Chapter 900

Coupling

John and Savannah were in the 'Honeymoon Suite' of the casino hotel. They awoke naked in each other's company. They knew Cameron was behind it. It was clear it's what Cameron wanted. Both of them did too. It was finally about to happen. It was long overdue.

They shared some small talk first. Both of them were very excited to see each other naked and be so close to each other. They were highly stimulated and ready for action. No foreplay was necessary for either one of them. They were both good to go.

John moved over on top of Savannah.

Savannah's eyes were wide with love and anticipation. She waited a long time for this moment. It was here. She was ready for it. She didn't know what to expect for sure. She never did this before. It would be her first time with a male. She wanted to find out. She wanted to see what it was like. She wanted to be with John and share with him.

"Take me, John." Savannah whispered. "Go slow…."

John wanted Savannah to have control over what happened. She was the one who would determine where a 'Little Willy' went next. It would prove to him it was what she really wanted.

"I will. Guide things along…." John said. "I don't want to hurt you."

Their future and their destiny were about to come to fruition.

The sun shone brightly over the tops of the mountains to the east.

The future was coming….

It was only a matter of a gentle thrust….

"Make me a woman, John." Savannah said. "Easy…. Go slow…. Easy…. Easy…. Go slow…."

Savannah was filled with excitement as she was about to accept John. She could feel her heart pounding. No. It wasn't just her heart. It was John's heart as well. Their hearts clearly beat for each other.

John was sure he was more excited to be with Savannah right now, than he was with Riley when it was his first time. Now it was Savannah's first time, and he was the one who was with her.

KNOCK - KNOCK - KNOCK

Savannah couldn't believe it. She was so close to 'officially' being a woman.

"John, keep going." Savannah said. "DON'T STOP. I want this."

She frantically attempted to get 'Little Willy' to its new home.

KNOCK - KNOCK - KNOCK

John Henry stood outside the door of the bedroom in the Honeymoon Suite. He detected a new threat which couldn't be delayed any longer. John and Savannah's safety was now in jeopardy. He needed to act. He wasn't going to be the one responsible for them being injured or terminated. Skynet was after them, even if it was probably specifically him.

"John, we have a hostile Terminator inside the building." John Henry called out loudly. "They're on the way up."

Savannah understood the danger but she wanted the initial thrust from John, even if it was only for one second. She still firmly grasped him. She held him in place right in front of her secret spot.

"John, don't stop, even if it's for one second." Savannah said. "Just for one second is all I want. I want to know what it's like. Give it to me. Please, it's what I want."

She didn't want to leave the Honeymoon Suite, or the heart shaped bed, still a virgin. If she was going to lose her virginity. She wanted it to be right where she was at. She didn't think there could be a more beautiful place, or with a more beautiful person.

John thought about it. He wanted her virginity. One second would claim it, but he didn't think it would be a good first experience for Savannah at all. He wanted her to have a better and more loving experience. Besides, the threat John Henry told them about was real and needed to be dealt with. They could be in combat in a very short time. He didn't know if there were only seconds left. It couldn't be more than a few minutes.

"I'm sorry, Savannah." John said as he rolled off her. "Maybe next time…. I want things to be done in a better way for you. We have a threat to deal with."

John Henry could hear what was happening inside. He understood the moment of closeness they were at currently. It was the threshold to love making. It would be an irreversible first step for Savannah. She was about to share her first experience with him. The danger was real. The threat was real. They needed to be ready for an assault of some type.

"Savannah, we have a hostile Terminator in the building." John Henry called out loudly. "They have to be looking for us. They most likely know where to look."

John was highly disappointed. They didn't need to be reminded about what they already knew. If there was a threat, they would need to deal with it. It's what they would do. He figured he better get some accurate information to start out with.

"We heard you the first time." John said. "Where are they? Is there more than one? Are there any Grays with them? What kind of weapons do you see?"

John Henry waited as long as he could like Cameron instructed him to do. Once the female Terminator actually entered the building they were in, he knew it was time to act. He couldn't wait any longer. It wouldn't take a Terminator long to reach the top floor. The barriers and obstacles set up to prevent lookiloos from making it to the floors with the suites wouldn't slow them down much at all.

"They've entered the casino and are headed toward the hotel." John Henry said. "It's a 'Metal Bitch'. She may have made us. I'm sorry. I waited as long as I could. There's a Skynet jamming field in place again. We can't call for assistance. I can't get a hold of anyone. I can't let anything happen to either of you. I'm sorry for the intrusion and everything it interrupts. We most likely are going to be in combat within a minute or two. Please get ready. I sincerely apologize to both of you."

