Chapter 18
"You're on patrol tonight too?" Kate Connor prompted the young terminator.
Cameron was seated at the dinner table across from Sarah, but she set her attention on Kate, who was seated at one end of the table. "Yes."
Kate considered this as she toyed with some of her organic peas. "I thought perhaps Thomas would give you the night off being it's your last night here."
John was sitting at the head of the table, and he had a small grin. "That's not Captain Welsh."
"Yes." Kate drew her eyes to her husband. "I can see why you chose him." She amusingly shook her head at her husband's low chuckle. She then looked at her mother-in-law and checked, "How's your shoulder been feeling?"
"Back to normal," Sarah easily replied. And it was true despite she was left with a nasty scar as a reminder about her arrival to 2028. In the coming days, she would also think back to the future and how she learned to accept Cameron.
"Good." Kate was obviously pleased. "I'm glad Lauren was here to care for you." She ate some of her breaded chicken.
"She is an excellent doctor," Sarah agreed. Then another thought came to mind, and she looked at Cameron. "You never mentioned you already knew Lauren Fields."
Cameron remained silent for a second and wondered if John would take up for her. But she finally shrugged and replied, "It slipped my mind."
Sarah gave her friend a sour look and pointed the end of her fork at Cameron. "Just you wait, girlie."
John couldn't help a low laugh now and shot a grin at the terminator. "Yeah, prepare yourself for a long, verbal lecture about telling everything and anything to Mom."
Cameron actually rolled her eyes and playfully replied, "I have suffered that lecture multiple times."
"Hey," Sarah snapped at the two. She caught Kate Connor's bemused features, but Kate was smart about not adding fuel to the fire. "I am the one in charge back in 2008."
John turned his devilish grin on his mother. "Yes, Mom you're the leader of the Connor Clan… in 2008." There was plenty of amusement lacing his voice. "But the problem is that Cameron is from the future where I'm the leader."
"Oh so your orders supersede mine," Sarah summarized. "I see." Her eyes twinkled brightly. She now looked back at Cameron Phillips. "I don't know… give us a year or less. I think Cameron and I will make the perfect team."
John felt his grin shape into a warm smile. He liked hearing his mother's positive outlook unlike the past. "I think so too," he whispered then went back to his meal.
Everybody continued eating their dinner that Kate had prepared only moments ago. They chatted about both the past and the future. The three Connors were cautious with what they said around Cameron since she wasn't aware of her own future. The long dinner eventually turned into a long dessert that Kate had also made for them. The four family members joked as much as possible despite tomorrow would be the day for goodbyes. Lauren Fields had cleared Cameron late in the afternoon to travel back to 2008 after she did one more brief check tomorrow morning. It was good news and yet also sad news to have received for John and Blue. But fate had to be maintained or else nobody was certain what could happen to the future.
Eventually the group retired to the living room where they chatted more and sipped on coffee, except for Cameron. John noted that for once Cameron and his mother sat together on the love sofa and were rather close to each other. He sensed a slight shift between his mother and the terminator. He briefly considered if it was the pivotal moment, which would redefine their future, had past hours ago. He decided only his mother and Cameron were the two that would ever know.
Cameron remained her usual quiet self other than chiming in occasionally or when asked something. She still sat stiff but not ramrod straight and was actually slightly relaxed back in the comfortable sofa.
Sarah sipped on her black coffee in between her talking. She'd rest the white mug on her left knee until the heat irritated her then she'd drink from it again. Her right hand moved about at times when she spoke or told a fond story about John to Kate Connor. After one story, her freehand rested on Cameron's knee instead of her own, either by accident or on purpose, she and nobody else were sure.
Cameron detected the heat of Sarah's hand warming her jeans then her skin. She peered up at Sarah's profile, but Sarah didn't look at her while she drank her coffee.
Sarah rested the nearly empty mug on her left knee and continued carefully listening to Kate's story about one of John's ordeals before he became a leader. She sensed Cameron's curious stare on her, but she never met it. Instead, she tried calming her erratic heartbeat because of what'd just publicly happened between her and Cameron.
