Chapter 1049

Beach Babes

Savannah left the jewelry store and passed by the fountain. She tossed a handful of coins into the 'wishing well'. She obtained them from the jewelry store for the sole purpose of doing so. There were always wishes about the way she would like to see things. She felt the handful of coins should cover it. She headed for the pet store. She hoped Cammy was inside since she couldn't see her outside.

She was worried she might see Cammy opening cages so she could get to the other animals inside to touch them and hold them. There were other animals there besides mammals. There was a large selection of birds and reptiles. There were also fish. It probably wouldn't go over very well if Cammy reached inside one of the tanks and took a fish out to hold and pet.

She looked inside the pet store. Cammy wasn't there. One of the puppies was missing and there were a couple of hundred dollar bills in the pen. The other puppy chewed on the corner of one of them. She was about to reach down and move it away from the puppy.

She saw one of the workers return from the main hallway along the front of the pet store. She held a wad of cash in her hand and wore a big smile on her face.

The worker looked in the pen and saw the two hundred dollar bills in there and picked them up. The puppy tried to hold onto the corner of the hundred dollar bill it currently chewed on. It lifted the puppy up slightly into the air a few inches before it slipped off and fell back into the cage. She looked back out the way she just came from. The smile on their face faded.

Savannah could tell something was wrong. She quickly looked around for Cammy again. She knew something must have happened involving her.

"What happened?" Savannah asked.

The worker realized the two, one hundred bills were left by the teenage girl who took the puppy. She hadn't stolen it, she paid for it. She should have taken the money up to the register. The whole unfortunate incident could have been avoided.

"I thought a teenager stole a puppy. I didn't see the money she left." The worker said. "I chased after her for nothing. I couldn't have caught her if I tried. I tried."

Savannah tried to put it all together. She could see all the evidence pointed at Cammy. She probably thought it was a good thing the worker hadn't caught Cammy. It might not have ended well for her. She looked at the wad of cash in the girl's hand.

"Where did all the other money come from?" Savannah asked. "It's a lot of money."

The worker looked back in the direction she came from. She didn't see anyone there anymore.

"Another young woman blocked my path and gave it to me. She said it was to cover the loss and pay for any children who want a pet today until the money runs out." The worker said. "I don't think it will. It looks like everyone will get a free pet today. Well, it's not really free, the other young woman paid for it."

The worker didn't mention the fifty dollar bonus she would get for each transaction.

Savannah wondered if Gail was there. It sounded like Gail followed her again and then tried to 'cover up' for Cammy. She wanted some more information from the worker. She didn't think giving a quick description of Gail would be confused by anyone.

"Was the girl with all the money big and very 'well built'?" Savannah asked. "Did she have dark hair?"

The worker thought back as to what the female who blocked her path looked like. She was big and she was 'well built'. She packed a set of knockers which wouldn't quit. She looked at them several times. She tried to determine if they were natural or implants. Her final thought was they were natural. She made her final determination based upon the youthful appearance of the female. She knew females were usually a little older when they considered some type of 'assistance' in the upper quadrant. It was actually something she currently considered. She looked down at the wad of cash in her hand. She knew there was enough there help with the cost of her procedure. No. It was her goal to 'sell' as many pets as possible to make money for her employer. The animals were already 'sold' for the day, she just needed to distribute them.

"It's her." The worker said. "She went after the other teenager. I asked if she knew her. She said: 'She's my lover's girlfriend. It's very complicated.' It sounds to me like some guy is playing with fire. She looked like she could rip someone's head off. She was sure Hot though. She was really pretty when she smiled."

Savannah was sure it was Gail at this point. The worker's description of her sounded right on track. Gail did look rather imposing most of the time. She was the most 'Terminator like' of all of the female Terminators. She looked really pretty when she smiled. The only trouble was, she didn't smile very often. She did smile a lot around her though. She agreed with the worker's description Gail was Hot. She didn't think it would have anything positive to the conversation to confirm her suspicion Gail could rip someone's head off. If she could tear off a Terminator's head, she could definitely tear off a human's head.

"I can say it was a very descriptive description." Savannah said. "I need to find them. Can you tell me which way they went?"

