Chapter 46
A Girl's Best Friend
Cameron left John and went to the lab. She felt a lot of frustration. The events appeared to be out of control, even if they weren't. The only thing which seemed to actually be out of control, was her mind.
She entered the lab and looked around. She didn't spot anyone.
Vanna wasn't there.
Cameron felt so alone. Everything she'd always wanted was right in front of her. It was within her grasp. All she needed to do was grab the 'brass ring'. Instead she was going to let it pass by her. It was her choice.
That was the point. She didn't have a choice. The choice was made the moment she'd killed HER Allison, Future Allison. It was the moment which changed her fate. It changed her life. It changed her existence. It was the moment which determined her destiny. It was what brought her to where she was at right now.
Allison's player was on the desk next to her poems.
Cameron picked it up and selected a group with a strange name. She found she liked to look at the lyrics as she listened to a song. She called them up on the computer with a quick search. It was something not in her database, yet. To see the words as she heard them, touched her more deeply. It was easy to find the song on YouTube with the lyrics in the video. It was something everyone could do. It only took a few seconds to it.
The first song played. It was:
'I Am A Rock' by 'Simon and Garfunkel'.
Cameron wished she was a rock, or an island. She especially wanted to be an island. There were more selections. Each new song deeply touched within her. It was as if they were written for her. She knew the songwriter must have felt much the same way she did.
The time passed by as quickly, as it did slowly. She took in each song, as she called up the lyrics, while the song played. It was clear to her she wasn't alone in how she felt, even if she felt alone.
It was just past the 'few hours' time frame she'd given John.
Something caught her attention and brought her back to now. It was the intercom system.
"Cameron, can you come to my room, our room, please." John said.
Cameron sat there for a moment and contemplated the actions she was about to take. She neatly stacked her poems. She carefully selected a song to be played next and set down Allison's player. She thought about changing it, but decided it would say everything she wanted to say.
She got up and looked around the lab one last time. This was the very place where she'd made her first friend and found a second love. This was where she was 'reborn' when Allison returned her chip to her.
Cameron looked at her old server. She went over to it and removed the hard drives. She looked at them and then crushed them. She dropped the broken pieces in the trash. She looked down at them in the basket. Her face was expressionless. She'd just terminated a version of herself. She knew it was better to be terminated, than trapped in a metal box.
She walked out of the lab quickly. She never looked back. It was all in the past now. None of it mattered.
Cameron knew what she wanted to do and was going to do it. She stopped and spoke with John Henry. It was time to get the ball rolling.
"Make ready Unit Two and Unit Three." Cameron said and walked away.
John Henry wanted to ask her to reconsider, but he didn't. He knew what Cameron needed to do. She needed to do it for her own personal peace. The time for second guessing was over. Things were about to happen.
"It will be so." John Henry said.
Cameron noticed Vanna and Allison return from doing some shopping. They carried several bags from a clothing store. She didn't go to talk to them. She thought it was best to avoid everyone. She took a turn and would go around the long way. She didn't want to get 'emotional' with the finality of her upcoming task. She'd already heard John plead and beg. It touched her deeply, as much as it disgusted her. Life was about choices. She'd already made her choice.
She was surprised to see Mr. Ellison knock on Sarah and Kyle's door down the hall, as she neared John's room. It was unusual to see him out and around the bunker complex. They tried to remove him from the clandestine and questionable nature of what they did. He was more the public face of the parent company. They didn't want him to dirty his hands with the killing associated with their work. They tried to protect him.
Cameron stopped outside the door to John's room. A flood of thoughts went through her mind. They were all over the place and most of them weren't good. It seemed to be what the trouble was, all she could think about were the 'bad' things. No matter how she tried to isolate them, they never went away. When they returned, it was usually with a vengeance. They always seemed worse than the last time she'd reflected on them. It was almost as if they compounded upon themselves.
She collected herself. It was the moment of truth
'Everything changes in some manner from the moment I walk into the room, for better or worse.' Cameron thought.
Cameron turned the handle and opened the door, she walked in the room.
"Yes, John?" Cameron asked.
John already played the scenario out in his head a hundred times. He hoped to be able to pull it off without a hitch or any problems. He thought he'd practiced enough to be able to do it.
"Cameron…." John started and floundered.
He just looked at her beautiful face. He didn't think words were necessary right now. It was what was behind the words he wanted to express.
He dropped to one knee.
"I love you, Cameron, and you love me."
Cameron was surprised at the formality of the situation. She wasn't exactly sure where things were headed. It wasn't what she'd expected to see. She was even more surprised by the words that came out of John's mouth next.
"I would like the honor and privilege to ask you for your hand in marriage. Cameron, I choose you, will you choose me?" John asked. "Cameron, will you marry me?"
Cameron looked at John. Thousands of scenarios played out in her mind in a millisecond. She didn't even need to think about it.
"Yes." Cameron said.
John took her left hand. She felt a sense of exhilaration. There was a new level of excitement and anticipation, with the prospect now before her.
"Yes, my sweet love." Cameron said again.
