SIERRA NEVADA

Devin, Greene and Wiggs, the three resistance fighters have one mission. To check future Skynet's birth place. The younger Connor didn't send them on this mission, they themselves volunteered for this. It was necessary. They must be sure whether Skynet will exist in the same place as before. It would have easily predicted that Connor will send someone from the future to scout this place when it lost the war. But even then they were not taking any chances.

They were traveling by a jeep while keeping their eyes out. Like Connor they were also Skynet's targets. The Grays had already sent out a team of mercenaries to kill them. They would have died if it was not for the Connors and Cameron.

Cameron, they had seen her in the future beside Connor during the end of the war. She appeared out of nowhere and began to act as Connor's bodyguard. None was allowed to see Connor without getting through her. It was surreal really. But the odd thing was that she looked just like Allison Young, another resistance fighter. Allison was once caught by the machines and was never seen again. But then she returned and with her she brought an ally- Cameron. From what they heard from Allison, Cameron had rescued her from Skynet and Connor knew about Cameron.

When Allison sent a message to Connor about Cameron, Connor replied that he knew. So, Cameron was accepted into Connor's inner circle out of nowhere. The reason was not stated for trusting a machine as Connor's bodyguard. People showed their concerns but Connor insisted, and refused to talk more about Cameron or his reasons for choosing her as his bodyguard.

They had to agree though that this Cameron was different from other Skynet's machines. She was so human. And with her information Connor managed to track down Skynet central core and in an all out war they blew the central core sky high.

They thought that it was all over. But Connor called Derek and the three of them to meet him privately. He showed them the TDE and gave them a mission to travel back in time and aid his mother and his younger self. Stop Judgment Day. They agreed immediately. They were proud of themselves that Connor himself trusted them for this important mission to change the future. For Connor they would do anything. So now they are here. Trying to find Skynet where it is growing powerful day by day.

It took them seven hours to reach Sierra Nevada by road from Los Angeles. The back of the jeep was full of weapons, powerful enough to destroy terminators. It would take multiple shots but the machines would go down against the firepower of these weapons. They have come prepared.

But in the end the weapons were not needed.

Because there was nothing suspicious going on there. There were no machines, no Skynet. They spent two days here in the mountain ranges, scouting the area. The weather was chilling cold here but the three of them were used to it. And they had seen no activity anywhere. It was all quiet and calm.

"Do you think we are wasting our time here?" Greene whispered to the other two soldiers.

"At least we are sure now that there is no Skynet here. As Connor wanted us to do." Devin said.

"Right you are." Greene agreed.

"I think it is time for us to go back." Wiggs suggested.

"Yeah." Greene sighed and pocketed his binocular. "There is nothing here."

"We should report back to Connor, immediately." Wiggs said.

The three of them retreated back to their jeep where they had hid it from naked eyes. Wiggs took the wheel while Devin and Greene became the passenger.

"Greene, do you really believe we can stop Judgment Day?" Devin whispered out of nowhere. "Do you think we would be able to enjoy the fresh air and the green of this world?" He asked, looking at the trees and the grass beside the road.

"We have to trust Connor, Devin." Greene replied. "If anyone can, it's him."

"No offense, but he is still a kid." Wiggs commented.

"True. But he is John Connor. We have to remember that." Greene said.

"Right. That must mean something." Devin said.

Wiggs laughed slightly. "Don't worry, Devin. You will eventually have the chance to get laid this time and eat all day."

Devin glared at Wiggs. "Fuck you, man." Wiggs just laughed more.

"Too bad, Allison Young is not here. You may have gotten the chance to woo her again." Greene commented with a smirk on his face.

"Nah!" Devin sighed. "She was totally into Connor. I had no chance."

Greene smiled. "But you are forgetting one thing my friend."

"What's that?" Devin glared back at Greene.

"Connor was not into her." Greene said. Then his eyes became unfocused. "In fact, I have never heard that Connor was interested in any woman."

"It's because he already had someone. She died a couple of months before we blew Skynet to hell." Wiggs added.

"Oh!" Greene's expression turned to realization. "Right."

"Do you think I can have a pizza when we go back?" Devin asked curiously.

Both Greene and Wiggs laughed. "You have to ask Sarah Connor." Wiggs said.

"Fine. I don't need pizza." Devin grumbled dejectedly. He had no intention to talk to Sarah Connor. He had seen her temper and wrath and he didn't want to face that. He would rather fight a terminator than facing a pissed off Sarah Connor.

The three of them fell silent for the moment.

After a few hours of driving, Greene suddenly whispered from the back seat. "Don't look now. But I think a black sedan is following us for a while now."

Immediately Wiggs and Devin tensed in their seats. "How many?" Devin asked.

"Four may be six. Can't be sure." Greene said.

"Damn it!" Wiggs said. "We can't lead them back to the safehouse."

