Chapter 1047

Everyone Knows This

Bob was out with Vanna and Allison. The girls wanted to go out and grab a bite to eat. On the way there they discussed how it was unfair Savannah needed to face all the combat herself. They wanted John Henry to send them a target so they could deal with it on their way to the restaurant.

Everyone was a little surprised at how quick the response was.

Vanna drove towards the address Bob gave her. She didn't know what to expect. Maybe there was a target they could take down. She was worried about Allison.

"Do we need to armor up first?" Vanna asked. "I need to make sure Allison is protected before we enter a danger zone."

Allison was pleased Vanna was concerned for her safety. Vanna always looked out for her.

"Let me climb in the back and get things ready." Allison said. "I want to make sure we're both protected, and Bob too."

Bob didn't want the girls to worry needlessly. They were getting ahead of themselves.

"Everyone relax." Bob said. "We're almost there."

Allison hoped to see what it was before they arrived.

"Are we going to do a recon first?" Allison asked.

Vanna turned the corner and she saw the 'target' down the street. It wasn't what she expected to see. There was the unmistakable blue alpine roof atop the building. They just got suckered. There was no target. She looked back at Bob.

"Hey!" Vanna said. "It's the pancake place."

Bob smiled and shrugged his shoulders. It was the location Vanna and Allison decided they wanted to go earlier.

"It was our original mission." Bob said.

Allison looked disappointed. She felt she was ready for a little Skynet action. It was a long time since she was able to mix it up after all. She was pretty sure someone else was behind the ploy.

"Did John tell you to do it?" Allison asked.

Bob quietly sent the girl's request through the Command Center from the back seat. He told them where they were headed and what the girls wanted. John personally told him what to do. He thought he should try to make it as official sounding as possible. He didn't want any of the 'blow back' on him.

"Yes." Bob said. "The General suggested you complete your original mission. He thought it would be most beneficial to his troops to be adequately equipped for any further action."

Allison was more than a little miffed about the way events played out. She was certain they were actually given a target for a short time.

"What a killjoy." Allison said. "I was ready for some action."

Vanna giggled.

Allison looked over at her and giggled as well.

"I meant on the battlefield - this time." Allison said.

Both girls giggled as they exchanged a look of love.

Bob wanted to put it all in perspective for the girls. It was a grim reminder to the reality of the life they led.

"John said there are no replacements for either of you." Bob said.

Bob wasn't really sure about John's statement since there were two sets of Duplicates of both of the girls, as well as their younger selves, and another set in Cameron's future. He actually thought they were quite a few replacements. It was something he hoped never needed to be tapped into for any of them. It would indicate something severe occurred. It wasn't anything he wanted to happen.

Allison knew what Cameron wanted.

"Great, it's just what we need." Alison said. "We already have one person who thinks we should be barefoot and pregnant. We really don't need another one."

Vanna looked over at Allison as she quickly started to put her shoes back on. She knew sometimes there was a little swelling in her feet.

Allison looked over at Vanna who smiled at her. She currently was barefoot and pregnant. She shrugged her shoulders and finished tying her shoes.

Bob felt John expressed a good point.

"John said your safety comes first." Bob said.

Vanna knew Allison always liked to 'touch' herself. She thought she could make a joke out of it.

"I think something else on her comes first." Vanna said.

Allison and Vanna giggled.

"I'll give John an earful." Allison said.

Vanna thought it was a good idea. She wanted to speak with him first. She wanted to set John straight.

"You can after I do." Vanna said.

Bob didn't want the girls to get carried away. He wasn't sure how much of what they said was in jest or in anger. It was hard to tell sometimes. His experience indicated human females were unpredictable. He didn't think now was a good time to scan either one of them. He was sure any attempt would turn their anger and frustration to him. He was content to have it currently directed at the Command Center and John specifically.

"I think everyone means well." Bob said. "You know John isn't easily swayed."

Vanna knew it to be true. She did think there were a few individuals who could sway him rather easily.

"Maybe we should have Young Allison lay it on him." Vanna said. "He seems awed by her. I bet she could back him down from anything."

