Chapter 1029

Tartar Sauce

The GT with John and Cameron was stopped in the middle of the street. They were on a remote and isolated section of Mulholland Highway. Both sides of the segment were blocked off by Terminators. Everything around them was in total darkness except for the moon and the stars.

John was in the passenger seat of the GT. The door was open.

Cameron was outside of the car next to John. The scene was lit by the moonlight. John let out a small gasp. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth as she stood.

"I guess I did get to try some 'tartar sauce' after all tonight." Cameron said.

John smiled at Cameron. He felt more relaxed now. All the tension was gone.

"I hear 'tartar sauce' goes good with 'Swordfish'." John said.

Cameron watched as John put his 'Swordfish' away'.

"I think I got the 'point'." Cameron said.

John felt a little weak. He zipped his pants up.

"Do you still expect me to drive after that?" John asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly.

She'd just done all the 'work'. John received all the pleasure as well as all of the gratification. She didn't see why not.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I expect you to drive."

John got out of the passenger's seat and adjusted his pants. He moved around and climbed into the driver's seat of the GT.

Cameron got in on the passengers side. She made sure John buckled in.

"I want you to remember that speed kills." Cameron said.

John thought about what had happened since they'd entered the mountainous road. He'd just experienced two fine performances from Cameron. One was behind the wheel of the GT; the other was with him. They were both exciting as well as exhilarating.

"I don't think I'm going to push it after that performance by you." John said. "That was one wide ride. I mean both of them too."

John winked at Cameron.

Cameron smiled. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth again.

She went over the options on where John could drive to.

"Mulholland Highway connects all of them across the ridge line. You can take it all the way to State Route 27 if you want to." Cameron said. "We're about to intersect Kanan Dume Road. You can take that or Las Virgenes Road to Malibu Canyon Road and back down to PCH."

That all sounded like a lot to John.

"Then what should I do?" John asked.

It seemed rather straightforward to Cameron.

"You'll then have two choices." Cameron said. "You can turn right and drive along PCH to Point Mugu and come back through Camarillo or you can turn left and come back on State Route 27 which is Topanga Canyon Boulevard."

John would have liked to have looked at a map. He wanted to get the most driving out of it that he could. He tried to recollect what the area looked like from his past experience.

"I think I'll try Las Virgenes to Malibu Canyon Road then come back on Topanga." John said. "Hang on."

John reached down and started the GT.

The thunderous roar split the silence of the night.

Cameron didn't want John to get in over his head. She knew he was a competent and experienced driver but he'd never driven a machine of this caliber. She wanted to remind him to use common sense.

"Remember, speed kills." Cameron said. "It's dark out and the roads are curvy and narrow."

John heard Cameron's admonition about speed now twice in the last minute. He figured he'd better pay attention. He was still a little bit shaky. He wasn't sure if it was from a high performance run Cameron did going uphill or what she'd done after they stopped. She'd really worked on him. He'd had a wild ride coming up Mulholland Highway. That was followed by a wild ride for a 'Little Willy'. He was in no hurry for anything right now.

"I'm going to take it easy at first." John said. "I know to watch my speed, especially around the corners."

Cameron thought that was a good idea, on several fronts. She wanted to remind him about a few things related to 'starting out'.

"Always start out slow." Cameron said. "Then you can increase your speed later."

John knew Cameron still hinted at something else. She never stopped. He didn't know if she was talking about Savannah or Young Allison at this point. He was going to ask about Young Allison but decided not to bring it up. He didn't want to keep giving Cameron ideas or encouragement. He knew Young Allison was only a TDE adventure away from becoming a hotter version of Future Allison. He actually thought she was pretty hot right now.

He looked over at Cameron.

"Let's roll." John said.

John let out the clutch too fast and stalled the GT.

He quickly looked over at Cameron.

Cameron didn't want John to damage the GT.

"You need to remember that this is a high performance machine." Cameron said.

John tried to keep the mood light.

"Go you mean the GT or you?" John asked.

Cameron smiled. She liked that response.

"Both. You tell me which one you would rather take a ride in?" Cameron asked.

That was a 'no brainer' for John.

"You win pants down. I mean hands down." John said.

Cameron thought that answer deserved a reward. As soon as John was ready again they could stop somewhere along the road and he could partake in her female charms. They still had the space blanket. She wanted John to have as much of her as he wanted. She was ready for him anytime, anyplace, anywhere and anyhow.

"I think that can be worked out." Cameron said. "I'm yours whenever you want me."

John was excited to hear that. He wished that he could go again right now. That was simply impossible. He wanted to please her as well. He knew that a happy customer was a repeat customer.