"We have to get away from their line of sight and ditch this jeep." Devin said.

The other two nodded. "But it won't be easy."


CONNOR SAFEHOUSE

When John gained consciousness, all he felt was pain on his right arm, above his elbow. He slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, so he blinked several times to adjust his vision. He looked around his surroundings and immediately realized he was back to his home and currently he was lying on his bed. He remembered what happened back there at Hampton Inn. The Grays had led a trap and he just walked right into it. He would've died if she was not there.

Cameron.

She saved him again. If the bullet that hit him was a few more inches to the right, he wouldn't be alive right now. And it was again his fault. Cameron was making sure that all the Grays were dead but he didn't wait for her to finish because he was so concerned about her that he came out from behind his cover. That was his mistake.

John realized he was in her debt again, for saving his life again. He needed to see her.

He tried to flex his right arm and immediately pain shot through his side. He grunted in pain and then he heard footsteps outside his door.

Must be her.

But it was his mother, not Cameron.

She rushed inside with her gaze fixed on John, face full of worry. "John, are you okay?" Sarah asked, crouching beside John's bed.

John tried to sit up but his mother gently put a hand on his chest telling him silently to lie down again. "Stop. You need to rest."

John sighed and did as his mother told him to. "Mom, I am alright." He assured her.

Sarah glared at her son slightly. "You are not okay, John. The bullet had hit your arm, what if it was a few inches to the side?"

"Mom…" John tried to say but Sarah interrupted her son.

"No, John. It was stupid of you to go there alone. Why don't you understand? You don't risk yourself like that. You are too important. What if something had happened to you?" Sarah said, her eyes misting with tears. "John, I have no else to live for."

John understood where his mother's emotions were coming from. From her perspective she was absolutely right. Except him she has no else in this world. When she was very young, about the same age as him, she was getting hunted by a terminator. She had lost her own mother, friends, everyone she knew about. Her whole world was turned upside down. But even when she was lost she had Kyle Reese beside her. Together they had dreamt for a life but it shattered to pieces when Kyle Reese died protecting her. She was all alone until she gave birth to John.

She had tried to protect him, hide him away from the rest of the world, protect him, train him and prepare him for the future as best as she could. Because she knew what was coming. She could've found someone else and started anew. But she didn't. She couldn't. For she loved Kyle Reese too much. And John reminded her of him.

John knew his mother was the strongest person he knew, both emotionally and physically. He knew if he was in her place, he would've given up long ago. She had lost the person she loved most but she still carried on for John, for the world. But John was sure that if he lost his mom and Cameron, he wouldn't have been able to carry on. Fighting was out of question. He doubted he would have survived more than a day without them. Not from the machines or Grays but because of his heart. For he loved them too much.

He was glad that till now he didn't have to choose between his mother and Cameron in his life. He wouldn't know if he had to.

John looked at his mom, who was crying silently while holding her head with her hands, beside his bed. John smiled sadly at her.

"I love you, mom." John murmured.

Sarah looked at her son, still crying. "I love you so much, John." She said holding John's face with her hands and gave a kiss on his forehead.

John took hold of his mother's hand with his injured hand. "I understand how you feel mom. I know I am important. But I had to do what I did. You remember what Cameron said? If we can't stop Judgment Day, then even if we win the war against the machines, it won't be enough. The world will die eventually."

Sarah sighed and looked away towards the window. "I know. But being a mother this is not easy."

"Don't worry, mom. I have Cameron with me." John smiled slightly.

At the mention of Cameron's name again, John saw his mother's expression hardened. "I don't trust her. She failed to protect you this time. Didn't she?" Sarah asked, looking at her son.

Now John was angry too, at his mother for accusing Cameron. Him getting shot was not her fault. "It was not her fault, mom. If she was not there I would have died long ago. She saved me again. It was my fault that I got shot. I was careless. I didn't listen to her."

Sarah remembered yesterday's incident. How can she forget?

She was waiting outside with Derek, scouting the area for signs of threat. But they had no idea that the enemies were already inside, waiting for John, till she received John's message on her phone. But as they moved towards the entrance, they found several armed Grays waiting for them there. It was a brief but heavy firefight. The battle was not easy. It was two against seven. Luckily Sarah and Derek possessed much more skill in firefights than the Grays did. When they went inside, they saw dead bodies scattered around everywhere, signs of blood and gore. They immediately understood it was Cameron's handiwork.

But what they saw next froze them in their place. A few feet ahead of them Cameron was sitting on the floor with John's still body on her lap while she repeatedly begged him to wake up. Tears were falling from her eyes and dropping on the floor, but she didn't seem to notice, all she cared about was for John to wake up. At that moment both Sarah and Derek thought John was dead. Later they found out that he was shot in his arms and due to shock John fell unconscious. What surprised them most was how Cameron behaved the whole time. She could've easily known that John's injury was not fatal and he was very much alive. She didn't act like a machine, instead she acted illogically out of fear of losing John. And Sarah could tell it was neither an act nor a mimicry.