Allison frowned a little. Young Allison and the events surrounding her, troubled her greatly for more than a few reasons.

"I'm worried about her." Allison said.

Vanna didn't think now was a good time to discuss Young Allison's future.

"We all know what she wants." Vanna said. "It seems to be her choice at this point."

Allison didn't want Young Allison to face rejection.

"I don't think John will accept her." Allison said.

Vanna didn't see that as a problem. It might actually be a plus.

"Savannah will." Vanna said. "THAT is all she needs…."

Allison and Vanna looked at each other. They wanted the same love and devotion for Savannah and Young Allison as they shared.

Bob understood what Vanna meant. The evidence was right in front of him, quite literally.

"It's her true mate." Bob said. "The same as both of you are."

Vanna and Allison took each other's hand.

"Is any of this really changeable?" Allison asked.

Vanna thought about the other sets of Duplicates as well as Future Savannah and Future Allison.

"Apparently not…." Vanna said.

Allison looked at Vanna.

"I hope none of it ever is changeable, especially in one regard." Allison said.

Vanna pulled into the parking lot. She wanted to scope the location out. She drove once around the building. She wanted to look for anything out of place, or which might present a problem later on. Since it was early in the day, it wasn't as big of a problem as it would be at night, especially after hours. It applied to all the locations. She found it somewhat strange how the authorities waited until a problem occurred before they showed up at the scene after the crime was finished and the perpetrators were gone.

"We're here." Vanna said. "Now all we have to worry about is what type of syrup to use."

Allison didn't care for any of the 'specialty syrups'.

"I think I'll stick with the traditional one." Allison said.

Vanna backed into a spot with a clean shot out of the driveway. The SUV was parked near the emergency exit of the structure.

"Let's go in." Allison said.

They exited the car. Bob hurried ahead and opened the door for them. Normally he would precede them into the location to make sure there were no threats. If there was any gunfire directed at them, it would hit him first, not them. The pancake restaurant didn't seem like much of a threat.

"Thank you, Bob. You're such a gentleman." Allison said.

Bob wanted to use some chivalry.

"Thank you." Bob said as he ushered Vanna in behind Allison. "It's always ladies first."

Vanna was pleased and surprised as well.

"Thanks, Bob." Vanna said.

It pleased him because it pleased the girls.

"It's my pleasure." Bob said.

The waitress seated them at a table by the window where they could watch the front door and SUV both. They could reach the emergency exit easily from where they were located.

They placed their order when the waitress came back. They passed the time talking as they waited for their food.

Earlier:

John Henry was uncomfortable passing John's message along to Bob. He would make sure they knew where it originated from. He indicated Bob to inform them when they inquired about it. He was sure it was something they would do.

"I don't think giving Bob the address of where they were already going to eat is going to go over very well." John Henry said. "Vanna and Allison are going to be upset. They wanted some action."

John wanted them as protected as they could be. He was only reinforcing Cameron's policy.

"They're not to have any action." John said. "You can remind them it was Cameron's order. I certainly don't want to have to be the one to explain to Cameron why it was violated."

John Henry checked his monitors. He picked up a new development. It was very disturbing news. CamNet was now in communication with him as well.

"I've detected some action at the casino in Las Vegas where the Syndicate thing started." John Henry said.

Anything about the Syndicate was the last thing John wanted to hear. Maybe it was the Skynet forces. It didn't seem either group was done with each other one yet. They both suffered heavy losses with everything related to the old supermarket and the port facility. Not only were the losses massive, but all of the perpetrators ended up in the deep blue or six feet under. They disappeared from the face of the Earth without a trace.

He knew it was the way of the future. Wherever someone was killed they might be covered over. If it was the enemy, they would usually be left where they fell. Neither side cared very much for the other. It was the reason there were bleached skulls everywhere. Smaller animals would usually drag off the other bones. There was a possibility a bigger animal would eat the smaller animal later on. There was a good chance people might catch the bigger animal later on and eat it. Basically they were feeding on the byproduct which consumed human remains. It didn't seem like a good place for his mind to go. The Syndicate casino was the current problem.

"Are there any Grays or Terminators?" John asked.

