabel. I overstepped the line." He muttered under breath with lowered head and turned to leave the room. He might be clearly embarrassed but his words sounded sincere.

"Apology accepted, Lesley." Isabel's soft voice stopped him in his tracks and as he turned to look at her, he saw a smile on her face.

His face softened and he smiled back, nodded and left the room.

"So … you two?" John now turned to Tim and grinned at him wide.

"Actually..:" Tim began, but broke into a wide smile and just nodded sheepishly at his friend.

"Well, it was about time! You've danced around each other long enough. There's very little time to waste." Cameron stood up and approached them. She stopped in front of them and looked directly into Isabel's eyes: "May I have a word with you in private?" It didn't sound like an order, more like a genuine interest that the cyborg girl had to talk to Isabel. Despite her offhanded manners, Cameron didn't try to give Isabel a clear order. Yet.

Isabel wondered what Cameron Connor might have to discuss with her, but, when Cameron or John Connor asked you something, you obeyed. She nodded and let Tim's hand go, giving him an apologetic look, before turning to follow Cameron, who was already at the door.

After they entered the kitchen and closed the door, Cameron took a seat at the table, silently inviting Isabel to do the same. The resistance fighter obeyed and looked at the cyborg expectantly.

"Ever since we met I have noticed that you have quite an attitude. No, do not interrupt me!" Cameron began and lifted her hand as she saw Isabel's mouth beginning to open to say something. "That's exactly what I'm talking about." She paused and gauged Isabel's expression. After she was satisfied, she continued: "I'm not saying that it's a bad thing. Sometimes it's even desirable. I just want to tell you to be careful. Tim is a nice guy and doesn't deserve to be left broken-hearted because you'd find someone else, someone more suited to your desires. And don't let your feelings influence your actions."

Isabel used the short break as Cameron looked at her like a hawk, to clarify: "I'm not toying with Tim if that's what you mean. I really like him. I don't know if I love him, but I'd sure like to find out. He's really very nice and not at all like the men, I used to know before. He obviously cares for me more than I've ever had a man care for me and it's really a nice thing." Suddenly she stopped and frowned: "Why would you care at all?"

Cameron sighed before she answered: "I care because I like him. He and his sister are probably the first friends I've ever had in my entire existence and I don't want to see them hurt."

Isabel was now slightly shocked: "But … I thought you wouldn't care for anyone else but John?"

Cameron grinned slightly at the girl: "Things change. I may have started as some unfeeling machine, but I've changed. I care for the humans that I like."

Isabel looked at her wide-eyed. She started to believe that this Cameron was even more human-like than the one she knew in the future.

Without allowing Isabel to continue her train of thoughts, Cameron continued: "I believe we understand each other. If your intentions with Tim are serious, I can only be happy for you two. However, there's another thing that I wanted to discuss with you." She paused for a second before continuing, although she kept her unwavering gaze directed at Isabel's eyes. "I may have been a little … hostile towards you at the beginning."

Isabel smiled: "Nothing new there. Even in my future, the other you initially had problems with me. After we managed to get straight, she even explained to me why."

"And why would the other I be hostile towards you?" Cameron tilted her head and looked at Isabel imploringly.

"Well, you … I mean, the other you, told me that she was in the beginning distrustful because I posses a certain similarity to her … you. Look Mrs. Connor, I can't help that I look a little like you do. And you can be sure that I have absolutely no intentions to use it in any way." Isabel spoke seriously. She wanted to convince John Connor's wife that she should trust her.

Cameron narrowed her eyes on Isabel and thought about her words for a second before answering: "I believe you. There are no signs that you would be trying to deceive me." She suddenly smiled: "Maybe we could even become something like friends." She paused a little and added: "If we survive the attack on the Kaliba facility."

Isabel sighed relieved. Ever since she got to know this Cameron, she had a feeling that the cyborg girl was judging her and looking at her very carefully and she was afraid that she wouldn't accept her. But all of her doubts and fears seemed to be wrong and Cameron Connor obviously decided that she'd accept her. Being friends with Cameron Connor was something very few humans could claim to be. And it would mean very much to her if she could be one of them. "I'd like to, Mrs. Connor."

"Cameron. Please, call me Cameron. I'm not exactly used to be named Mrs. Connor." Cameron grinned and stretched her hand towards Isabel. She knew that humans normally seal such agreements with handshake and she wanted to act as human as possible.

Isabel didn't hesitate for long. She accepted the offered hand and shook it firmly.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I'm glad that you didn't try to intimidate the poor lady today." John grinned at Cameron while they were riding the elevator to the basement of Zeira Corporation. Just minutes ago they arrived and this time Cameron didn't even try to look at the receptionist like she used to the last or the first two times they came here. In fact, she smiled sweetly at her. Although … she wasn't sure if it wasn't even scarier for the receptionist. At least the look she gave the cyborg girl was clearly one of fear.

