Chapter 53
Tell Me More
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cameron's Future Timeline:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Future John accepted the advice and wishes of Future Allison regarding Cameron. He didn't pursue Cameron. He didn't do anything to hinder or help her. He did nothing, as requested. If it was what Cameron asked for and wanted, he needed to respect her wishes. He'd been reminded about how sometimes when you love someone, you need to let them go. It showed understanding and sacrifice. Sacrifice was the true test of love. He felt he'd actually done it when he sent Cameron, and Future Savannah, away to 'protect' them. He believed he was targeted for assassination by the anti-Metal faction for being a 'Metal lover'.
The anti-Metal faction's hate blinded them, as to how Terminators assisting them could help the Resistance. They could help rebuild society after Skynet's defeat. They hated all things Metal. Anyone who didn't agree with them was 'fair game'.
He believed differently. He wasn't about to let Cameron pay for his sins. He did what he needed to do to defeat Skynet. He used all of the tools at his disposal. He wasn't the one who got good people killed. It was people who didn't evolve who were responsible.
Once they were back in the Connor Compound things settled in a little.
Future John sent word to have Future Savannah return. He told her the biggest surprise of her life was waiting for her. He told her to bring her things back. He promised he would never send her away again.
It was something Future Savannah wanted to hear. After she'd lost her beloved to Skynet, the only thing left was Future John. She'd heard about the capture of the cyborg who looked like her beloved. She didn't believe it until she saw it. She was sent away not long after meeting 'Cameron'. She remembered her dealings with her. It was very strange. She'd heard rumors of what was done with her after her capture. Others said she was only deactivated and her chip removed.
She'd learned a long time ago rumors and gossip never accomplished anything, other than creating hard feelings. She liked to deal with facts.
Future Savannah made her way into the bunker which was once her home. She'd left most of her meager possession there in the hope it would remind Future John of her, and not the 'mechanical love doll' he replaced both Future Allison and her with. It was only rumor too. She never saw it first hand.
When she entered the bunker, she was very displeased to see the 'mechanical love doll' standing there. She did have to admit she looked extremely beautiful. Everything about her appearance was perfect.
Future Savannah was surprised when a giant smile blossomed on the cyborg's face when she looked in her direction. She didn't believe she'd ever seen her smile before. The smile looked an awful lot like the smile which used to be on her beloved's face.
Wait.
She knew what her lover looked like. She knew how she moved. She knew all the mannerisms on her face. It was those same things which she viewed right now.
Future Savannah thought Future Allison was dead. She was sure it was her beloved who now stood before her.
"Allison, I'm so glad you're back." Future Savannah said. "Is it really you this time?"
Future Allison was more than overjoyed to see her beloved again. It had been a long time since they'd been with each other. She could tell Future Savannah was a little bit wary as to exactly who she was.
"It's really me." Future Allison said. "I'm glad to be back too."
They immediately ran to each other. Neither girl thought they would ever hold the other in their arms again. Now here they were. They did hold each other. Future Allison and Future Savannah shared a long embrace and then they kissed. The kiss grew longer and more passionate. They hungered for each other. They were each other's true love. It was a love which was pure. It was eternal love.
The girls caught up some before Future Allison laid it all out. It was quite the adventure.
Future Allison proceeded to tell 'her story' to Future Savannah. It started from the day she was captured, to the day Cameron delivered her 'home' to Future John. Cameron gave her back her life. In fact Cameron gave them all back their lives, some literally.
Future Savannah thought it seemed it was more of an adventure and learning experience for Future Allison. Well, except for the 'dying', or 'almost dying', part. It was something she would pass on. The rest of it sounded like an intense learning process. She would have liked to have been a part of it.
Future Savannah knew a very different Cameron than Future Allison described. It actually sounded like a different cyborg to her.
"You have an incredible story. Cameron was nothing like how you've described her when I first knew her, Allison. It was before John pushed me away. It was before he sent me away." Future Savannah said. "I thought she was the one behind it so she could have John to herself."
Being banished from the Connor Compound caused Future Savannah to dislike and resent Cameron deeply. The way she saw it, Cameron took the two people she loved the most away from her. It was reported she'd personally killed Future Allison. She really didn't know how Future John could even look at her, let alone associate with her.
