Chapter 300

Favor

Jesse seemed to have a problem. It wasn't really a problem but something which built up inside of her. It was a feeling and a desire. She thought about it a lot. She always pushed it out of her mind. She didn't want to be a problem herself or cause any trouble for Cameron. Since she was now pregnant, she no longer could push it away. It was something she NEEDED to do. She felt somewhat ashamed at even asking, but she knew Cameron could HELP her. She really hoped Cameron would understand.

She couldn't help but think about her past. She certainly wasn't a debutante. A lot of the things she tried to push out of her mind seemed to drift back then. She felt ashamed for a lot of the things which happened. The majority of them happened to her against her will. There was nothing she could do about it. What was done was done. It still bothered her. The current problem wasn't about her personally or her past. It was however directly related to her past, the future. It was something she normally tried to keep out of her mind. It weighed heavily upon her now.

She sought out Cameron and took her aside when they were both alone. She didn't want it to be seen as a moment of weakness. She still felt uncomfortable with what she wanted.

Cameron could tell something was 'wrong' the moment she looked at Jesse. She instantly started to scan her.

Jesse didn't want Cameron to worry about her. The current issue was more emotional than it was anything else.

"Cameron, I'm fine physically." Jesse said.

It worried Cameron even more. Emotional distress was worse. She dealt with plenty of it on her own. She often wondered how humans were able to deal with it. She understood humans experience problems, but she didn't think they experienced him the same way she did. She hoped she could help Jesse.

"What's wrong?" Cameron asked. "How can I help you?"

Jesse gave Cameron a kiss on the cheek. She wanted Cameron to understand the appreciation she felt for everything she did for her.

"First off, thank you for Ally…." Jesse said.

Cameron smiled and winked at her.

Jesse looked a little embarrassed. She felt embarrassed as well. She was used to doing things on her own. The current issue was a little overwhelming to her for multiple reasons.

"Cameron, I want to ask a favor of you." Jesse said. "I don't ask for much but it's a big one…."

Jesse thought about it for a long time. Now she needed to say something. She wanted to ask for something for 'herself'. She hoped she didn't seem presumptuous or out of place.

Cameron studied her for a period of time before she responded. She was relieved. She knew the day would come. She also knew it needed to come from Jesse, not from her. She was glad she waited for this day.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I'll go with you."

Jesse looked at Cameron.

"I didn't even ask yet." Jesse said somewhat confused.

Cameron would do what she could for Jesse.

"Does it matter?" Cameron asked. "I owe you for your loyalty and service. You've always been there for me. I owe you Jesse. You saved me. I'll never forget."

Now Jesse was really confused. What was Cameron talking about? She felt she only did what any other person would have done under similar circumstances.

"Cameron, you don't owe me anything. I did what I did because I love you." Jesse said. "No sacrifice is too great for love…."

Cameron smiled and gave Jesse a hug. She reached out to Jesse and touched her cheek with her hand. It was a loving gesture, not a scan.

Jesse felt very confused and unsure of everything right now. She wasn't ready for what came next.

Cameron looked Jesse in the eyes.

"I know where they're at. I've made sure they're well provided for." Cameron said.

Jesse could hardly believe what Cameroon indicated. It was about the last thing she expected to hear from Cameron. The fact Cameron already acted on her behalf, flooded her with even more emotion. She couldn't help but suck in her breath slightly.

"You know?" Jesse asked. "My Parents…?"

Cameron made a point of protecting everyone's family. It wasn't just the Reese and Young families.

"Yes, since you first arrived. I searched them out to provide for them and made sure your younger self would face no hardships, or your sister." Cameron said. "I've taken care of them."

Jesse could hardly believe her ears. She was hesitant to see her family. Now she realized Cameron already provided for them. She was still at somewhat of a loss.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Jesse asked.

Jesse was perplexed Cameron would think so much of her to help her family on her own. It was something she personally was very conflicted about. It revolved around multiple issues. It was because of the person she used to be. It was someone she was ashamed of.

Cameron was aware of the many internal issues Jesse needed to deal with. There were a lot.

"You needed to be ready. You're ready now." Cameron said. "You would have avoided seeing them before these last few months. You've developed into the woman you deserve to be. The woman you always were. What was, is done and in the past. Life moves forwards not backwards."

Jesse was amazed at how caring and perceptive Cameron was. Her love and respect for Cameron grew immensely. She was ashamed of her behavior when she first arrived in the past, the present. She wasn't very kind to anyone, especially Cameron.