Savannah headed for the door.

"They went out toward the parking lot." The worker said.

She pointed in the direction Cammy and Gail went.

"Thanks." Savannah said and took off at a run.

She didn't think Cammy stole the puppy to steal it, especially since she left behind plenty of money to pay for it. There must have been some other type of underlying issue which occurred prompting Cammy to act the way she did. Right now she couldn't put any of it together. She also wondered about Gail. She never noticed the tail on their trip over. It was something she checked for as well.

There could be several explanations why she didn't detect anything. Gail could have been provided information exactly where they were at. She could remain out of sight, but still be at a close distance to respond. The two reports she knew about of Cammy attempting to leave the Resistance base without clothing in the last few hours probably were responsible for Gail being there. She didn't like being tailed. She understood if assistance was necessary, as apparently it was, it was covered. Sometimes it's nice to have help.

Seconds ago:

Gail was able to avoid a terminal confrontation with the pet store employee. She exited into the parking structure from the mall entrance and sought to acquire Cammy.

She didn't see her on her first look around the interior. She saw the SUV Savannah drove, but Cammy wasn't by it. She could hear a small child making a lot of noise off to the side. She hoped there wasn't going to be an additional problem.

Gail headed in the direction of the noise. She ran to see what happened. She was worried Cammy may have attacked someone. She knew Cammy was having some kind of problem last night.

There was a shrill scream from a child.

She came around a van and stopped in her tracks.

Cammy stood over a small girl.

Bob was inside the restaurant with the blue alpine roof. He watched Allison and Vanna playfully interact with each other as they ate. He could see the love in their eyes as they dealt with each other and him. He watched all of the couples in the Resistance interact with each other. He watched people on the outside as well. He may not fully understand love, but he didn't believe any of the other couples appear to be as in love with each other as Allison and Vanna did.

He watched the girls consume all of their food down to the last crumb. He knew it was something all of those from the future did. They remembered the times when there was nothing to eat for days at a time. It was a recurring problem over and over. No one from the future wasted food, even if it was plentiful. He noticed they looked over with disgust at a table near them when the patrons left. Half of their food was still on their plates. He noticed it was typical of the way many humans interacted with food. He knew after Judgment Day, if it occurred, everyone was in for a big surprise as things rapidly fell apart in a Skynet future.

Allison, Vanna, and Bob exited the pancake restaurant after they finished their meal. Bob held the door for them which pleased Vanna and Allison immensely. There was little chivalry in the future. Everyone needed to keep their head down and were unsure of who they could trust, especially when they were alone.

Since Vanna drove there, Allison was supposed to drive back. She wanted to drink some coffee but Vanna wouldn't let her. Vanna said she could provide her with something else she could quench her thirst with once they returned to the SUV. She gave up her driving privilege to Bob so she could be in the back seat with Vanna.

Bob headed out with the SUV. He watched Allison 'work' on Vanna in the back seat.

Vanna noticed Bob spent a lot of time looking back at them in the rear view mirror. She didn't want there to be a traffic incident if he didn't pay good enough attention to the road.

"You're not going to pile up are you?" Vanna asked. "I don't want to end up in the hospital, or worse. I didn't survive the future to be killed in a traffic accident."

Bob took a safeguard against the possibility. He was able to focus his eyes on two different things at the same time with no problem.

"I have one eye on the road." Bob said.

Bob looked in the rear view mirror at Vanna and Allison in the back seat. He watched Allison work on Vanna. Vanna seemed pleased at what Allison did. He was very pleased to watch them.

They soon finished up and Vanna buttoned her top. It appeared they were actually just playing around. He hoped they would play around a little more. They were both happy now.

Allison wondered if Bob wanted to do anything or go anywhere. Since they were already out, they could always stop somewhere along the way back. They could even go somewhere specific if they wanted to.

"What do you want to do Bob?" Allison asked.

Bob was very stimulated by what he witnessed Allison do to Vanna. He understood it was just for play. It was a way for them to interact with each other and have a good time while they did it. It wasn't quite as intense as when they made love in the back of the SUV previously, but he thought it was still very intriguing. He tried not to glance down at the bulge in the front of his pants. The first response which popped up on his HUD didn't seem appropriate to verbalize.