John looked over at Savannah and thought how beautiful she looked. He sat up and got up.

"You did the right thing, John Henry." John said. "We need to be alive to do anything else going forward."

Savannah quickly collected herself.

"We'll be right out to help you set up a defensive perimeter." Savannah said. "You made the right call. Don't worry about anything else."

She was intensely caught up in the moment. She was highly sexually aroused and waited in anticipation for her first 'contact' with a male in a loving sexual manner. It was ripped away from her, again. She really hated Skynet and everything it spawned. Skynet always got in the way of her desires. It was the third time Skynet directly prevented her from becoming a woman.

She was very pleased to remember how Cameron and her left the nuclear device behind in Skynet's bunker which exploded seconds after they exited the area in the temporal bubble. Maybe she would want to terminate Skynet as much as Cameron did in every instance because of what it continued to derail for her.

Savannah jumped up and took out Tasers for both of them. She was still naked as was John.

John went to look away.

Savannah noticed and didn't think it was a big deal. She didn't want him to feel like it was something which bothered her. They saw each other naked several times. She couldn't help but think they were one second away from doing just moments ago. There was no need for modesty between them at this point in time. It was going to happen sooner or later anyway.

"Don't worry about it. You'll see me like this a lot, as I will you." Savannah said. "John, safety is more important right now. I apologize for getting too carried away about what we were going to do. I really wanted it a lot. We need to think about your safety now."

John Henry was satisfied they were no longer held in the clutches of each other's arms. They were both up and moving around now. He did what he was supposed to do. He needed to keep track of the female Terminator and see what he could do to thwart her arrival. He was sure she was headed up to where they were at. He doubted she knew their exact location, but there was no way to know. She might know exactly where to go.

"I need to return to the Executive Suite." John Henry said. "I've shut off the elevators. If she comes up the stairs, it will take her a few minutes."

John and Savannah quickly dressed. Cameron already laid out clothes for Savannah before she left. Next to them was her wedding dress…. She gave Savannah a choice of what to wear.

Savannah looked at the wedding dress as she dressed. She understood everything it meant. She wanted to put the wedding dress on, but it wasn't the right time to do so. They might be dodging bullets soon enough. They were one second away from consummating their love in the most intimate manner possible. She still believed it was the best location possible for everything it represented.

"We were so close, John." Savannah said. "I could almost feel it. It was right there."

John didn't want to dwell on it. He still waited for 'Little Willie' to take a break. So far it didn't happen. It made him feel more than a little self-conscious, especially since there was a bigger worry they needed to deal with. They might be fighting for their lives in seconds.

"I know. I'm really sorry, Savannah." John said. "We need to deal with the threat first. I think we can take the 'Metal Bitch' out in the stairwell. It will be in a confined area. The stairwells are used for fire exits so it should be fairly well insulated from the rest of the building to allow people to escape a burning structure. I sincerely hope it doesn't come to it for the rest of the patrons if things go bad."

John needed to think it was a real possibility there could be explosions, and the building could catch on fire. It wouldn't be the first casino hotel to go up in flames in Vegas.

Savannah was sure the female Terminator would employ a different tactic. She looked over the edge of the balcony when she stood on it earlier. There was a large one along each of the three suites on their floor. It wasn't too far of a jump up for a Terminator to come up one floor from the balcony below. If she got loose into the building, and John Henry couldn't track her, she could literally show up anywhere.

"She'll expect us to be waiting." Savannah said. "She'll exit one or two floors early and come up on the outside of the building and out through a balcony and in one of ours. She could do it from several floors below us easily. We can't watch everything at the same time with only three of us."

John thought about how big the wing of the hotel was they were in. The three suites took up a very large space. It was actually the entire floor in the section they were in. There was no way they could cover the entire floor. Interior walls wouldn't stop a Terminator from going through one room to the next without using the hallway either.

"Savannah's right. We can't cover the entire upper floor at the same time." John said. "There are only three of us."

Savannah tried to think what the female Terminator could know about them. She didn't think she knew John Connor or Savannah Weaver were there. She believed only John Henry's presence was detected. She was sure it would be the female Terminator's target. She doubted she specifically knew which of the three suites he was in, even if she knew the floor.

"We need to back up John Henry." Savannah said. "It must be who she's after. She can't know we're here in the 'Honeymoon Suite'."