It appeared to be a 'Family' conflict to John Henry. There were numerous similar operations occurring throughout the country and the world.

"No. It's a rival Syndicate group." John Henry said.

John knew it was Young Allison's handiwork. He was aware of the chaos she created worldwide for them.

"It sounds like an internal beef." John said. "I'm sure there's going to be a lot of back and forth everywhere as each group tries to take something from the other group. The other group will try to take it back."

John Henry actually thought it might be a good thing in regards to the Resistance.

"It appears the new group has taken over and the entire former group has been terminated." John Henry said.

John wondered why they only found out now. It didn't sound like something which occurred in the last few minutes.

"When did it actually happen?" John asked.

John Henry was given an abundance of new information by CamNet. Most of it wasn't recent. He was a little upset about the timing. The Command Center was obviously kept out of the loop.

"It seemed to have started a few hours ago. It appears to have concluded now." John Henry said. "CamNet just released all the information to me. She told us not to worry about it. It wasn't a Resistance matter."

It was evident to both of them CamNet would moderate the results of events caused by Young Allison. They wondered if they would ever know all of the details then as to the extent until all events played out. It seemed unlikely.

John thought if the current group of Syndicate thugs was eliminated, they were the ones who were involved with Skynet, it wouldn't be a Resistance matter going forward.

"So does it solve our problem?" John asked. "Are we done with them? I hope it's not something we need to keep looking over our shoulder about."

John Henry wasn't sure about it. Any of the remnants of Skynet left over may not know one Family group replaced another. If they did, they might try to make a new deal with the current Family in charge. Their scheme to bring those who visited the Syndicate casino under their control was actually a very good one.

"It may." John Henry said. "Maybe Skynet will try to get a foothold in there again."

John wasn't sure what they would do. They could also change their direction. Since the operation obviously gained them a lot of influence and control, it most likely wouldn't be something Skynet would want to walk away from.

"I'd think they would try a different casino group." John said.

John Henry thought it would be worth watching. He knew he wouldn't be the only one.

"I'll keep an eye on it." John Henry said. "I know CamNet will as well."

John Henry was sure CamNet would get the Cartel to try and take over at the casino next to further eradicate everyone involved with the original group.

It seemed Young Allison sought justice through vengeance. Maybe it was actually just punishment for those involved in the types of activities they were involved with. They all knew what they were doing was wrong and hurt other people. They all knew they were criminals with the things they did.

They needed to look no further than Cameron to see how she handled a problem. It was always with total annihilation of the enemy. There was no quarter, there were no prisoners. There was only death and termination.

Savannah arrived at the mall. She drove once around the block and then into the parking structure. She parked the SUV for an easy exit. She hopped out of the SUV and started to walk toward the mall entrance. She didn't hear the car door on Cammy's side open or close. She looked back and Cammy was still in the SUV.

She wasn't sure if Cammy was about to have a bigger problem or not. She hurried back and opened Cammy's door.

"Cammy, are you OK?" Savannah asked.

Cammy looked a little dejected.

"I'm fine." Cammy said. "I thought you wanted me to wait here."

Savannah wondered where she came up with such a crazy idea from.

"Why would I make you wait in the car?" Savannah asked.

Cammy wondered if Savannah was about to replace her. She didn't want to be in Savannah's way.

"You said you were getting some things for 'other people'." Cammy said. "The last time we were here you didn't want me to go with you. I figured this time I would just stay in the car and it wouldn't be an issue."

Savannah leaned in and kissed Cammy's cheek. She thought maybe she should explain herself in detail. She didn't want Cammy to feel like she currently did, especially if there was some underlying problem.

"I meant I'm getting them for other people so they can give them to other people." Savannah said. "I want some others to do the same thing I did. I feel it's something very important and means a lot. The last time we were here I wanted to surprise you. It was the only reason why I didn't want you to see what I was doing. I told you could come with me. I'm sorry I made you feel bad the last time."

Cammy reached up and touched her sheath above her heart. It is something important, and it did mean a lot. She felt relieved to hear it. She hopped out of the SUV.

"Thank you for explaining." Cammy said.