'I want to watch THAT again.' Bob thought, but didn't say it.

He decided to play it cool and go with the flow. He tried to think of other things they could do. Maybe they should consider something practical.

"I don't know." Bob said. "We could always go shopping if you want to go to the store."

Allison didn't like to go shopping. She found the stores very intimidating and there were usually a lot of people in them. She didn't care for it. She didn't really need to worry about her wardrobe. Ever since she returned to the past from the future, Cameron took care of her apparel needs. Cameron seemed to cycle through a lot of clothes and pass them along to her, Cam, Cammy, and Ally. She seemed to buy very specific types of clothing, especially for its fit.

"We don't really care to shop for clothes." Allison said. "Cameron buys most of our things for us, at least for me anyway. They always fit perfectly."

Bob wondered how much of the 'Future Allison programming' was behind it, or if it was Cameron on her own. He thought most people liked to pick out their own clothes. Everyone seemed to have their own personal taste. He realized it didn't really apply to those in the Resistance.

He knew Allison found Vanna in the 'burn pile' for the dead. It was when she went to remove clothing from what she believed was a dead body. He could understand why she would be content with anything Cameron gave her which was nearly new and maybe only worn once.

"Do you like what she buys?" Bob asked.

Vanna always liked what Cameron wore and bought for Allison as well. She thought Cameron dressed very sexy and she tried to dress Allison the same way as well. Allison always found a way to tone it down. It was a carryover reflex from their future. It was bad to be noticed by others. Bad things always happened when someone got noticed. She still liked the clothes available to Allison.

"Yes." Vanna said. "I do. I think they're all beautiful."

Allison never dwelt much on her appearance. She did like what Cameron did for her. She was even more pleased she didn't have to do it herself.

"I don't usually fix myself up much." Allison said. "Cameron makes us look nicer than we actually look, well, me anyway. Vanna is beautiful on her own."

Bob tilted his head slightly. Allison's statement made him think of Ally as compared to Cameron, Cam, Cammy, and Camille. Ally seldom fixed herself up. He was aware she shared the 'Neural Interface' with Allison. It appeared the 'Neural Interface' made a difference. It seemed to make the Terminator much like the individual they shared the procedure with. It made him wonder about Sheila and Jesse, but he didn't want to think about it right now. Sheila was pretty extreme in her actions. Jesse seemed much more toned down from when she first arrived in the past, the present. He didn't know all of the details of the darkness inside of her. Sheila only scratched the surface of it with her extreme and violent actions.

He wanted to think about more pleasant things. They were the current things. He always thought Vanna and Allison looked very well dressed and were very beautiful.

"You both always look nice." Bob said. "You are both beautiful and extremely attractive."

Vanna liked the compliment. It wasn't something she heard much. She didn't want to take credit where it wasn't due.

"Thank you. You really need to thank Cameron." Vanna said.

Allison kept it simple around the house.

"Thank you. I'm good with a tee shirt and a well used pair of denim pants." Allison said.

Vanna needed to smile to herself with the description. What Allison just said was completely accurate.

"And there's nothing else under them." Vanna said.

Vanna liked it when Allison only wore a long tee shirt and nothing else. It was always very exciting to watch her move around.

Allison frowned a little bit. Cameron always purchased nice underwear for her, along with a nice bra to match the underwear. She just didn't wear them very often. They were just things she grew up without. There were a lot of things she needed to grow up without. It was what everyone went through. It's just the way it was.

"Underwear was hard to come by growing up." Allison said. "I only wear it now because Cameron said it will keep me sexier longer. None of us ever thought about getting old in the Wastelands. It seemed everyone was killed before middle age even."

Vanna cringed a little with the reminder. There were definitely no older women in the future. There were older men, but there were no older women. They didn't survive too long. Someone always got their hands on them sooner or later and it never ended well. She was in plenty of places where she thought she was never going to leave alive. Not only did she leave alive, she also left 'intact'. She was pretty sure she was the only female to come out of a Scavenger camp with all of her body parts still attached to her body. She did what she needed to do to survive. She wasn't proud of her actions and all of the things she needed to do, but she did them to stay alive and she survived. She only ended up being branded. She accepted it voluntarily to free Allison. She sucked in her breath a little bit and looked at Allison with sad eyes

"I survived." Vanna said. "We survived."