"How do you always know?" Jesse asked. "Cameron, you're so special."

Cameron leaned forward and kissed Jesse on the cheek. She appreciated what Jesse could offer.

"I look after John's girls, ALL of them." Cameron said. "It's my function and duty to protect the future. You at John's side will protect John and the future."

Jesse felt a lot of shame in her life for what she did to others, and what was done to her by others. It caused her to make a lot more bad decisions over the years which followed. Cameron showed her a path of love instead of hate. A machine showed her how to love…. It was a lot different than what most humans showed her growing up, and throughout her past, the future. She felt she needed to address the issue verbally.

"I think you started all this when I was still a 'Bitch Whore' to you and everyone else too." Jesse said. "Cameron, I apologize for such poor and idiotic behavior. It was a bad time in my life."

Cameron saw Jesse as a challenge and someone of value to share with John. Most of all, Jesse wasn't future Jesse, even if she was the same individual at one point in time. they weren't the same person she dealt with. Things were a little rough at first, but she never backed down from a challenge.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I knew you were worthy and would turn into a fine woman. It just took a little longer than I anticipated. I wasn't going to give up on you. I never gave up on you. I don't lose."

Jesse knew it never ended for Cameron until she got the outcome she wanted. She was sure in her case it was a good thing. More than likely anyone else would have written her off. It was what everyone did in the past, the future. Any other cyborg probably would have terminated her on their first encounter.

"And you always win…." Jesse said. "I can't thank you enough."

Cameron nodded. She was extremely goal oriented. It was in her programming to achieve her goal.

"I always do." Cameron said. "There's no other outcome. It's NEVER over until I've won."

Jesse hugged Cameron and cried her eyes out. She thanked her for everything she did for her. She pledged her loyalty and duty to John and her without fail. She understood Cameron wanted her in John's bed. She was even more willing to do so now than ever.

Cameron smiled. It actually made her 'feel good' inside. It made her feel good about herself for a change. She didn't feel like 'scrap metal' or 'a pile of junk' right now. Someone was truly appreciative of her hard work and efforts. She didn't receive thanks very often, especially from those closest to her. It was actually rather upsetting to her most of the time. She didn't like to feel as if she was a mechanical Silicone Love Doll. There were a lot worse things she felt.

She also did the same for Riley and her family. Cameron hadn't informed anyone of it either. She didn't intend to, at least until the time was right. She wanted all of the Resistance members happy and their loved ones protected. Allison was the only one until now who sought her family out. It was mostly because she 'forced' Allison to accompany her to find a better way to protect Young Allison. She did regret the strain it put on Allison's relationship with Vanna. It was something which bothered her immensely, and continued to do so.

Jesse was a little more able to compose herself now. It was still a lot for her to take in. She wanted to think it was hard to believe, but when she considered the source, it actually all made sense. She wanted Cameron to know how she felt.

"I love you so much, Cameron." Jesse said.

It interrupted Cameron's thoughts and brought her back to 'now'. She already thought of how things would play out. She planned for some long range likelihoods as well. It would be something she could have some control over because of the distances involved.

"We will use a large private jet. We will avoid the commercial airlines. Getting through security shouldn't be a problem with the assistance of John Henry and CamNet." Cameron said. "We will avoid all of the crowds if we use our own aircraft. I already have one picked out at Van Nuys."

Jesse was surprised to hear it. She felt it gave them a lot of leeway. They were already a few possibilities in her mind.

"Will it be just us?" Jesse asked.

Cameron didn't want to leave anyone behind. She knew what it was like to be 'excluded'. She wanted to make her position clear.

"Gail will accompany us." Cameron said. "I don't want Gail to feel 'lonely', or left out. It's very important everyone feels wanted and loved. It's important to ME."

Cameron also knew she didn't want Gail to feel she tried to 'take' Jesse away from her and 'replace' her. It wasn't the feeling she wanted anyone to have. When the time came and John needed to be protected, she believed they would all understand and accept the reality of the situation. She didn't plan to cause any trouble before then.

Jesse wanted Cameron to think about herself. It seemed what Cameron just indicated would apply to her as well. She at least wanted to point it out.

"Maybe you should bring John too, he hasn't experienced much of a break since everything started." Jesse said.

Cameron wasn't sold on the concept even if she considered it. She was sure she could push her own agenda, but what Jesse needed was more important.

