Chapter 374

I Do

John listened to John Henry on the new operation Cameron terminated. It wasn't a surprise to him, even if it was somewhat.

"It was called Skyweb?" John asked. "I can see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

John figured it wouldn't be too hard for the name Skyweb to be changed to Skynet at some point when it was established. Most certainly it would be changed after Judgment Day.

John Henry was proud of the fact they were able to make a mockery of most of the things Skynet related.

"We've tainted the Skynet name." John Henry said. "We've also blemished the names of Skyscan and Skyshield."

John was painfully aware of the sacrifices they endured to bring down what they could of Skynet. Most of it fell on the back of Cameron. The Day Of Loss stemmed from Duplicate Cameron's sacrifice. Luckily the loss was later alleviated.

"Cameron's done most of it." John said. "She did terminate Skynet here by herself."

Bob remembered the anxiety and loss it caused all of them. He couldn't help but feel responsible for what they believed was Cameron's termination. He helped obtain the backpack nuke which Cameron used. They only learned later on Cameron was actually Duplicate Cameron. It was because of the TDE incident. He had strong second thoughts about what Cameron was up to. When they realized Skynet trapped her in its bunker, he was the first one to offer up his power cell to try to blast her out of the rock. It was a very traumatic experience to lose Cameron and the girls all on the same day. It didn't matter if they were Duplicates or not. Some of their victories over Skynet almost seemed like defeats.

"But at what cost?" Bob asked.

John still felt uncomfortable about it all. The fifteen months he believed Cameron was terminated was still there, even if none of their team perished in reality. It was only when Cameron showed back up after a temporal error and explained to everyone the other set of girls, including herself, were all Duplicates. Cameron managed to work her magic and go back and save the set of Duplicates. He asked her not to change the timeline to do it. She delivered the set of Duplicate girls to River's future, including Duplicate Cameron. Strangely enough it's where they would end up, even if it was five hundred years in the future. He felt the cost at the time was prohibitive. He did understand why she did what was done.

"It was the price to save the future." John said. "She did just like she was programmed to do."

John Henry felt John was a little slow to grasp the reality of the situation sometimes.

"I can see you've been talking to Cameron." John Henry said.

John wondered about it. Cameron seemed a little closer to him recently. It troubled him. It was usually a sign events might take a different turn. So far it hadn't happened yet. It didn't mean it wouldn't. Time would tell.

He listened to the various things Cameron told him needed to be done and why they needed to be done. He usually discounted most of them as unnecessary. It was an immense source of frustration to her when he did so. He needed to remember, he, as Future John, was the one who sent Cameron back to carry out his wishes to protect the future.

"Yes." John said. "She recently made everything very clear to me, again."

Bob was aware of how Cameron operated to protect the future. It usually entailed John finding one or more of the girls naked in his bed. He personally didn't see what the big deal was. Most animals mated with multiple partners. Many humans seemed to be no different. From what he gathered, John was reluctant to indulge in the bounty of booty Cameron attempted to provide for him. He understood Cameron was very persistent in her efforts.

"Who was in your bed this time?" Bob asked.

Cameron was still in some frantic effort to get John together with the girls. She'd often have them appear in his bed. She wanted them to produce offspring with John as the father before Judgment Day occurred. Her attempts without John's direct involvement all failed. It irritated her because John refused to attempt the traditional method.

"It was Jesse this time." John said. "Cameron is never going to drop it. Last time it was Vanna."

John didn't like the way Cameron 'pushed' them. He thought they were all beautiful. He did want to be with them. He just didn't like the way Cameron did it. Even if the girls wanted to be there, which they all said they did, it was the way it was presented. He would leave and go sleep in one of the spare rooms. He would lock the door behind him. The only reason he didn't succumb to temptation was because he was sure it would hurt Cameron. He already hurt her once with Future Riley. Cameron was relentless.