Bob saw Allison reach over and squeeze Vanna's hand.

Vanna and Allison looked at each other. They sought comfort in each other. It was where their love was rooted. It emanated from deep within them. How they expressed the love and shared it was only part of it.

Bob could see Vanna relived the past. Maybe they both were. He wanted to bring both of them back to the present. He remembered what an ugly place the future was - is.

He wanted them to go somewhere and have some fun or entertainment.

"Pick something for me." Bob quickly said. "We can do it together. I would like to have some fun and spend time with both of you, if you don't mind. I seldom have been able to do fun things. I think both of you would like to have some fun, and show me what fun is."

Allison wanted to get out of the past, the future. She was usually in a playful mood and decided it was where she would rather be right now. Life moved forward, not backwards.

"Would you like to go swimming?" Allison asked.

Vanna playfully hit Allison's arm. She knew Allison was messing with Bob.

Bob tilted his head slightly. He wondered why they would pick something he couldn't do very well.

"I don't swim." Bob said.

Allison wanted to have some fun. She didn't want to mess with Bob, but she thought he could mess with some other people.

"I'm sorry, I was just kidding. We can go to the beach and have Bob arm wrestle the body builders there." Allison said. "I've encountered their type before. I didn't care for the way they looked at me. I didn't care for their attitude about how strong and macho they all were. I think they could all use a lesson by a real man."

Bob tilted his head slightly.

"I'm a cyborg, not a man." Bob said.

Allison and Vanna exchanged a quick glance.

"You are to us." Allison said. "You're not a scary robot from the future."

Vanna agreed.

"You're an individual, just like we are." Vanna said. "You're a person, or a man, in our eyes. Savannah described Terminators as being mechanical humans. I think she made a good call."

Allison wanted to make up for her earlier swimming comment.

"It's more than just our eyes." Allison said. "It's in our hearts too."

Bob was very pleased with what he heard.

"Thank you." Bob said. "It means a lot to me to hear you say it and mean it."

Allison wanted to get down to business.

"Let's go find some 'studs'. You can show them they're actually 'duds'." Allison said. "It's time to show them strength is more than just muscle. Since you're extremely buff, they won't be able to figure it out. Now if it was a female Terminator, it would totally blow their minds."

He was reminded of some of the time he spent with Cameron for 'proficiency training'. Cameron always referred to it as a 'fun night' out. They all knew what it really was.

"They will lose." Bob said. "It's like what Cameron does. She creates a challenge she can't be beaten at. It will usually lead to an altercation."

Vanna was with the girls before when Cameron did it almost every time they went out. Sometimes it was a little scary when things started to escalate. She was sure Cameron wanted to keep them on their toes and remain alert. She knew they were never in real danger, but it definitely stoked their danger response.

"People don't like getting 'shown up' by a 'teenage looking female'." Vanna said. "We've seen her. She's very ruthless and she isn't forgiving. Sometimes there were even additional altercations which occurred when we tried to leave. They never ended well for the challengers."

Allison thought it would be different with Bob. He looked like he could wrestle a bull and win. No one in their right mind would want to argue with him or challenged him to a fight.

"Bob looks like a stud." Allison said. "They'll accept their loss."

Vanna knew it would attract some of the females to Bob.

"You might even pick up some 'beach babes'." Vanna said.

Bob tilted his head slightly.

"Why would I pick them up?" Bob asked. "Would it be to show my strength?"

Vanna and Allison both laughed.

Bob wondered why it was funny.

Vanna wanted to explain it to him.

"It's just a figure of speech." Vanna said. "They would be looking for 'strength' in a different area."

Now Bob understood. The girls at the beach might want to have sex with him. He was open to the idea, but he liked the girls at the Resistance base. He didn't think he would want to be with a stranger. He didn't want any trouble. He would let them know the restrictions he was bound by.

"Cameron has forbidden male Terminators from having 'relations' with females." Bob said.