Savannah reached down and took Cammy's hand. She wanted to show her nothing was different between them.

Cammy smiled and walked into the mall, hand in hand with Savannah.

Savannah wanted to do something really special for Cammy. It was something she should have done the last time, but was still a little concerned about the pheromones. She headed straight for the pet store. She hoped the pets didn't start to flip out or attack each other. It seemed the new pheromones worked OK last time. She wanted to run it by Cammy before they arrived where the pets were.

"Are you sure this is still going to work?" Savannah asked.

Cammy tilted her head slightly. She didn't see why it wouldn't.

"It did last time." Cammy said. "I used some more before I left the lab this morning."

There were two puppies in a small holding pen at the front.

Savannah wanted to play it safe. She didn't want any of the animals injured or distressed. If one of them was going to become panicked or bite anyone, she wanted it to be her. She didn't want Cammy to crush it or snap its neck if it bit her.

"Let me pick one up first." Savannah said.

Savannah didn't see any distress with either puppy and asked the clerk if she could pick one up. They nodded for her to go ahead.

Savannah picked one puppy up. There was a white spot on its head. She thought it felt soft and looked cute.

"I haven't been around a whole lot of animals myself." Savannah said. "My present company doesn't usually allow for it to happen. The new pheromones should change it somewhat. I know the effect the predator pheromones have."

Cammy looked at the puppy with wide eyes. She looked as thrilled as she was apprehensive.

"I don't want to hurt it." Cammy said. "Look how adorable it is."

Cammy looked very unsure of herself.

Savannah picked up on Cammy's uneasiness.

"Are you afraid?" Savannah asked.

Cammy tilted her head slightly. She didn't think afraid was the proper word.

"No." Cammy said. "I'm worried."

Savannah wanted to give Cammy one additional warning. She looked around to make sure no one was listening.

"Remember it's just a baby and it doesn't know anything." Savannah said. "It can get scared or feel afraid. Its natural reaction might be to bite. You can't hurt it no matter what it does to you. Remember it's like Precious."

Cammy slightly tilted her head in the other direction. She understood how defenseless Precious was and didn't know how to do much at such an early age. The young animals were no different.

Savannah carefully handed the puppy to Cammy. It licked her hand and sniffed her.

There was a smile on Cammy's face. She quickly realized what the puppy was doing.

"It's scanning me." Cammy said.

Savannah understood it was the instinct in the canine family. Their sense of smell was many times greater than a human.

"It's what dogs do." Savannah said. "It's usually how they identify someone. It's more than just the visual aspect for them. The way they see things as far as colors is different from a human. When they smell food, they actually smell the ingredients which make up the food. I think it's the same way you do when you try a taste of something. I can tell the puppy likes you a lot."

Savannah knew when a dog was used to track an individual, it actually was able to smell the skin cells which fell off of their body as they moved along. It's what the 'scent' actually was. It was the scent of the missing.

Cammy's eyes widened a little more.

"Look at its tail." Cammy said. "It's malfunctioning."

Savannah looked around to see if anyone heard what she said. She didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention. It didn't look like it. No one was close to them.

"It normally means it's happy." Savannah said. "It likes you."

Cammy watched Savannah pick up the other puppy and hold it up to her cheek. She then did what Savannah did with the puppy she held.

"It's so soft." Cammy said. "I can feel and hear its heart beating. It's just like a person, but smaller and different."

Savannah carefully placed her puppy back in the pen.

Cammy did too a short time later. She was a little reluctant to do so. It was clear she wanted to continue to hold it. It actually looked like she wanted to hold both puppies at the same time.

Savannah thanked the clerk and they moved on towards the fountain, the 'wishing well'.

Cammy looked thrilled. She took another look back at the enclosure where the two puppies were at.

"Savannah, it was beautiful." Cammy said. "I've never held another type of living creature before. I could tell how much it liked the attention it was given. It wanted to be with me."

Savannah was going to comment Cammy held her quite frequently, but didn't want to spoil Cammy's moment.

They watched a small girl get a penny from her mother and throw it into the fountain.

Cammy looked at the excitement on the girl's face for a long moment.

"I wonder what she wished for." Cammy said.