John Henry didn't think John was as 'strong' as he thought he was. He knew there were other females John would actually desire more, if for nothing else, just to be the 'first'.

"What about when it's Savannah?" John Henry asked.

John knew it would be a hard one to pass up. She was young and beautiful. Her desire to please Cameron was unstoppable. Her desire to please him was apparent. He really wondered what Savannah would want without the manipulation of Cameron in her life. He doubted it would be him.

He knew in Cameron's future it was a reality with Future Savannah. It seemed to be inevitable. He also knew Future Allison and Future Savannah were a pair. Future John was the 'add on' to them.

"I don't know…." John said. "I really don't know. It seems like I know 'nothing' at times."

John Henry wasn't sure about his answer. It seemed to be open ended. He wondered about repercussions from elsewhere, and if they factored into John's decisions.

"Is it because of Mrs. Weaver?" John Henry asked.

John Henry thought John may be worried about Savannah's 'mother'. It was a legitimate concern among humans about someone who they cared for, and their parents approval or disapproval.

John didn't want to get on the 'wrong side of Mrs. Weaver. It wasn't really in his decision process. It was more of a moral issue. It would be one thing for Savannah to want him on her own, without any influence whatsoever from Cameron or anyone else. It wasn't the case.

"NO." John said. "It's because 'NOTHING' is the right thing to do, or actually not do."

John Henry was concerned for his 'sister'. He understood what the arrival of Judgment day would do. He watched out for Savannah's well being as well. He didn't agree with all of Cameron's choices for Savannah, especially when it came to her attire. He would have preferred if more of Savannah was covered when she was around John. He understood she lived a very restricted lifestyle since she was targeted for termination by Skynet. He would have disapproved even more if she went out in public the way Cameron dressed her at times. He also spoke frankly with Savannah on multiple occasions. He cared about her, and her well being.

"Savannah loves you, John. She loves Cameron too." John Henry said. "She's told me so herself."

John felt a twinge of anger. It wasn't what he wanted to feel, but it was there. He felt he needed to put the blame on Cameron. It might take him out of the equation.

"It's because Cameron's brainwashed her." John said abruptly. "Cameron has indoctrinated her for half of her life."

John Henry knew differently. It was true Cameron influenced Savannah, but she was her own person too. She was a very hormone laden teenager at this point in her life. Her body called for her to do more. Her heart wanted more. It was only her mind which stopped her, and her love for Cameron.

"No, John, Cameron hasn't." John Henry said. "I've talked with Savannah extensively about it, even with Mr. Ellison. The wedding dress fits her now, John. She wants to use it. It's only because she doesn't want to hurt Cameron why she hasn't."

John was fed up with the conversation and everyone else who wanted to plan his future, and the future of others. He felt what he wanted mattered as well.

"What say do I have in any of this?" John asked.

Bob didn't see what the problem was in reality. It was very simple.

"You should try - 'I do'." Bob said.

John spun around and looked at Bob. He wasn't sure if he was serious or not.

"I hope that was a joke." John said.

Bob tilted his head slightly. It was a fact of the future.

"No." Bob said. "It wasn't. It's destiny…."

John Henry felt the same way. The future already happened. John needed to catch up to it. John could delay the inevitable, but he couldn't change it.

"John, you must embrace the future." John Henry said. "It's the 'Natural Order'."

John knew Cameron was behind everything, and they were all in on it together. Cameron was obsessed with the future, and what Future John wanted. Like all things Terminator related, she was going to pursue her goal until it was achieved.

Cameron was seldom around. Maybe when it was Savannah in his bed, he would. Why not? He didn't know if he'd still be able to 'bust' her since she did have female lovers. One of them probably 'popped' her. He knew a lot went on down there with the girls. He would still be her first male. It meant something to him, and hopefully to her.

Why shouldn't the future be the present?