The terminator finally broke her stare and focused back on Kate Connor. She'd never heard this story about John. She enjoyed stories about John. They somehow inspired her, and she looked up to John, unlike the younger version of him. Cameron held a small degree of respect for younger John, but only because she knew the leader he'd be in the future.
Cameron blinked, unexpectedly, when she felt the gentle squeeze given to her left knee. She glanced down at Sarah's hand, briefly before she looked up at Kate again. She recalled different elements about a relationship, especially signs of affection that humans would share. She considered her options and picked one despite she wasn't sure what the ramifications would be afterwards. She would just have to learn.
Sarah had finished her coffee and set the mug on the small end table near her. She became comfortable in the love seat again until a warm hand covered her right hand. With a quick glance, she confirmed that Cameron's hand was overtop of hers, but she returned her attention to her son. Sarah felt somehow exposed to the world in that moment about how she felt for a machine, for metal and how emotions were mutually returned to her.
But John and Kate didn't comment on it. There only seemed to be brief smiles that ghosted across their lips. They continued to talk as if all was normal and perfectly acceptable. And it truly was because Sarah started relaxing finally. She even turned her hand over and allowed her and Cameron's fingers to intertwine. After awhile, Sarah started running her thumb across the back of Cameron's hand in a soothing motion.
John noted the time on his watch then interrupted the conversation. "You should start heading to the gates, Cameron."
"Yes," the terminator agreed. She already knew the time.
"I'll go with you," Sarah softly offered. She caught Kate's argument about to start so she added, "I'll be back here shortly." She grinned at Kate's chuckle. "Come on," she murmured to her friend.
The terminator felt the tug to her hand so she climbed to her feet. She then canted her head once Sarah looked at her. "You are accompanying me so you can lecture me about earlier?"
Sarah blinked twice and was obviously caught off guard.
Cameron's expression remained mostly cool, except a distant grin pulling at the corner of her mouth. "A joke, Sarah." There was some merriment shining in her warm brown eyes. Behind her, she heard John's low snicker and Kate was grinning, wildly.
Sarah snapped her jaw shut after her mind caught up to the situation. "Right," she muttered. Now she saw Cameron's faint grin that'd developed slightly more but was gone a moment later.
The terminator didn't wait any longer and instead headed for the door after her fingers slipped out of Sarah's warm hand.
John edged over to his mother and patted her on the shoulder. "Good luck with her, Mom."
"Thanks… I'll need it," Sarah deadpanned. She flashed a small grin at him then slipped out of the living room and met her friend at the apartment door. Cameron opened the door for her, and she followed out while saying, "Let's discuss communication skills, Cameron. First…" Her voice faded out when the apartment door shut.
John chuckled and looked at his wife. "At least they're developing a sense of humor with each other."
"You need one… with the lives we lead," Kate agreed. She sighed as she neared her husband. She slipped an arm across his waist.
Beyond the apartment door, Sarah Connor followed her terminator friend down the long hallway to the elevator lobby. She noticed how closely she walked next to Cameron than in the past. She usually disliked anybody in her personal space, but lately she'd developed a comfort by having Cameron near her. This made her smile some because she knew the old Sarah Connor would have viewed such comfort as a weakness. She wasn't that Sarah Connor anymore.
"Tomorrow we may go back to 2008," Cameron commented after a long silence.
Sarah took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah... tomorrow." She spotted the elevators just ahead of them and there was one other person waiting for an elevator.
The terminator studied her friend's profile. "Are you ready to go back?"
Sarah nibbled on her lower lip then softly confessed, "Not really." She exchanged a glance with Cameron. "It's weird, but I found a moment of peace by being sent here… into the Future War."
"That is because it is not your war," Cameron considered aloud.
"It should be." Sarah shrugged and softly added, "But the leadership isn't my responsibility here." She saw Cameron's faint nod, yet they dropped the topic because they were in earshot of the other human.
"Hello," the stranger greeted the time travelers. She flashed them a smile after she noted their time traveler armbands. She curiously studied the women that stood in the lobby with her, facing the elevators. Yet she kept glancing at the dark haired woman.
