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. She wanted to pleasure him. She would do all the work. It really didn't take a lot of effort on her part to make it happen. The scene was lit by the moonlight. Everything moved along quite rapidly. John let out a small gasp. Mission accomplished. 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 what just happened?" John asked.

Cameron tilted her head slightly.

She just did all the 'work'. John received all the pleasure, as well as all of the gratification. She didn't see why not. He couldn't expect to have everything his way.

"Yes." Cameron said. "I expect you to drive. Act like you have a pair. I know you do because I just saw them."

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 passenger's side. She made sure John buckled in. She checked all of his safety gear. She also wanted him to show some restraint, and good judgment.

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

John thought about what happened since they entered the mountainous road. He 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 the performance by you." John said. "It 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. They would be able to access any of the canyon roads.

"Mulholland Highway connects all of the routes which lead to PCH 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 it, or Las Virgenes Road to Malibu Canyon Road and back down to PCH."

It 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 he could. He didn't want to take out his phone and look. He tried to recollect what the area looked like from his past experience.

"I think I'll try Las Virgenes to Malibu Canyon Road. I can 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 never drove a machine of this caliber. She wanted to remind him to use common sense.

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

John heard Cameron's admonition about speed now twice in the last minute. He figured he 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 did after they stopped. She really worked on him. He experienced a wild ride coming up Mulholland Highway. It was followed by a wild ride for a 'Little Willy'. He was in no hurry for anything right now. He was a little worried he might get in over his head if he didn't play it cool to start out with.

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

Cameron thought it 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. It takes a while to get acclimated to something new, or different."

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 this is a high performance machine." Cameron said.

John tried to keep the mood light.

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

Cameron smiled. She liked his response.

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

It was a 'no brainer' for John. His choice of words slipped out without too much thought.

"You win, pants down. I mean hands down." John said. "There is no contest when it comes to you. You're the best there is, Cameron."

Cameron thought the 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 things can be worked out." Cameron said. "I'm yours whenever you want me."

John was excited to hear it. He wished he could go again right now. It was simply impossible. He didn't want things done just for his benefit either. He wanted things to be mutual. He wanted to be able to reciprocate the same way. He wanted to please her as well. He knew a happy customer was a repeat customer.

He needed to recollect his thoughts somewhat. He wasn't there to show off. Even as extreme as Cameron's driving was, he knew she didn't show off either. Everything she did was well within her ability. He knew she considered her 'natural ability' as no big deal, even if others did. He knew he needed to stick within his ability. He couldn't 'over drive' what he could see, and be able to stop in time, or avoid something if necessary.

There was something in the back of John's mind ever since he saw the GT parked in the carpool at the Resistance base.

"How fast is this car actually go?" John asked.

Cameron was a little concerned with his question. There was a version of the car which went very fast in a straight line on a very long runway in Florida.

"A Ford GT achieved a top speed of approximately three hundred and ten miles per hour on a runway located at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It made the GT the fastest street legal car in the world." Cameron said. "Neither of us will approach anywhere near the same speed. I don't think I would go faster than half the speed of the record around here, on the freeway. Even half the speed would be 'moving'."

John thought about what Cameron indicated. He knew it was a really fast speed. The only kind of racing where they could go anywhere near those speeds was top fuel drag racing. Those runs only lasted in the seconds. The cars were anything but street legal.

"I'm not going to push it." John said. "I just want to have a little fun. I know what speed does."

John couldn't help but think of the little crosses people put up at spots along the canyon roads. He remembered seeing more than a few of them on Topanga.

He re-fired the GT. He looked over at Cameron. She gave him a slight smile. He knew it was time to use some good sense to start out with. He 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 prevented anyone from turning onto Mulholland Highway while they traversed it. It prevented them from experiencing any oncoming traffic. The roadblocks behind them kept there from being any following traffic. It made things a little safer without needing to deal with other vehicles.

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 actually expected them to arrive earlier than they did. He saw John was behind the wheel and thought it was what the delay was about. Jim indicated Cameron was driving when they entered Mulholland Highway. They must have switched relatively early in the journey to create the time lag. He didn't know about the 'pit stop' which occurred along the way.

John noted only one side of Mulholland Highway was 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 Cameron said she liked to take this road to PCH for the same 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 speed kills. It was quite a contrast to the road he was used to taking from the valley to PCH.

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

Cameron was aware of some of the sharp corners on State Route 27.

"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 it.

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 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."

Her answer made it sound like Cameron visited there more than a few times. He thought maybe it was with Savannah. He would like to know a little more.

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

Cameron knew what John was really asking. She 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 it 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 the future 'already happened'. She was proof of it. She looked forward to the day her mission would be complete. Her life would be complete as well.

Anna-Ally shared a good time with Young Allison. They become very playful with each other. Things were a lot different than they were when she was out with Sheila. What was 'fun' for Sheila, wasn't really fun for her. There was a spark inside of her with all the new things she was doing. She wanted to do more.

The playful banter 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 seemed as if their enthusiasm fed off of each other. She could think of a lot of things they could do.

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

Savannah thought it would be safer for Young Allison at home. It was the same way 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. It wasn't like we needed to make a special trip or anything. The Detail was there with them as well.

"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 doesn't get out much either. She's always with me."

Ally-Anna was worried about Young Allison too. 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 on operations?" Ally-Anna asked. "It's what you normally like to do."