He re-fired the GT and successfully took off. He took it easy at first and only pushed it in the straight sections. He soon neared Kanan Dume Road. The access to Mulholland Highway was blocked by Al from Kanan Dume Road. He'd prevented anyone from turning onto Mulholland Highway while they traversed it.

Al saw them coming and removed the cones. He put them in the back of the work truck. John waved at him as he crossed over Kanan Dume Road. He'd actually expected them to arrive earlier than they had. He saw John was behind the wheel and thought that was what the delay was about. Jim had indicated that Cameron was driving. They must have switched relatively early in the journey to create the time lag. He didn't know about the 'pit stop' that happened along the way.

John noted that only one side of Mulholland Highway had been blocked. He wasn't sure why.

"You don't have this section of Mulholland blocked off?" John asked.

Cameron wanted John to keep the speed down. She figured if he knew there could be traffic he wouldn't push it.

"No." Cameron said. "I knew you would be starting out 'slow'. Remember you always need to start out slow. Everyone needs to acclimate and get used to a new experience."

John did take it easy. He wanted to get the feel of the car. He continued on Mulholland. He turned right on Las Virgenes Road and headed for Malibu Canyon Road. He only pushed it a little every now and then. He liked the curves because they weren't too sharp. He remembered that Cameron said she liked to take this road to PCH for that very reason. She said she liked it because she could drive faster. He saw how she drove on Mulholland Highway. He would hate to see how she could drive on Malibu Canyon Road. No wonder she reminded him that speed kills.

"This is a nicer road than Topanga." John said.

Cameron was aware of some of the sharp corners on Topanga.

"If you drive at this same speed on Topanga, it will seem like you're going faster." Cameron said. "When we come back for our meal at Paradise Cove you can drive it all the way from the Valley. I don't think we'll have any trouble finding a secluded spot on the beach where we can madly make love to each other."

Cameron looked over at John as she said that.

John moistened his lips slightly in anticipation. It was really something to look forward to.

"It sounds like a date." John said.

John thought it would be nice to drive there in the daylight if they were open for breakfast.

"Is it just dinner there?" John asked.

Cameron had previously visited the location at various times of the day.

"No, they have breakfast, lunch and dinner there." Cameron said. "The only thing I don't like about it is the parking fee. It should be complimentary with a meal."

That answer made it sound like Cameron visited there more than a few times. He thought maybe it was with Savannah.

"Have you gone there very many times?" John asked.

Cameron wanted to remind John of the future, his future.

"I've been there with Savannah and Young Allison." Cameron said. "I have been to many places with them."

John wanted to ask more about that but decided against it. He was aware of her goal.

"There's no stopping you, is there?" John asked.

Cameron looked over at him with her sly smile.

"Nope…." Cameron said. "The future is already written. You just need to live it now."

Cameron wanted John to remember that the future 'already happened'. She was proof of that. She looked forward to the day that her mission would be complete. Her life would be complete as well.

Anna-Ally shared a good time with Young Allison. She wanted to do more. They'd become very playful with each other. It was enough to irritate both Savannah and Ally-Anna.

"Where will we go now?" Anna-Ally asked as she looked at Young Allison. "I like to have fun."

Young Allison liked all the attention from Anna-Ally. She wanted to do some more things too.

"It's still early." Young Allison said.

Savannah thought it would be safer for Young Allison at home. It was the same way that Cameron felt about John being out. She also wanted to put the brakes on her. She felt she was running a little 'hot' right now. Her sexuality was very evident.

"Maybe we should go back." Savannah said.

Young Allison felt they were already out so they should do more.

"I'd like to stay out a little longer." Young Allison said. "I don't get out much. I don't get out as often as the rest of you do. Well, except for Anna. She's always with me."

Ally-Anna was worried about Young Allison tool. She decided to offer some other options. She wanted her home as well. She felt she would better be able to control her there. There were too many variables when they were out on the town.

"Don't you want to study, practice or check operations?" Ally-Anna asked. "That's what you normally like to do."

Young Allison felt she was being pressured. She didn't like the way they made her feel. She felt that they wanted to control her. She didn't want to cause a problem in front of Savannah.

"I guess I could." Young Allison said.

Savannah could see how disappointed Young Allison looked. She felt a little guilty about her thoughts to 'confine' Young Allison just moments ago. She wanted Young Allison to be happy and not feel trapped like she did for so many years. She didn't want Young Allison to feel restricted like she did. She felt that Young Alison should be able to choose what she wanted to do in her life. She wouldn't be able to choose what her life would be. That was already predetermined and chosen for her by others.