Sarah inwardly sighed because she knew what was on the stranger's mind. Sarah looked at her again and nodded. Although, after another look she couldn't help thinking that something about the young woman was familiar. Sarah brushed it off and looked back at the slow elevator.
"I'm sorry," the woman offered. "I know you're Sarah Connor." Her eyes then shifted the younger woman. "And Cameron Phillips." She took a step closer to Sarah and held out her hand. "My name is Tracy Cotton."
Sarah was polite and took Tracy's hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Tracy still had her smile and made sure to shake Cameron's hand. She then shifted back into her waiting spot. "You've both met me before," she mentioned. Now a grin caressed her lips, and she brushed back her blond hair.
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows and tried recalling if she'd ever seen Tracy Cotton. "I'm not…"
Tracy chuckled and looked between the confused women. "I was a lot younger… so young I was in my mother's womb."
Sarah still hadn't put the puzzle together, but she peered up at her friend for help.
The terminator canted her head at Tracy. "Your mother is Kacy Cotton."
Instantly it hit Sarah Connor why she recognized Tracy's features. She returned her attention to the young woman, who was in her early twenties. From a more careful study, Sarah saw the resemblance between Tracy, her mother, and her father.
Tracy chuckled again and had a warm smile. "Yes and my father was Trevor." She shrugged and mentioned, "You take Trevor and Kacy, put the names together, and you have Tracy." Just then the elevator dinged so she stepped forward and held the door for them.
"Thank you," Sarah whispered. Her few steps into the elevator gave her a second to put her thoughts together. She sensed Cameron at her side.
Tracy stepped in last, hit a button to her location, and looked at the pair. "What level?"
"Ground," Cameron supplied.
Tracy hit the button then stepped back from the keypad as the door shut. "My mom thought a lot of you both." She pressed her lips tightly together as her features went solemn. "I wish I could say more, but I know what year you've come from."
Sarah cleared her throat and mentioned, "I've only recently met your mother." She grinned a little. "She's due anytime now with you."
Tracy's head bobbed, and she murmured, "December 31…2008." She grinned at the pair. "I was Mom's New Years Eve gift."
Sarah mentally corrected her earlier guess and now estimated that Tracy was just nineteen despite she looked a few years older. She suspected the war had a way of aging humans much faster. "What do you do in the Resistance?"
Tracy slid her hands into her black jacket's pockets. "I take after my father. I'm in charge of a branch of security here in the city." She glanced quickly at the elevator's screen and saw it was almost to her level. "I keep certain… things secure from being stolen or used improperly."
"Ah," Sarah murmured.
"You were recently promoted," Cameron pointed out. She'd never heard of position when she'd left in 2027.
"Yes," Tracy agreed. She sensed the elevator slowing then it hitched and came to her floor. She shifted to the opening door. "It was great to meet you both especially after all Mom's stories." She offered them a smile.
Sarah returned the smile. "You too, Tracy."
Tracy headed out, but she turned back and kept the door from shutting. She shot an evil smirk at Cameron. "By the way, Mom finally figured out exactly how you were inside Sarah… once upon a time."
Sarah Connor's eyes instantly widened at the wickedly dirty remark then suddenly her face felt on fire. Her mouth involuntarily fell open.
However, Cameron tilted her head and attempted deciphering what Tracy meant by that comment. But before she could ask for details, Tracy was rushing off after winking at Cameron.
Tracy's devilish laugh echoed a few times until it was cut off by the elevator's sealed door. Tracy would never forget the slacked jaw and dumbstruck expression on Sarah Connor's face. That memory would always stay with her for the future.
Cameron opened and closed her mouth twice until she turned to her friend. "What did she…" She didn't finish her question when Sarah held up her hand at Cameron.
Sarah released a groan as her hand fell back to her side. She repeatedly shook her head and hoped her deep flush was gone. "You'll figure it out." She took a deep breath and muttered, "Someday."
The terminator decided to leave it alone, for now. She noticed they were coming to the ground floor so she stepped forward and left the elevator once the door opened for them. "Will you go back to John's?"
