Chapter 121

What We Wanted

Bob and Jim would wait until the box truck left and follow it. They could return to the target building at any point in time, or have another team visit the location.

John Henry contacted them. He informed them John wanted them to assist with another operation.

Bob and Jim were a little upset. They were right in the middle of an operation.

"We might have something here." Bob said. "We have surveillance of the location but we're going to lose where the truck goes if we leave."

John Henry understood their dilemma.

"One of you can remain there." John Henry said. "It will be to follow the truck to see where it goes. The other one can return to the base for the upcoming operation. I'll let you two decide."

Jim knew they both would want to stay with the current operation. Maybe if they knew more about the upcoming operation it would make the decision easier.

"Let us know what you have planned." Jim said. "Who's involved and who did they ask for?"

John Henry was a little concerned at the beginning.

"Derek wanted to take Riley on a mission with Gail and Holly." John Henry said. "It looks like it's only going to be Derek, Gail, and Holly."

Bob wanted to complete the mission they were currently on. It was a Terminator thing. He also looked forward to being able to watch the Metal girls in action. He liked to work with Derek as well.

"I'll return to the base." Bob said. "Jim should have some backup if he needs to follow the truck somewhere."

John Henry would attempt to send someone if they became available.

"I don't know what will happen going forward." John Henry said.

Jim didn't think it would be a problem. The SUV was stocked with a full complement of weapons and explosives.

"I'll keep the SUV." Jim said. "Bob can acquire additional transportation from the area. The surveillance device I put in place can keep track of any other vehicles which arrive or depart from the target location."

Bob got out of the driver's seat and opened the door behind him.

Jim got out on the passenger's side and joined him in the rear.

"Let's move some of the weapons closer for you to access." Bob said.

Jim looked at the weapons in the rear of the SUV.

"I think the M249 would be nice to have handy." Jim said. "I want the M79 as well."

Bob moved everything up along with extra ammunition for both of the weapons. He reached back and got one additional weapon. It was an M72. It was a light anti-armor weapon.

"I don't think it will hurt to keep the LAW rocket handy." Bob said. "It should be able to stop anything you encounter."

Jim looked at the M72 and smiled.

"It will definitely make a statement." Jim said. "I'll remain here and wait for the truck to leave. I'll follow it from a distance so I don't tip our hand we're on to them."

Bob was a little concerned about the method of their arrival.

"Don't forget the precaution they took before they arrived here." Bob said. "They may do something similar when they leave. They may also do something similar at whatever their destination is."

Jim nodded.

"I'll be ready for any Skynet trickery." Jim said. "I'll see what develops if anything."

Bob wished him well and started to walk down the street in the opposite direction. He went around the corner of the first street and spotted several vehicles. He could see the window was down on one of them. He decided to take it. He moved around to the driver's side and opened the door. He got in and started the vehicle. He looked around and didn't spot anyone. He made a U-turn and headed back towards the Resistance base.

Jesse walked out into the hall.

She'd just spent a few hours with Cameron. It was a few hours she would never forget.

Jesse felt happy but sad at the same time.

She reflected on what just happened….

She knew she needed to find Vanna and Allison and talk about it. Not talk - confess.

Derek went on a strike mission with Bob and the two female Terminators. They were now known as Gail and Holly. He wanted to bring Riley for additional training but John vetoed the idea. He didn't want any complications on the mission. He assured him there wouldn't be any. John told him to wait until the next time when Cameron and he would be on the mission as well.

He was very uncomfortable working with Terminators at first in the future, but not anymore. In this timeline he didn't have any problems whatsoever. The Terminators were all professionals. They knew what they wanted to do and they did it. He saw the Terminators and the humans all looked up to Cameron. She was the glue which seemed to make everything work smoothly. He knew when Cameron was 'away', things were never the same.

In his future Cameron was there personally to help and save Kyle and him on several occasions. At the time he didn't know why. Cameron, Bob, and Jim, were really 'Cameron' at the time. They were always there when needed. After John and Cameron returned to the past, Mrs. Weaver herself, or a group of her Restorators, would always go with them on strikes. They were never without Terminators, well, Restorators actually, once Cameron went back.

