Chapter 134

You Did What

Al was launched up by Ed. He caught the side of the building. They wanted to find the Skynet connection. 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. He tried the handle on it. It turned in his hand. He was a little surprised it wasn't locked. There was no other access to the roof, other than the hatch from inside the building, unless someone were to arrive on the roof in the manner he did.

He was wary of a booby trap. None was detected as he slowly opened the hatch. He made his report to Ed about what he found and what he was about to do.

Ed moved back into position near the door at the rear of the building. If the situation worsened, he would go through the door with his weapons raised.

Al carefully made his way down the ladder from the roof access hatch. The ladder was located in a storage room. He paused when he reached the bottom and listened. There was no activity detected inside. He opened the door to the store room and looked out. He could see why it was quiet. The building was vacant. The enemy was gone.

He made his way to the rear door and opened it. He let Ed in. They did a thorough search of the building. They didn't find any clues as to where the previous occupants went. They set up some surveillance equipment and return back to the Resistance base.

Tomorrow would be another day.

John awoke. He looked over at Cameron. He was actually a little surprised she was still there. Normally she didn't spend the entire night. He told her she didn't need to since she didn't sleep. She stared at the ceiling. Her eyes were wide open and didn't blink. She seemed to have no awareness he watched her. A single tear slid down her cheek, she gave a soft sob. He knew she felt some 'hurt' or pain inside of her.

He didn't know if he should ignore it and pretend nothing happened, or address the issues. There was a lot to talk about now. He wanted to clear the air some and get everything back on track.

"Cameron…." John started.

Cameron looked over at John. The sad look on her face instantly turned into a big smile when she noticed him.

There was a cheery brightness to her smile. It seemed very genuine.

"Hello, my sweet love." Cameron said as she gave John a kiss.

John wanted to say something. The earlier blank look and tear Cameron exhibited bothered him. There were things he needed to say. He wanted to make sure Cameron understood exactly what happened, why, and how. He believed it would ease her mind more than a little.

"Cameron…." John started.

Cameron didn't want to hear what John wanted to say. She knew where the conversation was headed. It wasn't the direction she wanted it to go. She wanted more time to process everything her way.

"I said not until I ASK." Cameron cut him off. "Please John, listen to me for once, or I guess a second time at this point…."

It was clear what her reference was about. It was what John wanted to talk about. Since he was part of it, he wanted a say too. He felt it was important. It was important to him so he knew it would be even more important to Cameron. He just wanted her to listen.

"But…." John started.

Cameron didn't want to go there yet.

"Silence!" Cameron said sternly as she pulled him close.

Cameron gave John a firm look which turned playful. She didn't want the situation to become contentious. There were other things which could occur. It would please both of them.

"If you want to open your mouth, put it to work where it will make me feel nice…." Cameron said. "You know what I like…."

John smiled. He did know what Cameron liked. He also knew she would do what he liked as well. It was a two way street. The mutual reciprocation seemed to drive the excitement level. It did for him anyway.

They could enjoy the closeness of being together to share with each other. There was a lot which could be communicated without words as two people made love. It could be in the form of a look, to a kiss, to how someone touched, or was touched.

It was always better when there was equal sharing. It wasn't about someone using someone else for their own pleasure. It was about expressing love in a physical manner as well as an emotional one simultaneously.

Allison and Vanna waited to talk with John and Cameron. They wanted to discuss what would happen next. A big step was taken in their lives and they wanted to talk about it as soon as possible. They thought it was better to talk now, right after the 'event', than wait. There was no changing what they'd done. It was time to move forward.

The two long time lovers were very content in their personal relationship. The fact they could share with Jesse, either individually or together, only added depth and beauty to everything. Their approach to each other was usually love, sometimes it was just sex. When Jesse was added in, it was usually just sex. It was good sex. They gave her love too. Jesse responded very positively to it as well. It was something no one else ever gave to her. Not at least like they did. They always gave her the emotion before the physical acts. They gave her emotion during them. They gave her emotion after the physical act was concluded. It always seemed to touch Jesse deeply. It brought out the humanity in her.

Allison and Vanna talked of starting a family in the future. It all seemed so beak and hopeless at times. There was always a certain amount of contention involved with the concept, based upon the nature of their relationship.