"I think so." Sarah strolled alongside her friend towards the main entrance's mouth. "I know they'd like to spend more time with me."
"Yes, they would." Cameron considered her night on patrol duty. "I will see if I can finish early."
The human grinned up at her friend. "That'd be nice." She knew that meant more time they could lay in bed together. Sarah wasn't exactly sure how they'd ever see that luxury again once they were back in 2008. But right now, she tried not letting that bother her because they'd just have to work it out once that bridge showed up.
"You are considering something rather hard," Cameron commented.
Sarah sidestepped a passerby then prompted, "Oh?" She regarded the younger woman. "How can you tell I am?"
"You have an obvious tell." The terminator saw Sarah's curiosity. "You develop a deep ridge in your brow just above the bridge of your nose."
"Hmmmm." Sarah licked her lips then concluded, "You must watch me too much."
Cameron was quiet but shook her head. "You are just obvious."
"Thanks," the human deadpanned. She now zipped up her jacket since they were going outside into the chilly evening. "I guess I should learn my poker face from you."
"At least you can learn something from me," Cameron remarked. She too had on a jacket, which she didn't zip up because her body automatically cut back its cooling settings so she'd warm up.
Sarah rolled her eyes and bumped her friend with her left hip. "I've learned a few things from you."
"What exactly have you learned from me?" The terminator scanned the local area now that they were out on the lit street. She and Sarah went onto the sidewalk and continued towards the city wall.
Sarah jammed her hands into her jacket pockets. "You've taught me that lip gloss can come in many shades and flavors." She revealed a small grin that grew as she kept teasing Cameron. "And I learned that you lose your clothes when you travel through time."
Cameron was silent for a beat while her scans checked over the humans passing them. She then seriously remarked, "You forgot the nail polish."
"That too," Sarah tormented. She came to a slow stop after she tangled her left hand into Cameron's jacket pocket.
The terminator couldn't walk and was urged back to Sarah. She felt Sarah's body gradually press into hers.
Sarah ignored a few strangers' raised eyebrows at them. She instead focused on Cameron and hooked the back of Cameron's neck with her hands. "You've taught me what terminators are really made of."
Cameron followed her new instincts when it came to physical contact with Sarah. She easily slipped her arms around Sarah's waist and held her under the street lamp. "What are terminators made of?"
Sarah started running her thumb over Cameron's warm neck in a soothing motion. She smiled at the terminator's serious and open question. "You're made up of more than just skin and metal… just like I am more than skin and bone." She paused as she read the recently born life in those honey brown eyes that she'd come so fond of lately. "Deeper inside, there's an individual emerging, and she's made of strength, courage, purpose, determination… loyalty and friendship." She then grinned a little. "And a lot of stubbornness."
Cameron didn't exactly return the grin, but her features softened and a soft blue ring glowed around the brown of her eyes. "I have learned much of those from you."
Sarah's left hand now slid to Cameron's lower cheek. "I'm not exactly a prime example to follow, Cameron."
"That is a matter of opinion," the terminator softly argued. "It has not been easy for either of us, but we are improving and succeeding."
Sarah softened her resolve once she realized it was true. She then became amazed at how much Cameron understood about their relationship, where they were, and where they were headed. "I never expected that it would take a terminator to make me human again." She searched Cameron's beautiful features then drew Cameron down to her.
Cameron closed her eyes once her lips brushed over Sarah's in a chaste kiss.
"Thank you, Cameron," Sarah whispered against soft lips. Then she slightly tilted her head as lips parted against each other. Her tongue met Cameron's, and their slow dance made Sarah whimper. It set off a hot flash in her stomach and her knees weren't prepared, but Cameron didn't allow her to fall.
The terminator could remain in this moment for longer than her own lifespan. Her systems could never duplicate how it felt to move her tongue across Sarah's. Each kiss was different and gave Cameron another piece of being human. She was beginning to crave what Sarah shared with her during the few moments in their kiss. And Cameron was realizing that any sacrifice would be worth protecting what was growing between her and Sarah.