Vanna knew there was a specific reason for it. She felt it was a selfish reason on Cameron's part. She understood her thinking because she wanted John protected, but it still limited everyone's potential. She was sure once a female was with a male Terminator, she would be 'ruined for all human males' going forward. A human male simply wouldn't be able to perform at the same level a Terminator would.

"It's just us she was talking about, the girls at the Resistance base." Vanna said. "She wants us all available for John."

Allison wondered what Bob knew about sexual relations. She didn't know what programming he was equipped with.

"Do you know what to do with a female?" Allison asked. "I mean sexual relations wise?"

Vanna and Allison looked at each other and smiled.

Bob quickly called up the file related to such matters. He reviewed all the procedures.

"I can act as any human male does. I don't tire or slow." Bob said. "I'm fully functional and programmed in a wide variety of pleasuring techniques. I will be able to deliver for them. A happy customer is a repeat customer."

Allison and Vanna both giggled with the last part of his statement.

Bob didn't point out he carefully watched Vanna and Allison make love to each other. He would be able to emulate both of them. He would be able to produce the same results quicker. He was sure he also learned a few new things he added to the file. It seemed the female body was very versatile and could be stimulated in a number of different ways.

It made Allison think of her first 'away mission' alone with Cameron. She asked Cameron about what all she could 'do'. It was sort of déjà vu to hear Bob say it as well.

"Cameron said almost the same thing to me before." Allison said.

Vanna wondered what it would be like to see Bob in action.

"Do you want us to hook you up?" Vanna asked. "You can try what John, Derek, and Kyle all do. I don't think it would hurt anything to try it at least one time and see what it was like. It's only if the female is willing."

Bob thought about it many times. He liked the females from the Resistance, all of them. He also needed to worry about Cameron.

"I don't wish to be deactivated." Bob said.

Bob looked a little worried now.

Allison could see she pushed Bob a little too far.

"Relax." Allison said. "We were just fooling about. We wouldn't want to hook you up with some 'skank'. I wouldn't trust any of the trashy sluts around you. We don't want you catching any diseases. I don't think you can, but why chance it. We know there are a lot of diseases out there now. Everyone in the future who had anything wrong with them was wiped out and died from a virus Skynet unleashed. All of those with 'pre-existing conditions' didn't survive."

Allison knew in reality it actually cleared out most of the 'dead wood'. The people who died were a strain on the Resistance for sustenance, as well as medicine. Both were in short supply. Once the virus cycled through, living conditions actually improved dramatically. She was sure over half of the people died.

Vanna looked around and wondered where Bob was headed. It didn't look like the same way they came.

"Where are we going?" Vanna asked.

Allison wanted her chance to drive. It was the deal they made earlier.

"I get to drive home." Allison said.

Vanna wanted to make her point about Allison's driving ability.

"This thing has air bags, right?" Vanna asked.

Bob quickly glanced over at Allison, and then at Vanna.

"Affirmative…." Bob said.

Allison felt more than a little offended by the comment.

"Hey!" Allison said.

Allison didn't feel it was her fault people didn't know how to drive. Maybe they should watch an automobile race on TV. There are no lines on the track. Everyone needs to skill drive. There are a few accidents every now and then. They clean up the mess and continue on as if nothing happened. People should be able to skill drive as well. How hard could it be?

After John returned to his station, John Henry resumed his previous viewing habits. He liked watching Sheila and the girls in her room. It was easy to forget about everything else and watch them in action.

John Henry saw images from a mall start to pop up on his screens. They blocked out the activity in Sheila's room.

CamNet showed him what occurred at the mall where Savannah was.

John Henry watched Cammy pick up the puppy she was playing with earlier and run toward the exit. It looked like she stole it.

He immediately began erasing all prior footage in the mall and checking for any calls to security or to the police.

A worker took off after Cammy and was confronted by Gail. He wondered where Gail came from. Somehow she was just there when she was needed. She hadn't shown up on his tracking board. It indicated CamNet was involved. It also meant he shouldn't ask any questions. He was sure it was related to the earlier issue Cammy experienced when she didn't know she was naked and about to leave the base.

