Chapter 38

Swimming

Vanna and Allison were relieved. Cameron was much better today than yesterday. It was a hard night for Cameron, and a world of revelation to the girls. They'd learned a lot about Cameron and themselves. What was the most mind boggling, was what Cameron wanted for John and THEM. Cameron asked them to take a big step in their lives which they hadn't contemplated seriously. It did cross their minds at times in passing, but never as a serious endeavor. Cameron was dead serious in what she'd asked of them and wanted. If it would keep Cameron from seeking, or allowing, herself to be terminated, they would seriously consider it.

In fact, both Allison and Vanna thought about it during the night on their own. They didn't know the other one seriously thought about the same thing. Their relationship did have limitations on reproduction. Both of them knew they weren't going to get any younger, especially Vanna.

Vanna was a few years older than Allison. She was aware her biological clock was running faster the older she got. She didn't want to pass the prime age for reproduction. She'd often wondered why she'd never ended up pregnant before. There'd been a lot done to her against her will. She'd 'received' plenty of genetic material over the years, especially as a young teenager. There were a few times she thought she was pregnant. She wrote it off to malnutrition, when her body resumed its normal cycle a few months later.

She wanted to take some control of the situation. She wanted to offer Cameron some options, and a chance to try something different. She figured the more things she could get Cameron involved with, the less she would dwell on the past. Cameron's past wasn't a place anyone should linger in, or revisit.

"Cameron, I'm taking Savannah and Allison swimming today." Vanna said. "I'd like you to come along."

Cameron was somewhat intrigued at the offer. There was only one problem, and it was a big one.

"I don't swim." Cameron said.

Vanna knew she didn't. She was ready to offer Cameron some further incentive.

"Maybe not, but you sure look HOT in a swimsuit." Vanna added. "I'm sure you'll turn a few heads."

Allison shot Vanna a quick glance. She figured it was true on two different 'levels'. She was also aware she didn't look as Hot as Cameron, even if they were identical.

Cameron looked down at the front of her sheath. She was very self conscious about her appearance. She didn't want anyone other than Allison or Vanna to see her topless or nude.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I'm still damaged."

It made Vanna a little upset. She knew beauty was more than skin deep.

"It's what the swimsuit is for. I'm damaged as well." Vanna said. "It's part of who I am. I'm still who I am on the inside. I'm still who I always was. The real 'me' is inside of me, just like it's inside you. You are your program, not your chassis or sheath."

Cameron knew it was true. Her face showed a slight sad frown. She looked down at the ground. It still bothered her how she looked. She wondered if maybe she'd offended Vanna by even bringing appearance up. Vanna's scar could never 'regenerate' without some cosmetic surgery. The same damage to her sheath would have been repaired within two days.

"I don't know." Cameron said again. "I don't know."

Vanna wondered if maybe she'd inadvertently sent Cameron down the wrong 'path' at this point.

Allison redirected the method of trying to get Cameron to go with them. She would appeal to her Terminator side, as opposed to her vanity side.

"Who will protect us if something goes wrong?" Allison asked as she winked at Vanna.

Cameron's head popped up. The frown was gone. She knew her responsibilities. The girls would need protection, especially Savannah. She'd previously been targeted for termination. She also wanted to keep wandering eyes off of Savannah. She knew it was something important to Vanna as well. She'd seen how protective Vanna was with Savannah when strangers looked at Savannah. She was sure Vanna would have pulled her firearm out, and used it, if anyone would have made a rude or suggestive remark. She understood the future was very cruel, especially to females. There was now a 'two fold' purpose for her to go with them. There was now a slight smile on her face.

"I'll get my swimsuit and go with you. I'll make sure Bob is here with John and Jim is with Sarah." Cameron said. "I'll protect those I love. I must protect those I love."

Cameron knew it was her function and duty. It was also more than just her 'job' now, when it came to the humans who were closest to her.

Allison thought about current events. It was worth some friendly gossip.

"Speaking of Sarah, she seems to have her own 'bodyguard' now in the form of one Resistance fighter, known as Kyle Reese." Allison said.

Vanna looked at Allison and both of them smiled and giggled a little.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. The specific association seemed logical to her.

"Sarah needs companionship more than protection. She's the toughest fighter I know." Cameron said. "She needs more than memories."

Vanna thought it was a very prophetic statement from Cameron. She looked at Allison and then back at Cameron.

"It's very true, Cameron." Vanna said. "We all need more than memories. Memories can only keep someone going for so long. I believe it applies to everyone. The darkness creeps in after a while. Nothing good ever comes with the darkness in a heart, mind, or soul."

Cameron felt she only possessed one of those three things, maybe two depending on how one looked at it. There'd been plenty of 'darkness' to find her. It seemed to have a way to envelop her. She somehow felt she was responsible for all of it, even if she wasn't. She believed most of it was related to the actions of others, as they interacted with her. The 'darkness' caught her a few hours ago. The girls and John gave her a path of brightness to follow. She appreciated it immensely.

Allison saw things for what they were. It was somewhat of a surprise to her.

"I didn't know Kyle was into her so much." Allison said. "He's head over heels falling in love with her. It's very beautiful actually."

