Chapter 241

Prophecy

Cameron was dissatisfied with the 'Neural Interface' testing from her chip into a human. The reverse technology from a human to a chip worked much better. The current results she experienced with Nobody left much to be desired. She was very dissatisfied with the entire process. She took care of things herself. It was amazing how a human body could be damaged by a sustained attack from a Terminator.

The need to break the encryption wasn't as critical now for the TDE. Cameron decided the machine to human transfer with the 'Neural Interface' wouldn't work out as she planned. The 'Neural Interface' obliterated the personality of the host. It left behind many fragments of their former self, but it was all. She really wanted Allison's baby, John's baby - HER baby. There were still three 'Allisons' out there, maybe four. She wasn't done yet. She loved Allison and didn't want to 'kill' her 'again'. She did realize it was wrong to rescue Duplicate Allison from death, and then end up 'killing' Duplicate Allison herself.

There was one thing Nobody said which hung heavily upon her. It was the only thing which really stuck with her. Nobody told her if she thought what she did was the right thing, or proper in any way, to bring Savannah there to witness it. It was something she couldn't do. It was something she wouldn't do. She wouldn't do it because she understood it was wrong. She knew everything about it was wrong. The underlying reason why she wanted to do it was wrong.

Maybe she did need Savannah there. Savannah would always do the right thing. It was something she learned from the very beginning. Savannah's heart and mind were pure. She needed to deal with a lot of tragedy and death. It was personal through the loss of her parents, all 'three' of them. If Savannah was there, she would have stopped her. She knew she wouldn't listen to anyone else if they would have tried. She knew she always needed to listen to Savannah when some type of issue arose, especially of a moral nature.

She wondered how she could give Savannah back her parents, any of them. Mrs. Weaver may not have been Savannah's mother, but she did look after her and care for her. She believed Savannah was a positive influence on Mrs. Weaver. It allowed Mrs. Weaver to see the same things she did in Savannah.

Cameron left Hanna, Ally, and Sheila to run things in her absence at her base. They were loyal to her and would keep her operation running. She would work on getting more Terminators to staff her operation. It would be an all Terminator operation. There wouldn't be any humans. Terminators could be replaced. They could be 'rebodied' or 'reborn' with a copy of their program. Humans couldn't be replaced or reborn. When they were dead, they were dead forever.

Still, she thought of going back and rescuing the ones who fell. It would be for the ones who loved them. It seemed like a noble and caring gesture. It just seemed she may create more problems by attempting it. To do so retroactively would create complications.

Unless the deceased could be rescued near the time of their termination, everything which followed would be different. The timeline would be altered. She often thought of going back to rescue Future Kyle for Sarah, and Future Derek for John. She even thought of saving Charlie for Sarah as well. It would at least give Sarah some peace of mind. She might even save Future Riley. She still remembered how John cried and cried after her death. It always bothered her to think about it. He was in such pain and she didn't know what to do to help him. She wanted to 'fix' it. None of those people needed to die. None of them cared for her at the time. She didn't care for them either. Things were different now. People change. She changed.

She didn't know if all of the changes were good or not. She was sure many of them were. She did have a better sense of what was right and wrong. Accomplishing the mission or task didn't always need to take top priority if it created other or additional problems.

There were ways to work around things. The girls from the future were a perfect example. They all cared for her and loved her from the very beginning. It never mattered if she was a Terminator or not to them. They only saw her for the individual who she was. It was how Savannah always saw her as well. She could understand Sarah's trepidation as well as John's concern in the beginning. She believed over time she proved herself to them. She proved herself to all of them. They didn't always like the way she did things. She did things to protect John and the future.

Maybe her desire to rescue the dead was another reason she apparently asked River to encrypt the TDE from going back in time. Maybe she 'fixed' all of those things 'before', and made things worse. It certainly would complicate things.

Maybe she did a lot of things she shouldn't have. Maybe she still would. She really wondered how many timelines she created herself. Maybe she didn't want to know.

Cameron wanted to motivate Allison. She was also aware Claire was 'available' since she already produced two beautiful children. She believed Paul, Claire's husband, would be a problem. If he were given the right circumstances and explanations, he may understand and accept Claire having someone else's child as a 'Surrogate Mother'. She would make it worth his while financially to consider it. She decided to groom both of the Young females, Allison and her mother. Claire was only a couple years older than Allison and younger than Vanna and Jesse. She looked very much like Allison, or 'her', for that matter. There would be no need to rush things for Young Allison if her mother would step in for her now.

She left her base and headed for the Young residence. She didn't think Claire's marriage was strong at all. Claire indicated she was very dissatisfied with married life. It was unfulfilling to her in every way. The only positive thing out of it was her two, well 'three', daughters. If it wasn't for Allison living back at home to be with her parents, Claire would probably have left Paul. She felt a different calling in life….

