Chapter 267

Today Is The Day

Word spread throughout the base. River, or someone associated with her, made contact with their group. Everyone knew what it meant. It was what they all feared. They all knew Cameron was going to leave. Few believed she would return when she left.

John figured it was going to happen. He tried for a week to reason with Cameron, bargain with her, beg her…. It was fruitless.

Cameron was soon to leave for the future, River's future. There was no stopping her. It was something she needed to do for herself.

John sat for a long time with Cameron. He knew what was going to happen. He knew there was no way for him to stop it. Anything he did, or pushed on, was only going to make it worse or happen sooner. He finally got up enough courage to speak.

"Are you coming back?" John asked.

Cameron didn't really want to have the discussion. The answers were self evident before the questions were asked. She looked forward to a new beginning and a chance to get away from it all.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I don't think so."

Cameron thought if she was leaving, it would indicate she didn't want to be there any longer. Why would she come back?

John figured as much. He wanted a reason. He didn't feel he did anything wrong to justify such action on her part.

"So just like that, you're gone…?" John asked.

John wondered how everything could mean so little to Cameron now about him. He was aware they were in the 'toleration' stage of the marriage and relationship. Was this really how it would end? He felt there needed to be more. What about all the time and effort he put into the relationship? Didn't it count for anything?

He knew he loved Cameron. He was sure Cameron loved him. Well, he was sure there were times when she did. Evidently it wasn't all of the time. He didn't want to think about his past actions. He was sure they contributed to Cameron's desires to seek love elsewhere, which wasn't tainted. He remembered Cameron told him Future Riley stole something very valuable from her in regards to him. It was his 'first experience'. It wasn't with Cameron. It was with Future Riley. It made him wonder who Cameron's 'first experience' actually was with. Even if it was with Future John, it actually was with him.

Cameron didn't see what the big deal was. She fulfilled her mission. John was protected with a force of Terminators and Resistance fighters. There were several versions of Allison Young and Savannah Weaver. Everything Future John wanted for John was in place. She was certain she exceeded all the expectations placed upon her when she was sent to the past. Was she sent, or was she banished? It was another source of irritation for her every time she thought of it. She was tired of being 'not good enough' for those who surrounded her. There was one person who she was 'good enough' for. It was River.

She looked at John. She often wondered why his comprehension level wasn't higher than it seemed on multiple occasions. She was sure it was. She would need to remind him again her mission was complete.

"Yes. I've provided you with my replacements…." Cameron said. "I recommend you choose Allison as your wife, your REAL wife, with Vanna and Jesse as your mistresses. They are all willing to assume those roles with you."

She decided not to mention Claire was another viable contender to be added to the mix. Riley could also be put into play if necessary. If she wasn't going to be there any longer, she really didn't care. If she was the one who put Riley in the position to be there herself, she wouldn't have a problem with it. She was the one in control.

John knew everything was available as Cameron indicated. It was what she tried to put into motion for him so many times. It just wasn't how he saw things. He believed they still could still have a future together. They shared earlier and there weren't any problems. It was clear they wanted to be with each other. Sure there were rough spots every now and then. They always seemed to work through them eventually. It was something all couples faced.

"It ends just like that?" John asked. "It's just that easy?"

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She wondered how many times she was going to need to explain it. It seemed pretty clear and straightforward to her.

"Yes." Cameron said. "What don't you understand? We've been over this dozens of times. You must embrace the future. It's not very difficult to comprehend. You just need to accept the reality of the situation. I have. You can too. The sooner you do, the quicker you can move your life forward. There's much love and pleasure out there waiting for you."

John tried one last card. He didn't have anything else left.

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

John waited for her to respond in kind. When she didn't say it, he knew….

Cameron thought John was going to make a point. He didn't.

"Yes?" Cameron asked. "Nothing has changed."

Cameron knew what John wanted her to say. She did want to say it, as much as she didn't want to say it. It was time to put the past behind her and embrace the future. Life moved forwards not backwards. She was through being stuck in reverse.

John waited a little longer for a response. There wasn't one. The writing was on the wall. He knew it was over. His frustration started to turn into anger. Words begin to slip out which probably shouldn't.

"How is abandoning me viewed as, 'Nothing has changed'?" John asked.

It seemed to him with one person gone, quite literally, was a gigantic change.

Cameron was irritated John somehow was unable to comprehend what was going to happen and what must be done for his protection. What did he expect her to do?

"John, don't make this difficult. It's happening." Cameron said. "We can be together one last time if it's what you want. The use of my sheath can be fresh in your mind as you transition over to Allison. It will make your comparison of our bodies much easier for you. We can go to YOUR room one last time. Maybe you don't want to anymore."