Future Allison could only explain things to Future Savannah as Future John explained them to her. Future John began to fear for his life as a disgruntled faction grew within the Resistance. He feared for Future Savannah and Cameron's lives as well. He wanted to protect them from harm. It was why he sent both of them away. The only safe place for Cameron was in the past.
Future Savannah thought there were still a lot of loose ends.
"Allison, John was in such pain when he realized you were 'gone'. He shut everyone out, even Derek. No one knows what happened to Kyle, still." Future Savannah said. "John would never talk about it. He would only ever tell Derek, Kyle went on a Top Secret mission. It never seemed to be a good enough answer for anyone. John is the General, so he could only be questioned so much. Top Secret was still Top Secret. Everyone needed to respect it."
Future Allison shot Future Savannah a quick glance. It was something she'd specifically asked Cameron about at one point when she was waiting to be returned to the Resistance base. Cameron only said Kyle went on a Top Secret mission and asked to leave it at that. She was sure Cameron knew more. Cameron eventually asked her to stop asking about it. She could see it caused Cameron some grief every time the subject came up. Maybe it was better not to know.
She didn't want to deal with 'what if' and 'maybe'. She wanted to deal with what was real. She wanted Future Savannah to know what she experienced under Cameron's guidance.
Future Allison showed Future Savannah all the things Cameron made for her and helped her to make. There were many things they worked together on. The more they worked together, the closer they'd become.
Future Savannah was impressed at the things she looked at. It was hard for her to believe where they originated from. It clearly wasn't the same cyborg she knew. There was still some resentment on her part. A derogatory term slipped out of her mouth.
"I can't believe Metal is capable of any of this." Future Savannah said. "It wasn't what I saw before I was sent away."
Future Allison wasn't done revealing her new accomplishments.
"Savannah, Cameron taught me how to dance." Future Allison said.
Future Savannah wasn't clear if what she'd heard was said correctly. She wanted to make sure. What she heard so far was already hard to believe. What she just heard seemed impossible.
"She taught you how to dance?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison was even more specific.
"Yes, she taught me how to ballet dance too." Future Allison said. "I always wanted to be a ballerina when I was little. I guess there's a lot of things we all wanted to be before J-Day."
Future Savannah could picture different types of dance. Ballet wasn't one of them. Ballet was very technical. There was a twinge of jealousy building in her.
"Metal taught you ballet dancing?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison even asked Cameron about it at one point. Cameron told her it was a form of physical training. She knew physical training was boring and people didn't like to do it. The same thing could be accomplished through dance. It all made perfect sense to her once she understood everything.
"Yes, she was beautiful to watch, Savannah." Future Allison said. "She taught me other dance styles as well. It's helped increase my stamina and agility. I can tell you it's some of the toughest PT anyone can go through."
Another twinge of jealousy flooded Future Savannah. At this point she could see it written all over Future Allison's face. It was the look of love. She felt she needed to say something. It almost seemed surreal.
"It sounds like you're in 'love' with - her - YOURSELF." Future Savannah said.
Future Allison wasn't ashamed of her feelings or everything Cameron and her shared. She looked directly at Future Savannah when she spoke.
"I AM in love with her. Savannah. If you knew her, and spent time with her, you would love her too. I do love her." Future Allison said. "I love her as much as I love YOU and John. I would've gone with her if she would've taken me when she left. I'm not ashamed of it. I wanted her to take me with her. She said my place was here with John and you. I hope it's still what we all want."
Future Savannah could clearly see Future Allison was more than in love. She didn't want to drive a wedge between them for no reason. She could tell her words hurt Future Allison.
"I'm sorry, Allison." Future Savannah said. "It's what I want as well. It's why I came back."
Future Savannah felt bad that she'd upset Future Allison.
Future Savannah wondered if Future Allison and Cameron may have 'been together'. She didn't think now was the time to ask. There was some confusion as to exactly where Cameron left and went. She wanted to find out a little bit more.
"Where did you say she went to?'' Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison wasn't sure of the specifics.
"She thinks she'll be lost in time trying to get back home." Future Allison said. "The past is her home now. She's been there for years, even if she was only sent back recently."
Future Savannah didn't see any reason why Cameron couldn't have stayed with them. It seemed like she was missing something.