He remembered the times Cameron tried to explain to him since certain events were inevitable, and were going to happen sooner or later, there was no reason they shouldn't happen as soon as possible. She wanted to know what the difference was by not waiting. He understood there were social norms which needed to be adhered to for different things. Cameron always told him it was irrelevant and didn't matter because the future couldn't be changed in regards to certain things, including the 'Natural Order'.

Ron and Ronny were at Cameron's base. They were reprogrammed Terminators at this point. Since they couldn't be 'Cameron', they asked for termination instead. Cameron granted their desire and personally erased their chips. It didn't bother her at all to terminate versions of herself. She actually took satisfaction as she did it. She felt it was something she deserved as well.

Currently there was a problem at Cameron's base. It involved Cameron. Sheila, and Summer were with her when it started.

Sheila hadn't left Cameron's side since the episode began. She sent Summer away to do some tasks. She wanted to talk to Cameron first, alone. She knew she needed to tell someone but whom? It might be something Cameron didn't want known. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was the thought of it which caused the problem. She knew she needed assistance.

She knew there was one person who could reach Cameron if anyone could. There was one person who could calm her. There was one person who loved Cameron more than any other.

Sheila called for Savannah.

Cammy answered the phone. Sheila gave her a brief run down.

"I'll bring her at once." Cammy said.

Cammy didn't want to let Savannah go alone.

Sheila already saw the abrasiveness between Summer and Cameron just seconds after Summer was reactivated. The issue actually came up about her clones. Her clones were Cam, Camille, and Cammy. She was sure it would develop into a further source of contention with Cameron.

"No." Sheila said. "Ally should bring her."

Cammy was insulted by Sheila's suggestion. She viewed it as unnecessary.

"Why can't I come?" Cammy asked. "I'm still 'Cameron'. I'm Cameron's clone."

Sheila thought it would be more of a problem than help in the current matter. She didn't want to mention Cameron gave permission to Summer to terminate any of her three clones which caused a problem going forward, especially if they continued to run her program without her authorization.

"I need Savannah." Sheila said. "Cameron needs Savannah."

Cammy wondered where things were headed.

"I don't like it." Cammy said. "Should we tell John?"

Sheila could see it would make things even worse.

"What do YOU think?" Sheila asked. "Would YOU? I need you to trust me on this. I can't say more than what I have."

Cammy was sure there was some underlying issue Cameron created to bring things on herself. Do you believe most of Cameron's problems were self-created, even if indirectly.

"No. I wouldn't want it. He doesn't understand the future." Cammy said. "I'll get Savannah ready and send for Ally."

Sheila wondered where Ally was at.

"Isn't Ally there?" Sheila asked.

Cammy knew she wasn't at the Resistance base.

"No." Cammy said.

Sheila pointed at the closest Terminator.

"YOU." Sheila said. "Ronny, go get Savannah."

Ronny left.

"I heard." Cammy said. "I'll make sure Savannah will be ready and is in Ronny's custody."

Sheila ended her call to Cammy. She figured Cammy would be a problem. She also wondered where Ally was at. She turned her attention back to Cameron.

"Oh, Cameron, what have you done?" Sheila asked. "What have you done to yourself this time, love?"

Sheila gently stroked Cameron's cheek. A tear would fall from her face to Cameron's face every so often. She hoped Savannah could reach Cameron.

Cammy informed Savannah she was taking a field trip with Ronny. As she spoke with Savannah she watched her casually unbutton one button on her top and then a second one. Her breasts were nearly exposed. She wondered why at first. She knew the answer seconds later. She 'blamed' Savannah's behavior on Cameron.

Someone approached them.

"Savannah, I need to talk with you." John said.

Cammy stiffened at John's voice. She knew what Savannah just did. She taught her the move, well, Cameron taught her to do it. It was to draw the target in, and keep them close. It was to offer the target what they want. It made termination, or mating, easier.

Savannah smiled and arched her back slightly. Her nearly exposed breasts were very prominent. She knew she was needed elsewhere. She didn't have all the details, but she knew it was important. Cameron needed her.