"I thought of it." Cameron said. "I want this to be about you."

She wanted to focus to be on Jesse and her family.

Jesse wanted her parents to know more about her and her future. She couldn't help but feel a personal obligation to her parents about several things.

"It still will be, but bring John. My parents should meet the father of their grandchild…." Jesse said.

Cameron worried it would turn things into a big production. She didn't believe it was warranted on this occasion. If Jesse wanted it for the reason she indicated, she would run it by John anyway. She understood family was important to humans. It was important to her as well. They would need additional protection if things developed.

"If John comes, I'll want more Terminators to accompany us." Cameron said. "I'll run it by him."

Cameron paused.

Jesse could tell something troubled her. It came to her pretty quickly what it most likely was. She wasn't sure if she should say it or not. She felt she needed to ask anyway.

"You didn't 'tell' him yet, did you?" Jesse asked.

Cameron felt a glitch impulse. She quickly suppressed it. She harvested quite a bit of genetic material from John. It was all done without his knowledge and its intended usage. He hadn't given any 'consent' to what she did. She didn't want to rock the boat, at least not for a while.

"No, I didn't. Can we keep it quiet for now?" Cameron asked. "I don't want to cause a problem, yet."

Jesse was sure it was deeper than just her. She didn't think she was the only one.

"Does he know about Vanna and Allison?" Jesse asked.

Cameron looked around and seemed very uneasy. She knew she should get John's approval first. She didn't. She acted on her own because she wanted to.

"No, I haven't informed him, or Sarah, of what I've done." Cameron said. "They don't always like the way I do things."

Jesse felt a twinge of fear. She wondered if there was a deeper motivation behind Cameron's actions. She didn't want to, but she needed to ask anyway.

"Are you going to take my baby away from me?" Jesse asked.

It was a new worry which gripped Jesse inside.

Cameron was a little shocked at the question. It wasn't like she hadn't thought about doing it either. She did. It was more than once. It made it sting a little more when Jesse asked it.

"What? No. I wouldn't hurt you, or any of the girls, in such a way. I would never do it to the people I love." Cameron reassured her. "I can't hurt any of you like that. I won't."

Cameron now thought about when she wanted to take Young Allison. She actually did take Summer away from Claire. What was she thinking? How could she do something so vile? Claire will have a baby for John and her, she promised. She also wanted to have another one for herself with John as the father. She wanted a traditional conception for both events. She was sure Claire was going to take cuts in front of the girls from the future. She actually didn't have a problem with it. The only issue was Claire was still married.

Jesse was relieved Cameron wouldn't take her child from her.

"Thank you, Cameron. I love you even more." Jesse said.

She was so touched by Cameron's words, she went through another round of crying. She seemed to be more moody and emotional lately. She understood there were changes inside of her body, along with different hormone levels.

It all weighed heavily on Jesse. It made her think of the past, the future. The last time she saw her parents and sister, all of them were deathly sick. She was forcefully and physically separated from them to prevent her from becoming sick as well. It wasn't very long until she wished she would have been sick and died with them, as the Hell of her life soon began….

Jesse was drug screaming out of her hiding place by a group of men. They held her down and took turns. The more she screamed, the more they laughed. She fell into the hands of Scavengers soon afterwards. The Scavengers 'killed' the girl she once was inside. They 'terminated' the lonely girl mentally and emotionally. It still made her sick to think of how they savaged her body. It took months for the torn flesh to heal once she managed to escape. She always wondered if she was damaged for life. She realized it didn't really matter. She didn't think her life was going to last very long at all. It was just the first time in a Scavenger camp….

She knew it was Cameron who saved her. Cameron found the 'dead Jesse' within her and brought her back to life. Cameron gave her, her life back. Cameron gave her purpose and a future. Cameron provided her with a life inside of her. Cameron was the greatest….

Bob was sent out to do some 'follow up' for Cameron. It was something she would normally have the Metal girls do, or do it herself. Cameron seemed a little preoccupied these days. He didn't think it was good for her, or anyone else. He didn't mind sharing the risk to take care of some of the operations. He didn't believe everything should fall on Cameron's back.

He was given a 'list' by Ally of some places which needed further review. He wasn't on board with everything until Cameron pointed out, what if the things some of the perpetrators did, were done to those in their group. It made it personal to him with her analogy.