When they finished up on the operation they'd been conducting, Mrs. Weaver was ready to send them back to the past to assist John. Derek still needed to tie up some loose ends so Kyle went back ahead of him. Mrs. Weaver sent a large strike force to pull them out of harm's way when they encountered heavy Skynet resistance. A lot of Restorators, and Skynet Terminators, were terminated on both sides during the campaign. Several Restorators perished protecting Kyle and himself personally. He didn't understand the significance. It was because Kyle was John's father. They didn't know Sarah waited a lifetime for Kyle. They never knew it was what she was waiting for.

On the current operation, Gail and Holly were in some type of 'competition' to prove which one of them was 'better'. In combat, both of them were outstanding. They even impressed Bob. What was even stranger was an argument they had about Cameron. They both agreed Cameron was 'defective' and needed to be replaced as John's protector. It was almost funny how each argued why they should be 'Cameron's replacement'. They even argued about their looks. It was some type of programming in them which didn't show up during their chip review.

Bob called Derek aside and pointed out the female infiltration units were all very emotion driven and exhibited irrational behavior as compared to the standard male Terminators.

Derek didn't think it was a good time to point out human females, and males, exhibited the same type of behavior on occasion too. They actually did it a lot.

Bob listened to their argument with Derek.

"It is hard to believe but they actually both really like each other and either would face termination to save the other." Bob said.

Derek wondered how far Bob would go to protect another Terminator.

"What about you?" Derek asked Bob.

Bob felt he evolved a lot since he was activated.

"At this point in time, I would as well. We've all been keen observers of Cameron, and she takes care of everybody." Bob said. "She has personally instilled the desire for additional programming directives in each of us to be better machines, to be better 'people'."

Derek felt he'd evolved quite a bit too.

"I can honestly say it's working." Derek said. "It's hard to see any of you as 'machines' and not as 'people', as our equals."

Derek didn't think the machines would ever see humans as their equals. He could understand it though. For combat, machines were hard to beat.

Bob smiled at Derek. He liked what he said.

"Thank you, it really means a lot to me." Bob said.

Derek was ready to act.

"Let's go kick some Skynet rear ends." Derek said.

Derek looked at the two female Terminators now ready for action. He wanted to address them in a respectful manner.

"Ladies, are you ready?" Derek asked.

Gail and Holly looked at each other. They realized Derek referred to them. They gave him the appropriate response.

"Affirmative…." They both replied.

Well, almost 'people', Derek thought. He still liked to hear them say it. It did leave him with a smile on his face.

John ran a thousand ideas through his mind. There didn't seem to be an answer or a solution. Cameron was 'lost' in her own world right now. He knew if he pushed too hard, she would shut him out. He would only further drive her away.

He gathered himself and headed back to his room. It was time to face the music.

John entered the room.

Cameron looked away when she saw it was John. It was clear she wasn't pleased to see him.

John ignored the visual rebuff and tried to seem positive. He wanted to know Cameron's current condition.

"Are you any better, Cameron?" John asked.

Cameron didn't bother to look at him.

"No." Cameron said.

Cameron still lay naked on the bed.

John noticed the bed was thoroughly messed up. He wondered why but didn't ask. He wanted to offer her an incentive to do something different, other than 'use' the bed. He didn't want it to seem like it was the only reason he wanted to be around her. He was worried he left such an impression already. It wasn't intentional. It was just the way events played out.

"Do you want to get dressed? We can go out." John said. "We can do something together."

Cameron wondered why John forgot her 'new function' already. She thought she made it very clear to him. She would give him a graphic reminder.

"No, I never plan to wear clothes again." Cameron said. "This is my only function. Are you here for a piece of chassis?"

Her attitude upset John. It was rude and irritating. He did think it was somewhat intriguing on her play of the words when she used the term a 'piece of chassis'.

"Why would you even think it?" John asked. "I've NEVER treated you in such a manner or disrespected you. I was even able to avoid your 'match making' efforts."