He saw Gail 'interact' with the worker for twenty seven seconds and take off after giving her a wad of hundreds. It looked like more than enough to cover the cost of the animal Cammy departed with.

John Henry checked to see where Cammy went. He was able to track her as far as a van and lost sight of her. The security cameras in the parking lot were very limited. It limited his view, but also reduced the amount of footage he needed to erase.

He saw Gail arrive seventeen seconds later and stop at the back of the van. She stood there and watched. He couldn't see what she saw.

He viewed Savannah in the pet store. She appeared to converse with the clerk and head out carrying a package. It seemed heavy for its size.

John Henry looked at John but didn't alert him yet. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe Cammy terminated someone. They may have questioned her about the puppy she took, or tried to take it back from her. He knew if someone attempted to take it away from her, they would quickly learn what a Terminator actually was. John and he were powerless to act. Savannah was there and she would assess the situation shortly. She was headed toward where Cammy went and Gail still stood. Gail backed up further away but remained there. He wasn't sure what was going on. He hoped to have a better answer before he alerted John of the mishap.

Sheila looked over at her body cam and smiled. She knew she was putting on a show for John Henry. Cameron hadn't come by and given her any trouble yet. It was probably still coming.

She knew she almost seduced John Henry earlier. The body cam footage should soften him up more, or in this case, 'harden' him up. She was actually going to do it, just to see what it was like with a male. If he hadn't gotten up when he did, it would have happened. She knew it was against Cameron's rules, but she felt pretty rebellious at the time. She actually still felt rebellious. It's why she broadcasted her sexual exploits for John Henry to see.

Hanna and Ally concentrated on each other now. She decided to get out a tether and give Hanna and Ally both the same treatment she gave Cammy last night. She didn't know how far she was going to take it. She was going to push them all the way for as long as she could.

Right now they were 'Savannah' and 'Young Allison' to her. She planned to take both of them to 'heaven' and keep them there while they were tethered. It should intensify their 'finish'. She planned to make the 'finish', just the start.

Cameron and Anna ended their conversation.

Anna went over to play with Summer and Jan.

Cameron went to Young Allison.

"I'm going to need to leave soon." Cameron said. "You can stay here with Jan and Summer."

Young Allison immediately developed a hurt look. She knew what Cameron was doing.

"You're going to make me 'decide'." Young Allison said.

Cameron didn't want it to seem like that.

"I'm just telling you I'm going to go soon." Cameron said.

Young Allison saw it for what it was. She would have preferred if Cameron would have asked her to go with her.

"Life is about choices." Young Allison said. "It's what you've taught me."

Cameron shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"It is and I have." Cameron said.

Young Allison was aware it wasn't all fun and games.

"Savannah told me sometimes I'll need to make a 'hard choice'." Young Allison said.

Cameron felt she needed to make more than a few 'hard choices' herself.

"It happens." Cameron said. "You'll always know what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. Sometimes you just have to do it because there isn't any other option, and it needs to be done then."

Young Allison could see the sad look on Cameron's face. She figured she reflected on some of her past 'hard choices'.

"Savannah said sometimes the 'hard choice' is the right choice, and the cards will land where they fall." Young Allison said.

Cameron felt that Savannah was experienced in such matters.

"Savannah has needed to make the 'hard choice' before, several times." Cameron said.

Young Allison believed the main burden for it fell on Cameron's shoulders. She was aware of some of her horrific damage.

"So have you, many times." Young Allison said.

Cameron felt her 'hardest choices' awaited her. She didn't know what they would be, but she didn't think any of them would be easy when they came.

"I have." Cameron said. "I still will."

Young Allison knew this wasn't a 'hard choice'. It was still a choice which needed to be made. She looked over at Summer and Jan then back to Cameron.

"I'll go with you, if you'll allow it." Young Allison said.

Cameron smiled. She felt the future knock.

She didn't want any harm or hardship to befall either of the girls. She just wanted them ready when it happened. Something bad was going to happen at some point. It always did.

"When will you be ready to go?" Cameron asked.

Young Allison wasn't sure if it was another test or not. She wanted the girls to have more security before they left.