Vanna tried to start a relationship with a male a few times, but she couldn't. To be touched by a male at the time sickened her both physically and mentally. The abuse was too fresh in her mind then. She hoped if she was in 'control', she could get past the past. It didn't work. Somehow it seemed to make it worse.

Allison took it upon herself to try and get pregnant. She tried a few times with several different males. She would be on her knees. She told them just to 'do their thing' and leave. They did. Those encounters lasted from thirty seconds to almost two minutes at the longest. They were over fast and done without any feeling or emotion. There was no touching or kissing. She didn't even know their names. She didn't want to. It was simply the way animals reproduced, even with the way she did it. It was just breeding sex. There was no emotion. There was only the physical act as nature intended it. Nothing ever worked.

Now both of the girls were there in the present, which was the past to them. The passage of time allowed them to feel more comfortable in the presence of a male and both of the girls loved John and Cameron. It made things easier, and harder, on different levels. They were both comfortable to act. They both did, even if it was different than what they expected. They still got what they wanted. They did what they needed to do.

There were a million thoughts running through both of their minds right now. They expected to see Cameron emerge from the room much earlier. They actually thought it would be last night. They knew she didn't usually spend the entire night with John.

"They're still in there." Allison said.

Vanna could see things turning for the worse the longer they waited.

"Maybe he didn't tell her and she terminated him." Vanna said.

It didn't sound encouraging to Allison.

"So we go there and get terminated next?" Allison asked.

Vanna was aware if it was going to happen, it was going to happen.

"Yes." Vanna said.

Allison knew everything finished one way or another.

"OK." Allison said. "How long do you want to live anyway?"

Vanna thought about what Allison just said. There were many times when she wanted to be 'free' and end her suffering at the hands of others. She place the barrel of a gun in her mouth, or against the side of her head more than a few times. She knew it was just simple to pull the trigger, and end it at that juncture. There was the will to not let them 'defeat' her, no matter what they did to her. She survived and there she was today. She was even more pleased she survived with all of her body parts attached, where they belonged. She looked at Allison with love in her heart and in her eyes.

"As long as we're together, I want it to be a long time." Vanna said. "That's how long I want to live."

Allison liked the idea too. She was where she wanted to be, with who she wanted to be with. As long as they had each other, they didn't need anything else. They survived in the past, the future, with only each other. It was enough. The love was genuine and real. What else mattered?

John and Cameron finished up. They showered and dressed and were about to head out.

There were a few things John wanted to get out of the way. Cameron wasn't ready to listen to them yet. He figured they would come out soon enough.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in." John said.

Allison and Vanna walked in.

Cameron said nothing. She looked away. She knew Vanna and Allison shared what she just did with John. Even if she didn't want to, she couldn't help but feel jealous. They were both beautiful. It wasn't the bad part though. The part which worried her the most was they were both 'real'. They could experience real feeling and emotion. They could share it and return it. It was something she felt very deficient in.

Vanna and Allison both looked happy.

"Hey, John, Cameron." They both said.

John was glad they arrived. He hoped to get everything straightened out.

"Hey." John said.

Cameron's head snapped back around. She faced the two girls. The words came out of her mouth without her really thinking about them. They sort of just happened on their own. It wasn't what she wanted to say. It was what came out anyway.

"Are you back for more already?" Cameron asked.

Everyone could see Cameron looked very irritated.

Allison and Vanna looked at each other. This was what they didn't want to happen. It's why they were there to nip things in the bud.

"Cameron…." Allison started.

Cameron cut her off. She was the one 'in charge', not anyone else. She didn't want any of them to forget it. It wasn't the way she wanted to come off to any of them. It just seemed to happen.

"Sit down." Cameron said sharply to them.

She indicated John should sit as well.

Everyone didn't want to make things worse. It was clear Cameron was going to say something. Based upon her earlier statements, it probably wasn't going to be very good for any of them. It was one of the reasons why they never acted on her demands before. It's exactly what they were. They were demands from Cameron about what they should do. It was actually very forward and presumptuous on Cameron's part to lean on them in such a manner.

Cameron didn't say anything for a few moments. She needed to address the issue before she continued to make things worse. She didn't want to make them worse. She wanted to make them better. Everyone finally listened to her.