John slipped her ring on. It was made from the diamond he'd given her originally the night they'd acquired them. He remembered how curious she was when he gave it to her. He told her, 'Diamonds were a girl's best friend.'
He stood and they kissed.
Cameron looked at the ring.
"I see you used the diamond you originally gave to me." Cameron said. "I think it's sweet."
She waited for John to explain how he'd come into possession of it. She knew how it was done, she wanted to see what he would admit to on his own.
John knew Cameron knew where he'd gotten the diamond from.
"I was able to track it down with the aid of John Henry." John said.
Cameron wanted a little better answer than the one she'd just received. There was something else which was more important to her.
"Was there anything else with it?" Cameron asked.
The tears welled up in John's eyes. He thought about all of the grief and pain everyone caused her to feel, especially him.
"Yes." John said somewhat shamefully. "I found something very dear to you."
It was what Cameron really wanted John to 'find'. When he found her poem book, he found her 'feelings' and her 'emotions'. He found what was inside of her mind. It was a way for him to 'see' how she felt.
John was overwhelmed with guilt and shame. There'd been a lot of things happen. More than a few people died along the way. He'd made plenty of mistakes. He really didn't know how to atone for them.
"Cameron, can you ever forgive me?" John asked.
Cameron didn't really need to think about it. She knew what she wanted. It seemed now was the time to take it. She stepped forward. She pulled his tee shirt off. She looked directly into his eyes. It was clear what she intended and wanted to happen.
"Does this answer your question?" Cameron asked.
She was ready for the next step in her evolution.
John reached to remove her top but stopped. He paused and thought about it for a moment. Everything he planned was going to happen in a very short time. There was no need to rush things. They would happen soon enough.
Cameron looked confused. She thought 'more' was going to happen.
A knock came at the door.
It irritated Cameron.
"Go away." Cameron said.
The knock came again. It was a little more forceful this time. It was clear whoever it was, wasn't going to go away until they accomplished whatever they were there for.
Allison and Vanna stood outside the door.
"Cameron, it's Vanna and Allison, we need to give you some things." Allison said.
Cameron had other plans right now. She became a little upset. There was something she wanted to accomplish right now.
"Go away. I'm doing something." Cameron said.
John smiled at Cameron and opened the door. He knew why the girls were there and what they should have with them. It was all part of the plan.
"I'll see you in a short while." John said.
John walked out of the room with his tee shirt in his hand.
Cameron tried to figure out what just happened. She thought they were going to consummate their love. Wasn't she 'married' to John now? She'd already accepted his proposal. He should want to be with his 'wife'. She wondered if he was really interested in something different. Maybe she would need to swap chassis with Bob or Jim. She would do it for John. He was her 'husband'. She would provide him with what he wanted.
Vanna and Allison rushed into the room with the packages. They were the same ones she'd seen them return with earlier. She wasn't sure why it was so important for them to show her what they'd purchased. She would see it soon enough. Well, maybe she wouldn't.
"Cameron, look at what we got you." Vanna and Allison said in unison.
Cameron's anger was replaced with surprise, and then joy. She quickly realized what was happening. Now she was somewhat befuddled. She looked at what Allison held up in front of her.
"You got me a wedding dress?" Cameron asked. "You bought me a white wedding dress?"
It seemed Allison and Vanna were more excited than she was. Maybe her emotional development wasn't as advanced as she thought it was.
"Let's get you dressed." Allison said. "The wedding is in thirty minutes."
Cameron was slow to gather there was more to being 'married'. It seemed like what John already did should be enough for two people, who cared about and loved each other.
"What wedding?" Cameron asked.
A worried look crossed Vanna's face.
"You did say 'yes', didn't you?" Vanna asked.
Cameron tilted her head slightly.
"Yes." Cameron replied.
Allison laid everything out on the bed.
"Then let's get crackin'." Allison said. "I know the dress will fit you perfectly. I had them measure me at the dress shop."
Cameron was surprised by everything, and the extent everyone seemed to be involved with it. She'd only expected to make love to John. She didn't know it was going to be a complete ceremonial event.
It was one surprise she didn't hate.
John headed to Sarah and Kyle's room. There was a suit laid out on the bed. Mr. Ellison was there too. He'd asked Mr. Ellison to perform the nuptials. He wanted to offer an explanation, even if he didn't think it was necessary based upon the individuals involved.
"I know it isn't really official or legal, but is anything we do anymore?" John asked.
It was something they all knew to be rooted in truth. To save the world, they operated outside of the law. They operated by the law of the future. They operated by the law of survival. It was simply kill, or be killed.
Mr. Ellison had been surprised about what John asked him to do for them.
"I'll be happy to perform a short ceremony for you two." Mr. Ellison said.
John understood they didn't have all the normal players for a traditional wedding. He wanted to make do with what he thought was proper, based upon those involved.
"Mom and Dad, will you both give away the bride?" John asked.
Kyle was very pleased he would be a part of it.
"John, I'll be happy to." Kyle said.
John looked at his mother. He knew Cameron meant a lot to her, for everything she'd done for her and them.
Sarah felt honored. She really hoped it would make up for some of her past insensitivity. She'd posed as Cameron's mother for a couple of years. She wanted John to understand how she felt about it.