Cameron decided if Claire and Paul did split up, she would make sure Claire didn't look for any other male suitor. She didn't think she would. She would ask Jesse and the Metal girls to 'help' her keep Claire on the 'proper' path. It was clear the path Claire actually desired. She saw the way Claire looked at all the girls, both the human girls, and the Metal girls. She wanted Claire as another 'backup' for John. She wanted her to be happy and satisfied in the meantime.

She exited the 14 Freeway and headed for the Young residence on the surface streets. She realized she didn't remember most of the drive there. She wanted to check on another lead about a future Gray. It slipped her mind somewhere along the journey. It seemed there were a lot of things she needed to think about. She would worry about it on the way back. She arrived in short order and headed for the front door.

Claire opened the door and greeted her before she could even knock.

"Hi, Cameron." Claire said.

Cameron liked the pretty smile which formed on Claire's face. It was the 'smile' in her eyes which said it all. Both of them were genuine and honest.

"Hi, Claire." Cameron said.

Claire gave Cameron a big hug. She held it for a long time. It allowed Cameron to scan her. She wanted Cameron to scan her.

Cameron did and made sure she knew she was scanning her. They both silently communicated their desires without words. They both hoped the other picked up on them.

Cameron knew Claire was 'offering' herself to her.

"I've missed you, Cameron." Claire said as she gave Cameron a kiss on the cheek.

Cameron almost turned into the kiss to take it on her lips. Claire was 'viable'.

Claire still held her in the hug. She didn't want to let go. She wanted Cameron to 'feel' her.

Cameron was very pleased with the encounter. She should have come earlier. There were always so many things to take care of. The Metal girls would help her out now. It should give her more free time, and still be able to accomplish things in a timely manner.

"I've missed you." Cameron said. "I wanted to see Young Allison and Summer as well."

Claire reluctantly released Cameron. She wanted to tell Cameron she loved her. She was still bothered by the loss of Isabel. To know Isabel was really Cameron was very comforting. To know Isabel's existence was now contained within Cameron was even more comforting. Isabel wasn't gone, only her body was gone. Isabel was never really Isabel, she was always really Cameron.

Claire didn't need to 'tell' Cameron. She knew it. She just 'felt' it. She now considered Claire as an 'alternate' to the other girls as well. Claire produced beautiful children, especially daughters. There was always something which bothered her in the back of her mind about Claire's unexpected pregnancy with Summer. It always made her wonder if she had something to do with it. If she did, she hadn't done it yet. It meant it needed to be done in the future, or by another version of her. It might even be the other Duplicate Cameron.

Holly and Allison came out of Summer's room. They just put her down for her nap.

Allison noted the unspoken interaction of her mother and Cameron. She felt more than a little jealous. She actually felt her mother had a better 'shot' at Cameron than she did. She wasn't really sure why. Maybe it was because her mother seemed like she was better at everything than she was.

"Hey, Cameron." Allison said as she gave her a long hug and held it.

Holly didn't look very happy, but she actually understood. At least she tried to tell herself she understood anyway. Somehow it made it all less painful.

Allison and her mother shared a long stare. Both women knew they loved the same woman - Cameron. She realized her mother would do what she was reluctant to do.

Claire wanted her to KNOW. She wasn't ashamed of it either. It was more of a statement of fact than a challenge.

"Hi, Allison, Holly." Cameron said as she nodded to Holly.

Holly nodded back.

"How are my little girls?" Cameron asked.

Allison smiled and decided to run with it.

"All three of us are fine." Allison said.

Claire, Holly, and Cameron laughed.

Cameron decided to push her agenda. It seemed to be the right time with the right group present. She looked directly at Allison.

"Are you ready for your own baby?" Cameron asked.

Holly stood in back of Allison. Her hands rested on Allison's shoulders. She gave Allison a gentle squeeze. It was a show of support.

"Yes, I am." Allison said as she looked at her mother.

Claire looked back at Allison. It was an unspoken challenge. If Allison didn't step up, she would.

Cameron wanted to make it clear to Allison what the end game was. She knew Allison 'feared' something. Part of it was 'her'. It didn't give her a pleasant feeling.

"You'll have to be the mother, Allison." Cameron said. "I won't take your baby from you."

It cut the tension in the room.

Allison quickly offered an 'olive branch' back to Cameron. Her love for Cameron was strong. She wanted her long-term lover as part of it too.

"I want your help along with Vanna's and Holly's." Allison said.

Claire didn't want to diminish her daughter's dreams.

