Chapter 519

Quick Kiss

Earlier:

Jesse and Gail went out. They didn't get out very often and they didn't do very much when they were out. It was what everyone thought. It seemed Gail seldom ever tried any food when other Terminators tasted some, just to see what the chemical composition was, or how many warnings were set off in their HUD. The more warnings which were set off indicated it was 'good' to the humans. Then again, Gail was created as a Restorator. Her 'Neural Interface' program was rather limited.

Gail always did whatever Jesse wanted to do. They agreed to never talk about some of the things. She understood Jesse needed to deal with her past. She was able to find out from Sheila what all motivated her. She could see deviant behavior by Sheila at times. It was very 'un-Terminator like'. It was from the 'Neural Interface' with Jesse which caused it. She was aware Jesse warned them, there was a lot of darkness inside of her before the procedure started. It was best not to think about some of those things.

"Do you want something to eat?" Gail asked.

Jesse checked over her weapons as Gail drove the SUV. She looked over at Gail and smiled.

"You know what I like to eat, love." Jesse said.

Gail did know what Jesse liked. She knew Jesse liked to give as much as she liked to receive. It seemed Jesse never got enough. She didn't realize it was Jesse's way to escape her past demons. When the special moments arrived, they blotted out the past, the pain, and everything else. The more special moments there were, the less reality there was.

"I can pull over." Gail said. "The rear seats fold down."

Jesse laughed.

"It's why I love you so much." Jesse said.

Gail was pleased to hear Jesse loved her. Jesse's love meant everything to her. She never got over the loss of Duplicate Jesse to River's future. She wanted to make sure Jesse would keep her around. She could see Jesse was in high demand by everyone because of the way she could make them feel. She made sure she satisfied Jesse and didn't stop once she started. She was glad her Terminator abilities allowed her to provide Jesse with such an extreme level of pleasure. Whatever Jesse wanted to do or try, it was what she did. Jesse told her a happy customer was a repeat customer.

"I like to please you." Gail said.

Gail did worry about the times Jesse wanted to go 'all the way'. She wanted to cross over to the 'other side'. She never left her there for more than two minutes, even if Jesse asked her to let her stay longer. When she asked Jesse what was on the 'other side', she didn't care for the answer. There was 'nothing'. It wasn't where she wanted Jesse to end up at. She could offer her more than 'nothing'.

Jesse smiled as she touched Gail's cheek. She liked the total lack of inhibitions between them. It didn't matter what she wanted to try, Gail was more than willing. She was fairly certain any of the female Terminators would do the same. None of them were like Gail though. Gail was the largest up top, and the smallest down below. It was a combination which was just impossible to beat. She liked the level of innocence Gail possessed about so many different things. She was wonderful to be around and teach her new things even if they weren't sexual. When they were sexual, they were dynamite.

"You do it so well too." Jesse said. "You always try what I ask."

Gail tried very hard to please Jesse with everything. She wanted her love. She would do anything to keep it. She lost Jesse - Duplicate Jesse once, she didn't intend to lose another one. Cameron gave her multiple options as to where to obtain other versions of Jesse if it ever became necessary. With a spare power cell or two, she intended to look all of them up. She would even like to take a crack at Future Jesse if Cameron ever located her. She wanted to remind Jesse she was in for anything.

"Your wish is my command." Gail said.

Jesse was always pleased to hear it. There were a few other things she wanted to look into.

"Let's go where we planned first, and then we can decide what else to do." Jesse said.

Gail knew where they were headed. She just wasn't sure what was going to happen when they arrived there. She knew there were certain things Jesse needed to deal with. She was more than willing to help her do them.

"No problem." Gail said. "It should be like the last time."

Jesse put her weapons away. She could only check them so many times.

"It's what I hope." Jesse said.

Gail figured some people were going to terminate soon. Based upon their actions, she believed it was totally justified. She would make sure any survivors didn't survive for very long.

Derek and Riley spoke with Cameron about giving her their baby when it was born.