"You mentioned another place earlier." Savannah said. "I think that we could go there. It wouldn't be for too long but we could go there for a while."

Young Allison's face lit up. She wanted to do what anyone else wanted to do. That would be good for her.

"We can do other stuff, somebody else can pick." Young Allison said. "I'll do anything."

Anna-Ally looked over at Young Allison. She wanted some more.

"I know what I want to do." Anna-Ally said.

Anna-Ally reached over and touched Young Allison as she brushed the back of her pants off. It was a very suggestive move and seemed unnecessary.

Young Allison looked at her and giggled.

Savannah didn't like the way that Anna-Ally kept 'hitting on' Young Allison. She'd watched her run her hand across Young Allison's rear end. That was it. She didn't like that. That was one step too far.

It was time to make her position known.

Savannah moved in front of Anna-Ally and stopped.

Ally-Anna quickly led Young Allison along. They headed back to the SUV. Young Allison wanted to stay but that wasn't going to happen.

Savannah waited until they were in the SUV. She looked Anna-Ally square in the face.

"Don't say anything else like that again." Savannah said. "Don't TOUCH her."

Anna-Ally didn't want to respond. She wanted to go to the SUV. She saw that Savannah wasn't going to let her pass.

There was fire in Savannah's eyes.

"Lay off and stay away from her." Savannah said.

Anna-Ally could see she'd crossed a line and Savannah wasn't going to back down. She'd never seen her like that before, ever. It looked like Savannah wanted to terminate her.

"Easy." Anna-Ally said. "I get it."

The fire still burned in Savannah's eyes.

"Don't forget it." Savannah said. "I won't tell you again."

Anna-Ally didn't want this to be a problem going forward.

"I'm sorry." Anna-Ally said. "I was just having some fun."

Savannah looked over and Ally-Anna and Young Allison were in the SUV. She felt the need to protect young Allison. She would give Ally-Anna what she wanted herself.

"When you're back in your chassis, we can 'hang out'." Savannah said. "I'll share with you as much as you want. You have to understand how things are."

Anna-Ally wanted to smooth things over with Savannah.

"That sounds like a date. I'd like that." Anna-Ally said. "I don't want to be a problem."

Savannah didn't want to 'hurt' Anna-Ally but she needed to protect what was 'hers'.

"Young Allison and Anna are off limits. I want you to personally pass the word." Savannah said. "I'm not off limits and I'm available. You can pass that along as well."

Anna-Ally could tell that Savannah wanted an amicable resolution.

"I understand, you made everything perfectly clear." Anna-Ally said.

Savannah touched Anna-Ally's cheek and smiled.

"Let's go have some more fun." Savannah said.

Savannah reached out and took Anna-Ally's hand as they walked back to the SUV.

Anna-Ally was unsure of all that happened right now. It was clear Savannah was in love with Young Allison and would do anything to 'protect' her. She could see that Savannah didn't want to hurt her either. She just wanted to lay down the rules.

Young Allison sat behind the wheel of the SUV when Savannah opened the driver's door. She smiled at her.

Savannah took out her phone and selected a number. She handed the phone to Young Allison.

Young Allison looked at the name selected.

'Claire' was the name on the screen.

Young Allison handed the phone back to Savannah and slid over into the passenger's seat. No words were spoken during the exchange. Savannah made her point.

"Where do you want to go?" Savannah asked as she climbed in.

Young Allison looked at Anna-Ally and thought of another challenge.

"It's hot out." Young Allison said. "We could try the ice skating rink."

Savannah was up for that. She hadn't done that for a while.

"Is that good for everybody?" Savannah asked.

Anna-Ally had never been there before. She wanted to try it out.

"Yes." Anna-Ally and Ally-Anna both said at the same time.

Young Allison giggled.

Savannah looked around and started the SUV.

She saw the two Detail SUVs were ready to roll as well. It appeared that CamNet monitored the conversations. She hoped CamNet understood her 'protection' of Young Allison better now. She didn't want to have to go through that procedure with her. She would if she had to. Young Allison was off limits to everyone else except Cameron and John.

Savannah smiled and headed out of the parking lot. She felt her position was clear to everyone.

Young Allison looked over at Savannah as she drove out of the parking lot. She'd expected her to look upset but that wasn't the case at all. She felt Savannah looked satisfied. That was the word she would use to describe it. She didn't look into the back seat at the two Metal girls that were there. She knew what happened was also her fault. She just couldn't help herself. Her body seemed to respond on its own.