Savannah figured with Cameron's wedding dress in the bedroom of the Honeymoon Suite, there was no way they wouldn't look like a honeymoon couple. All of the monitors were in the Executive Suite at the other end of the hall. The Master Suite was between them.

John could see their best chance was to consolidate their forces into one area. They would be able to provide mutual support to each other If they did.

"Let's fall back to where John Henry is in the Executive Suite." John said. "We don't even have any heavy firepower here with us. Let's go."

Savannah felt they were thrust into something they hadn't anticipated or even contemplated would happen.

"We weren't here to fight." Savannah said. "We were here to share and consummate our commitment to the future and our love for each other."

Savannah looked back at the wedding dress as she exited the Honeymoon Suite. So close…. She knew what Cameron really wanted for John and her. It was clear to her Cameron loved both of them dearly for the sacrifice she was willing to go through for them.

She needed to think about John's safety first now. She was so close to being with Cameron earlier, and now almost with John. There was always something which seemed to get in the way of the moment. It seemed it was always Skynet related too. She was sure the only exception was the small child who was being swept out to sea by the rip current. Skynet was still the enemy no matter what the circumstances were.

Savannah hated Skynet because of what it took from her personally, and what it prevented her from achieving, again. She was ready for a fight with a Skynet Terminator, or Grays, at this point. She checked her Taser. She wanted some payback. She planned to get it too. John Henry said it was a female Terminator. It was fine with her. She planned to be the one who brought the 'Metal Bitch' down herself. The 'Metal Bitch' was the one who prevented her from her right to womanhood, and left her still a virgin. She would make sure the 'Metal Bitch' paid for it. The 'Metal Bitch' was about to meet a 'Human Bitch'. It wouldn't be the first enemy Terminator she brought down. She hoped to bring the 'Metal Bitch' down hard.

Seconds ago:

Cameron drove hurriedly, but not totally reckless at this point. She still needed to make time. Gail was correct about how any accident would cost them even more time. There were several close ones on the way there. She caused at least one accident for some other driver. She would need to check on it later on and make sure they weren't hurt too badly. She was glad it was a fire plug instead of a light pole or a telephone pole. Telephone poles were like running into trees. Fire plugs were usually equipped with 'shear bolts' so they would tear loose easily. She would make sure their medical bills were paid if necessary, and their vehicle was replaced. It was something Savannah instilled in her to do. It was the right thing.

Based on John Henry's last transmission the 'Metal Bitch' turned around, she was sure the 'Metal Bitch' was now headed for the casino hotel where John and Savannah were. She didn't think it was back in her direction. They were almost there anyway. They would be there in another forty seconds.

"The 'Metal Bitch' is headed for John and Savannah." Cameron said. "I can't reach them."

Cammy was sure John Henry would be able to track her.

"John Henry will warn them." Cammy said.

Cameron was more than upset about everything. It was personal to her now. The 'Metal Bitch' personally offended her at this point. It was going to take some retribution. She hoped there was some way she could 'punish' the 'Metal Bitch'. She wanted to hurt her.

"This is going to disrupt their 'special day'." Cameron said. "We're going to make the 'Metal Bitch' suffer for this. I'm not even going to wait for Sheila to do it. I'll do it myself."

Gail didn't want Cameron to get target fixation and only concentrate on one threat. There were other threats they knew of and there were probably other ones they didn't know of. They also didn't know the exact whereabouts of the other Skynet Terminator.

"Don't forget 'The Enforcer' is out there too." Gail said. "As far as we know, he could be about to arrive and reinforce the 'Metal Bitch'. Those in the hotel might have a real fight on their hands dealing with two Terminators."

Cameron thought John Henry's server or CamNet would have detected him by now if he was in the immediate area. She hadn't heard any news one way or the other.

"He may still be in Reno." Cameron said. "He could be out on the road too for all we know."

They all heard some static and crackling over their com system. They heard a familiar voice in a few seconds.

"Cameron…?" John Henry said. "Cammy…?"

Cammy was pleased they were connected with the casino Control Center. It was good news which was sure to help them. She didn't know how long they would be able to communicate. They could be cut off again at any moment.

"It's John Henry, he must have knocked out the jamming field again." Cammy said.

Cameron needed answers and she needed them immediately. She needed to know where to respond.

"Where are John and Savannah?" Cameron asked. "Where's the 'Metal Bitch'?"