Cameron could think of a few times when John 'disrespected' her. It seemed he forgot about Riley – Future Riley, and the time he believed he was with Allison. Then there was the 'Almost Cameron' Liquid Metal Thing. She didn't want her reminder to be too harsh.

"You thought I was Allison, even if you wished it was me." Cameron said. "You wanted to do it with her then. Thinking it is the same as doing it. In your case, you actually did it."

John didn't think actions were the same as 'thinking' about it.

"Not really." John said.

Cameron didn't like the challenge. She held firm.

"It is." Cameron said.

John still felt the need to defend himself.

"No, it's not. One is real, the other is not." John said. "People think about different stuff all of the time. Thinking or dreaming is NOT the same as doing it."

Cameron didn't want to let it go.

"It should be." Cameron said. "It's clear it's what the person actually wants and desires. What exactly does the other person mean to them when they're doing it? It doesn't seem like very much."

John could see the argument was the 'road to nowhere'. He would try a different approach.

"Did you just stay there in bed the same way all day?" John asked.

Cameron didn't want to expand on her answer. There was no need to get into what other events occurred in the room, or who was there.

"I changed my position a few times." Cameron said.

John wondered how long this new round of folly was going to last. He would like a more definitive answer. He was weary of the word games.

"How long are you going to lay there?" John asked.

Cameron was irritated by John harassing her. She liked what popped into her mind.

"I plan to remain here until my power cell runs out or I'm terminated." Cameron said.

John could see it was ridiculous. It would be years, if not decades. Well, termination could occur at any point if they were attacked. It seemed unlikely.

"So basically it's forever then?" John asked.

Cameron felt like a 'sex slave'. She felt she was a depository for John's essence and his pleasure.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I'm nothing more than a mechanical 'love doll'. You should be happy as long as you get what you want. I would prefer it if you did 'things' as quickly as possible. I know it doesn't take you long."

She spread herself out some.

"Have at it." Cameron said.

John ignored her statement and moved to the bed. He lay beside her.

"I'm tired." John said.

Cameron was ready for her new function.

"I'm not." Cameron said.

John yawned.

"I am." John said.

Cameron was frustrated John didn't want her. She didn't see how anyone could turn down the invitation. Everything was right there and ready to go.

"John, don't you 'want' me?" Cameron asked.

John looked over in Cameron's direction.

"Yes." John said.

Cameron offered herself to John again. She made it clear what was available. It was everything.

"Well?" Cameron asked.

John didn't want to encourage Cameron's irrational behavior.

"I told you, not like 'this'." John said. "I only want to be with you when you want to be with me, not because you think you must be with me. I've never treated you like that."

Cameron could see John wasn't going to partake in her 'charms'. Maybe he was telling the truth. She would need to scan him. She looked down at her current position.

"So you really do love me for more than 'this'?" Cameron asked.

John didn't think he ever treated Cameron like a 'essence depository'.

"Yes, you KNOW I do." John said.

Cameron wasn't sure what to do now. Things were different for her. She felt the need to 'experiment. She asked each of the girls to 'come' see her. She was sure they would open her eyes to a different type of love, and maybe teach her a few things. She was ready to learn. She wanted more and they could offer it.

Since they'd spared over 'thinking' and 'doing' something, it was time for a further revelation. Cameron wasn't ashamed over what she'd done by seeking 'assistance' from the three girls. She would throw it out there and let John know. The ball would be in his court then.

"John, I'm a 'Bitch Whore' now…." Cameron said.

John wondered where her new line of thought was headed. He did notice Cameron looked uneasy. It reminded him of the time in school when she made a similar statement. It ended up with someone dead a short time later. He didn't want to think about it right now. He focused on Cameron's current statement.

"Because?" John asked.

Cameron found the words difficult to express. She knew what she wanted to say but just couldn't. She would try to get out what she wanted to say in steps.

"I've done something 'terrible' to you." Cameron said.

Cameron rolled onto her side to face John.

John looked at her. Her face showed great pain and anguish.

"John, I… I…." Cameron started.

Cameron burst into tears and hugged John.

John was worried now. He wondered what the new direction was going to be. It didn't seem to be a good one.

"Go on." John said. "I love you no matter what."