There were still a few targets associated with a ring which was masterminded by a social worker. It was someone who took advantage of their position to put others in a perilous condition. CamNet and Cameron took most of them down. Steve and Tom would assist him when necessary. Cameron was able to recover most of the females who were involved with the plot. Some of them were sent to other nations around the world. They would be very difficult to recover, if they were even still alive.

He passed by a burnt out building. There was a van parked next to it. It was blistered from the heat as well. He was to watch the location and see who showed up. If someone did, he was to follow them and terminate them, and whoever else they were associated with if it looked like it was anything which involved a sex enslavement ring.

There was already some remote surveillance set up. He was sure Cameron suspected there would be direct activity. He waited a long time before anything happened.

He spotted a high end Escalade drive by slowly and stop. It soon sped away. He received a report about another Escalade associated with the premises. It was a different color.

Bob let it go around the corner before he started off after it. He was given tracking instruction in the event he lost sight of it. He figured the information was from CamNet. He knew not to question the source.

He acquired the Escalade as soon as he turned the corner. He followed it through traffic and around town for an hour. It made one stop and someone went inside a building. It was very similar to the burnt out building he left behind. There was a van like the blistered one he observed parked at the other location. Cameron told him they were 'meat wagons'. Females and young males were transported in them. What happened to the detainees once they were put inside of one of them was just the start of what would be abusive and horrific treatment going forward.

He heard a muffled scream from the direction of the building. He decided to take the building down. He wanted to call Steve and Tom. They arrived behind him as he was about to call them. CamNet most likely sent them since he made contact earlier.

Steve approached him.

"We've been briefed." Steve said. "We understand the nature and seriousness of this operation. We won't allow it to continue."

Bob put his vest on.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

Tom handed Bob a windbreaker to put on over his vest once he put it on. They already wore theirs.

Bob looked at the back of the windbreaker as he put it on. He found the name on it somewhat intriguing.

"Security?" Bob asked.

Tom believed it showed a certain sense of style.

"It covers a lot of bases." Tom said. "It creates hesitation. It always buys additional time for us."

Bob led Steve and Tom forward.

"I want their ride." Bob said as they passed the Escalade.

They went to the front door. They all carried an M9, a Taser, and two Thermite grenades.

Bob was about to smash the front door in. Steve turned the handle and the door opened.

They entered into a reception area. There was no receptionist. There was another door into the interior. Steve tried it, but it was locked.

Bob smashed through the door. There were rooms on each side of a hall. They started to look in each room as they hurried along.

They knew time was of the essence. They needed to act before the before the enemy could respond. They hoped their response would be slow since they weren't used to dealing with anyone infringing on their turf, let alone an attack.

Bob let Steve and Tom take the first two rooms. He moved on to the third room when someone looked out of the room at the end of the hall. It was a naked man. He saw it for the threat it was. He hurried to the room when the nude man ducked back inside.

He saw there was a bed with someone tied to it. They were face down. The nude man rummaged through his clothes as he searched for a weapon.

Bob took two steps forward and punched him in the back of the neck. The man went down like a rag doll. His spinal cord was snapped.

Bob noticed the person tied to the bed was a male.

He moved back into the hall in time to see a female fly from one room and slam into the wall about two feet off of the ground. She seemed to hang there for a second before she fell. It was clear she wouldn't be getting back up. No doubt she was one of the handlers or enablers.

There was a dead thug there now. A female was tied to the bed in the room. Tom came back out into the hall.

Steve was there as well.

"There are two terminated in the second room on the north side." Steve said. "There is one female hostage. She is tied up."

Steve handed Bob a set of keys.

Bob saw they were for the Escalade.

"Thanks." Bob said.

They moved to the door of what should be the main workroom floor.

There was a black sedan parked inside of it. There were two men playing cards as they smoked. Since no shots were fired, they seemed unaware of what happened in the front of the building.

They looked a little surprised to see the three big Terminators.

They scrambled for weapons.

Bob fired his M9 twice. They both went down.

"Free the hostages." Bob said. "Toss the stiffs in here first."

Steve and Tom went back inside the office area. Bob did a 'once around' the workroom floor. There was no one else. There were four dead people lined up on the floor. He added the two men he shot to the line up.

Steve and Tom got the three hostages. They checked them over and found none of them were injured physically. The mental and emotional condition was probably a different story. They didn't have any way to gauge it.

The freed detainees watched in awe as Bob located something.