John Henry was pleased he re-established communications with Cameron's team. He didn't want to get too specific in his answer about John and Savannah. He still thought the immediate threat was the female Terminator.

"John and Savannah are in the 'Honeymoon Suite' getting dressed. They're going to come to the 'Executive Suite'." John Henry said. "The 'Metal Bitch' is thirty seconds ahead of you. She's in the casino, headed for the hotel elevators. I've shut them all down."

Cameron quickly calculated the number of floors the 'Metal Bitch' would need to go up to reach the top floor. It would take her some time. She could easily make up the thirty seconds with the express elevator and beat her to the top floor.

"We can get ahead of her if you turn the express elevator back on for us." Cameron said. "I have a plan. Have the service elevator ready as well."

John Henry was pleased to see the female Terminator wasted time as she tried to call one of the elevators. Every second she wasted there, put Cameron's team one second closer to her.

"I plan to do it. She's trying the elevators now." John Henry said. "I've turned off all the power to her casino and prevented their backup generators from starting as well. It's what ended the jamming field the second time. They should all be in total darkness over there except for any battery-powered emergency lighting. I don't know if they'll use any of the batteries to try to hook the jamming device back up. It's going to take them a little time to do if they even attempt it. I think what's happening below us will be over with by then, one way or another."

The latest revelation gave Cameron an idea. Maybe they wouldn't need to conceal any of their equipment as they entered the building.

"Shut down power to our hotel lobby and service entrance area for thirty seconds. We're coming in armored up and with weapons. I don't want to cause any panic. There was one 'incident' awhile back from one of the hotels and the crowd below." Cameron said. "I don't see any workers out here this early. It's a little early for anyone to venture out for breakfast, but not for long."

Cameron pulled in next to the hotel service entrance and all three Metal girls bailed out. They all wore body armor and each carried their suppressed M4.

Once they were inside the building, it was total darkness for them. It didn't slow them down a second. There were only a few faint emergency lights. She was sure John Henry must have suppressed some of them.

Cameron was aware the service elevator was closest to the Executive Suite.

"Gail, take the service elevator." Cameron said. "I want you to project John and Savannah."

Gail immediately headed in the direction. It was what she wanted to do. She looked back over her shoulder.

"I will not fail." Gail said. "I will shield them with my chassis if I need to."

John Henry saw the female Terminator give up on the elevators once the power went out to the lobby area. She entered the stairwell and he lost sight of her.

"The female Terminator has entered the stairwell." John Henry said. "You're twenty seconds behind her."

Cameron hoped to have someone in front of and in back of the 'Metal Bitch'. They just might be able to pull it off. They might be able to trap her inside the stairwell.

"Cammy, I want you to take the stairwell." Cameron said. "Shoot first and ask questions later. Don't take any chances. It is our goal to stop the 'Metal Bitch' no matter what it takes. Don't worry about collateral damage. We'll figure out some way to fix it later on."

Cammy headed for the stairwell. She looked back over her shoulder.

"I'm on it." Cammy said.

Cammy wanted to bring down the 'Metal Bitch' as much as Cameron did. She was worried about Savannah and the others just as much as Cameron was.

Cameron headed into the express elevator. It was next to the stairwell. She wanted to get ahead of the 'Metal Bitch' and try to trap her in the stairwell between herself and Cammy. Cammy was behind the 'Metal Bitch'.

She was very worried about John and Savannah. John Henry would protect them and so would Gail. They were both personally motivated at this point to protect John and Savannah until they were terminated. It wasn't what Cameron planned, but she would take it. She couldn't let anything happen to John. She wouldn't let anything happen to Savannah either.

Moments ago:

Sheila drove the delivery van up next to the Escalade.

Ally quickly transferred the sacks of cash into the back of it.

Sheila moved the delivery van ahead and parked it.

Ally was still arranging things in the back when Sheila climbed into the Escalade and fired it up. She hopped in the front seat. Before she was able to close the door, Sheila already started out.

They wanted to make sure John Henry's server gave them green lights.

Ally thought Sheila used undo caution at this point. They were on an unknown timetable and needed to hurry

"Drive faster." Ally said.

Sheila already felt her speed was excessive, even with the light traffic.

"I'm driving fast enough." Sheila said. "We shouldn't have stopped for the Escalade."

Ally believed the delivery van was too hot, especially if they were to head back into the area where it was originally 'borrowed' from.

"We needed to dump the delivery van. It's been at too many 'crime scenes' tonight." Ally said. "If those girls get picked up, they'd 'roll over' on us in a second."