"Why couldn't she stay here?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison wasn't sure where the next statement would lead.
"She wanted to go back home to be with her husband." Future Allison said.
Future Savannah didn't say anything for a few seconds. She needed to think clearly about what she'd just heard.
"That thing is married?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison didn't like the 'thing' reference. She knew it was because Future Savannah didn't understand everything.
"Yes." Future Allison said. "She's in love and married."
The implications appalled Future Savannah. Maybe those stories she'd heard before when Cameron was captured were true.
"You mean someone is fu… - screwing that thing?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison started to get upset at Future Savannah. She didn't like all the negative references to Cameron. It seemed to be the very things others did to Cameron, which made her feel like Nobody.
"Yes. He's her husband. They love each other." Future Allison said. "She's not a 'thing'. Please don't call her that again. You don't know her like I do. You don't know how much she helped me."
Future Savannah felt otherwise. She thought 'killed' was more accurate than 'helped'. It wasn't the right time to continue to argue about it.
"Everyone thought she was John's 'Metal Whore' once you were gone." Future Savannah said. "John wouldn't touch me anymore. He only would associate with – HER. I thought the same thing too."
Future Savannah felt the repressed anger in her rise. She still thought Cameron was the one behind it all.
Future Allison needed to make Future Savannah understand. She didn't want Cameron to be a point of contention. She also didn't want her referred to in a derogatory manner.
"Please, don't call her 'Metal' or a 'thing'. She's not a 'Whore'." Future Allison said. "I love her."
Future Savannah saw what happened. She was part of it until she was sent away. Future Allison wasn't there, she was. Future Allison was 'dead'.
"John only listened to HER. He only took advice from HER. She was his world…." Future Savannah said.
Future Allison felt like Future Savannah wasn't listening to her.
"They loved each other, Savannah." Future Allison said.
Future Savannah wanted to know how far the interaction progressed and if it was why she was sent away. She could never compete against a 'mechanical love doll' who looked like Future Allison. She wanted the real story.
"Was John fu… - screwing it - her?" Future Savannah asked. "I need to know the truth."
Future Allison knew of Cameron's fears. There were no files to confirm them.
"No, Cameron was 'untouched' until her wedding night." Future Allison said. "She didn't possess any files of relations with any males or females."
It made Future Savannah wonder even more about what she'd heard. She decided not to bring it up or point it out. Future Allison seemed agitated enough. She didn't want to spoil their alone time. She tried to make light of it instead.
"To have been 'untouched' until a wedding night would have been impossible around here." Future Savannah said.
Both girls looked at each other and giggled. They giggled at the promiscuity of the future. They also knew of the dark side where every female was abused at some point. It happened to most of them when they were younger. It happened to all of them at some point. It was usually multiple times for most. There was a lot of death. Very few people could see any type of a future ahead of them, other than more of the same, if not worse. They took what they wanted from life before it ended. It was very cruel and barbaric.
"Allison, I want to be with you." Future Savannah said.
Future Allison was extremely excited. She'd only been with 'herself' since she was captured.
"I've waited so long, Savannah." Future Allison said.
They kissed and embraced….
Things soon picked up to where they'd left off before Future Allison's wild adventure.
Future Savannah and Future Allison rested after making passionate love with each other for several hours.
They both had time to think about a lot of things.
"Allison, tell me more about her." Future Savannah said.
Future Allison leaned over the side of the bed and reached for Cameron's Poem Book. The sheet slipped from her naked form. Future Savannah never saw anyone with such healthy looking skin since before Judgment Day. Well, it was anyone except a cyborg.
"Savannah, I want you to read some of this before you say anything else about Cameron. I want you to feel what she felt." Future Allison said. "It's very important to me, you see things from my point of view."
Future Savannah wondered how it was going to be possible. She was about to read what a machine wrote. It was who her beloved was more than infatuated with.
Future Allison took the Poem Book out.
MY STORY
(Art Of The Mind)
By
NOBODY
Future Savannah sat up in the bed. Her nakedness was beautiful. There was one thing which struck her immediately about what was on the cover.
"Why does it say, 'By Nobody'?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison thought the poems would speak for themselves.