Cameron focused on the biological aspect of the relationship, as opposed to the emotional one. It seemed to her like a good time to pick things up.

"Sarah has a decade or more for producing offspring. Her ovulation cycle is in three days. I'll inform her." Cameron said. "She's almost in her 'window'. She may desire to reproduce again."

Allison looked at Vanna with Cameron's revelation. It was doubtful it would go over as intended by Cameron with Sarah. There was really no way to know. She was sure it was probably something Sarah would view as an invasion of her privacy. It wasn't something any female wanted to advertise.

"It might not be a good idea." Allison said.

Cameron wondered why not, but said nothing. She would let Sarah know anyway. It was a legitimate point. If something was going to happen, there was no need to delay it. If something was inevitable, it would happen sooner or later anyway. Her view of logic would cause her some trouble later on, when it came to other individuals and about what was inevitable.

Vanna wondered about something else. It seemed outside the scope of Cameron's function for one. She wanted to know a little more, even if she didn't.

"Do you always monitor her?" Vanna asked. "Is it a good idea?"

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She didn't think it was an issue. It was what she'd done for a few years. It was simply a routine she'd picked up, and continued to follow. It started out when she began to monitor Sarah's health. It simply seemed like an extension of her function to protect and watch over John.

"Sarah died from cancer in my future half a decade ago." Cameron said. "I make sure nothing is wrong with her. John wants his mother healthy. I make sure it happens and she stays that way. I must protect those I love and the ones they love."

Allison wondered what else Cameron did, they didn't know about. It was probably a lot. she wanted to know, even if she didn't really want to know. It still seemed like something she should know.

"Do you monitor us?" Allison asked.

Cameron smiled at Allison.

"Yes. I must protect those I love." Cameron repeated.

Vanna and Allison looked at each other. They liked the fact Cameron said she 'loved' them. They didn't think it was the same 'love' they both felt for her. They both would ask Cameron if she really wanted them 'to be' with John, if so, they both wanted to know when their next 'window' of conception would be. This might be something beneficial to all of them. They also both wondered if they did have a baby, if Cameron would 'take' it away from them for herself. It was a real possibility. It was possible Cameron would simply view them as 'tools' to accomplish her goal. They both knew it was something which troubled Cameron, by her own admission. Cameron stated she'd 'killed the babies' by not allowing them to be conceived.

Vanna let Allison borrow the swimsuit which was the same as the one she'd bought for Cameron. Allison and Cameron would really look like twins.

Cameron and Allison stripped down to put their swimsuits on.

Cameron didn't think about her 'defect'.

Allison couldn't help but take in Cameron's nude form. She really wished she could look like Cameron did. She knew everything was the same physically, but somehow Cameron always looked beautiful. Something caught her attention. She noticed something on Cameron.

"Cameron, look what's starting to regenerate." Allison said as she pointed.

Cameron looked down, and a big smile came over her face. She's purposely programmed herself not to look down at her damaged breast, or at its reflection in the mirror. It always caused her grief when she did. It was why she hadn't noticed it herself.

"Finally…." Cameron said. "It looks like Resequencing my processor with a new DNA sample from you worked. Thank you."

Now she was 'happy'. No, she was elated.

Allison looked at herself and Cameron in their swimsuits. Her earlier thought about Cameron's appearance, as compared to hers, was reinforced.

"How do you look better in your swimsuit than I do?" Allison asked. "They're both identical!"

Cameron noticed it too. She was very pleased John would be able to view her topless or naked again. It always seemed to stimulate him with the more of her sheath he could view. His stimulation always seemed to make her want to show more. It seemed to be a self perpetuating cycle which fed on itself. Right now, she didn't want Allison to feel bad about her appearance.

"I don't know. We're the same. At least I'll look Tight again now." Cameron said. "I like to look Tight. John likes me to look Tight."

Allison wondered about the extent of their relationship. She didn't think it was very developed.

"Did John tell you that?" Allison asked.

Cameron didn't need words to know. She had eyes. She could see the 'reaction' her appearance produced with John. She also scanned him to make sure he was healthy.

"No, I can tell when I monitor him what he likes." Cameron said.

Allison thought maybe she'd better back off some.

"TMI, Cameron." Allison said.

Cameron felt her actions were necessary and justified.

"I must protect John." Cameron said. "Being happy protects John's mind."

Allison thought being 'happy' would protect Cameron's mind as well.

Vanna and Savannah walked up. They'd overheard them talking about John.

Savannah was very happy with all the attention John shared with her. He always tried to make sure she was allowed to do 'fun things'. She hadn't been allowed to do any of them right before Mommy went away. He always looked out for her and made sure she was protected. None of the 'bad' people tried to hurt her again. She spoke with innocent honesty.

"When I grow up, I'm going to marry John." Savannah said. "I like John, he's nice."

Vanna saw the statement for what it was, a childhood 'crush'.

"You never know, Savannah…." Vanna added.

A much different reaction occurred with Cameron.