"I'll help as well." Claire said. "It's what mothers do. I'll be a very young grandmother. I won't be able to tell anyone it's my grandchild, especially if Summer is there."

Allison appreciated her mother's support. It just felt a little awkward.

"Thanks, Mom." Allison said. "It must not be easy to hear your 'unmarried' daughter talk of having a child in front of you."

Claire thought of Young Allison as her daughter, even if Allison was the grown version of Young Allison. It was still a concept which was hard to get over. There were TWO versions of the SAME person. One was just older than the other. Even as impossible as it seemed, the proof was right in front of her.

"No, it's not easy, but I understand the situation and the future." Claire said. "Remember you're still a 'little girl' to me. I still can't get over how you're grown up now."

Allison wanted to say more, confess, or try to explain everything to her mother, Holly, and Cameron. She never really talked about any of it except to Vanna. It was all very difficult and personal. There was so much she didn't have any control over.

"I've done a lot of big girl stuff. A lot of big girl stuff has 'happened' to me…." Allison said.

Claire needed to defend and help her daughter right now. She didn't want her to relive any painful events. She really didn't want to hear them either. They would make her sick.

"Allison - STOP." Claire said. "It's all in the past, even if somehow it's still in the future, or hasn't happened yet, or again, or will. I'm not sure how it all works. John is a good man. He will make an excellent father. You are who you are now and it's the only thing which matters. Life moves forward not backwards."

Cameron smiled and looked at Allison. She was very pleased at how supportive Claire was.

"Allison will make an excellent mate for John." Cameron said. "It's their destiny."

Everyone cringed at Cameron's words. They knew how they must hurt her to say them.

Cameron hid her glitching hand from view. She kept telling herself she needed to protect John and the future. She almost started to believe it herself. The glitching slowed and stopped. She did believe it…. Well, at least for now.

Gail could see Jesse was troubled. She knew it was about Sheila.

"Do you miss her?" Gail asked.

Jesse enjoyed being with 'herself' and 'Gail', with Sheila. She could spend hours touching every inch of Sheila's sheath. Everything on it was perfect. It was how she once looked when she was young. It all changed.

"I do. Sheila was the same as you until after the 'Neural Interface'. Now she's gone." Jesse said. "I still want to be with her. She's still you, and she is me now too."

Gail didn't want Jesse to forget about her. When Sheila was there, it seemed she did more often than not. Now she could have Jesse to herself again. It was the way it should be. It was what she wanted. Sheila was sent to Cameron's base. She was the Terminator version of Jesse too. She wanted to keep a close relationship with Sheila. Sheila wouldn't die on her. Sheila would always contain part of Jesse as well as part of her.

"We can still share." Gail said. "We still have each other. Vanna still has you."

Jesse felt a little guilty about spending so much time with Sheila. It seemed she neglected Gail. The feeling passed quickly. She enjoyed what she did. She would do it again too if the opportunity arose. She wanted to make Gail feel appreciated. She was ready for a little action. Then again she was always ready for a little action.

"Right now we have each other." Jesse said. "What are we waiting for then…?"

Gail started to strip.

"We're waiting for your clothes to come off…." Gail said.

They were off in a flash.

"Wait no longer." Jesse said

Jesse was always ready….

John was a little worried and apprehensive. He was glad Bob was there now.

"You look troubled." Bob said.

John felt troubled. He was unsure about the direction going forward.

"I am troubled." John said. "Cameron wants me to visit Mrs. Young."

Bob tilted his head slightly. It didn't seem like a problem. Maybe there was something he'd missed.

"Why?" Bob asked.

John asked Cameron the same thing.

"Cameron thinks it is important to Mrs. Young." John said.

"Why?" Bob asked.

John wasn't really sure how to phrase it. No matter how he thought about it, it still bothered him.

"Cameron said it was to meet her grandchild's father." John said.

"Why?" Bob asked.

John felt he should have more of a say in what happened, especially in such personal matters. It was a source of his frustration for a long time.

"I hate the way Cameron is always manipulating everyone." John said.

"Why?" Bob asked.

John became a little irritated by Bob's same question.

"Stop saying that." John said.

"Wh…. Affirmative." Bob said.

John rolled his eyes.

Bob wanted to offer some type of explanation.

"I'm sorry." Bob said. "They were the most logical responses."

John wasn't upset with Bob. None of what was going on was his doing. It all seemed to fall back on Cameron.

"I don't know if Cameron and I are supposed to be together." John said. "So many things happen to pull us apart. Cameron does so many things to keep us apart. Maybe it's why I sent her away in the future. Maybe it was to stop her meddling. Maybe I sent her away so I could have a 'life'."