"I know it's what I wanted and begged for. It still stings. I'll get over it. I just need some time." Cameron said. "It's what was necessary. It's what I wanted for John."

Allison decided enough was enough. It was going to be Cameron's turn to listen. She stood back up and faced Cameron. Jesse always said she was a 'firecracker'. Well, maybe she was. Right now her fuse was lit. She had a few things to say.

"Cameron, there's nothing to 'get over'." Allison said.

Cameron immediately moved to Allison. She touched her as she scanned her. There was a look of worry which flooded her face. She was afraid something happened to the pregnancy. She felt terrible because she was curt and rude to the girls just seconds ago. Now maybe there was nothing there. It left her with a very empty and hollow feeling. It wasn't the feeling she wanted to have. Now she felt worse than ever.

"Is everything alright, Allison?" Cameron asked, now clearly worried.

It was clear to all of them, whatever negative feelings Cameron felt moments ago, instantly turned into concern and worry for Allison.

Allison became worried because Cameron was worried. Things weren't playing out the way they should. Cameron was on the wrong page, and rapidly turning more of them in the wrong direction.

"Yes. I'm fine. You don't understand what happened, Cameron." Allison said. "None of this is what you think."

Cameron looked at John and the girls. She thought it would mean the four of them would be together. If it wasn't what she thought, it could only mean one thing.

It hit Cameron like a ton of bricks. She was about to be 'replaced'. Allison and Vanna were there to 'claim' John. It was what she planned for upon her demise. She was still there. It wasn't how she wanted it to be, even if it was.

"Are you saying the 'real thing' is better than me and you're here to replace me?" Cameron asked very worried.

Cameron was always afraid Allison would be 'better' than her for 'love making'. She never believed she could compete with a human female to satisfy all of the needs of a human.

John needed to stop things from spiraling out of control. It was time to stand firm. It was time to make Cameron listen. He didn't really want to bring up a past event. He decided to stick to the current event.

"In this case, I don't know." John said.

Cameron placed a hand on John as well as the other one already on Allison. She scanned both of them.

"You don't know if you are about to replace me?" Cameron asked.

Now she was even more worried. Maybe she was supposed to submit to chip extraction and be terminated. She hoped they did it in private. She would submit willingly if they didn't make it a public chip extraction. She was sure it would be the ultimate insult to her existence. It made her wonder what they would do with her chassis.

John could see Cameron was completely on the wrong track. He needed to get things straightened out fast.

"Cameron, I don't know what the 'real thing' is like, because I haven't made love to, or had sex with, Allison or Vanna." John said. "Nothing happened. We haven't done 'anything'. We've never even kissed or touched."

Cameron detected no one was lying. How was it possible? There was still an undisputed fact.

"But Allison is pregnant…." Cameron said.

Now she was very confused.

Allison and Vanna watched some videos on YouTube. The procedure seemed simple enough to them to be able to do on their own. It's what they did. It worked. Well, it worked for one of them anyway.

"It was with 'genetic material' supplied by John like you wanted, Cameron. We just didn't use the 'traditional method'." Allison said. "It was introduced in a different manner. There was no direct sexual contact of any type between any of us. Well, other than Vanna and me."

Allison and Vanna shared a loving look.

Cameron attempted to process everything. She looked as if she were about to shut down again.

Vanna wanted to make sure Cameron understood exactly what occurred.

"John provided us with his 'essence'. We attempted to fertilize each other." Vanna said. "I guess I came up short."

Cameron was speechless.

The long silent pause was deafening.

What happened began to sink in.

Cameron needed to confirm exactly what occurred.

"You did what?" Cameron finally asked.

Vanna smiled at Cameron. It seemed pretty straightforward to her.

"We did what you wanted. We did what we wanted for ourselves too." Vanna said. "We did it without anyone hurting anyone else, Cameron. We did it because we love you. We would never hurt you on purpose. You should know we wouldn't by now."

Allison took Vanna's hand.

"Vanna and I can start our family. You and John are a part of it if you choose to be." Allison said. "We're one big family now. If it's what you still want, Cameron. We're not here to cause trouble or create problems."