"I need to run a quick errand, but as soon as I get back we can talk." Savannah said.

John looked at Savannah. She was stunning. How did she grow up so fast? Look at all the soft smooth flesh! He hoped Cameron hadn't used growth hormones on her. He wouldn't put it past Cameron. It seemed every time Cameron reached a new low, she found a lower one still. He was sure she'd do it with Young Allison too, if she hadn't already started.

"It's important." John said.

Savannah moved up. She smiled and touched his cheek. She wanted to maintain control of the conversation. She knew if John was sexually aroused, he would be thrown off target. Cameron came first in her book.

"I'll be there as soon as I get back." Savannah said. "I promise."

Cammy cringed at the words. Savannah was 'hers'.

Savannah left.

John looked at Cammy. He wondered why she was still there. Cammy was usually always around Savannah everywhere she went. She didn't seem to be bothered to give him dirty looks or a frown if he looked at Savannah for too long in passing.

"You're not going with her?" John asked.

Cammy didn't know all the details, but she did know enough. She was also still upset she wasn't allowed to go with Savannah.

"NO." Cammy said. "Cameron needs her for something."

John still looked in the direction Savannah went. He swallowed hard. He did want her. His next words just slipped out of his mouth.

"Does the wedding dress fit her now?" John asked.

His question caused Cammy a lot of worry. She didn't want Savannah 'taken' from her. There were also rules she needed to play by if she wanted to remain active and not personally terminated by Cameron for a minor infraction.

"It does." Cammy said.

Cammy moved closer to John. She unbuttoned her blouse almost completely. She didn't even know she did it. Her 'protection' reflexes kicked in.

"It fits me too…." Cammy said. "And I know what to do…."

Cammy was unsure why she said those things. She realized she was 'protecting' Savannah. She tried to draw John's thoughts away from Savannah. She made herself the 'target'.

John looked Cammy over. She looked exactly like Cameron. He liked what he could see inside her top. He needed to remind himself they all ran Cameron's program in some way. It was the real problem. It also offered a solution going forward.

"I'll remember it when Cameron gets herself 'killed', or disappears for a year or two again." John said. "You all need to be reprogrammed."

Cammy was offended by the reprogramming insinuation. John just indicated she wasn't 'good enough' the way she was. No wonder Cameron ran into such trouble with him at times. Hadn't Future John done enough reprogramming to mess up Cameron's life enough? The human girls weren't programmed. John needed to think things through a little better.

"You can't reprogram the girls, John." Cammy said. "They all have feelings too. Think about more than yourself for a change and start helping those around you who NEED you. None of them has ever wavered from the cause. Love does it to people, REAL people, John, the SAME as YOU."

There was something about it, it just bothered John. He loved them all too….

John knew Cameron did this to EVERYONE. Or did she? He didn't know how anything would play out in the end. He wasn't even sure where things began. He wondered what Cameron was up to with Savannah. He was sure it was no good for him.

Like always, he felt he was more a spectator to his life, than the one in control of it. It seemed when there were important decisions to be made, there were always others who attempted to make them for him. Most of it was centered around Cameron. In his earlier years, it was his mother.

Savannah didn't know the full nature of what she was about to face. Cammy hadn't been explicit and Ronny didn't have much to say. She didn't like the fact 'Cameron' was no longer on Ronny's chip. He was just another Terminator now and Cameron's Terminators never said much at all.

They drove in silence for a while. Savannah reached over and touched Ronny's hand.

Ronny looked at her with some surprise. No one ever usually touched him. There was something 'electric' about Savannah's touch. He knew she was the 'Chosen One'. He wasn't sure what it meant. It seemed it must be something very important. He looked at her as she spoke with him. He answered her questions. He felt comfortable speaking with her. Other Terminators told him it was a pleasurable experience to deal with Savannah. She personally asked to know if they encountered any problems. She told them to come directly to her. Nobody else ever expressed a level of concern or care for him, or any of the Terminators.