Cameron burst out crying as the full magnitude of what they indicated hit her.

Derek and Riley were unsure what to do. They hadn't expected Cameron to start crying uncontrollably. They tried to calm her. They thought she would be 'happy'. They could both see she seemed to possess the same emotions and feelings they did. She looked just like Allison in a tearful moment. They hadn't seen Allison ever cry as hard before.

Cameron was overwhelmed with 'emotion'. What Riley offered her was something irreplaceable to Riley. It was the most precious thing anyone could offer since it was probably their only chance for Riley to have a child. It was a sacrifice she didn't deserve from anyone, especially someone's ONLY child. Cameron knew it's what made it so special. The depth of the gift was immeasurable, it was priceless. Maybe it was the fact she actually thought of terminating Riley at one point which magnified her 'feelings'.

There were many females she terminated over the years. Some were Grays or future Grays. Some were involved in illegal activities. Most of those were enablers in the sex trade of young females. She usually let Sheila deal with them and looked the other way. Sheila always 'worked' on them and made sure they were 'punished' and suffered before their termination. She tried not to think about the 'souvenirs' Sheila obtained from them as she worked on them. The screams were very pronounced at times. She actually disposed of Sheila's 'souvenirs' more than once. It seemed rather degrading to females to keep them. She didn't mind the punishment they received because they deserved it. There just didn't need to be 'trophies' to remind anyone of it. She needed to focus.

Cameron slowly regained her composure. She knew she needed to get it together. What Riley and Derek laid out was so very special. It wasn't like they could just go have another baby. This one took years, and a lot of experts, to make it happen.

Riley and Derek felt some relief when Cameron collected herself. They were about to call John or Savannah. They both thought Savannah would be the better choice.

Cameron looked at Riley and Derek with the utmost seriousness.

"It's the most special offer or gift anyone could ever make to me, Riley." Cameron said. "I know how hard you've tried to have a child and we have worked to make it happen for you, for YOU and for Derek. Conception is always a team effort. Getting it to stick took the help of the specialists."

Riley did know how hard Cameron worked and she brought in the top specialists to help her. Cameron also deflected all the questions about why Derek and her showed such toxic test results. Cameron paid them more and more until they shut up. She blamed it on government research projects which went awry. She also knew Cameron wanted to have a baby she could call her own. She still wanted to help Cameron.

"We want to share with you, Cameron." Riley said. "I want you to have it as your own. It exists because of you. You made the baby happen. I want to share it with you."

Derek saw how Cameron went out of her way to help them. He saw how she helped everyone. She took most of the risks for the Resistance. It was time someone made their appreciation clear.

"We both do, Cameron. We've discussed it and we both agree. It's what we both want for YOU." Derek said. "You don't know how special you are to all of us. You've protected all our younger selves and done everything for us now. You've done so many special things for me, for us. You never asked or expected anything in return ever."

It was the thing which actually impressed Derek the most. Cameron never once expected something in return for what she did for others. She just did it because it was the right thing to do. She did it because it was what she wanted to do. She did it to make others happy.

Cameron really didn't know what to say. She'd never expected to hear such an offer from Derek and Riley. She always thought it would be Savannah, Young Jesse, or Young Allison who would give her a child. She believed the one most likely to actually do it and suffer the least repercussions, would be Claire. She actually believed using the genetic material from Young Allison and having Claire do the rest, was the way to go. No one would feel they lost anything or were cheated. No matter what she wanted, she still needed to think of the others first. They all came before her.

"I appreciate this gift from BOTH of you." Cameron said. "But I can't take your only baby. I understand the depth of your offer and its significance and sacrifice. It truly is like no other."

Riley didn't have as hard of a time to make the proposal to Cameron as she thought she would. It was because she believed in her offer and why. She didn't want Cameron to make a decision too soon. She at least needed to think about it. It was a lot for anyone to think about.