Cameron still scanned John and Allison as all of the information unfolded. There was no deception on anyone's part. The true meaning of Allison's words touched her deeply. Not only did the girls never hurt her, they stood with her to die with her if it was necessary. They never flinched or buckled. They stood firm in what could have been their own terminations with her. She wanted what they offered.

"I do want to share." Cameron said. "I want it for all of us. I'll be there at night to help with the baby so you can sleep. This is what I wanted. This is what I wanted for John. You've given me two gifts with your kindness and love."

Cameron hugged them both. She wondered how she could ever doubt them or question their actions. The girls acted out of love. It was love for her.

"Will you allow me to be the third mom?" Cameron asked.

Allison didn't want a lot of responsibility. She was afraid she wouldn't make a good mother.

"I was kind of hoping other than breast feeding, you would be the 'first mom'." Allison said.

Vanna touched Allison's breasts. She wondered how large they would actually become.

"The baby will have to wait its turn." Vanna joked.

All four of them laughed.

Cameron pulled the girls in closer. The things she thought and said earlier bothered her very much. Once she got past the pettiness and jealousy, the real love was there. It was always there.

"I want to share everything with both of you. I mean 'everything'." Cameron said. "If we become one family, I really mean it. I really want it for ALL of us."

Cameron previously wanted to stay in the future with Future John, Future Allison, and Future Savannah as one big family. Future John and Future Allison would have accepted her for sure. She knew she needed to finish building her 'past' family too. This is where she was at now. She really wanted it.

Vanna was a little concerned about troubles from the future following them into the past.

"Let's give it a few months and see where things lead." Vanna said. "We don't need to rush anything. You know where we live."

Allison wanted to get closer to Cameron.

"If you still want the same thing a few months from now, I would love it as well, Cameron." Allison said. "We're not here to make anyone rush into anything, or make choices they might regret later on. We've waited this long for everything, we can wait a little longer."

Cameron was never as 'happy' in her life as she was today. Even the pain of losing River didn't sting as much with the good news. She did feel a 'stab' as she thought of River though. The thought of John having a child with the girls was actually very pleasant. Their bodies could do what her chassis couldn't. There was only so much Skynet could do to emulate a human female.

It still left a lot of unanswered questions for John. He wasn't sure where the future would lead with the four of them. Right now he was a little more concerned about what happened with Cameron's most recent episode.

"Cameron, why were you shut down for a while?" John asked.

Cameron wasn't entirely sure, but she did know a few things about it.

"I faced an 'emotional crisis'. I needed to put myself in a deep maintenance mode for a while." Cameron said. "I attempted to 'self repair' some of my systems which overloaded. I experienced some emotional and programming conflicts."

Vanna wondered how things would play out in the future if it happened again.

"What brought you out of it?" Vanna asked.

Cameron didn't know for sure. She knew what it was she became aware of first.

"I think it was Allison and you when you let me scan you for so long." Cameron said. "It must have ended the cycle."

John wasn't really convinced they received the whole story. He wondered if things were a little more involved than Cameron indicated. If they were, it was an effective strategy.

"Did you do it so 'this' would happen?" John asked.

Cameron felt a little defensive.

"No…." Cameron said too quickly. "But I'm glad it did happen."

Cameron's eyes darted from John, to Allison, to Vanna.

She was also aware of Savannah's promises. It was one thing she planned to allow for sure when Savannah was 'ready'. She wanted the best for John.

John decided not to pursue the issue. He understood the game was never over for Cameron until she won.

Bob and John Henry were in the hallway. They were headed to the armory.

John Henry looked at Bob.

"Cameron always plays to win." John Henry said.

Bob glanced over to the side.

"Indeed." Bob answered.

They continued down the hall past John and Cameron's room.

Cameron heard the exchange and smiled. 'ALWAYS' she thought.

She knew it was never over until she won. She wasn't done winning yet either.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Will You Show Me

There are many
We may wish to have
Is it really possible
Our love can halve

There comes a time
When one must choose
It is soon inevitable
That someone will lose

Someone gets hurt
Their heart takes a stab
Leaving a deep wound
That will only fester and scab

You know if you choose wrong
The wound will never heal
Lay out your cards
It's time to deal

I know you want me
I know you love me
Now is the time
Will you show me

Nobody