"Why would I? It's been enough two times before." Cameron answered dryly. Even though she was a machine and shouldn't feel anxious, she felt slightly uneasy. She knew that the procedure they would be implementing today presented many possibilities to interfere with her systems. However, she also really looked forward to become more resistant or even immune to electro shocks and consequently a much better protector for her John.

John sensed that she was in a slight turmoil of emotions and gently took her hand in his: "Everything's going to be all right Cameron! We're going to take care of that, right guys?" He turned towards Edward and Derek, who stood at their sides questioningly and received a short nod from both in answer.

The ride to the basement didn't take them long and they were soon in the room, where the procedure was planned to take place. Catherine Weaver and John Henry were already waiting for them in the room and greeted them: John Henry warmly with a vulnerable smile and Catherine Weaver coolly with no expression on her face.

John eyed the various items on the side table suspiciously for few second, especially concentrating on the sharp knives. He felt a shudder travelling down his spine at the thought that these knives would be cutting into his wife any minute now. His hand that clutched to Cameron's subconsciously tightened the grip and he felt a reassuring squeeze from his wife in response. He looked at her and saw her tiny smile, trying to tell him that she'd be OK.

"Are you ready, Cameron?" Catherine Weaver stepped towards them with a blank look. "We should hurry up so that your cuts will be healed by tomorrow. I suppose your regenerating rate will allow it?"

"Yes. I calculate that I'll be completely healed within 18 hours. "Cameron nodded and received a strange look from her husband. He knew that she healed very fast, but such a short time was still somehow surprising for him. Cameron noticed it and turned to him: "Provided I ingest as much food as possible today."

John was now even more astonished. His Cameron just told him that she would need something to eat. Sure, she always ate a little, but now she said she'd have to eat much. His face slowly stretched into a beaming smile: "Anything you want, my dear!"

"Chocolate ice cream?" Cameron's voice was slightly mischievous and her eyes danced with laughter.

"Definitely! As much as you want!" John now grinned wide at her and felt how the tension he felt just seconds before slowly ebbed away.

"As much as I enjoy your little banter, we have a lot of work to do." Catherine Weaver's voice was flat and yet John could hear a small note of amusement in it and as he lifted his eyes to look at her, he saw a tiniest of smiles on her face and even in her eyes. Maybe she's not as bad and cold as I believed? Maybe she also has some kind of emotions like Cameron?

"Sure, let's do it." He answered resolutely and guided Cameron towards the operating table, never letting her hand go.

After they reached it, Cameron squeezed his hand once more then let it go, but, before she hopped on the table, she gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I love you." And she was already on the table.

Her actions were so fast that John remained open mouthed as she was already sitting on the table. But after seeing her mischievous grin, he clamped his mouth shut and smiled: "I love you too."

John Henry approached them and put his hand on John's shoulder: "Don't worry John, I'll take care that she doesn't get damaged too much."

John smiled at the AI: "I'm sure you will." Then he backed off a little from the table, while Derek and Edward flanked him.

Meanwhile Catherine stepped to Cameron: "You should take your clothes off. Unless you want them destroyed?"

John suddenly looked alarmed. He simply oversaw the fact that she would have to be naked and he suddenly felt uncomfortable that Derek and Edward might see his wife naked. Even though she had no problems with it, he did have them and was suddenly in a situation when he had to decide what was more important to him: to have two additional guards or to allow the two men to see his wife naked.

Derek grinned at the look on John's face and leaned over to him to whisper in his ear: "What do you want us to do, John? Should we stay here or should we wait outside?"

John's mouth opened and closed few times like fish out of the water, but luckily, Edward came to his rescue: "I believe that we should wait outside, Derek." Then he turned to John: "We'll be right on the other side of the door if you should need us."

A mute nod was all they got in reply from John and he looked at Edward relieved. Even though he was supposed to be the leader, he felt grateful that the resistance fighter decided in his place. He was now almost sure that Catherine and John Henry had nothing bad in mind and was not so keen on having additional guards by his side, especially considering the fact that they would inevitably see Cameron in her glory. He wanted some of his wife's attributes exclusively for himself.

Cameron, who already took off her jacket, eyed the three men curiously, holding the hem of her top, waiting for the decision. As John knew, she had no problems being naked in front of humans, but she also learned that modesty was a virtue between them, so she waited for John to decide whether Derek and Edward should stay or leave. She saw how relieved he was when Edward decided for him and left the room together with Derek. After they left, John turned to her, slightly red in face and just nodded.