"As soon as Sarah and Jim return, so Summer and Jan are better protected." Young Allison said.

Cameron was pleased with her response. She thought Anna would be sufficient. With Sarah and Jim there, it would be even better.

"It's a wise choice." Cameron said.

Young Allison wasn't sure what was happening or if Cameron would even tell her if she asked. She still wanted to know.

"Is all of this a test?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron felt the reality of life was a continual test.

"Life is a test." Cameron said. "Each day is a test."

Young Allison moved forward and took Cameron's left hand. The glitch which started soon stopped. She wanted to give her some options to think about other than where her mind currently was at.

"Will we see Savannah and Cammy or go back and razz John?" Young Allison asked. "I make him nervous, just like you said I would."

Cameron was aware of the effect Future Allison exhibited on John. She wanted Young Allison to cast the same allure to John. It bothered her more than a little bit to know John's interest in Young Allison would primarily be sexual.

"John needs to be reminded the future is knocking." Cameron said.

Young Allison knew her place and wasn't afraid to take it. She wasn't the one holding herself back. It was everyone else.

"The 'Natural Order' is inevitable." Young Allison said. "I'm ready to step up. I'm good to go right now just the way I am."

Cameron already knew the future. It was her function to make sure it happened the way John - Future John wanted it.

"The future has already happened." Cameron said. "The past must now catch up to it."

Young Allison felt everyone needed to catch up to her.

"I'm ready." Young Allison said. "I'm ready for 'everything'."

Cameron touched Young Allison's cheek and smiled.

Anna played with Summer and Jan in the distance.

"Sarah and Jim should return shortly." Cameron said.

Young Allison wanted the girls to know where she was going right now. She didn't want to just disappear on them.

"I'll tell the girls I need to leave soon." Young Allison said.

Cameron understood how important family was.

"Make sure you give them a hug and let them know how much you care for them." Cameron said.

Young Allison wondered if it was what she wanted. Maybe Cameron was about to take her to the past.

"Will we be gone 'long'?" Young Allison asked.

Cameron caught the drift. Somehow the timing wasn't right for everything. She needed to think about the things both Savannah and John told her.

"No. It's not that yet." Cameron said. "It will all depend on Allison."

Young Allison thought there were several alternatives to it. One of them involved her. She was ready for whatever challenge Cameron wanted her to face.

"I'm older, you won't need to 'use' my mother again…." Young Allison said. "I'll do what's necessary for Allison. She is me. I will help her, or any Allison Young, in any timeline. I won't allow Skynet to short change any version of me."

Cameron didn't want any complications.

"Savannah has forbidden it." Cameron said.

Young Allison saw it differently. She had a voice and she intended to use it.

"It's not her choice to make." Young Allison said. "It's mine alone. It's my body."

Cameron was still disturbed by the grief Savannah felt for leaving her two daughters in two different futures.

"Savannah is very wise. You both need to listen to each other." Cameron said. "You'll both need to talk about it, when it's time. There are 'after effects' which you can't understand right now, but Savannah can."

Young Allison knew they would draw strength and comfort from each other.

"We're stronger together than apart." Young Allison said.

Cameron smiled at Young Allison.

"You are very wise as well." Cameron said.

Cameron knew what the future held for her and the girls. They were all together with John - Future John. It was her future here now that she was worried about. What did it hold for her and the rest of them?

Here she was with Young Allison. It was the very person she was created to replace. She was pretty sure once she returned from the past with Young Allison as an older teenager, John would replace her with 'teenage Young Allison'. The replacement would be replaced by the replacee. It was all very ironic and exactly what her programmed directives called for.

The love Savannah and Young Allison offered her was different from the love John offered her. It was all love but it was different. She wanted their love, and to love in return. It was true love.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

You Were Chosen

When I was still Young
My feelings and emotions were frozen
I told my progenitor
You were chosen

I shared from a life
That was never mine
When I reflect on the future
My past makes me repine

I know who I am
I know what I want
I know what I am
I know who I want

My duty was explained
It echoes in my mind and soul
You were chosen
Circumstances beyond my control

A strange new world
Somehow old to me
A previous life left behind
A new future without apology

Nobody