His statement made Cameron cry a little harder.

"John, I was with three people here today…." Cameron said. "They were here for sex. I invited them to share with me. I was the one who initiated it."

There, she said it. Cameron felt relieved to have come clean. It wasn't so hard.

John swallowed hard at the revelation. It also made him think.

"I still love you anyway." John said. "It doesn't change my feelings for you in the slightest."

Cameron felt it wasn't really different than what John did previously. Maybe to do it, was worse than to think it. She didn't want to bring it up again.

Jesse desperately needed to find Allison or Vanna, both of them would be better. They weren't in the lab. She wondered why they weren't. She headed for their room next. It was where they were.

Jesse found Vanna and Allison alone and crying. They saw the look on Jesse's face and the tears in her eyes.

They all silently looked at each other. They knew.

"You too?" Allison asked.

Jesse could see they looked as guilty as she felt.

"Yes, all three of us?" Jesse asked.

Vanna looked at Allison and nodded.

"Yes." Vanna said.

The girls all hugged and cried. What was there to say or do at this point? What was done was done. They all loved Cameron and wanted to be with her. It was why they all followed her to what was to be certain termination for all of them. The purpose was to share with Cameron. The goal was to make love to Cameron. They wanted to express their love any way they could, even if it meant their lives.

They were all aware of what they wanted, and what each of them wanted for that matter. They even discussed it at times.

Allison could only think of the truth.

"It was what we all wanted." Allison sobbed.

To be with Cameron was Jesse's dream. She would have rather died than been without Cameron. She stood next to Cameron when she was going to detonate the Thermite grenade. She chose to terminate with Cameron and not abandon her.

"I never wanted anything in my life so much." Jesse said.

It was Vanna's dream from the start to have a love relationship with Cameron. It was within her grasp at one point. It really looked like it was going to happen. They were so close she could almost taste it.

"I know it was my dream 'come true'." Vanna cried.

The three of them had been there. They all 'came' for Cameron when she called them in her time of 'need'. Each of them found the thing they most wanted in life waiting for them. It was Cameron naked in bed, calling to them, and telling them she wanted to be with them.

How could they walk away from such an opportunity? It was clear Cameron needed them as much as they wanted her. Could anyone have turned her down with an offer like that? They didn't think what happened was wrong in any way. It WAS what they all WANTED.

Allison was unsettled. She felt something more needed to be done. She wasn't sure what.

"What are we going to do now?" Allison asked.

Vanna wondered about the aftermath herself. How do you follow that act? Where does it go? Where do they go? What happens next? There were a million questions and no answers.

"I don't know." Vanna said.

Jesse thought the best way to deal with it was to go back as a group. It would be something to make a 'statement'. It would be the three of them and Cameron together.

"Maybe we should go back together." Jesse said.

They all looked at each other and nodded. Things weren't over yet.

It WAS what all three of them wanted.

There was much more to explore there.

John Henry monitored the security feeds. He was highly distressed at what he witnessed at Cameron's room throughout the day. It wasn't his place to interfere. Cameron made some 'choices'. Maybe John was right when he said people make bad choices too.

He was sure he'd just witnessed three 'bad choices'. As each girl left, he saw them straighten their clothes before they moved on. He was unsure what happened in the room, but it sure looked like something happened. They were all in there long enough to share with Cameron, one on one.

He wasn't going to mention it to John. He wanted no part of it. There was going to be fallout over it.

In fact, he didn't even want to know what he knew. It was time for him to make a choice and act.

John Henry deleted the security files and those from his memory for the day.

Later on he looked at the security feeds. He wondered what he was looking for. He couldn't remember.

Somehow he thought it was a good thing….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

What It Was

One on their own
Can change the rules
Then those who did not
Are the ones who become the fools

Things can happen quickly
In the blink of an eye
Leaving one abandoned
Left all alone to cry

What makes it worse
Is when it's done in one's face
Grind in the pain
Rub in the disgrace

The reality check comes
For what one took for granted
It has broken into sand
What once was as solid as granite

What it now is
Because of what one does
Is no longer the same as
What it was

Nobody