Just few seconds later Cameron was lying on the table, naked from the waist up and John Henry was already cutting into her abdomen.

The whole procedure lasted for almost three hours. There were quite a lot of components that had to be exchanged and they had to work very carefully not to damage anything else. Significant alterations had to be made to her existing wiring to enable the proper functioning of the new built-in improvements. All the time John was eyeing everything like a mother hen while trying not to be in way of John Henry and Catherine. Every now and then his gaze turned to Cameron's and he always received a reassuring smile from her, making him feel just a little better.

"Done!" John Henry exclaimed as he knotted the last stitch on Cameron's abdomen. John looked at his wife and felt almost physical pain upon seeing her cut torso. There were seven differently long cuts, now sealed together with more than one hundred stitches. His eyes must have revealed how he felt, for Cameron smiled at him: "I guess that I shouldn't get into my bikini right now, correct?"

John shook his head slowly. "Oh my god, Cameron…" Then his eyes darted from her torso to her eyes, while Cameron already put on her top, hiding the majority of stitches. "Does it hurt?"

Cameron shook her head and smiled at him while putting on her jacket: "No, John. I told you a few times that I can control the pain."

"But … but … you look like a ragged doll!" John's eyes finally lost the horrified expression upon seeing her beaming smile. "How do you feel? Different?"

Cameron shook her head again: "No, I don't feel any different; however, my systems are reporting significant changes in hardware. Maybe we should try the function of this new protective hardware?"

John's first reaction was that it wouldn't be necessary, but he then remembered that it would be better if they tried it here in controlled environment and not later during the battle. This way they could improve it, should the test be unsuccessful. So he nodded: "I believe we should. Better here than on the battlefield."

"Her you are, Mr. Connor." Catherine handed him a taser, but before John could take it in his hand, Cameron intervened and pulled a strange device from her pocket: "You should try this one, John."

John recognized the taser she got from Edward. The type that was used to abduct her, the one, designed specifically to render a terminator offline. "Are you sure?" He gazed into Cameron's eyes.

Cameron nodded: "Yes, I'm sure. If I can withstand this one then there's hardly any weapon that could disable me this way."

John Henry joined Catherine and looked at the device which was now already in John's hand: "This seems like a heavy duty taser. Much stronger than ours." He looked at Cameron: "Where did you get it?"

"It had already been used on me few months ago, when the military abducted me." Cameron smirked at him.

"Military stuff then." Catherine hid well that this was new information for her. No one ever informed her about the abduction that took place few months ago. She knew about the annihilation of the base, but didn't know how Cameron entered the military facility in first place. "Cameron is correct. If she can withstand this then even our EMP weapon won't have any effect on her."

John nodded and stepped away from the table where Cameron already stood. He looked at John Henry and Catherine, just to see that they both already cleared the direct area around Cameron. A strange feeling, a lump rose in his throat as he looked at his wife. He felt uneasy to fire at her, even though he knew that he couldn't harm her.

Slowly lifting his arm with the taser, he looked into Cameron's brown eyes. He hesitated for a second and received an encouraging smile and nod from her. She was trying to show him that everything was OK. "I'm sorry!" He fired.

The electrodes flew from the devicse and embedded themselves into Cameron's chest. At the same time the strong electrical current flowed through them and into Cameron's body. John waited for her to show a reaction, but saw only a small twitch and then she smiled at him wide.

"Nothing! It works!" She smiled at him, happy that she finally managed to eliminate one of her few weaknesses. "My new power banks have been laden up and I have a surcharge of energy of 5%."

John released the trigger on the device and rushed towards Cameron. She already pulled the electrodes out of her body and tossed them aside, while still smiling at him. In an instant she was in his arms, hugging her tightly: "It really works!" He impetuously planted kisses all over her face, forgetting that Catherine Weaver and John Henry were still in the room.

"John?" Cameron's voice was just a little insistent. She enjoyed his attention too much to be really aversive to his exclamations of happiness. She smiled in contempt, snaking her arms around John and enjoying his lips all over her face.

"I guess that it worked, right Mr. Connor?" Catherine Weaver's just a little mocking voice tore John from his trance and he backed off from Cameron … but not completely. He still held her very close, only his lips were now not grazing her face.

"I believe it did, Mrs. Weaver." His answer sounded calm and he looked at Catherine and John Henry as if nothing happened at all. He grinned at them happily. "I guess that Cameron is now going to be much more efficient. Pity that she hadn't had these upgrades installed before. She wouldn't have been abducted at all and she wouldn't have to live through the hell like she did." Then he remembered something: "Is there no need to change the software too?"

Catherine shook her head: "No, we changed the routines, controlling the hardware correspondingly so that there's no need to change her programming."

John Henry tried to say something, but the door suddenly opened and Edward looked inside with a slightly confused look on his face.