They arrived at Cameron's base. They passed a few other Terminators along the way. They all noticeably were 'different' in her presence. He could see how they all looked 'alive' as she greeted them. She touched all of them. He could see Savannah was something special. Cameron said the future would depend on Savannah specifically. He planned to ensure her safety as well. It was clear to him it was individuals like Savannah, who could bridge the gap between humans and machines seamlessly and without a problem.

He took her where Cameron was at. He turned to leave. She stopped him and thanked him for his assistance. She touched him on the cheek as she did. He left. He touched his hand to his cheek where Savannah touched him as he walked away. He noted he did feel 'different' in all of his interactions with Savannah. He understood now what the other Terminators told him. It made him wonder if Cameron is the one who chose Savannah, or if it was actually Savannah who chose Cameron.

Sheila was still slumped over Cameron as Savannah approached. A wave of fear rushed over her. It was worse than she expected. She didn't know Cameron was inoperable. There was a feeling of impending doom.

Savannah rushed to Cameron's side. Fear gripped her from the inside like a vise.

"Sheila!" Savannah said. "What's wrong with Cameron?"

Sheila didn't know for sure other than what they spoke of at the time of the incident.

"I don't know." Sheila said. "We were talking. Then she glitched until she shut down."

Savannah touched Cameron's cheek. She brushed a few strands of hair off of her face. She leaned forward to kiss Cameron.

Sheila could tell Savannah thought Cameron was in 'Sleeping Beauty' mode. She thought so too. It seemed like a good opportunity to rectify the problem.

"I already tried it." Sheila said. "It didn't work."

Savannah looked at Sheila and faintly smiled. She then faced Cameron and gently kissed her on her lips.

Savannah waited.

Sheila looked on.

The other Terminators were in the distance and they watched too. The 'Chosen One' was here to help Cameron, their leader. No one was able to help her earlier.

Cameron's eyes opened.

A murmur went out amongst the Terminators in the background. The words, 'The Chosen One', could be heard going from Terminator to Terminator.

Sheila felt the same way as they did. She was very surprised at what she witnessed. She knew it wasn't just the kiss which did it. It was the person behind the kiss which seemed to make the difference.

"I'll be damned. YOU are the 'Chosen One'." Sheila said. "I want one of those kisses, love."

Sheila could think of another place where she would really like to have a special kiss like Savannah just delivered to Cameron. She wondered how it would play out 'down there'.

Savannah liked the way Sheila looked and looked at her. It wasn't the right time or place, but she was interested. Sheila's sheath was nearly identical to Young Jesse's, other than the age progression to appear more like Jesse.

"You already had one." Savannah said. "Well, Young Jesse did anyway. It was my first real kiss. It was for both of us, everything was…."

Sheila wasn't too surprised at Savannah's revelation. She looked at Cameron and was satisfied there wasn't going to be a problem. She moved just right and a breast with a nipple ring popped out for Savannah to see.

"I'll leave you two alone." Sheila said. "Remember what's available…."

Savannah took in Sheila's beauty. It made her think of Young Jesse and how much she missed her. If Cammy wasn't there for her now, she would probably go crazy in her desire to be with Young Jesse again. It didn't take her long to realize Camille served the same purpose for Young Jesse, as Cammy did for her for their expanded personal needs.

Cameron sat up at this point. She smiled at Savannah. She then looked over at Sheila and nodded.

"Thank You, Sheila." Cameron said. "I won't forget this."

Sheila left. She wasn't sure what part Cameron referred to. She was worried she said too much to Savannah in front of Cameron. She really couldn't help it when she did. Her desire to be with Savannah was very strong. She could offer something to Savannah which she truly desired. It would be to hold 'Young Jesse' in her arms, even if it wasn't actually Young Jesse.