Savannah was aware there was one person who could answer the question. Well, they're actually maybe another. It was something she would need to look into a little further.

"If River were here, we could ask her." Savannah said. "She would know."

Savannah watched Cammy place something in the fountain.

"Did you make a wish?" Savannah asked.

Cammy looked at Savannah as if she was going to tell her, but didn't.

"Yes." Cammy said. "Are you going to make one? Are you going to make a wish too?"

Savannah wished for something. It was impossible without time travel into the past and the resulting divergent timeline it would create. Her heart felt heavy. She wished she could have her parents back, the real ones. She was sure any Terminator she asked to assist her would. She was sure CamNet would do everything to help as well. She didn't think saving her parents would be a problem. It was the resulting alternate future which would be created which was the problem. Then again, maybe there wouldn't be an alternate future. She didn't want to get into it right now. She was sure if Cammy, or any of the other Terminators, found out what she wanted to do, they would probably act on their own and do it for her. She wanted to keep it simple for now.

"Maybe later I might." Savannah said. "I'm thankful for all of the things I currently have."

Savannah reached over and gave Cammy's hand a gentle squeeze.

Cammy looked at Savannah and smiled. She looked back at the pet store.

"Can I go back to the pet store while you go into the jewelry store?" Cammy asked.

Savannah touched Cammy's cheek. She felt bad about the earlier mix up. She wanted to allow Cammy to see what she was up to.

"You can, or you can come with me." Savannah said. "I have no secrets from you. I should be out very soon."

Cammy looked back at the pet store again.

Savannah could tell Cammy wanted to hold the puppy again. She wanted to go over the rules again. She felt they were very important for the safety of the animals.

"You can go there, just be gentle. Remember, all animals can bite or scratch, even little ones." Savannah said. "They don't know much other than what their instinct and nature dictates to them."

The thought made Savannah wonder about humans. Much of what they did, especially to each other, wasn't instinct but learned behavior. She was in two different futures and both of them were ugly and cruel places. She honestly didn't think the current timeline was really much different as far as the way people treated each other. She thought humans were supposed to be civilized. Her experience showed they were the most savage animals on the planet. Their superior intelligence made them the most vicious creatures of all.

Gail pulled into the parking lot a minute after Savannah did. She parked across the way and entered the mall. She spied Cammy and Savannah holding small canines. It seemed unusual. She quickly deduced Cammy used the new pheromone developed by Cameron. It appeared to work.

She thought they both looked very happy holding them. She quickly moved to the stairway and headed for the upper level. She watched Savannah go into a jewelry store and Cammy return to the pet store. She didn't see them at the fountain, the 'wishing well'. It was below where she was at. She would need to lean over the side to see it. If she were to do so, Savannah and Cammy would have spotted her.

Gail thought Cammy should pay better attention to Savannah. Cammy seemed very distracted to her. She was aware of the earlier incident which occurred with Cammy at the Resistance base. She was made aware it happened a second time as well. It's why she was there. There was someone else who monitored all the communications who was worried about Savannah too. CamNet didn't want there to be any problems for Savannah. It was who she was contacted by and given the current priority mission.

She looked for any threats, but didn't spot any. She couldn't see what Savannah was doing, but she could see Cammy back playing with the small canines. It was poor protection for Savannah at the moment. She was glad she was there to assist if needed.

The way Cammy held the animal reminded her of how Jesse acted with Precious and the gentle way she handled her. She realized the animal was a baby animal. It appeared all babies, regardless of the species, were treated the same way.

She needed to ask Savannah if Young Jesse was ready to 'help' Jesse out with her own child. It seemed the more Jesse was around Precious, the mellower she became. She liked Jesse the way she was before. She was very violent and crude. She made sure the perpetrators knew what their crimes were before they were punished. She didn't seem to taunt and laugh at them the same way Sheila did. It made her wonder if Sheila was defective.

Precious seemed to make Jesse happy. She wanted Jesse to be happy. It seemed a small child and Claire both did it for Jesse. They both made her happy. She didn't like the competition, but she understood the true test of love was sacrifice. She was willing to sacrifice for Jesse.