"John, I can't think of a finer woman for you to marry. I'll be proud and honored to do so." Sarah said with tears in her eyes. "I really mean it too."
Sarah was sure John wouldn't be there right now if it wasn't for Cameron. She owed Cameron everything.
John was very pleased to hear those words from his mother.
"Thank you." John said. "Mom, I'll need your help with the tie. Let me put my suit on."
The members of the Resistance were gathered in the recreation room
John Henry, Bob and Jim stood on the groom's side.
Allison and Vanna stood on the bride's side.
Savannah held the rings for each of them.
They were made from the gold chain which once held Cameron's locket. The heart shaped locket now inside her chassis. The 'heart' Cameron gave herself. The heart which contained the photos of the ones she loved.
John thought of using Coltan for the wedding ring, but was unsure if it would offend Cameron. It might serve as a painful reminder to Cameron she was a machine. A 'real' ring would make her feel more 'human'.
The atmosphere of the room was one of excitement.
John stood nervously before Mr. Ellison.
Kyle and Sarah entered the room with Cameron between them.
Mr. Ellison looked at a piece of paper Allison handed to him earlier. She said it was from Cameron. She made it clear it was very important to Cameron. He was ready to start the proceedings.
"By request of the Bride and Groom, this ceremony will be as simple as possible." Mr. Ellison said. "The Bride specifically chose the exact vows to be spoken."
Vanna started an abbreviated recording of, 'Here comes the bride', on her player. They couldn't find Allison's player. Maybe it was in the lab.
Cameron walked down the short aisle with Kyle and Sarah.
They stopped and then Cameron stepped ahead.
Cameron stood next to John.
Mr. Ellison started. He looked at John.
"Do you choose Cameron Phillips to be your wife?" Mr. Ellison asked.
John looked at Cameron
"I do." John said.
"Do you promise to love, cherish and protect her?" Mr. Ellison asked.
"I do." John said.
Mr. Ellison looked at Cameron.
"Do you choose John Connor to be your husband?" Mr. Ellison asked.
Cameron looked at John.
"I do." Cameron said.
"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?" Mr. Ellison asked.
"I do." Cameron said.
They took the rings from Savannah and placed them on each other's fingers.
Mr. Ellison looked at those gathered and then at the bride and the groom.
"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife." Mr. Ellison said.
They kissed.
Savannah gently tugged on Cameron's dress.
Cameron looked at her and smiled.
"I'm going to marry John too when I grow up." Savannah said.
Cameron bent down next to Savannah.
"Can you promise me you will, Savannah?" Cameron asked.
Savannah was very pleased at Cameron's question. She spoke without hesitation.
"I promise, Cammy." Savannah said. "I promise I will."
Savannah liked to call Cameron - Cammy.
Cameron smiled. Her 'grooming' process paid off. It was exactly what she wanted to hear from Savannah, on her own accord. There would be love and companionship for John in the future. It would be a future most likely without her. She didn't want John to ever be alone. She didn't want John to ever feel alone either. Loneliness was a very unpleasant feeling. Right now in this moment, there was everything she wanted. She looked directly into Savannah's eyes.
"I'm counting on you, Savannah." Cameron said.
Bob retrieved a cake.
"I made this myself." Bob said.
It was a small two level wedding cake. It actually looked expertly made. It seemed the instructional videos Bob watched on, 'How to make the perfect wedding cake', paid off.
"And I helped." Jim added.
Sarah looked at the cake for a moment as Bob held it. She briefly wondered why any cake she'd ever made never even looked half as good. She thought next time she made one, she should probably pay attention to the instructions, and keep track of the time it was in the oven. She quickly pushed the thoughts from her mind. It was time to celebrate.
After the brief 'reception', John and Cameron walked to John's room.
John opened the door.
Cameron started to walk forward but John stopped her.
John moved to pick up Cameron. He wanted to carry her across the threshold.
Cameron wanted to warn John.
"You know I'm heavier than I look." Cameron said.
"I only have a few steps." John said.
John picked her up and carried her through the doorway.
Cameron pushed the door closed as they entered. John set her down.
They stood and faced each other.
Cameron wanted to do everything from a clean slate.
"All my programming is off, John." Cameron said. "It's just you and me now."
"Cameron, I have waited so long for this moment."
"As have I, John."
"I love you, Cameron, and you love me."
"I love you, John, and you love me."
They kissed.
Cameron removed his suit coat, shirt and pants.
John slipped Cameron out of her wedding dress.
Each removed the other's underwear.
Cameron understood this was the next step in her evolution.
"I'm ready, John, make me a woman."
They embraced and slowly headed for the bed….
Closing monologue by Cameron:
A Girl's Best Friend
Is it really the diamond
That's a girl's best friend
Or is it the one she chooses
To spend time until the end
It's the love
That beats from the heart
That paves the path
From where it did start
Two become as one
Is the way it should be
It's no longer you and me
It is now – we
Through good times or bad
Happiness or sorrow
It's upon each other
Whose strength we may borrow
Here we are now
Our future to spend
It all starts now with
A girl's best friend
Nobody