Very slowly, Sarah pulled back from the kiss, and she briefly bit her bottom lip as a cat grin started appearing uncontrollably. There was the most unusual, bright emerald hue that softened Sarah's eyes. In a husky voice, she whispered, "You're going to be late."
Cameron lifted her head some until she held Sarah's gaze. "I don't care," she truthfully admitted to her human.
Sarah chuckled and brushed her hand across the terminator's cheek. "Go on." She forced herself to pull away from her friend. "I'll see you soon, girlie." She shoved her hands back into her jacket pockets.
Cameron gave a faint sigh and briefly watched Sarah head back to the underground. She accepted the inevitable and headed to the wall.
Sarah waited a few more moments then she glanced back over her shoulder at the terminator. She chuckled at how Cameron's usual walk wasn't as fast as normal. She shook her head and inhaled the cool air in hopes it'd eat away at her heated desire. She let out a huge breath after being glad she was strong enough to walk away from Cameron before they started having a public make out session. Despite she was an adult, there was some part of her that was giddy as a schoolgirl, and it required all her effort to act nonchalant.
Shortly, Sarah returned to her son's home where she visited well into the night with them. She could tell her son enjoyed himself until it became late then his mood shifted ever so slightly. He didn't wish for his mother to return to 2008 despite fate called for Sarah Connor. John could not protect his mother like his mother had done for him all those years. Long ago he accepted there was only one individual that could protect his mother, for awhile.
Sarah had sunk deeper into her seat because she was growing tired. But John roused her from the sofa and promised her an escort down to her room. She agreed and said goodnight to Kate. She then quietly left the apartment with John. She and John didn't talk too much since their thoughts were on tomorrow.
Once at Cameron's room, Sarah hugged her son goodnight and kissed him on the cheek. She offered him a reassuring smile and promised to have breakfast with him in the morning. She went into her room after John was on his way. For a moment, Sarah stood motionless in the room, and it struck her that the chaos would return by tomorrow.
Here in 2028 she had peace, and some part of her wanted to be selfish and not return to 2008. But Sarah berated herself because a life here in 2028 meant just the same – a fight against Skynet. After another consideration, Sarah realized that her mission wasn't to stop Skynet, but it was to raise the best two leaders possible. Perhaps she could not change destiny, but she could control fate.
Sarah finally silenced her ramped thoughts and started getting ready for bed. She changed into her sleeping attire then went to the bathroom to clean up. She soon came out of the bathroom and glanced at the television that played an old movie. But the television's gargle was pierced by a strong knock at the door.
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows, but she hastily collected her Glock from the dresser's top. She shoved it into the back of her waistband and slowly approached the door. She brushed aside a few damp strands that were in her face. After a brief hesitation, Sarah drew open the door and was greeted by Cameron Connor.
"You were not sleeping?" Blue softly inquired.
"No…no." Sarah shook her head and pulled the door wider. "I was just getting ready."
The aged terminator could tell, but she asked, "Do you mind if I come in?"
"Not at all." Sarah stepped aside and allowed the terminator into the room. "You look like you have something on your mind."
Cameron gave a faint nod. She faced the petite human after the door shut.
Sarah folded her bare arms and tilted her head back once she realized just how tall Cameron was compared to her younger self. "I didn't expect you this late."
"I'm sorry," Cameron seriously offered. "But I wanted to discuss some things with you before you returned to 2008."
"Alright." Sarah signaled the desk chair. "Sit down." She decided to lean against the bed's side so that she wouldn't get comfortable.
Cameron grabbed the chair and set it down near Sarah. She sat and took a moment to put her thoughts together. "When you return to the past, you must do me a favor."
Sarah placed her hands against the bed. "Go on."
"A lot will happen in the next year when you go back… a lot of things that can drive a wedge between you and my younger self." Blue paused and studied the human's curious gaze. "But you must trust my younger self. I know right now you trust my younger self a lot more than before, yet it's not enough. You still have a few reservations."