Sheila knew it was true. The fact the Syndicate thug checked it out earlier seemed to indicate it was known for what it was used for. They were better off away from it at this point. She sped along as safely as she could.

There was a geyser of water shooting into the air as they neared one intersection.

"I wonder what happened there." Ally said.

Sheila looked around for any emergency vehicles. The accident looked like it was bound to draw the police. She slowed her speed slightly, just in case.

"I don't know, but there's no emergency response." Sheila said. "It may have been something Cameron did."

Ally looked over the accident scene as they passed it. It didn't look too severe.

"The driver is out of the car. They only look wet." Ally said.

Sheila sped past the wrecked car and the sheared off fire hydrant.

"They look a little more than wet to me." Sheila said. "They look very upset as well."

Ally didn't think there was anything they could do about it. It might be a hit and run for as much as they knew.

"There are a lot of reckless drivers in this town." Ally said. "It was probably caused by some drunk leaving a casino after going broke."

Savannah went out first into the hallway to go to the Executive Suite. John followed behind her.

They were ahead of the 'Metal Bitch' but they didn't know by how much.

Savannah and John entered the Executive Suite.

Savannah let John go in first and made sure the hallway remained clear before she entered.

John noticed how Savannah watched out for him and protected him. He looked at John Henry.

"What do we have?" John asked.

John Henry wasn't sure how much time they actually had. It all depended upon the speed at which the female Terminator went up the stairwell.

"It looks like we have trouble. The 'Metal Bitch' is in the stairwell." John Henry said. "She's on her way up."

There was no doubt in John's mind what her destination was. She was there for one reason. She was after them.

"How did she make us?" John asked.

John Henry was sure it was his fault. It was probably when he tried to manipulate the traffic signal system. It was something he did locally. It was because not all of the traffic lights were hooked up to a central system, especially on the smaller streets.

"She received information from someone." John Henry said. "They must have tracked me somehow. This isn't the most secure Operation's Center."

The unspoken thought there was they would have been safer if they stayed at the Resistance base in the Command Center.

John thought their best option may be to evacuate. They didn't know what other Skynet forces would be behind the female Terminator. There were bound to be some. They didn't have the weapons or ammunition to fight a prolonged or drawn out battle.

"Don't worry about it. We need to get out of here then." John said. "You should have come to me sooner."

John Henry would have preferred to do so. He didn't feel it was his fault. Cameron was very adamant he didn't 'jump the gun'. He felt it was the wrong choice on her part. He still complied with her wishes.

"I was told to wait until the 'Metal Bitch' actually entered the building." John Henry said. "Cameron asked me not to disturb your 'coupling'."

Savannah remained at the doorway into the Executive Suite. John Henry's description of events bothered her some. They were in a heart shaped bed in the Honeymoon Suite. It wasn't in a backroom, or a vehicle.

"'Coupling' doesn't sound very romantic." Savannah said as she looked out the door down the hall. "Where's Cameron at?"

John Henry was very pleased the reinforcements arrived. They were only seconds behind the opposition.

"They just arrived here seconds ago. It's Cameron, Cammy, and Gail." John Henry said. "They were out on an operation. Cameron wanted both of you to be alone and undisturbed. She was very adamant about it. I apologize again for my intrusion."

John wondered how much of what happened was orchestrated by Cameron.

"Don't worry about it, John Henry." John said. "It is what it is. You did the right thing under the circumstances."

Savannah thought John should cut Cameron a little slack. Cameron experienced feelings as well.

"John…." Savannah said. "It must've been hard on Cameron too. You know we wouldn't have been where we were unless she was the one who actually did it. I think it's safe to say she passed the true test of love for both of us."

John wanted Savannah to call him out when he made statements like he did. She would also question his decisions in the future. It's what he NEEDED from Savannah and Young Allison for the future. It's what he WANTED as well. He understood better why Cameron wanted Savannah around her always.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Sacrifice is the true test of love." John said to Savannah. "At least you'll be protected."

Savannah believed it was her duty to protect John, even at the cost of her own life. It was everyone's duty to sacrifice for John Connor.

"Don't YOU worry, John Connor. I'll protect you." Savannah said. "You're not getting killed on my watch. Not yet anyway…."

John looked at Savannah and she winked at him.

It was clear there was 'unfinished business' between them.

