Chapter 133

You Didn't

Al and Ed were both aware the risk level was about to go up if they moved closer to the target. They didn't actually know if it was a target or not. It would still need to be checked out so they knew one way or the other. Any Skynet activity left unchecked was bound to result in some type of problem. It would probably be sooner rather than later.

They waited until it was completely dark. They parked on a side street and made their way into the alley. The satellite image showed they could pass directly behind the building. The cover of darkness should help mask their approach. They could view everything fine through different vision spectrums.

They moved to the rear of the property and looked through the fence. They didn't detect any movement. There were lights on in the building, but no movement was observed.

Al and Ed went over the fence. So far no dogs or animals were encountered. They were sure they would have been accosted by now if there were any present.

They made their way up to the rear of the building.

The two Terminators spoke in a low decibel level only a Terminator could hear.

"I don't detect anything." Al said.

Ed listened. He didn't either.

"I think it's too early for everyone to be in bed or asleep." Ed said.

They moved up onto the dock. They tried the entry door as well as the two roll up doors. All of them were secured. They didn't want to force one of the doors open yet and alert anyone inside to their presence.

Al moved off of the dock. He looked around the rear and along both sides

"There's no roof access ladder on the exterior of the building." Al said.

Ed was aware some buildings used an internal ladder to reach the roof.

"I can toss you up." Ed said. "You should be able to catch the lip of the roof and pull yourself up."

Al thought it was a good idea.

"Let's do it." Al said. "I'll see what turns up."

Ed bent down and cupped his hands together.

Al put his foot in it.

Ed straightened his back and accelerated his arms upward.

Al was launched up and caught the side of the building. He made it over the lip of the roof easily. He signaled to Ed everything was good. He made his way towards the roof hatch.

Allison and Vanna went to 'visit' John.

John understood.

They all knew what needed to be done.

They both kept their promise to Cameron….

It was done.

There was no turning back now. What was done was done.

What Allison and Vanna did with John would change not only their own lives, but all their lives. Everything would be different from now on. It would either be for better, or perhaps worse. It all depended on Cameron. They did what Cameron asked them to do. They did what Cameron made them promise to do. They also did what they wanted to do.

Allison and Vanna returned to the lab.

They weren't really sure what to do next. They wanted to be with Cameron. They wanted to convey what occurred earlier.

Allison took Cameron's hand and held it for a long time. After a while she placed Cameron's hand on her neck and held it there.

Vanna held Cameron's other hand tightly. If Cameron was able to scan them during this inactive episode, something should register in her processor.

It did.

They'd both done the same thing. They hoped 'something' happened with both of them. They didn't know. It was up to nature now. If it did happen, Cameron might 'pick it up'. It might trigger something to restore her. It might also permanently shut her down.

It didn't.

Cameron's eyes opened. She looked directly at Allison. There was a look of joy and relief on her face.

"Oh, River!" Cameron said. "I knew you would come."

The two Terminators looked at each other and left. It appeared as if Cameron would recover without incident. No one wanted to be around for 'the part' which was sure to come up next.

The girls previously explained to the Terminators that whatever happened was what they wanted to happen…. It would be what Cameron wanted or needed to do. Cameron would either terminate them, or be happy. There was no way to know. Cameron's well being meant more to them than their own lives did. They were willing to accept their fate.

Vanna looked at Allison and moved away towards the door to be out of the way. She knew things were going to get personal real fast. It wasn't quite the reception they'd expected.

Vanna knew as soon as Cameron realized it wasn't River but Allison, she might become emotional again.

Cameron took Allison's head with both hands and pulled her down to kiss her.

Allison didn't know what to do. She let Cameron pull her closer. She would take the kiss from Cameron, but it wasn't how she'd imagined her first 'real kiss' with Cameron would be. She didn't want to upset Cameron further by saying anything.

Cameron froze right before their lips touched. She'd scanned the face she held. It was Allison, not River, and something was 'different'….

Vanna watched the scene unfold with a lot of apprehension.

Cameron still held Allison's face. They were face to face, only microns apart. Their lips were almost touching.