Sarah looked to the left as if guilty of a crime. "It's not easy," she murmured. "My world was turned upside down by a terminator's arrival into my life." She looked back at Blue. "Now it's just getting right side up… a little more each day." She then huffed. "However that makes sense considering the life I live."
Cameron was quiet for a bit as she thought back on very old memories of her and Sarah kissing under a street lamp and exchanging confessions. That memory was only a recent event for Sarah tonight. "I understand." She laced her hands in her lap. "Rome was not built in a day."
Sarah's eyes flickered up to the terminator.
"There will be things… that will try to tear us apart and make us weaker," Cameron revealed.
"Like what?" Sarah murmured.
Blue shook her head and confessed, "I wish to tell you…everything, but it is too risky." She searched the human's eyes. "I can only warn you." She went quiet then softly added, "My younger self's mission is to protect John, yet a conflict starts in her when it comes to you."
Sarah shook her head and tempted, "What conflict?"
"John is the mission," Cameron whispered, "And you are my human." There was conviction in her voice that told an old tale. A blue ring shined along the edge of her pupils. She huskily declared, "I will one day choose you over John."
Sarah lifted her chin then suddenly pushed off the bed. She walked over to the dresser in hopes the movement would defuse her initial hot response. "It should not be about me, Cameron." She turned on her heels and faced the terminator. She was breathing hard. "It is about John and the future."
Cameron stood up from the chair. "No… it's not about John." She pointed at the opposite wall. "2028 is about John… it is about John Connor and Cameron Connor." She dropped her hand to her side. "2008 is about Sarah Connor."
Sarah gritted her teeth and snapped down on her first retort. It was hard because it burned against her throat. She finally hissed, "There is no Sarah Connor after John was born."
Cameron approached the upset human. "Don't kid yourself, Sarah." She carefully studied the conflicting emotions on Sarah's face. "Do you not realize that John and I will not be the leaders we are without you?" She shook her head and whispered, "None of this matters without you."
Sarah blinked back the sting in her eyes. "I put faith into the fact you will always be there to protect John. That it's your purpose." She took a step closer. "And now you expect me to just accept that someday you'll override your own software and pick me over John… out of the blue?"
The terminator tilted her head at Sarah's last words. "Out of the blue," she murmured, "Yes."
Sarah swallowed hard and took a half step away.
"One day my feelings for you will matter more to me than a mission," Cameron whispered.
Sarah shut her eyes and stared off to the right for a moment. "And where does that leave John?" Her gaze went back to the terminator.
"As a man," Cameron softly replied.
Sarah was breathing hard and staring at the terminator. She brushed back a few stray locks and bowed her head for a second. "Tell me it will work out?"
"Yes… if you trust me," Blue gently promised.
Sarah took a deep breath and peered up at Cameron. She knew so much of the past relied on her. She slowly started nodding her head. "Alright… I will do my best."
"I know you will," Cameron murmured. She then gave a low sigh and mentioned, "I did not wish to come here tonight and argue with you."
"But you know it'd happen," the human guessed.
"I know you," Blue countered.
Sarah huffed and went back to the bed. She sat on the foot of it. "You must after so many years."
Cameron neared the tired human. "You were many things to me, Sarah… you still are."
Sarah had her legs pressed together while her feet were propped up on the bed's lower rail. She rested her arms across her knees. "What of Nico? Does she not fill that void now?"
Blue detected hints of jealousy in the human's words. She carefully studied the human as she answered the question. "Nico does in her own way." She noted a slight flinch to Sarah's shoulders. "I believe that's only because she is you."
Sarah slotted her eyes and lifted her chin. Her confusion was obvious in her eyes.
Cameron stepped up closer to Sarah until she was in personal space. She noticed how Sarah didn't stiffen or withdraw like the old Sarah Connor would have done. "You once promised me that after your death that your soul would return to me."
Sarah indeed recalled such a conversation several days ago.
"I thought it impossible… until I met Nico." Cameron placed her hand on Sarah's arm. "You kept your promise to me."
Sarah watched a few deep emotions flicker through Cameron. She freed her bottom hand and placed it over Cameron's. She squeezed and softly said, "I always keep my promises."