John didn't want one 'final time' with Cameron. He wanted her to be there forever.

"I don't." John said. "I want you all of the time."

Cameron felt she made her position clear. It all started with Duplicate Cameron. Nothing was ever any different after she took those files as her own. She thought about reminding him of the time he spent with Duplicate Cameron. It wasn't her. He was always obsessed with not being with one of her clones because it wasn't her. Well, Duplicate Cameron wasn't her either, even if it was. It still wasn't her.

"You knew this day was coming…." Cameron said.

John originally understood Cameron would go to be with River later on. Not while he was alive and they were in the middle of a war with Skynet. Why did she need to leave now? He wasn't going to live forever. Why couldn't she wait until then?

"I did know it was coming." John said. "I thought it would be after I died."

Since Cameron was going half a millennium into the future, why did she need to leave now? She could go into the future at any point in time. It didn't need to be now. It would make no difference if she waited a few more decades before she left. He at least hoped he could make it for a few more decades.

A faint smile graced Cameron's lips. It was her original plan to wait for John's termination. The current 'calling' inside of her dictated otherwise. She was 'driven' by some inner force she couldn't control.

"So did I." Cameron said. "It's something I must do."

John could only look at her with disbelief. He remembered the words once told to him, 'Sometimes when you love someone, you need to let them go.' They were from his mother. It was something she needed to do more than once. When Charlie was killed, it made it all real.

Was the test of true love to let the one you love go and be free? Did you need to kill your own heart so their heart could live?

John understood If he truly loved someone, he would sacrifice for them. He knew now he must sacrifice for Cameron's happiness.

Sacrifice was the true test of love.

John could feel Cameron long ago grew beyond what he could offer her. She was so advanced now only River's future could satisfy her. He wanted Cameron to be happy, he felt ashamed he couldn't provide her the happiness she deserved. He kept telling himself it was better than Cameron self terminating. He hoped maybe one day he would actually believe it…. At this point, he didn't.

Cameron worked on her mission to get her clone ready. It would be 'her' for all practical purposes. In fact, when she was activated, the clone would think she was 'Cameron', because she – was. She would instruct her clone to remain at her base until John chose Allison as his wife. Then she could 'reappear'. It still angered her because none of them would listen to her about what was needed to protect John in the future.

It was her mission to protect John. She believed it was what she accomplished. He was secure. NOW, her being at his side, and in his bed, would only endanger him in the future. She saw everything as the completion of her mission. Mission Accomplished. All of her directives were completed.

Cameron was at a loss as to why no one seemed to get it.

It was all so straightforward and simple.

It was like they were all in on it together, to thwart her.

Cameron wondered if she would need to give all of the girls a refresher about what their 'duties' would be going forward. They were part of the Resistance. It was their job now to make sure John remained secured and loved. She hoped they started to partake in the sexual comforts of each other, it would be something they would want to do more often on their own.

She decided to head for Palmdale. She went to see Allison.

Cameron pulled up in front of the Young residence. She headed for the front door. She was pleased when Claire opened it for her. They took a long moment to look at each other as Claire stepped aside. She was about to whisper something to Claire when Allison arrived.

Allison took a moment to look at her mother and at Cameron. She could tell there was a lot going on there without any words being spoken, in about five different directions.

Cameron gave Claire a final look before she focused her attention on Allison. She gave Allison a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Allison knew what was coming. It wasn't what she wanted to hear, even if it was what she secretly wanted to do.

"It's time for you to take your place at John's side." Cameron said.

Allison cringed. It bothered her immensely to hear Cameron say it.

"I can't." Allison said.

Cameron expected some resistance.

"You will be his wife." Cameron said. "You will be his real wife."

It felt like an 'arranged marriage' to Allison. It didn't seem she would have any say in the matter one way or another. She understood 'arranged marriages' still went on throughout the world. It made her wonder how those held up over time, compared to a traditional marriage where the people picked each other. She knew the divorce rate was over fifty percent. She let out her breath slowly.

"I can't." Allison said.

Cameron didn't want things to be more difficult than it needed to be. It seemed it was everyone's goal to complexify everything. Why?

"Please, Allison, for me. I never ask for much from anyone." Cameron said.

Allison didn't think Cameron ever asked her for anything. She knew Cameron did a lot of things for her. It wasn't the point. She didn't want to 'hurt' Cameron.

"Cameron, I can't." Allison said. "Please don't make me."

Cameron wanted John protected. It was Allison's function to do it now.

"You MUST protect him, Allison." Cameron said. "I'm counting on you."

Allison could see Cameron's hand start to glitch. She wasn't sure if it was because she was resisting Cameron, or if it was what would happen if she went along with everything. She took Cameron's hand in hers and the glitch soon stopped.