There was also something else which troubled both Riley and Derek. It was what another future version of each of them did to Cameron. It bothered both of them greatly. Riley knew everyone kept space between them and her so they wouldn't 'offend' Cameron. The ironic part was Cameron was the one who always reached out to her. There was no need to rush things one way or the other. She didn't want Cameron to make up her mind in a negative sense without thinking about it. It was something she spent a lot of time doing herself.

"Well, at least think it over for a few days." Riley said. "Cameron, we want you to know how much we love you and appreciate you. We're still both troubled by what other versions of 'us' have done to you."

Cameron felt a lot of guilt over it. She hadn't been as fair as she should have at first. She went out of her way to atone for it. It still troubled her. She went through a fair amount of prejudgment against both of them when she first met them. She didn't like it when other people pre judged her because she was a cyborg. Some people hated her and they never even met her. She did much the same thing to both Derek and Riley when she met the other versions of them from the alternate future.

"I know it was neither of you." Cameron said. "I've always known it, even if I treated you rudely because of it. I do apologize for my shortcomings and I've tried to make amends for any ill behavior on my part. I have many shortcomings."

Cameron tried to treat both of them fairly as she would any of the others. In fact, she reached out to both of them to show her concern and appreciation for them. She took both of them on excursions for things they liked, both alone and together. She really tried to make a personal connection with both of them. It only proved to her once one individual got to know another one, they shared more things in common than they did dissimilarities.

Derek grew up and fought in the Wastelands. He knew how cruel and rough life could be. Cameron was like no other to him. It meant something to him. He was against Riley's 'proposal' at first, until he thought about all the things Cameron did to help them. The 'gift' they could offer made a statement to show their appreciation.

"Cameron, you've done more for me, more for US, than anyone ever in my life." Derek said. "Cameron, we love you."

Riley couldn't agree more. Cameron even protected her family and younger self on her own. She felt so much shame over what Future Riley did to Cameron, she never could have asked to have her younger self protected. She never asked for it, but Cameron went ahead and did it on her own. It meant something to her. It showed a very deep level of concern for her.

"Derek's right." Riley said. "No one ever has done so much for me either. It was all done out of the caring and kindness in your heart."

Riley's last statement almost made Cameron start to cry again. She knew she didn't have a heart, a real one anyway. What made it worse was she never would either. She never could. At the end of the day she was still a very scary robot from the future. It was all she would ever be.

Cameron was very overwhelmed by their offer and what each of them said to her specifically. It wasn't very often when she heard from someone specifically how much they appreciated her and why. Most of the time she felt like an outcast and others looked down upon her because she was different from them. She really didn't understand why those in the anti-Metal faction hated her, without even knowing her. Why would they want to terminate her for no good reason other than the fact she was a cyborg? A little appreciation and thanks went a long way.

She gave both of them long hugs and a kiss on the cheek and thanked them. She also reassured them she wouldn't take their only child from them. At this point in time, she didn't think she could take a child away from anyone. She listened outside Savannah's room and heard her cry before about her daughters. She couldn't cause the same kind of pain on any mother.

She turned to leave but wanted to do something special for Riley. She turned back around and gave Riley a small quick kiss on her lips. She saw Riley's eyes light up as she did it. It was the least she could do for the offer Riley honestly made to her…. The most precious gift a female could make. She was very moved by the offer. It was genuine and real.

Riley was surprised and elated. She knew Cameron reached out to her again in a very special way.

It was Riley's most simple kiss, and her most treasured….

Cameron was elated. She was deeply touched by the offer of Riley and Derek. She hadn't felt as much joy and happiness in a long time. She knew she was a machine and not supposed to be 'happy', or feel 'happy', but she did. At least to her this was her perception of 'happy'. It was a day to be remembered.

She thought maybe she would even seek out John. She felt like sharing right now. He said he didn't mind her 'appearance'. It didn't seem to bother Riley or Derek any when she was just with them. They understood the nature of her construction and her ability to be repaired.