Allison didn't try to move forward, backwards, or away. She waited. It would be easy for Cameron to snap her neck since she already held her face and her head in her hands. She wondered if her brain would have time to process it. She doubted it. Maybe it was a good thing. It would be lights on, lights off. Whatever Cameron was going to do next, she already accepted as her fate. She made a decision and carried it out. What was done was done. She'd kept her promise.

The longer Allison waited as Cameron held her head this way. The more likely she figured she was about to die. It would be over quick with a simple twist by Cameron. She was about to tell Cameron to just do it. She wanted to think the suspense was killing her. She knew the suspense isn't what would actually do it.

Cameron continued to scan Allison. She double checked the 'changes'. After checking hundreds of times it was evident to Cameron what 'happened'. She was finally able to formulate a simple sentence.

"You didn't!" Cameron said.

Allison swallowed hard. She looked Cameron right in the eyes. She expected them to turn red. She prepared herself. Cameron should snap her neck any second. She believed she made the right choice for Cameron. It might not be the right choice for her. So be it.

"I did." Allison said point blank. "I promised I would when it was necessary. I believed it was necessary to help you during this crisis."

Cameron slowly released Allison's head as the magnitude of what happened set it.

Allison stood there unsure what to say or do. There was no way to undo what she'd 'done'.

Cameron sat up and then stood.

Allison wanted to make her position clear. She hadn't acted alone.

Cameron looked directly at Allison.

Allison looked over at where Vanna was.

"WE did." Allison said as she looked into Cameron's eyes. "Like we both promised and said we would."

Cameron glanced over at Vanna.

Allison felt unsure about what would happen next. It didn't look like it was about to end well for her.

Cameron moved over and looked like she was about to grab Allison.

Vanna was ready to scream. She'd watched and listened to the whole exchange. She believed whatever happened to Allison was also going to happen to her.

She moved rapidly to go help Allison. They would die together if it was to end now.

"I did too. I did it too." Vanna said quickly. "Both of us did, Cameron. We both did. We did what you made us promise. We did it because it was necessary. We did it because we both love you."

Vanna was 'guilty' as well. They'd both done what Cameron asked of them and made them promise to do.

The Terminators passed the word Cameron was awake. Everything scanned back as 'normal'. There was one disturbing aspect to it however. Bob wanted to make it known. He felt it was something important.

"Cameron thought Allison was River." Bob told John Henry.

John Henry didn't really want to discuss it.

"It's an understandable error." John Henry said. "She just came back online."

Bob and John Henry looked at each other.

Everyone 'knew', but no one ever talked about it. There wasn't anyone who didn't love Cameron or River. It was only natural they develop a 'bond'. How couldn't they? Everyone else did. They just knew the 'bond' was different on several levels.

They would both be glad to 'kick the can' down the road on personal matters. It was time to put the ball in someone else's court.

"I'll notify John." John Henry said.

John was pleased Cameron was 'back'. He was displeased it happened without him there with Allison and Vanna. He really thought he should have been there. He was responsible as well. He was aware what he did with Vanna and Allison would cause some type of problem. They were just unsure what the problem would be. It was what Cameron wanted and made them all promise to do. It happened. It was done. There was no turning back.

"Beautiful, I wanted to be there with all three of them when THIS happened." John said. "I hope nothing happens to them."

It seemed all very straight forward to John Henry. They all understood what Cameron wanted. It was at least what she said she wanted.

"Cameron won't hurt them. It's what she wanted." John Henry said. "She made it clear over and over."

John hoped it would bring the four of them closer. There was always the possibility Cameron would kill Vanna and Allison. It was a real possibility.

"It's just the idea." John said. "This is a big 'step' in our lives. It represents a change for all four of us."

It seemed like a non-issue to John Henry.

"I understand." John Henry said.

John thought Cameron might also snap his neck since he was the 'main participant' for the action which followed. Without his active participation, the other events couldn't have followed. It seemed he was damned if he did, or damned if he didn't.

"I hope Cameron will understand too." John said. "The 'Natural Order' has been restored…."