Savannah was extremely relieved to see Cameron was back in operation. She moved close to her and held Cameron in her arms. She needed to determine the nature of the problem to prevent it from occurring again.

"Can you tell me what's wrong or what happened?" Savannah asked. "I'm here for you, Cameron."

Cameron wasn't sure where to start. Her files still seemed conflicted. She wasn't sure what was real, or what she thought was real happened. She remembered when she asked John before about dreams. She asked him how he knew if a dream was real or not. John told her there were times when a person didn't know. The dream seemed real to them. She wasn't sure if she experienced daydreams which seemed to have the same effect. They were very traumatic when they occurred.

"Savannah, I've done something terrible." Cameron said. "It's my worst fear."

Savannah could think of only one thing which was Cameron's worst fear. It was Riley. She was aware Cameron put the girls in John's bed. She hoped for her turn soon, when Cameron was ready.

"Did you pair John with Riley?" Savannah asked.

Cameron looked distressed.

"It may be worse than her being in his bed." Cameron said.

Cameron started to glitch again.

Savannah held Cameron in her arms. She reached out and took her hand. The glitch slowed and stopped. It looked like she prevented another shut down, for now.

"I'm here for you, Cameron." Savannah said. "We can work through any problems. We have before - we will…. I'll never abandon you no matter what happens. I swear it."

Cameron looked at Savannah. She believed Savannah would do exactly what she said. She hoped she wasn't in a situation where Savannah would need to leave her anyway to survive. She quickly pushed the thought from her mind. She was sure it would cause another shutdown if she continued to think about it. She couldn't be responsible for anything bad to happen to Savannah.

"Thank you." Cameron said faintly. "I know you won't."

'What an angel.' Cameron thought.

Savannah really didn't know what could be so traumatic for Cameron.

"What's worse than John being with Riley?" Savannah asked. "I'm the one who will be at John's side, not her. You know I'll never allow it. John belongs to me - to US."

Savannah wasn't about to be 'replaced' by anyone. She wouldn't let anyone 'replace' Cameron either.

Cameron started to glitch again. She looked at Savannah with wide eyes.

"Riley's having John's baby." Cameron said.

Savannah held her tighter. The glitch stopped. It was time to set some rules.

"NO. Riley is having Derek's baby." Savannah said. "It is what will happen, nothing else."

Cameron started to glitch again.

Savannah grabbed Cameron and shook her. She didn't want to get physical. It was to stop a physical reaction by Cameron.

"STOP IT." Savannah said. "LISTEN to me."

Cameron was sure of what happened.

"But I was there. I did it." Cameron said.

Savannah wasn't having any of it.

"NO - you didn't." Savannah said. "It IS Derek's baby."

Cameron looked intently at Savannah.

"But…." Cameron said.

Savannah wanted to take control of the conversation. She placed Cameron's hand on her neck.

"I KNOW THIS." Savannah said.

Cameron scanned her. Savannah was truthful, as always.

"How can you know?" Cameron asked.

Savannah knew it was a fear of Cameron's.

"I KNOW THIS." Savannah said. "It just came to me when I kissed you."

Cameron held Savannah and cried. They both cried. They cried for a long time about everything. They cried especially about Cameron's wish to search for the other Duplicates 'in some future', and Mrs. Weaver. She seemed to have so many problems and none of them ever seemed to be resolved the way she wanted them.

Savannah gave Cameron the strength she needed to control herself.

Cameron was aware only Savannah could reach her….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

I Do

It's often been said that
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Will that statement hold up
As the beheld gets older

There is beauty that is physical
There is beauty that is within
To pick the former over the latter
Is where most choose to begin

If beauty is not universal
Then there is no beauty at all
The greater the beauty was
The longer will be the fall

What does one see
That another can not
Is it still really beauty
If from a clinic it's bought

When one is long overdue
Like some twisted déjà vu
It is easy to soon overdo
Does it start or end with - I do

Nobody