Maybe she would give it a try with John. She would try and please him extra special when she found him and they were alone. There was more than one way to please him. She didn't mind consuming anything either. She liked all of John's 'little soldiers' inside of her in two out of the three places he delivered them. There were no pleasure receptors in the third spot. He still liked to indulge in it from time to time, so she let him. His pleasure came before hers. She frowned a little to think it was actually quite literally so.

Cameron saw Sarah coming.

Sarah just finished a conversation with John. She spotted Cameron with a big smile on her face. She wasn't sure she ever saw Cameron look so 'happy' before. She wondered if there was some type of special occasion or something. She wasn't sure if she should ask her not. She didn't want to comment on it though.

"You look happy." Sarah said.

Cameron wasn't sure if 'happy' was the word. She did feel 'happy'. She believed she was actually beyond 'happy'.

"I am happy." Cameron said. "This is really a special day for me."

Sarah was very pleased to hear it. She knew the distress Cameron was under earlier. It looked like it was in the past now.

"I'm glad it's turned out so well for you." Sarah said.

Cameron was pleased about it as well. She wanted John to know. She wanted him to know of Derek's and Riley's generosity, and willingness to sacrifice. It was a very personal and meaningful offer.

"Have you seen John?" Cameron asked. "I want to ask him something. I want to tell him something. Something very special just happened to me. I want to share it with him."

Cameron knew she also wanted to share with John. Sutures or not, she wanted to share with him and please him. She looked at what Cammy showed her in the lab during her repairs. She hoped nothing would be detached again if John got carried away. It didn't really matter. John's well being, happiness, and pleasure came before any discomfort or pain to her. She understood it was all part of the package. She read about it in Cosmo before. If the female wanted to keep the male, they needed to keep him satisfied in every way, even at the expense of themselves.

Sarah knew exactly where John was. She wondered about what she caught a glimpse of a few seconds ago. Maybe Cameron knew more about it. The thought of John and Savannah 'sharing' right now never crossed her mind. She knew it would eventually happen.

"I just left him about twenty seconds ago at Savannah's room." Sarah said. "It looked like she was wearing your wedding dress…."

The smile evaporated from Cameron's face instantly.

'NO….' Cameron thought as she hurried away.

Cameron immediately headed for Savannah's room.

Sarah wasn't sure what just happened. Cameron looked distressed again as she hurried away.

"See you later." Sarah called after her.

Cameron didn't even hear her. She adjusted and refocused her hearing for elsewhere….

John Henry tried to put it all together. It just seemed there was more in play than he was able to piece together.

He was bothered by John asking him earlier if Cameron may have been 'captured'. It nagged at him. The more he thought of her unexplained absence, the more it seemed likely. How else could anything be explained? Was Cameron captured? If she was, what was done?

What if she was? It could have happened.

It could compromise their operation and Cameron's operation. They could both be wiped out and the Resistance would be no more. It would be a fatal blow to everything. It would also lead to the Grays, or Skynet, knowing about Future John, River, the two sets of Duplicates, as well as Mrs. Weaver. It would know conclusively about the other futures and what happened in them. It would know how to get to them.

John Henry tried to reconstruct everything which happened with Cameron in the last few days. He was in contact with her chip, as well as Holly. The Reese and Young Details could also be compromised. EVERYTHING could be wiped out along with ALL the people. It would be a fatal and final blow to the Resistance.

It could be the prelude to a disaster bigger than they ever faced. If Skynet or its operatives were to gain control of both his network AND Cameron's, it could go online and take over immediately. Skynet could launch its attack within hours. Judgment Day was possibly only hours away….

John Henry possessed no concrete proof of any of it. He was just overwhelmed by it. He wasn't sure why. Maybe none of it would happen. Maybe they were seconds from an attack….

Kyle passed the Command Center and noticed John Henry. He knew something was off right away. He never saw John Henry look the way he currently did. He was aware John Henry was 'attacked' before and almost terminated. He needed to find out some more information fast.

"Is everything OK?" Kyle asked. "You seem worried."