Cameron grabbed Allison and gave her a giant hug. She was completely thrilled with the news. She double checked all of her scans multiple times, just to make sure it was for real.

"Thank you, Allison. Thank you. This means so much to me." Cameron said.

There was a look of joy on her face. It looked very genuine. It was something they didn't see very often. There was always a lot of baggage Cameron needed to carry around.

Cameron heard Vanna as she approached her. She heard what they said about both of them 'did it'. It was what she wanted. She touched Vanna's cheek and then pulled her in with Allison and her.

Vanna wasn't sure what happened. It looked like it was positive for Allison. She wanted to know about herself. She tried to think of the best way to ask it. She decided to just go ahead and ask.

"Is it both of us?" Vanna asked.

Vanna wasn't sure what she really hoped for herself. She knew the events could be life altering.

Cameron frowned a little in disappointment. It would have overjoyed her if it was both of the girls. She wasn't exactly sure when the activity occurred. Sometimes it could take longer for things to happen. Right now it didn't appear to be so. It looked like some additional action would be required. She didn't have a problem with it. It was what she wanted.

"No. It's just Allison. I'm sorry Vanna. I want you to keep trying, PLEASE." Cameron said.

Vanna looked relieved, and let down, at the same time.

Cameron noticed her apprehension.

"Promise me you'll try it again, Vanna." Cameron said. "You know it's what I want. It's for all of us. I need your help."

Vanna swallowed hard. She wondered how hard it was for Cameron to 'say' it. It didn't appear as hard as she thought it would be. She listened to her talk with Savannah. She heard what Savannah always told Cameron. The words sort of just slipped out.

"I promise, Cammy." Vanna said.

Cameron and Vanna looked at each other.

Vanna felt a little embarrassed. It wasn't about what she did. It was about her answer. She wanted to correct her statement and set the record straight.

"I promise, Cameron." Vanna said. "I don't know why it came out the other way."

Cameron didn't think it was a problem. She actually liked to hear it. She was just surprised it came from Vanna this time. She hugged both of them tightly. She was very happy with the turn of events. She wanted them to understand how elated she was.

"Thank you both so much." Cameron said. "This is the best day ever."

Allison wanted Cameron to know a few things. The first was they weren't going to try and 'steal' John from her. It wasn't what it was about. It was about what Cameron wanted. She felt she needed to make it clear.

"Cameron, it's not…." Allison started.

Cameron cut Allison off. She didn't want to hear anything else right now. She was very happy with the turn of events. It was what she wanted for a long time. She didn't want to spoil how she felt.

"Don't say anything." Cameron said. "I want to enjoy this moment for the three of us."

The lab door opened and John entered the room. He was pleased to see smiles on everyone's faces, especially Cameron's. He hadn't seen her look so happy since he found her playing Foosball in the halfway house. She looked as genuinely happy now as she did then. He didn't want to spoil the moment now like he did back then. He wanted to make sure he was added to the group. He was an active participant after all.

"Make it the four of us." John said.

Cameron was even more pleased now since John was there. She wanted him to know how appreciative she was of what occurred. She wanted to make what she felt known to all of them and why. It was very important to her.

"Thank you, John. You KNOW it's what I wanted. Thank you." Cameron said. "Thank you for LISTENING to me for once, ALL of you."

John wanted to keep everything in perspective. He wanted Cameron to know that he wasn't going to 'run off' with either of the girls, or both of them. He believed the details were important.

"Cameron, it's not…." John started.

Cameron interrupted him. She didn't want anyone to spoil her mood right now. She was very pleased with the 'results'. She didn't want to get hung up on what preceded the results. She felt things took years longer than they should have. She didn't want to hear some minor detail about something insignificant. It was insignificant to her anyway.

"Save it for later. Let's head back to our room and celebrate. That's unless there's nothing left." Cameron said. "I have a lot to process."

John 'finished' with Vanna and Allison a few hours ago. It went a lot quicker than any of them thought. It was actually quite a simple procedure. He wanted Cameron to know he was ready for more.

"I'm good to go." John said.