She did note one major difference in Jesse's sleeping habits. She didn't wake up as much in the night drenched in sweat. She hadn't woke up screaming either. Those were two very positive developments. It meant the demons in Jesse's mind didn't have as much control of her as they did before. Precious and Claire were good for Jesse, even if they weren't for her. If Jesse was happy, she was happy. Well, she didn't know she could be happy, but she could be content.

Gail checked the jewelry store again. Nothing was different.

She looked back at where Cammy was a few seconds ago and didn't see her. She didn't think it was a good development. She checked to see what else was different. Maybe there was a threat she hadn't detected yet.

Sarah decided to head out on an additional run with Jim. She checked with Anna and Cameron. They said it was fine.

She glanced back once at Cameron as she headed out again. She really hoped Cameron knew what she was doing.

"They will help her." Jim said as he looked at Sarah.

Sarah was a little confused. She was lost in her own thoughts.

"What?" Sarah asked.

Jim understood the 'Natural Order'. He could see why it was necessary.

"Savannah and Young Allison will help Cameron and John." Jim said.

Sarah thought John needed all the help he could get. She really wished there was some other way for it to happen. She wanted the girls to have their freedom for as long as possible.

"I think John and Cameron need it." Sarah said. "They've shared a lot of pain and heartache."

Jim studied all the couples and their interactions over the years at the Resistance base.

"Is there any relationship which doesn't?" Jim asked.

Sarah saw the females have trouble from time to time. She never saw a Metal girl upset at a human. She saw the Metal girls upset, but never at a human girl, even if they did something to cause it. She couldn't say the same about John and Cameron.

"I guess we all do, but you know it's different." Sarah said. "It seems the Metal girls don't have as many problems with the human girls."

Jim believed there was an explanation for it.

"The girls all have others to turn to for 'help' in times of need." Jim said. "John and Cameron only have each other. When things get rough, they only seem to make them rougher."

Sarah understood it. When there were only two people, they tended to make things worse when they didn't need to. It was just the way it worked out. Everybody wanted to be right. Everybody wanted to win. All they needed to do was talk it through and everything would have been a lot simpler. She thought about what Jim said. It made sense. She hoped it might really be what John and Cameron needed. Two others who loved both of them unconditionally and could help smooth out any problems. They all could turn to each other for 'help' in the rough spots. They could turn together instead of on each other.

"Cameron is trying to 'fix' it." Sarah said.

Jim was well aware of what Cameron's goal was. All of the Terminators were aware of what the end game was. They weren't the problem. It was John who continually refused to act and accept the 'Natural Order' for the inevitability it was.

"John needs to help her do it." Jim said.

Sarah understood it. She figured why Cameron tried to use Claire in place of Savannah and Young Allison. It was because John was more likely to accept Claire now than he was either of the girls. It actually made sense to her. Now she felt bad she admonished Cameron earlier about it. It made her wonder if she should talk to Claire herself. She was always very aroused and stimulated by Claire's presence. It made her long for the old days. She understood John's safety came first. It's what Cameron was trying to do.

She was briefly intrigued by the idea John and her might actually be with the same person at some point in the future, hopefully at different times.

Sarah and Jim discussed it further as they ran.

Cameron and Anna stood side by side.

Anna watched Young Allison.

"Look how they both look up to Young Allison." Anna said.

Cameron could see how they existed in two different worlds, even if it was the same world.

"They don't even know how she assisted the Terminators." Cameron said.

Anna could feel a pending sense of loss.

"They see Young Allison for the person she is now as a girl, just like them." Anna said. "Are you going to take it from them?"

Cameron felt her hands were clean. She may have set the stage and opened the doors, but she wasn't going to make anyone walk through them unless they wanted to. She understood all of the things Savannah taught her.

"It will be Young Allison's choice." Cameron said. "I'll never make her do 'anything'."

Cameron felt if anything she was currently applying the brakes, not the accelerator to Young Allison's wishes and desires.

Anna saw it differently. It was because of her 'Savannah' programming from the 'Neural Interface'. She was aware of the unspoken agreement between Cameron and Claire about Summer. Claire ceded 'control' of Young Allison to Cameron. Cameron wasn't supposed to try and take Summer as well. It was exactly what Cameron was doing, but tried to keep it hidden.