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She reached out and touched Savannah on the back of her neck and began to run calculations. She hadn't considered this possibility. It would be a few more years, but John's chances for offspring just went up. There were no toxins present in Savannah either. Savannah was the 'Prime Specimen'. The new revelation was something she would foster and nourish. She thought today was better than yesterday. There was a new ray of hope. The darkness from earlier seemed to have vanished, with multiple new possibilities.

Cameron smiled.

Allison and Vanna both saw what Cameron did, but said nothing. They would talk about it later because it bothered both of them. They would discuss if Cameron was just curious, or prompting them to do as she'd asked. Savannah was a girl and she didn't need Cameron to try to direct her future. Maybe they were both reading more into it because of the events of their past, the future.

Savannah spotted something on Vanna. It broke the spell of concern Vanna and Allison felt.

"Vanna, you have a mark, just like me, on your leg." Savannah said.

Vanna looked down at her small crescent shaped strawberry birthmark. It wasn't something she ever thought about. It was simply part of her, like her scar. She tried to downplay the significance. She certainly didn't want to tell Savannah they were the same individual. It wasn't the right time anyway.

"What a coincidence." Vanna said. "It's something which makes us special."

It led Savannah to another revelation. There seemed to be a lot of things she'd begin to notice since Vanna 'colored' her hair the same as hers.

"Vanna, when I look at pictures of Mommy and Daddy, Mommy looks like you when she was younger." Savannah said. "Look, we even have some of the same freckles, but you have more."

Vanna didn't like where this was going. She tried to stay positive. She tried to think of a better way to direct the conversation. She wanted to direct it to something she'd always wanted when she was younger.

"It's so sweet to say, Savannah." Vanna said. "We can pretend we're 'sisters'."

Savannah liked the idea. It was something she always wanted.

"I think it would be wonderful. Vanna is now my 'sister'. I always wanted a sister. When I see Mommy again, I'll tell her I have a sister." Savannah said. "Allison and Cameron look like twins. Are you twins?"

Allison wanted some direction as well.

"In a way we are, Savannah. We're like sisters, mother, daughter, and friends. We can pretend whatever you want to." Allison said. "Life can offer many possibilities."

Savannah smiled.

"I can't wait to tell Mommy." Savannah said.

Cameron watched and listened to the interaction. She believed Savannah should be told the truth about everything. It would all come out one day. There was no need to wait. Savannah would be a Resistance fighter soon enough. Her training should start now. It would also allow her to be a better mate for John in the future. It would give him an additional layer of protection as well.

It also made her think about Allison. Allison was more than her sister now. Allison was a new version of her 'mother' with the sample of her DNA. The fresh sample of DNA from Allison would allow her sheath to Resequence properly. Once again, her beauty would belong to Allison.

After they reached the pool area, Savannah noticed some prizes.

Savannah said they were having a contest to see who could hold their breath the longest underwater. She asked Vanna if she could help her try to win. Savannah told her it's what 'sisters' do. They help each other.

Allison thought it sounded like fun.

"I'll try too. Is there a prize?" Allison asked.

Savannah spotted one thing she wanted.

"There's a teddy bear for the prize." Savannah said. "I want a teddy bear."

It had turned into a good day for Cameron on several levels. Her body would be Tight again. Savannah opened a new future for herself and John.

Cameron spotted three teddy bears. She smiled.

"My turn…." Cameron said. "What color would you like, Savannah?"

Savannah thought about how Cameron looked with her purple coat on. It influenced her decision.

"I'd like to have purple." Savannah said. "I can't wait to tell Mommy if we win."

Cameron looked forward to the competition. Nobody could challenge her.

"We will win. I only play to win." Cameron said. "The game is never over until I win."

Vanna and Allison heard Cameron's statement. It made both of them worry even more about Savannah.

Cameron would spend much more time with Savannah from now on. She made plans for Savannah. She would teach her everything she possibly could. Savannah was important to the future, every future.

Savannah's importance went up for Cameron. She decided to mold Savannah in her image. No. She wanted something better for Savannah than to be molded in her image. She would mold her into the image of the 'perfect female'. She scanned Savannah again. She decided to MAKE Savannah the human version of herself. It would be a much better version of herself. She silently looked around. She now believed Savannah was the 'Chosen One'. Her importance in the future went up exponentially.

Cameron heard what Savannah said about Mrs. Weaver. She wondered where 'Mommy' was at too, and what was she doing. The fact Mrs. Weaver sent Kyle back was a positive. Then again, there were the two deactivated Terminators she'd sent back as well. She would re-review the data again on them when she got back. Everything checked out twice, but she would review it again. She felt she was missing something. They must have a specific purpose or function.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Swimming

When we dip our foot in life's water
It may lead to joy and happiness
Or it may lead to brutal slaughter
Leaving behind nothing but sadness

We all take the plunge sooner or later
Do we drown or come up swimming
We may be filled with ecstasy
Or left with our head spinning

It's not about how far we can sink
It's about how fast we get back up
To hold our head high and stand tall
Life offers more than a half empty cup

If we see someone flounder
We know the right thing to do
Remember they are a person too
What if that person was you

Life or another may push
One off into the deep end
Remember in reality there's one
On which you can always depend

Nobody