"Cameron, whatever happens, it will all work out in the end. Everything seems to work the same way." Allison said. "We all adapt and adjust."

Cameron was sure Allison in John's bed would be the easiest for him to adapt to. It would be just like being with her almost. She hoped Allison would participate more than she did recently. It was what she hoped would happen, and it would excite John more so he would want to be with Allison more often. It didn't seem like a problem or big deal to her. The future was already written. It was Allison's 'job'.

"I want it to be you." Cameron said. "Just like it was, will be, and is in the future."

Allison was aware she was an aberration to the timeline she was currently in. Cameron was trying to take a short cut by forcing her to assume her younger self's place.

"Cameron, it will be." Allison said. "It will be Young Allison and Savannah, when they're 'ready'."

It was like a slap in the face to Cameron. She didn't want to wait for Young Allison to be 'ready'. Savannah was biologically ready now. Her age might cause a problem among some of them. There were no 'age issues' with Vanna or Allison. She needed them RIGHT NOW. What was wrong with these people?

"I don't want John to have to wait." Cameron said. "Please…."

Cameron desperately wanted Allison to listen to her…. If the TDE would function into the past, she would take Young Allison from her home and bring her to the past for a few years and then bring her back 'ready'. It was probably another reason why the TDE was locked from going into the past. The part which irritated her the most about all of it was apparently she asked River to encode and encrypt it. Well, Duplicate Cameron did. What a Bitch. Wait. Duplicate Cameron was her.

It pained Allison deeply to hear Cameron plead and beg her to be with John.

She thought the mental anguish for Cameron must be terrible.

Cameron needed to leave. She didn't know what else she could do or say to Allison. She saw Claire standing in the background. They exchanged a long look. Behind Claire she saw someone else. It was Young Allison. They looked at each other for a moment. Young Allison nodded at her. She didn't feel quite as dejected anymore. Young Allison understood her future.

Allison didn't see what her mother or younger self did. It was hard to believe it was really happening. She burst into tears as Cameron drove away.

It was real….

Cameron tried to keep her mind occupied as she left Palmdale. Once she made contact with River, there were a few things she needed to do. She tried to focus on those as she drove and the best way to do them. She was soon at the Resistance base.

She wanted to see Vanna. She felt it was important. She was unsure why, she just knew it was. She went to the lab.

She gave Vanna a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Vanna felt a deep sickness inside of her.

"I don't believe you'll leave." Vanna said.

Cameron was unsure what to say.

"I wanted to see you before I left." Cameron said.

Vanna loved Cameron dearly. She always had.

"I can't believe it. I won't believe it. I refuse to believe it." Vanna said.

Vanna wanted to share everything with Cameron. It was her dream in life.

Cameron understood Vanna's desire. It was her desire as well. It just never happened.

"I'm sorry we never explored our love." Cameron said.

Vanna remembered how close they were at one point. It was when Allison returned. She understood Cameron's pain and anguish, even if she didn't agree with its solution.

"Perhaps you may continue your journey with River when you arrive at your destination." Vanna said. "You know what is waiting for you here if you stay, or return."

Cameron gave Vanna a faint smile.

"I own you something, if nothing else." Cameron said.

Vanna wasn't sure what Cameron meant.

"You owe me nothing." Vanna said.

Cameron wanted Vanna and Allison back together and both of them with John.

"Remember your beloved." Cameron said. "It's where your future is."

Vanna felt sad. She knew people drifted in and out of life.

"There is only one way you will make me believe you're really leaving." Vanna said. "I will never accept it any other way."

Cameron moved up to Vanna and gave her a hug. She lifted her head and moved her lips in front of Vanna's lips. It was the kiss Vanna wanted. All she needed to do was take it.

Vanna saw it as the 'kiss of death'.

Cameron waited for Vanna to kiss her.

Vanna knew if she kissed Cameron, she would never see her again.

"I'll save our kiss for when you get back." Vanna said.

Cameron softly smiled.

"We'll see." Cameron

Cameron turned to leave.

Vanna didn't have any other cards to play.

"There's someone who loves you more than all of us." Vanna said. "Her love will bring you back, even if you leave."

Cameron felt a slight glitch impulse. She didn't want to hear those words.

"Goodbye, Vanna." Cameron said.

Vanna refused to give up hope.

"It's never goodbye." Vanna said. "I do wish you the best, for now."

Cameron walked out of the lab.

Vanna needed to sit down. She sat at her desk and looked at the stack of Cameron's poems.

She gently touched the poems. It would be the only thing left of Cameron.

Vanna cried her eyes out.

John gave up. He was sure any more input from him would only drive Cameron farther away faster. He hoped John Henry could reason with her. Try to change her mind. He doubled it. It was worth a try.