"You've 'conditioned' Young Allison since she was a small child." Anna said. "You're doing the same thing with Summer."

Cameron wanted to protect John, the girls and the future.

"They must be better protected." Cameron said. "John needs to be protected."

Anna really thought Cameron should look a little deeper into herself.

"Maybe you're only protecting yourself." Anna said.

Anna wondered if Cameron knew the answer to her question.

Cameron tried to put it all together in her head. She couldn't do it. There were too many variables.

"I don't know." Cameron said. "I really don't."

Anna wanted to point out a flaw in Cameron's thinking.

"You sound unsure of yourself." Anna said. "You don't know."

Cameron reflected on what Sarah said about Claire. She didn't believe Claire acted on the unspoken threat about Summer. She believed Claire acted because she loved her.

"I'm making Claire do what she doesn't really want to do, but she's doing it for me." Cameron said. "It's wrong."

Anna knew it was more than just Claire.

"You've tried to make Allison, Vanna, Jesse, and Savannah all do the same thing…." Anna said.

Anna didn't want to mention Young Allison.

Cameron knew the future because she was from there.

"It's Savannah's 'right'." Cameron said.

Anna knew Cameron was blinded by her own programming.

"Just like it will be for Young Allison?" Anna asked.

Cameron wasn't sure what Anna was driving at. Whatever it was seemed to irritate her. Maybe Anna needed to be reminded the future is what drove the past in regards to them.

"The future has already happened." Cameron said. "Everyone knows this."

Anna didn't need the reminder. She thought Cameron needed a reality check.

"Aren't we changing the future every day?" Anna asked.

Cameron didn't like to be challenged, even indirectly.

"We can only delay it." Cameron said. "It can't be changed, any of it."

Anna didn't believe it. She may run Cameron's program, but the influence of Savannah was very strong in her programming from the 'Neural Interface'. She believed everything was changeable and nothing was set in stone. The only absolute in life was death. Everything else was up for grabs.

Jesse was on her way to the lab. She wanted to see Claire. She finally decided to call her.

"Hello." Holly said.

Jesse wasn't too surprised when someone else answered the phone.

"I was trying to call Claire." Jesse said.

Holly didn't want to get into any details.

"She's 'busy'." Holly said.

It seemed pretty evident to Jesse at this point

"Is she busy with you?" Jesse asked.

Holly looked over at Claire and Cam.

"She will be soon enough." Holly said.

Jesse hoped for an invite.

"Oh." Jesse said.

Jesse could hear Claire ask for the phone, she was worried about Precious. It was her motherly instinct pushing through everything else.

"Hello." Claire said. "Is everything OK? How's Precious?"

Jesse wanted to reassure Claire there weren't any problems. She also wanted Claire to know she was available once she 'finished'.

"Everything's fine." Jesse said. "I was looking to see you, maybe when you're 'done'."

Jesse could hear them talking in the background.

"We have room for one more." Claire said. "We're in Holly's room."

A rush of excitement shot through Jesse. She didn't even ask who else was there besides Claire and Holly. She realized it didn't matter. As long as she was female, It was all she needed to know. She could ring anyone's bell. In the future, there were some females who's bell was never rung. Some of them she needed to work with for hours on end, but she didn't stop until they made it. It excited her greatly to know she was the one who gave them their first finish. Then there were some who she experienced personal problems with. She would worry about it another time. That was then, this is now. Savannah taught her life moved forward not backwards.

"Thanks." Jesse said. "I'm coming…."

A smile blossomed on her face. She knew she would be doing that soon too.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Everyone Knows This

Will one look forward
Will one look back
Will they see white
Will they see black

They know what's right
They know what's wrong
Will anything make them stay
Will they leave and move along

What makes it fall apart
When does it all change
Everyone knows the outcome
But still finds it strange

Most try to hang on
No one can stop time
The end draws closer
It's little more than a crime

When things go bad
It's easy to be led amiss
Sooner or later it happens
Everyone knows this

Nobody