Bob found the strong box. He ripped it out of the wall and tore the top off of it. There was just over two hundred thousand dollars inside. He quickly divided it into three piles.

"Here is seventy thousand dollars each." Bob said. "Do you want the money, or to go to the hospital and police?"

The three individuals looked at each other.

"Aren't you the police?" One female asked.

Bob wanted to keep the explanation simple.

"We're private contractors." Bob said. "The police will be here shortly. You can take the money and go, or stay. Whoever leaves gets the money. The police like a tidy crime scene. They will confiscate any money they find."

The male looked at the stack of cash.

"You said it was seventy thousand each?" The young male asked.

Bob didn't want to delay any longer than they needed to.

"Affirmative…." Bob said. "We need to move."

Steve and Tom moved to the sedan to the outside of the building.

The male left in the sedan after he thanked the group. He seemed as happy about the vehicle as he did the wad of money.

Bob gave the two females the keys to the Escalade.

The two females looked at each other.

"Doesn't it belong to the people here?" The first female asked.

Bob looked over at the row of six terminated individuals.

"They won't need it any longer." Bob said.

The girls thanked all of them and left.

As soon as the three hostages were out of the building, they tossed a few Thermite grenades around.

"Let's go." Bob said.

Tom wondered if there would be some additional follow up. There usually was.

"Are we done here?" Tom asked.

Bob wanted to remind them of Cameron's instructions.

"For now we're done." Bob said. "This operation never happened as far as the Resistance goes."

Steve thought about Bob's earlier explanation to the former hostages.

"Like you said, we're private contractors." Steve said.

Bob was aware the Metal girls often took longer at one of the buildings associated with such activity, especially when Sheila was with them.

Steve and Tom drove away, so did Bob.

The building was totally engulfed. There was no emergency response.

Cameron found John working with John Henry and Jim on some intel. She called John away.

John wondered what it was all about. Cameron seemed kind of serious. It wasn't usually a good thing.

Cameron looked around and then faced John.

"How would you like to go 'Down Under'?" Cameron asked.

John swallowed hard. He was intrigued at the prospect. He glanced around where they were.

"Sure." John said. "Do you mean right now?"

Cameron tilted her head slightly. She looked at John for a moment and laughed.

"I mean 'Down Under'." Cameron said again.

John wondered why Cameron laughed.

"OK, anytime, but under what?" John asked.

Cameron wanted John to get his mind out of the gutter. It was still somewhat humorous to her. He evidently operated with a one track mind when it was in regards to her.

"I mean 'Down Under'." Cameron said again.

She knew John knew what she referred to, but he kept thinking about something else. His mind was stuck between her legs!

John was a little unsure exactly what Cameron wanted to do.

"Is it something new?" John asked. "Did you find it in your programming?"

Cameron heard Jim and John Henry snicker in the background.

Savannah was in the back listening.

It was too much for Savannah. She decided to come to John's rescue. She headed for where they were at

"'Down Under' is Australia, silly." Savannah said as she came around the corner.

John looked embarrassed by what he was thinking and afraid of what Savannah may have heard. He tried to blow it off, but it seemed pretty lame.

"I knew that." John said. "I was just joking around."

Savannah tried not to laugh. She wanted to cut John some slack.

They all knew he got sidetracked.

"If you say so, John Connor, we're easy. Don't forget I'm a big girl now…." Savannah said. "I know what 'goes down' around here."

Savannah continued on her way and gave Cameron a wink.

John's eyes followed Savannah. She looked very 'shapely'….

Cameron noticed John mentally undress Savannah. She smiled to herself.

John looked away from Savannah's trim figure and noticed Cameron watched him watch Savannah.

Cameron went over what she wanted to do for Jesse and why. John thought it was a good idea but asked what about everyone else. Cameron explained they all took 'vacations' of some sort several times.

John thought about it for a few moments. He said it should just be about Jesse and her.

Cameron said she would think about what she would do and left.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Favor

There are many things in life
On which we hate to impose
Maybe it happens more
On things that we suppose

Often we may help and give
Seldom do we like to take
Maybe it's a good thing
Perhaps it's really a mistake

There is a lot of give and take
Sometimes it's push and shove
As strange as it seems
They are the ways of love

All we can really do
I to try our best
To pass in life's test
We must disregard the rest

When someone shares
It's something to savor
It can become meaningless
If it was done as a favor

Nobody