"After you read a dozen poems, you'll know why." Future Allison said.
Future Savannah read for a while. Tears soon formed in her eyes. What she read was exactly how she felt at times. It was clear Cameron could 'feel' the same things she could. The hurt and anguish actually troubled her.
"Who did this to her?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison wondered who hadn't.
"Everyone did. It was John, Past John, his mother and family, another girl who Past John chose over her." Future Allison said. "It was a myriad of things and people."
Guilt flooded Future Savannah. Cameron was clearly much more advanced than she thought possible. The earlier derogatory comments she'd made, now bothered her. She was sure they were fueled by jealousy.
"Allison, I'm sorry I spoke ill of Cameron." Future Savannah said. "I didn't know. I didn't know 'she' could feel this way. I can feel the pain and the love. It's tragic. These are the same feelings we have."
Future Allison could only say what she'd experienced and believed.
"Cameron is the most special person I've ever met." Future Allison said.
Tears formed in Future Allison's eyes.
"She was like a mother, sister, daughter, teacher, mentor and friend to me." Allison continued. "She was extremely goal driven to help me. She wanted me to be the best version of myself I could be."
There was one thing Future Savannah needed to know. She could actually understand it at this point if it happened.
"Was she a lover too?" Future Savannah asked. "Were you two lovers?"
There was a small frown of disappointment on Future Allison's face.
"No. She told me she did love a woman too. It was her first true friend, no sex was involved. She even asked her to bear a child for her - for her husband." Future Allison said. "Everything involved with it was a very beautiful story."
Future Savannah thought it was a good person to treat Cameron fairly like that, and to love her too. Emotional love without the physical aspect, was true love.
"It must be some friend. She was a true friend." Future Savannah said.
Future Allison looked directly into Future Savannah's eyes.
"Savannah, it's YOU in her timeline. You're her best friend. You were brought back from a different timeline as was I." Future Allison said. "There are other 'versions' of us. We are all very similar as individuals. Mainly it is just differences in our futures."
Future Savannah felt even more ashamed for her earlier angry thoughts against Cameron. If Future Allison and her were Cameron's best friends and loved her, it left a very nagging question.
"Who is her husband?" Future Savannah asked.
Future Allison continued to look directly into Future Savannah's eyes as she made the next revelation.
"It's John - Past John." Future Allison said.
Future Savannah was at a loss for words at this point.
"Before Cameron left to come rescue me from 'herself', she asked Her Savannah, and Her Allison, to look after and 'provide' for Past John. She asked them to tend to his needs and wants. She asked both of them - US - to have his children." Future Allison said. "She also made sure our younger selves, Young Savannah and Young Allison were to be protected and available for him when they grew up. Cameron is protecting our younger selves from the horrors which happened after Judgment Day. In the past, they will be protected from everything we went through growing up. It won't happen to them, the original versions of us."
Future Savannah could see the circle of events in play.
"It's where we are now. It would have been - US. How is any of this possible? Every timeline leads to the same conclusion, now, in the future, and the past." Future Savannah said. "Time keeps forcing us all together. Cameron is the glue trying to keep it from coming apart, to protect the man she loves, John and Past John. It seems to be the 'Natural Order' of time."
Future Allison remembered Cameron did mention the 'Natural Order' to her several times. It also seemed to come with a 'price' to pay.
"It's true, but at what cost to her, Savannah?" Future Allison asked. "What is the cost to Cameron?"
Future Savannah read some more of Cameron's poems.
"The cost is her existence. It's her life." Future Savannah said.
Future Allison couldn't help but think about what she already knew.
"It's love." Future Allison said. "Sacrifice is the true test of love."
Future Savannah thought of all of the events in play.
"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Future Savannah added.
Closing monologue by Cameron:
Tell Me More
To look only at the cover of a book
We don't know what's in store
It may be something to ignore
It may be an adventure to explore
Will what we find when we look
To be something we will abhor
Or will it be pleasant and intriguing
The contents something we can adore
With each new revelation
We may come to a new door
Every door leads to someplace
Maybe back to where we were before
We can forge boldly ahead
As we seek more for an encore
Where it goes from there
Might even spark an uproar
Others may see us
As someone to deplore
I think it will be the opposite as they
Tell me more
Nobody