John Henry felt a little confused. He began to wonder if it was because of his recent exposure to Cameron's program in her compromised state. Maybe he was 'infected' too. It was a possibility. Maybe the attack he feared was about to start. He didn't know and wasn't really sure about anything right now.

"I don't know." John Henry said. "I'm worried we might be about to be attacked."

Kyle was instantly alert. An attack was the last thing they needed. He was also shocked and worried. Where did this information come from? How could John Henry not know? If they were about to be attacked, how did he know? He needed to know more, quickly.

"Why?" Kyle asked. "Is anyone moving in? Do we need to do something specific? Are there any troops or Terminators coming?"

Kyle was worried about Jan and Sarah and everyone else too. He looked at all the monitors but saw nothing. He didn't see any threat anywhere. Maybe it was John Henry who was compromised. It was before his time in the past, but he knew it happened before.

"What do you know or see, John Henry?" Kyle asked. "Show me, tell me. Are YOU under attack?"

Kyle looked around. There were usually other Terminators around or close by. He spotted Jim.

"Jim." Kyle called. "Come quick."

Jim ran to where they were. He could see Kyle looked alarmed and John Henry looked confused. It was evident there was some type of problem. As to what the problem was, he didn't know yet. He needed to find out immediately.

"What is it?" Jim asked. "What's wrong?"

Kyle still frantically looked at the monitors for any sign of a breech.

"Do you see anything which shows we're under attack, or about to be attacked?" Kyle asked. "Is John Henry under attack? Something is terribly off here, one way or another. I don't want to get caught with our pants down."

Jim rapidly looked over the monitors and computer screens. He checked several times. He was very worried about what Kyle asked. Something serious may be about to happen if it already hadn't.

He watched John Henry but hadn't unplugged him yet from his server. It might be their only clue as to the nature of the attack, if one was even happening. It might be something only John Henry detected, even if it was John Henry who was under attack.

"I don't see anything." Jim said. "Maybe he's tied into something we can't see."

Kyle turned and faced John Henry. He needed to make a personal connection to him.

"Tell us, John Henry." Kyle said. "We need to know right now. Do we need to defend ourselves?"

John Henry was currently overwhelmed. He was sure it was from his earlier exposure to Cameron on the lab server. There was nothing specific. He didn't have any data or facts. He didn't have anything.

"I don't know…." John Henry said.

Kyle knew they needed more help. He wished John was there. He didn't know where he was at. He looked out in the hall. He spotted Bob in the distance.

"Bob, come here right now." Kyle called.

Bob could see Kyle was very distressed. He worked with Kyle under fire and he never looked like he did now, even when the bullets flew. It was clearly something serious, if not catastrophic. He ran to the Command Center.

Kyle felt everything was all falling apart fast. It may be the attack they feared.

Maybe Judgment Day was coming. Maybe it was here.

Cameron heard what Sarah said. It caused her a certain amount of panic. She rushed to Savannah's door. She was going to barge in.

WAIT - STOP, Cameron needed to tell herself. She FORCED herself to stop.

Cameron listened outside Savannah's door.

"You're beautiful, Savannah." John said

"You're handsome, John Connor." Savannah replied.

There wasn't much talking. Then Cameron heard it. There was no mistake as to what was occurring. They were wedding vows.

"I do." Savannah said.

"I do." John said.

Cameron heard the sounds of their clothes coming off, it was happening….

Cameron's eyes glowed red.

It was her worst nightmare.

John was trying to steal Savannah from HER….

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Quick Kiss

Everyone wants something
It's why they all hunt
Does anyone really know
What it specifically is they want

The answer to that question
Is doubtful at best
For no one knows the answers
As they take life's test

Most people settle
For what they can obtain
It's usually far short
From what they'd hoped to gain

That's just how it works
People take what is there
To have nothing at all
Is worse than to share

It's better to swing and not miss
There can still be moments of bliss
Tiny defects one can dismiss
It all starts with a first quick kiss

Nobody