Cammy rushed forward from the service entrance and entered the stairwell shaft. She listened for the sound of footsteps in the stairwell above her. They were there. She started up at full speed. The 'Metal Bitch' was well ahead of her. She needed to get up there but she needed to make sure she wasn't ambushed doing it. There was always a lot of back and forth in a long stairwell. The 'Metal Bitch' could try to take pot shots at her.

The express elevator shaft was next to the stairwell. Cammy heard the whine as the elevator started up. She knew Cameron planned to get above the 'Metal Bitch' and trap her between them. If she did, the shooting would be confined to the stairwell area. Hopefully it would cut down on some collateral damage. The patrons would hear the shooting from the 'Metal Bitch'. Their return fire would be much quieter with their suppressed weapons.

It was the plan anyway.

Moments ago:

Gail entered the service elevator. John Henry opened the doors for her and she started up without it stopping. She could hear a high pitched electronic whine. The elevator seemed to move at four times the normal speed. She could feel how different it actually felt as it rapidly accelerated upward. She would be at the top first. She originally thought Cameron would get there quicker in the express elevator.

Because Cameron asked her to watch over Savannah and John, she figured it meant Cameron planned something else first. Maybe Cameron would attempt to interdict the 'Metal Bitch' before she even reached their floor.

Gail reached the top floor and headed for the Executive Suite.

As she saw the Master Suite up ahead, it made her think of her adventure with Savannah. It was what she wanted the most of anything. It was the most special time in her existence. The fact her sheath showed some damage made no difference at all to Savannah. It showed how special Savannah truly was.

Gail would fight to protect Savannah until she was terminated. It didn't matter what happened to her. Savannah would be protected. She would try to protect John too.

Savannah stood guard at the door of the Executive Suite.

She heard an elevator 'ding'.

"The service elevator is opening." Savannah said.

Savannah held her Taser ready.

John came to back her up.

Savannah wanted him to remain close to John Henry. John Henry would be the final defense for John after she fell.

"Stay back, John." Savannah said. "Stay behind John Henry."

John Henry hoped to relieve a little anxiety for Savannah.

"It's Gail." John Henry said. "It should be anyway. I was able to speed up her elevator. I was a little surprised at how quickly it was able to ascend."

Savannah was relieved to see it was Gail.

"It is." Savannah said.

Gail looked around as she ran to where she saw Savannah. She didn't spot anything out of the ordinary or any other threats.

"Savannah…." Gail said as she neared the door.

Savannah stepped aside to let Gail into the room.

Gail handed her M4 to John, along with a couple of extra magazines.

John checked the load on the M4 to make sure it was ready, it was.

Gail took off her vest and looked at Savannah and John. She wanted Savannah to wear it. It was actually Savannah's vest. Savannah gave it to her earlier.

Savannah could see her indecision about what to do. She knew there was no thinking about it. She stepped forward and took it from Gail.

Gail pulled her M9 and headed back to the door.

Savannah turned and faced John as she held the vest.

John already knew what she was going to say.

"John, put this on." Savannah said.

The words from her mouth cut deeply into his soul. It made John feel embarrassed she would sacrifice her safety for him, especially after what they almost did.

"I can't, you need to wear it, Savannah." John said. "I can't take it from you."

John was even more surprised at her next statement.

Savannah looked intently at John. She wanted to let him know who he needed to listen to.

"John Connor, you will do as you're told. Put this on - NOW." Savannah said forcefully. "You won't deny me everything today."

John wondered what he'd gotten himself into….

"Yes - dear…." John said.

Savannah was glad John understood how things were going to be. The idea to be forceful with John was just in her head, the thoughts just popped up there. She didn't know it was part of her nighttime 'conditioning' to be assertive with John.

"That's better." Savannah said with a smile. "Things are changing around here."

John was sure they were. He felt most of them would be good. It was clear not all of them would be. He knew everything came with a price. The price may not always be evident at first, but everything came with a price of some kind. He couldn't help but take in Savannah's beauty, even with the extreme circumstances. Some things were worth paying for.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

When You Come

My heart is now a lemon
 It was once a ripe plum
 It's been slowly shredded
 Now nothing more than chum

I want to shout my feelings
 Yet I cower and remain mum
 Waiting for a scrap
 Even the smallest crumb

It would be nice to sing
 Or at least even hum
 To feel inebriated with love
 As if intoxicated with rum

My smile is sad
 So I'm looking glum
 Know deep inside me
 It's for you I beat the drum

When you break into a heart
 That has been left cold and numb
 You can't bring anything through
 When you come

Nobody