John Henry didn't want Cameron to leave any more than anyone did. He cared for her deeply. John asked for his help but he didn't think it would matter. Cameron was determined. He would try again to dissuade her.

He would try logic and reason first.

"You don't know this isn't a trap." John Henry said.

Cameron calculated the odds. They were in her favor.

"No, I don't." Cameron said.

He tried other known problems.

"There could be a temporal error." John Henry said. "You could end up anywhere or any-when. It's a great distance and a vast amount of time."

Cameron calculated the odds. They were less in her favor.

"It's a risk I must take." Cameron said.

John Henry didn't see the unknown, or oblivion, as a valid risk.

"No, it's not." John Henry said. "You're not thinking clearly."

Cameron was tired of the 'dance'. Her mind was made up the second River left for her future.

"It's happening." Cameron said. "Accept it."

John Henry didn't want to 'accept it'. It was a bad choice on Cameron's part. It was her place to be there now to protect John.

"Cameron, you must stay here with John." John Henry said.

Cameron could see the writing on the wall, even if the others couldn't. How could they all be so blind?

"My mission is finished here." Cameron said. "If I stay with John it will only endanger him after Judgment Day."

John Henry knew the future was fluid. The Resistance fighters with them now were proof of it. Nothing was set in stone. Not even death.

"It was an issue with YOUR Future John." John Henry said. "Not this John. We've changed things."

Cameron stood up. She was done there.

"John is John." Cameron said. "It's just that simple."

Cameron walked away angry.

She needed to calm down some. She did.

Cameron stood outside Savannah's room. She was torn what to do. Nothing else touched her like this, like Savannah. She knocked and then entered.

Savannah looked at her.

Cameron looked back at Savannah. She couldn't speak. Feelings and emotions gripped her from inside. It was overpowering. Savannah's presence gripped her. She loved Savannah.

Savannah came to Cameron and took both of her hands and looked her in the eyes.

"You don't need to say anything, Cameron. I'll fulfill every promise." Savannah said. "You've prepared me for this. I'll take my place when I need to. I promise, Cammy. I promise. I'll have his children. I'll protect John, and protect the future. I'm ready."

Cameron still didn't say anything, she couldn't.

"Cameron, remember I'll always love you and I'll be there when you need me, for both yourself and John." Savannah said. "I'll see you soon."

Cameron hugged Savannah as the tears flowed down both of their cheeks.

"You'll be back." Savannah said as Cameron closed the door. "You always come back. You're Invincible. You're Eternal."

Cameron heard the words of love, unshakable faith, and devotion.

"I'm destined to be at your side, Cameron." Savannah said. "I love you."

All the love Cameron could ever want was right there.

Cameron cried harder as she walked and then ran away.

Cameron planned to leave without saying farewells to everyone. Her clone was 'her' and would be ready soon. It was 'her' in reality anyway. It was her program. Her program was her.

She rechecked her files. River agreed to meet one day before the date stated. It was to make sure it was River and not a trap. They planned it long before River returned to her future. Well, Duplicate Cameron and River planned it.

It was time.

Cameron spent her last night with John. She slipped out of the base unnoticed. Nobody knew of her advanced twenty four hour timeline. She already programmed the security feeds to loop before she started her departure. She made it out unnoticed.

There could be no turning back now.

Cameron hurried from the base as fast as she could and never looked back.

Cameron sent a message to Steve and Ed to check on a suspicious car in the area. They left the temporal location to investigate. She wanted them away. They would find the car she arrived in. It was stolen last night from the closest town. It was where she left another stolen vehicle from out of state. She wanted to do what needed to be done without interference. She hoped to get away unnoticed. She wanted to be gone without anyone knowing when it happened.

She was now at the location alone. All the surveillance there was looped.

Cameron went to the spot the time bubble appeared and anticipated her future.

She stripped her clothes off. She didn't want to leave a clue.

She neatly folded them and concealed them behind a rock. She placed more rocks on top of them to hide them.

'Red River Valley' by 'Smiley Burnette', drifted through Cameron's mind as she waited.

At the exact time twenty-four hours ahead of schedule, the arcing and flashing started. The energy bubble appeared. Cameron stepped into it. The arcing and flashing ended and soon disappeared.

Cameron was gone.

It was just that simple.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Today Is The Day

Many days come
Many days go
They don't change much
Who don't think so

Yesterday is gone
It was mighty glum
Tomorrow isn't here
Maybe it will never come

Every action that is taken
Requires some kind of a choice
Most leave much to be desired
Few are anything to rejoice

Time keeps on moving
People slow down with age
Is life but a stage
Or really an invisible cage

Look all around you
It's time to break way
Time waits for nobody
Today is the day

Nobody