This is not the way a terminator works, no matter how advanced they are.

Sarah didn't know about Derek but at that moment in her mind she agreed with her son that Tin-Miss was really different.

"Mom." Sarah came back to the present hearing her son's voice. "Where is Cameron?"

Sarah sighed. She really didn't want John to have more stress than he already has in his current physical condition. But she knew if she didn't she may regret it later. Her son would never forgive her.

"She is in the garage." Sarah answered.

"What is she doing in the garage?" John asked curiously.

Sarah hesitated. And John noticed that immediately. "Mom, what you aren't telling me? What is Cameron doing in the garage?" He asked again.

"Tin Miss had requested Derek to burn her down in the garage, John. They are preparing for it." Sarah said softly, looking at her son's face.

"What?!" John yelled. He sat up straight on his bed, all pain forgotten. His eyes wide with absolute fear. Without wasting a second John got down from his bed, with full intention of going to the garage. He opened the door of his room and immediately began to run down the stairs quickly.

As John was climbing down the stairs there was only one thought in his mind. He had to stop Derek and Cameron before it was too late. He couldn't lose Cameron. Not now. Not ever. Losing her would surely destroy him forever.

"John, wait!" Sarah tried to stop John. She didn't want him to make his injuries worse. But he had completely ignored her and headed towards the garage.

When John reached the garage he saw Derek preparing thermite. He even looked happy.

Of course he is.

John hurried forward inside. Hearing his footsteps, Derek stopped and turned around to look.

"Stop!" John warned.

"John? What are you doing here? You should be in bed." Derek asked, looking at John, a little surprised.

John didn't respond, instead he went towards the metal bed which Derek had prepared for Cameron. She was lying there motionless with her eyes closed and hands resting on her chest. Like a dead body. She still wore the same torn dress that she was wearing yesterday.

John felt pain shooting through his bandaged arm but he tried to ignore it. "Cameron!" He called desperately. "Cameron! Get up!"

"John, what are you doing?" Derek yelled in anger and stepped forward. At that moment Sarah also reached the garage.

Surprising them, John pulled out a gun from his pocket with his left hand. "Don't move. Step back." John warned.

Derek was worried at the way John was acting. "John, listen…" He murmured while stepping forward, ignoring John's warning.

John's eyes flared up in anger. "I said, don't move! Step back!" He warned.

"John, what are you doing?" Derek asked with a bag of thermite in his hand.

John had seen that and his fear rose ten fold. "If you don't stop, Derek, I swear I will shoot!" John gave his final warning.

Derek's eyes widened at John's desperation. He was really shocked. "You would shoot me for a tin can?"

"Only if I have to, Derek." John said in a dangerous low voice, while pointing his gun towards Derek. John glanced once towards Cameron's still form and then again back towards Derek. "What did you do to her, Derek?"

Derek's eyes narrowed in anger. "How the fuck do I know what happened to it? It told me to burn it to ashes and just lay down there." Derek couldn't believe that John would even be ready to shoot him for a machine. A piece of junk, nothing more. "Even the tin can agree with me that it should be burnt down. Only you are too blind to see the truth, John. It was manipulating you with its outer beauty and you fell for it."

John's face turned red in anger. He decided to ignore Derek and check on Cameron. But he had one thing to say to Derek, "You don't know anything."

Derek looked at Sarah, who just stood there with a helpless and concerned expression on her face. "Sarah you won't say anything? You of all people should know we are better off on our own. We don't need a tin can among us."

Sarah shook her head. "No, Derek. I must agree on one thing with John. Cameron is the best defense we have in this war. She is the best protector John has got. Not me, not you, Derek."

Derek opened his mouth to protest but Sarah stopped him. "End of discussion, Derek. Let's leave John alone for a while. Come on."

Despite his protest Sarah dragged Derek away from the garage, leaving John alone with Cameron's still form.

"Cameron!" John began to shake her body with his uninjured hand. Nothing happened. "Come on, Cameron. Come back." John pleaded. His voice shook with fear and grief. He again shook her body desperately but still she didn't respond. John slid down with his back against the wall, defeated, tears brimming in his eyes. "Cameron…." He whispered her name under his breath.

And this time she listened. Cameron's eyes opened suddenly and she sat up immediately. Her eyes fell on John. "John?"

Immediately John's expression turned from sheer anguish to pure joy. He jumped on his feet and engulfed Cameron's upper body in a tight hug. John let out his fear, sadness and grief on her shoulder while holding her. And she let him do it, while holding him back in her arms as his body shook with sobs.