"There's a little girl here, saying that she'd like to talk to her mommy." He looked at Catherine questioningly. He knew that Cameron couldn't be the one the girl was referring to, so it left Catherine Weaver as the only possible alternative, Even though he found it unbelievable that a liquid metal terminator would pose as a mother.

Catherine stepped to the door quickly, as John observed almost hastily, and opened it completely: "Savannah, what are you doing here?" Her voice was still quite cold, but not as much as normally.

A small girl about seven years old, with red hair, stood at the door, arms crossed behind her back and she shuffled with one foot as if she'd be embarrassed. As she heard Catherine talking, she looked up at her and her face brightened instantly: "I wanted to visit John Henry, mommy. Is he here?" She leaned to one side, tried to stretch and look around Catherine into the room.

John instantly remembered the girl from his visit to Dr. Sherman's ordination. It was the same girl that he taught how to tie her shoe. He leaned to side look at her par Catherine and smiled: "Hi, Savannah! Do you remember me?"

Savannah looked at him for a second and then grinned wide: "Yes, you're the one who taught me how to tie my shoe."

"Yeah, it's me, John. And this is …" he pulled Cameron into Savannah's line of view, "… my wife, Cameron."

"Hi Cameron." Savannah said a little shy and eyed the beautiful auburn haired girl curious. As she looked into her brown eyes, she instantly liked her. She believed to have seen John's wife before, but wasn't completely sure.

Cameron was a little baffled by the situation. She was never taught how to be friends with children, but she saw how the little girl smiled at her trustingly and she smiled back: "Hello, Savannah. How are you?"

"Fine. I just wanted to visit my friend, John Henry. Is he here?" Savannah still remembered why she came all the way down here, although she didn't understand what all these people were doing here.

"I'm here, Savannah." John Henry finally stepped forward and smiled at the little red-haired girl who looked just like miniature version of Catherine Weaver.

Her face brightened again: "Hello, John Henry. Can we play?"

"I'm sorry Savannah, but that is not possible right now. John Henry, John, Cameron and I have some important matters to discuss. You should go back to your room. I'll come to you later." Catherine spoke softly, but her voice allowed no doubts that she really meant every word.

Savannah's face fell and she looked at the floor: "OK, mommy. Can I play with John Henry later?" She added almost hopefully and looked at Catherine with big eyes.

"We'll see. If we're finished soon, he'll come with me." Catherine allowed no doubts.

"OK." Savannah's voice was meek and she also looked a little dejected. "Bye, mommy. Bye John Henry, John, Cameron." She counted everyone and looked at them before turning to leave the elders to their business. On passing the two men, standing now on the inner side of the door, she gave them a little uneasy look.

After Savannah left them, John looked at Catherine: "I didn't know that you have a 'daughter'?" He stressed the word 'daughter' specifically.

"There was nothing I could do. Her parents were dead and I had to take care of her." Catherine spoke nonchalantly, but from her voice it was obvious that she cared for the little girl.

"Dead? You mean like killed?" John sensed the opportunity to find out more about this Catherine Weaver. He suspected that she must have killed the real Catherine Weaver to assume her role.

"Yes. Killed in a helicopter accident. There was nothing I could have done but take the role of the real Catherine Weaver." She looked straight into John's eyes and he could say that she was trying to convince him that she had nothing to do with the death of girl's real parents.

"I see." John nodded, feeling a little better about this creepy terminator, impersonating the owner and the CEO of Zeira Corporation.

Cameron chose this moment to reach for his hand and squeeze it gently: "You said before that you have a change of attack plan to discuss with Catherine."

"Sure." John nodded. Now, as they finished the upgrades on Cameron, he could discuss the change of plan with Weaver. His mother suggested him before they left for Zeira Corporation that Cameron and Catherine shouldn't be in the same group and he, no wonder, immediately agreed with her. At least he would be in the same group as Cameron.

"Change?" Catherine tilted her head slightly and eyed him curiously.

"Yes. A change. We believe that it would be better if you and Cameron wouldn't be in the same team. You're the only ones able to handle the EMP guns and each team should have one of them. You cannot expect that all terminators will be waiting for your group. Some of them will probably be elsewhere and will attack my group. So it would be definitely wiser to have one of those weapons too."

Catherine thought for a second and nodded. "Good idea."

"However, you'll have Edward, Isabel and Derek in your group. Together with your skills it should be enough." John explained and muttered under breath. "Hopefully!"

Were Catherine and Cameron humans, they wouldn't have heard him at all. But they were not. "It will be enough, Mr. Connor." Catherine answered self assured.

John looked like he weren't completely convinced, yet he nodded, accepting Catherine's explanation.

TBC