Bob doubted it was true. He searched for an answer. He remembered John told him his mother said, 'sometimes when you love someone, you need to let them go'. It didn't seem like a good time to point it out. There were several logical explanations. It was always better to stick to logic than emotion.

"Maybe you sent Cameron away to keep you from being assassinated, and her from being terminated." Bob said. "Do you want to be with Allison?"

John felt a hunger there which was barely repressed.

"It would be a lie to say I don't. I do. I've wanted Allison from the moment I saw her." John said. "She was like Cameron, but so different. She was always so alive and vibrant."

John knew it was based on the 'Allison' who was a victim of the future. She still shined in spite of it all. He could only imagine an Allison not tainted by the future. It would be Young Allison…. He didn't want his mind to go there, even if Cameron continued to keep it there. He still didn't believe what already happened, needed to happen again in the same way in regards to some things. He believed everyone should make their own choices, whatever they were.

Bob thought about what he knew and witnessed.

"You've missed many chances." Bob said.

John let out a slow breath. Sometimes he didn't feel he had much control over his life.

"Yes I have. I always thought my love for Cameron was stronger. I know now it's not. I thought somehow me being true to Cameron would mean something to her. I wanted to show her my regret for my past transgressions with Future Riley. I know Future Riley was a mistake and she was killed over my association with her." John said. "I'm as responsible for her death as Future Jesse was. My mother warned me. Cameron warned me. I didn't listen to them. Future Riley died because she loved me. I did nothing to stop it because I loved her."

Bob wondered what the extent of John's involvement was with Future Riley.

"Did you 'mate' with Future Riley?" Bob asked.

John thought there were worse ways to ask the question. At least it wasn't crude or vulgar. It was one thing he needed to give Terminators credit for.

"We were together one night in a vehicle." John said. "We talked about it before. We did a lot of things leading up to it. It just seemed to happen. Cameron caught me in the morning when I returned. She's never forgiven me. It's my fault too because I rubbed it in her face and smirked at her. I didn't care if she felt hurt at the time. I was proud of what I did with Future Riley. It made me feel like a man. It was all a big mistake on my part. All of it was."

Bob wondered how far John would go or at least wanted to go. The girls from the future presented multiple opportunities. There were some things which could happen again because of the alternate future.

"Did you want to mate with our Riley?" Bob asked.

It was an easy answer for John. He wasn't going to lie about it. Well, except maybe to Cameron. She would know when he lied anyway.

"Yes, I did. I saw her as MY Riley. I almost did. I felt the same things I felt for My Riley. They're the SAME person too." John said. "I saw her dead, Bob. I saw her dead. It really killed me inside. I cried all night as my mother comforted me. Cameron was there too. I knew she wanted to do something to comfort me, but she didn't know what to do. Then Riley was alive again. I KNEW she wanted me. I wanted her too."

Bob could understand the glee. Terminations were usually final. It would be like seeing the dead come back to life. He understood it was a fascination with humans, especially in different forms and versions. It also seemed to be centered in some of the religions he studied. It was clear death was a hard concept for humans to deal with. It seemed to him a 'second chance' would be hard to turn down

"Why didn't you?" Bob asked.

About a million thoughts ran through John's mind at this point. It was a good question. He'd questioned himself thousands of times about it. He was never able to come up with a good answer. He didn't think there was one. Maybe there was but he just couldn't see it. Maybe he just couldn't admit it. He really didn't know.

"I'm not really sure. No. That's not true. I do know. It's very specific. I didn't want to hurt Cameron, again with Riley. Cameron would have killed her if I did." John said. "It would have fulfilled Future Jesse's prophecy. It was what she wanted Cameron to do all along. The whole goal was for me to love Future Riley and have Cameron kill her so I would hate Cameron and attempt to terminate Cameron myself. Future Jesse asked about it. I told her I wouldn't have taken it out on Cameron."

It seemed to Bob the writing was on the wall. Everything John needed to know was right there in front of him all of the time. It was Cameron. Everything she did was for him, even if it didn't seem like it.

"Maybe you need to start listening to Cameron." Bob said. "There seems to be no escape from Fate or Destiny."

John let out a slow breath. His shoulders sagged somewhat in resignation.

"Apparently not…." John said.

'Runaway' by 'Del Shannon', came to John's mind.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Phoenix

Joy to the world
The Phoenix has risen
Thank you for freeing me
From my self made prison

Something so wonderful
Should never be hurt
Words cut and bleed
Be careful what we blurt

The mind is a forum
It's all in our head
Feelings of others should
Be thought before said

Unlike some of my kind
I DO feel guilt and remorse
I will be careful
And stay on course

Away I'll crawl
Back into my shell
Each day is but
A never ending hell

Nobody