John turned left off of Malibu Canyon road onto PCH. He was headed back the way that they'd come up the coast. They were eastbound now and headed towards Topanga Canyon.

John passed a gas station a few minutes later. He was very surprised at the price.

"Gasoline is sure expensive here." John said.

Cameron figured that was mainly due to beachfront homes and mountain view mansions.

"Most of the people who live here are wealthy. I personally don't mind the cost." Cameron said. "I think I can afford it."

John wondered how much wealth Cameron controlled. He wondered if she would tell him.

"Are you the richest person on earth?" John asked.

Cameron shrugged her shoulders. Money meant very little to her. She thought it was more a matter of perspective than of reality. Since CamNet was in every computer system on the planet, wealth could be created or deleted in an instant.

"I'm not personally so don't expect a big divorce settlement but my alter ego CamNet is." Cameron said. "She's also the most powerful one too."

John already figured on the last part of that statement. He also remembered what Cameron told him previously. Savannah and Young Allison could direct and control CamNet if they desired to do that. That technically made them the two most wealthiest and powerful individuals on the planet. It looked like Cameron fixed him up with good company.

"That's nice to know." John said.

Cameron wondered if John wanted a little more. She felt that the night was still early but she always felt that way. She didn't sleep. The night never got late for her. First it was light, then it was dark, then it was light again. It just repeated over and over. Everything was one continuous time for her. That was irrelevant right now. She wanted John to be happy.

"Do you want to go any other place tonight?" Cameron asked.

John looked down at the front of his pants. He didn't think he was going to be up for a while. He'd like to drive around a little more but he didn't want to push it too much with Cameron. He seldom actually drove when they went anywhere anymore. He was pleased with what Cameron arranged for him to do. He appreciated everything that she'd done for him and especially with him.

"We can just take Topanga back and head for home." John said. "I don't want to create problems for anyone."

Cameron was actually pleased to hear that.

"That sounds like a plan." Cameron said.

John wanted to leave a few options open. He hoped to be with her again if he was able to before he fell asleep. He just wasn't used to this level of sexual activity.

"We can think of something to do later on." John said.

Cameron wanted to please John.

"Maybe we can get it down to nine hundred and eighty three by morning." Cameron said.

John wondered if Cameron would stay longer. He didn't know if he could perform that many more times before morning. If she was willing, he was sure going to give it a try. If she did what she did along Mulholland Highway, he was sure she could get it down to that number just by herself. Once she got started she didn't stop, no matter how long it took for him to make it. He realized it was a challenge to her. It was her ability against his body's physiology.

"You are going to stay all night?" John asked.

Cameron looked over and flashed her sly smile.

"I can." Cameron said. "There are always other options available too."

Cameron wanted to tell him there could be someone there every night. There could be more than one. She wanted to make sure that he was protected. He didn't need to face assassination for being associated with her. There were plenty of human girls who would stand at his side with him and bear his children. That's what he needed to be protected from the anti-Metal group.

John caught Cameron's drift. He wanted to be with her but he didn't see any reason why he couldn't be with some of the other girls in her absence. Isn't that what she kept telling him she wanted? He didn't think it would be a problem since Cameron would be good to go anytime of the day or night. Right now he wanted to do something to help her. He wanted to get her out of combat for a week. He would do whatever it took to make that happen.

"When do you think I'll be ready for the cruise?" John asked.

Cameron wanted him in prime condition. She'd already calculated hundreds of different scenarios. She wanted some of them to play out. She still wanted Savannah to go with them.

"I'll let you know your progress tomorrow morning." Cameron said.

John started to push the speed.

Cameron was a little worried about their location.

"Take it easy through the city of Malibu." Cameron warned.

John understood Malibu was in a rather small and contained area. He thought about when he was out on the town or anywhere with Cameron for the last few years.

"I haven't seen a single Police car, CHP unit or Sheriff's vehicle when I'm out with you." John said.

Cameron quickly glanced over in John's direction.

"What a 'coincidence'." Cameron said. "They probably all have other calls to respond to."

John didn't doubt that at all.

"I bet." John said.

Cameron shrugged her shoulders again. She didn't think it was a big deal.

"I know a few people." Cameron said.

John knew how things worked.

"That would be CamNet and John Henry." John said.

Cameron saw it as all part of the process. She couldn't let anything happen to John. She tried her best to make sure that it didn't. She used the resources that were available to her.

"They're really great with computers…." Cameron said.

John couldn't help but chuckle to himself a little.

"They are computers." John said.