Young Allison did all of those things. She wasn't sure if 'like' was actually the right word. There was a sense of obligation and duty involved with them. She wanted to have fun as well. Right now she felt she was being pressured. She didn't like the way they made her feel. She felt 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 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. It was already predetermined and chosen for her by others.

"You mentioned another place earlier." Savannah said. "I think 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. It would be good for her. She did mention several places. She was good with any of them. She wanted the others to have fun with her as well.

"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 Anna-Ally kept 'hitting on' Young Allison. She watched her run her hand across Young Allison's rear end. That was it. She didn't like it. It 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 it 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 it again." Savannah said. "Don't TOUCH her."

Anna-Ally didn't want to respond. She wanted to go to the SUV. She saw 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 crossed a line and Savannah wasn't going to back down. She never saw her like it 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 it 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.

"It sounds like a date. I'd like to do it." 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 it along as well."

Anna-Ally could tell 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 everything which just happened right now. It was clear Savannah was in love with Young Allison and would do anything to 'protect' her. She could see Savannah didn't want to hurt her either. She just wanted to lay down the rules. She knew she was pushing things pretty hard. She was caught up in the moment. It was pretty hard to show restraint earlier.

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

Savannah was still a little upset about her encounter just moments ago. She didn't want to argue with anyone. She 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 it. She hadn't done it for a while.

"Is it good for everybody?" Savannah asked.

Anna-Ally never went ice skating 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 CamNet monitored the conversations. She hoped CamNet understood her 'protection' of Young Allison better now. She didn't want to have to go through the procedure with her. She would if she needed to. Young Allison was off limits to everyone else except Cameron, John, and her.

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 expected her to look upset. It wasn't the case at all. She felt Savannah looked satisfied. It was the word she would use to describe it. She didn't look into the back seat at the two Metal girls who 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 they came up the coast on Route 1. They were eastbound now and headed towards Topanga Canyon.

John passed a gas station a few minutes later. He didn't really notice it on the drive up. He was very surprised at the price.

"Gasoline is sure expensive here." John said.

Cameron figured it 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. Worldwide financial markets could be manipulated in many different ways.

"I'm not personally rich, so don't expect a big divorce settlement. I know everything gets split fifty - fifty in California." Cameron said. "When it comes to wealth, my alter ego CamNet is very wealthy. She's also the most powerful one too."

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

"It's nice to know." John said. "I'm surrounded by wealthy and powerful females."

Cameron wondered if John wanted a little more. She felt the night was still early, but she always felt the same 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. It 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 would 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 she did for him, and especially with him. Maybe the prudent thing to do was to show a little restraint

"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 it. The less John was out, the less she would need to worry.

"It 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 so 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 the number indicated 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. He hoped to gain some type of indication as to how events would play out going forward.

"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 he was protected. He didn't need to face assassination for being associated with her. She didn't want to be the cause of his termination. There were plenty of human girls who would stand at his side with him and bear his children. It'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 it 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 it happen.

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

Cameron wanted him in prime condition. She 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. "There's been a number of high-profile terminations related to poor driving through the community. People drive too fast through the community, especially when they are impaired in some way. It usually ends badly for someone. It is seldom the driver of the errant vehicle.

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 it at all. He wondered how many of them were legitimate.

"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.

"It 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 it didn't. She used the resources 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 there would be other traffic. It wouldn't be just a few cars either.

"Maybe it'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. There was no cross traffic because of the mountain on one side and the canyon on the other. There could still be people pulling back onto the road who may have pulled off for whatever reason. There could be wild animals going about their nocturnal activities.

"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 which 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 coming simply pass when there was no one behind it and then they could pull out slowly if they wanted after it went 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 a cool Santa Fe boxcar which served as a bridge. Someone placed it over the creek and opened the ends of it to make it into a bridge.

"Is the '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. "I would recommend not attempting to look for it under the current conditions."

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 which weren't too far away available for him to do it.

"I can book you some time at Willow Springs." Cameron said. "You can really open it up there. It's a full-blown road course including both up and downhill sections, even on some of the corners."

John heard about Willow Springs before. He never actually was there.

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

John remembered seeing the signs the last time when they were in the area. It wasn't a good time period for Cameron. He wasn't going to bring any of it 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 it as well. He wanted it for both of them.

Cameron actually visited the raceway location before on one of her follow up visits about the previous Skynet activity encountered in the Tehachapi area.

"It's the one." Cameron said. "It's a regular race track and it's available to rent. There are also a series of other smaller tracks associated with it now."

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 believed it determined what it actually was whether it would 'hurt' or not. She started to think of the time he 'tried' Riley - Future Riley.

It wasn't something she wanted to remember. She didn't want to think about it 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 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. It was more than just the sexual gratification a Metal girl could provide. She was sure the same would apply to John.

She wondered if it'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. Their 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 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 thought it was probably a good thing she wasn't behind the wheel right now. They would most likely be down in the canyon somewhere right now. She didn't want to talk about anything. It wasn't a good time. Maybe it would be better just to wrap things up. Once they got back to the Resistance base, they could retreat to the bedroom. There were the other things they could do there which would take her mind off of current events and past thoughts.

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

John didn't know what to say. He was sure whatever it was would be the wrong thing.

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 again.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

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
Who will go to any length

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

Nobody