The corner of Cameron's mouth tugged with a smile. Once Sarah's hand was gone, she too pulled her hand away. "I should be going back." Cameron then recalled another, minor issue. "I also need the Glock back." She caught Sarah's hesitation. "You will be safe tomorrow."
The human arched a doubtful eyebrow. "Are you just saying that?" Yet, she reached behind and extracted the gun.
"No," Cameron promised with a smile. "You will be going back tomorrow." She started for the door with Sarah following her. "Nico and I will be there to see you off."
Sarah was pleased and stood near the closed door. "Will there be many there?"
The terminator tucked away the engraved Glock while answering, "No, the TDE is off limits. It is a highly secure sector of the city." She considered another aspect and mentioned, "Many do not know of its existence here."
"For good reason, I'm sure." Sarah felt a yawn come on, but she bit it back.
Yet, Cameron detected the human's weariness after a long day. She grabbed the doorknob and offered, "I will see you tomorrow. Sleep well, Sarah."
Sarah nodded. "I'd tell you to sleep well too, but I know you don't sleep."
The terminator leader opened the door and started out but mentioned, "I sleep, now." She grinned at the human's confusion yet didn't explain it. "Goodnight."
Sarah held the door open and watched Cameron Connor go. "Goodnight, Blue." She received a quick smile then Cameron was on her way. Sarah sighed and shut the door.
Sarah considered today's events and especially her discussion with older Cameron tonight. She shook it off and decided it was too late to think anymore. She instead flicked off the lights and went to bed with the television's low volume. It didn't take her long to fall asleep, but she awoke several hours later when the television magically turned off. Sarah raised her head with a bewildered look until she made out her friend in the faint light.
Cameron was already changed into her sleepwear, and she climbed into the bed. She moved under the cool sheets and was greeted by Sarah's warm body.
"Done already?" Sarah muttered. "How was patrol?"
The terminator drew the human into her body once she was on her back. "It was quiet." She relaxed once Sarah was comfortable in her usual spot against Cameron. "Have you slept long?"
"Mmmm… what time is it?" Sarah murmured. She shifted the side of her face on Cameron's shoulder.
"Four thirty-three," Cameron reported.
"About four hours." Sarah sighed contently and adjusted her arm across her friend's stomach. "How were Andrew and Max?"
"They were good." The terminator closed her eyes and started performing system checks. But there was something on her mind that couldn't wait until later. It'd been bothering her all evening while on patrol. "Sarah?"
The human was almost back to sleep, but her name being called made her pull back. She slightly shifted her head and murmured, "Yeah?"
"Where did you obtain that Glock?"
Sarah was quiet for a moment. She recalled that she'd used the gun when she and Cameron were attacked earlier today. "John gave it to me," she smoothly lied. "He was concerned I could get hurt."
"I have protected you," the terminator argued. She then felt Sarah's lips shift against her neck.
"Yes." Sarah squeezed the terminator's hips. "But I had to protect you," she teased. But she went a bit solemn. "Not that a pea shooter will do much against a terminator."
"John knows you sleep better with a Glock."
Sarah turned her head just in time as a few laughs escaped her. She didn't want to make Cameron deaf by laughing in her ear. She twisted her head back and grinned. "I gave it back to him tonight." She shifted some against her friend. "You'll just have to be my Glock tonight."
Cameron considered this then concluded, "I am a big Glock."
Sarah couldn't help a small laugh but a light blush started on her cheeks at the innuendo that skipped through her mind. She clamped down on a slew of sexual remarks that had to do with Cameron's trigger.
The terminator took the silence as her friend getting tired so she suggested, "Go back to sleep."
Sarah softly cleared her throat and relaxed against the solid form under her. "Mmmmm… night."
Cameron filed through several replies and settled on one. "Sweet dreams." She detected Sarah's heartbeat slowing and breathing became deeper. While Sarah slept, Cameron put much of her system on stand-by in a maintenance hibernation. But Cameron was still fully aware of her surroundings, always watching over Sarah.