When John had his emotions under control he pulled back but he held one of Cameron's hands in his. "Why? Why did you do it Cameron?"

Cameron observed the look of sheer anguish and fear on John's face. She had never seen this look on his face. Not ever. Not even when his own life was in danger. "I made a promise, John."

Now John was confused. "Promise? What promise? To whom?" He asked.

"You forgot. I made a promise to Sarah that if I let anything happen to you, I would let her burn me. I was keeping that promise. I failed to protect you, John. You should burn me." Cameron said, with a look of sadness on her face.

Now John understood. He had repeatedly told his mom and even Derek that Cameron is different. She is not just a machine. She is much more. For no machine would understand the concept of a promise. When John made Uncle Bob swear that he would not kill anyone, he said he wouldn't kill anyone. And he kept his word. But Uncle Bob simply followed John's order not to kill any human. Yes, he even understood the value of human life at the end. But what Cameron did, not only proves that she is way more intelligent than Uncle Bob but her dedication to John. John understood her mission would've failed if he died yesterday but he didn't. Her mission wouldn't be compromised with that. She herself told him that she is self-aware and she simply chose to protect him. It was not her mission. But despite everything according to her, she had failed him and wanted to die because of her failure. This also proves she is more of a person than she is a machine.

John took a deep breath before looking back at Cameron. "Listen, Cameron. What happened yesterday was not your fault. I was reckless. If it was not for you I wouldn't be here right now. You were amazing. The Grays never stood a chance."

John had seen her fight against the Grays yesterday. She didn't fight like a terminator would've but like a trained agile assassin. The Grays didn't even have the time to know what hit them.

"But I failed to spot the threat in time." Cameron argued. "It almost cost you your life."

"Time?" John sighed. "I didn't give you any time Cameron. I was so eager to check on you."

"Why?" Cameron looked at him confused.

John looked at her. His face turned red slightly. He hesitated slightly before answering. "You are my friend Cameron. I wanted to see whether you were hurt."

Cameron looked at him shocked. "You know that bullets cannot harm me, John. That was very stupid of you."

John scratched the back of his head nervously. "Yeah sometimes I do stupid things." He smiled sheepishly. Then his expression turned serious. "Cameron, I need you to promise me a few things."

"What is it, John?" She looked at him with a curious expression on her face.

"You will make no promises to anyone else aside from me, understand?" John asked. She nodded. "And, even if I die, you must stop Skynet with mom and others help. Judgment Day must not happen, Cameron. We can't let the world be destroyed."

Cameron shook her head. "I can't keep your second promise, John."

John was shocked at her words. She had never denied his request previously. "Why not?"

"If you don't survive, I won't be able to function any further. It is not possible." Cameron answered truthfully.

"Why not? You said yourself that you are self-aware and had no mission. In fact you were diffusing Skynet's several plans before you met me. What's the problem, Cameron?" John asked.

Cameron looked at him straight in his eyes. "Things have changed, John."

"What do you mean? John wasn't letting this go. He had to know what were the changes Cameron was experiencing.

"Yesterday when you were shot I should've easily spotted that your injury was not fatal. I acted out of logic and my system almost went into overdrive. I need to analyze the reasons, so I can prevent it from happening again in the future." Cameron explained. "I need to understand what is wrong with me."

John knew it. He knew that she was capable of feeling emotions. But she didn't know. "Cameron, nothing is wrong with you. What you went through in human terms you can call it emotions."

"Emotions?" Cameron was flabbergasted. "I am not capable of having any emotions? It is a human thing, John. And I am not a human."

John leaned forward towards her face. His green eyes met her brown ones. "Are you sure?"

And even Cameron had no answer to that question because she was not sure herself.

John tried to help Cameron to get out of her 'death bed' but she refused to take his help because it was unnecessary and he was already injured. Cameron closed the garage after they both went outside. And then they heard a dog barking, just outside on the road. Cameron silently told John not to show himself which he listened to. It could easily be a terminator. Cameron went towards the front gate to check it.

First she spotted that there was no one else around there and second it was not a dog but a puppy. It was the same puppy Cameron had rescued on the road before. The puppy was barking and looking around for something on the street. But once it spotted Cameron, its face turned to something akin to a smile as it came running towards Cameron while barking excitedly. Once it was near her, it jumped on her arms and began to lick her face all over while wagging its tail, with happiness written all over its face.

Cameron looked at John confused while the puppy kept on licking her face all over and John just stood there watching the scene with a big grin on his face.


A/N: Sorry for the lack of actions in this chapter. I am developing the story slowly taking one thing into consideration at a single time but at the same time trying to not to make it too slow or boring. The three resistance fighters will make their appearance again in the next chapter. Things will also proceed regarding rescuing Enrique's family. John will be out for a while now. So he won't be seen in action.

PS: Please let me know what you think of Cameron's development as a person in this chapter.