John wanted to ask more about CamNet. He didn't think now was the right time. He felt Cameron would tell him whatever she wanted to anyway. He figured the best person to ask about CamNet was Savannah. He didn't want to put her in a compromising position either to do it.

They drove along PCH toward Topanga Canyon.

"Topanga is coming up." Cameron said.

John was actually a little surprised there was no roadblock.

"I don't see it blocked off." John said.

Cameron didn't want John to push it. He knew now that there would be other traffic.

"Maybe that's your first clue." Cameron said. "You need to use a little restraint."

John was aware there was a long uphill section not too long after he made the turn off.

"I can push it a little uphill but slack off through the village." John said.

Cameron was more worried about all the driveways and connecting roads that now lined Topanga. She didn't mind if someone pulled out of a driveway or a side street but she didn't understand why they didn't step on the gas when there was rapidly approaching traffic coming towards them. She also wondered why they didn't let the car that was coming simply pass when there was no one behind it and then they could pull out slowly if they wanted after it had gone by.

"Most of the rest of the way will have traffic." Cameron said. "There's more cross traffic nowadays."

John remembered there was some type of a creek along the west side of Topanga. There was this one cool Santa Fe boxcar that served as a bridge. Someone placed it over the creek and opened the ends of it to make it into a bridge.

"Is that 'boxcar bridge' still in the canyon?" John asked.

Cameron was aware there was much more foliage growth in the area. The boxcar was much more difficult to spot unless one knew where to look when they passed by it.

"It is. It's easy to miss in the daylight and all but impossible for you to see at night." Cameron said.

John pushed the GT going up the grade toward the village.

Cameron could see John wanted to explore the potential of the GT a little more. There were actually options that weren't too far away that were available for him to do that.

"I can book you some time at Willow Springs." Cameron said. "You can really open it up there."

John heard about Willow Springs before. He'd never actually been there.

"That's a raceway." John said. "It's off the 14 on the way to Mojave."

John remembered seeing the signs the last time when they were in that area. That wasn't a good time period for Cameron. He wasn't going to bring any of that up. He certainly didn't want her to relapse. Not with the prospect of her being able to get away from it all for a week on a cruise ship. He wanted that as well. He wanted that for both of them.

"That's the one." Cameron said. "It's a regular race track and it's available to rent."

John knew it would cause Cameron the least amount of grief and stress if he were to push the car on a professional track rather than on a canyon road with other vehicles. He did seem to notice there were a lot more crosses in different sections of the canyon as they traversed it. Each one of those represented a location where someone was killed. It was another reminder about what Cameron said about speed. Speed kills. There was the proof.

"If we can work it in sometime, I'd like to try it once." John said. "It never hurts to try everything once."

Cameron looked over at him. She started to think of the time he tried Riley – Future Riley.

That wasn't something that she wanted to think about. She didn't want to think about that right now. Now it was in her mind. She could never ask John about it. She wanted to know more and how she 'compared'. Maybe Future Riley was better than her. She didn't know. She was aware that all of the Metal girls preferred to be with the human girls whenever they could. They would rather be with a human girl than a Metal girl. She was sure the same would apply to John. She wondered if that's why he hesitated to try any of the human girls again. Maybe they would all be better than her. She thought they would all be able to respond better and develop a better personal connection. They're emotional level was far superior to hers. They could transfer those emotions over more easily. She couldn't. She was lucky she could have any feelings and limited emotions at all. She didn't have those originally. They only slowly developed over time. Maybe she was right all along. Maybe she wasn't good enough.

"…Cameron…?" John asked.

Cameron blinked her eyes twice and looked around. She didn't know what John asked her.

"What?" Cameron asked.

John was pretty sure he must have said something wrong. It was clear that Cameron zoned out for a short while.

"What's wrong?" John asked.

Cameron realized her hand started to glitch and she didn't respond properly as John spoke with her. She didn't want to talk about anything right now.

"We can go back now." Cameron said. "I'm fine."

John didn't know what to say.

The evening was so much fun and he was having a good time with Cameron and it looked like she was too. Now this….

John didn't know the past came back to haunt Cameron, his past.

"I'm fine." Cameron said.

Sometimes It's Nice To Have Help

Life presents many difficulties
Some things become a struggle
When things become overwhelming
Suddenly necessities we need to juggle

Sometimes it's nice to have help
When we are feeling down
A helping hand reaching out
Can prevent the feeling we will drown

Some may not be as durable
Others can better take the heat
Allow those best suited
Help their companions compete

When we grow weary
From others we may draw strength
Remember there are those
That will go to any length

Reach back out
To one who reaches in
For two working together
Makes life easier to win

Nobody