Cameron looked each girl in the face and said, 'Thank You' again. She gave each of them a small kiss. She then turned her attention to John.

"John's 'work' isn't done." Cameron said. "It looks like 'Little Willie' isn't done for the day."

Cameron's revelation made Allison and Vanna laugh. They found the terminology quite amusing.

John looked a little embarrassed. He really wished Cameron wouldn't have said what she did out loud. He was sure he wasn't going to hear the end of it ever.

Cameron and John left.

Vanna and Allison watched them depart. There was a lot on the girl's minds. They felt they were a few more important issues which should have been addressed. They thought they mattered.

"Cameron doesn't know yet." Vanna said.

Allison felt there was an important issue which needed to be discussed. Since Cameron left, the ball would be in John's court. She was sure John would get Cameron straightened out.

"No. John will tell her." Allison said.

They both knew what John told her would change things. It might change them a lot.

Cameron led John back to their room.

John felt Cameron wanted to reestablish her 'claim' to him. It was why he wanted to get everything out in the open. He didn't want any secrets behind Cameron's back. It seemed the best way to tackle the issue was just to go ahead and say it.

"Cameron, there's one thing…." John started.

Cameron cut him off. She didn't want to hear anything else right now. There was already enough for her to deal with.

"No, don't say anything." Cameron said sternly. "I want to do this with you now out of love, and as my husband first. I need to know you're still mine and you still want me."

John could see Cameron was worried now about being 'replaced'.

"Cameron…." John tried again.

Cameron cut him off.

"Take me to bed or lose me forever!" Cameron said.

John thought maybe this needed to play out some first.

"Show me the way." John said. "There's..."

Cameron cut him off again.

"PLEASE, John. Don't say ONE word about it, or anything related to it, until I ASK you to, for me, please." Cameron said. "NOT ONE WORD - PERIOD. PLEASE."

John didn't want Cameron to glitch out. He wanted what was about to happen too. He remembered how he destroyed her happiness in the halfway house by reminding her where she was from, and what she was. He ruined her moment of happiness forever. He wasn't about to make the same mistake again. He could wait a little bit to get everything out in the open.

"As you wish." John said.

Cameron wanted to do things on her terms right now. What was done was done.

"I do, please, for ME." Cameron begged.

They stopped at the door to their room.

"Well?" Cameron asked.

Cameron stood in front of the door. It was clear she wanted a little more right now.

John could see what was coming.

"May I carry you across the threshold?" John asked.

Cameron was a little uneasy.

"I want our wedding night again." Cameron said. "If you still want me…."

It could be a choice for John which might not end well for her. She needed to know.

"You got it." John said as he hefted her weight.

Cameron smiled. It was the response she wanted.

John carefully carried her through the doorway.

Cameron pushed the door closed as they entered.

He carefully set her down on her feet.

They stood as they faced each other.

"It's just you and me now." John said.

"John, I've waited so long for this moment." Cameron said.

"I love you, Cameron, and you love me."

"I love you, John, and you love me."

They kissed.

Cameron removed his shirt and pants.

John slipped Cameron out of her clothes.

Each removed the other's underwear.

They embraced and slowly headed for the bed….

Cameron intended to make everything extra special for John. She wanted to keep what 'belonged' to her. She wanted John to know what 'belonged' to him.

'Slow Ride' by 'Foghat', played in the background.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Zenith

To know the ONE
Different than the rest
Is to know the ONE
That is the best

An endless trudge uphill
Suddenly you reach the crest
Knowing you're not good enough
Afraid you'll always fail the test

An endless empty bottomless void
Has left you beyond depressed
You know it's only you
So yourself you detest

Like a dream come true
Slowly you become possessed
You can't stop the feelings
Afraid to become obsessed

You want to be happy
Share thoughts and to jest
So fearful of yourself
Afraid to be a pest

You know the true beauty
Is what lies BEHIND the breast
Praying to touch the heart
Feeling you have been blessed

A lifetime of anguish ending
For no longer need you quest
This is life's final zenith
You feel more than impressed

Nobody