Chapter 7
Sarah Connor gave a last hug to her son then said goodnight again. She left the quaint home and entered the low lit hallway that'd take her back to the elevators. She found nobody else and her boot steps echoed down the hall thanks to the stone walls. She slid her hands into her jeans while she thought about how nice her night had been with John, Kate, and even Cameron.
Sarah bowed her head after she pushed the elevator's down button. She heard its distinct movements up the shaft then the door dinged at her of its arrival. Sarah moved through the doors once they started to draw open. But she crashed into a hard, large form, and the slam made her head ache further. She stumbled back a step, grimaced, and looked up at what she'd hit. She almost thought it was the elevator's doors.
"I'm sorry," a husky, rich voice instantly offered to Sarah Connor.
Sarah brushed back her stray locks and focused on the tall, dark woman's face above her. "I'm sorry... I wasn't watching where I was going." And it was true she'd been silly enough to have her head down. But her thoughts about the incident slackened because of the intense blue eyes that carefully studied her.
The middle-aged woman was out of the elevator, and she shot out her hand at the door behind her when it almost closed up. "I'm sorry again." She stepped aside to give the smaller woman room to get in the elevator. "I hope your night improves." She flashed a teasing smile.
Sarah slipped past the other woman and promised, "It doesn't need improving." She noted the blue-eyed beauty had backed away from the doors but still faced her direction.
"Goodnight then," the woman offered just as the elevator's doors met.
"You too," Sarah called at the last second. Then she was headed down several levels to get back to the guests' quarters. On the ride down, Sarah pictured the blue-eyed bombshell that'd nearly toppled her tonight. She couldn't deny that the woman was extremely attractive, but she could never settle for somebody that much taller or darker than herself. In Sarah's opinion, she always found Cameron's features and figure to be ideal but didn't care to admit that to anybody but herself.
At the thought of Cameron, Sarah knew she needed to make a visit as she promised two hours ago. She obviously wasn't concerned about the terminator being busy. But Sarah became more sober at the thought of her planned conversation with the terminator. Her stomach knotted though because she was so accustom to their conversations turning into arguments. Just for once, she'd like to say something to Cameron that wouldn't be holed punched by Cameron's endless, static logic.
Sarah released a sad sigh and stepped out of the elevator but with her head up this time. She wasn't the least surprised to see the hallway was quiet here too. She slid her hands back into her pockets and quickly walked down the hall until she came upon Cameron's door. She pivoted on her feet, almost ready to call it a night and make a tired excuse to Cameron tomorrow. However, Sarah found herself knocking on the door then it opened only seconds later.
"Hey," Sarah softly greeted.
Cameron pulled the door wider and welcomed Sarah into her quarters. She gestured the desk chair, but Sarah refused it and instead sat on the bed's side with Cameron. She was just close enough to detect Sarah's heightened heartbeat and increasing body temperature. At first, she thought it was the fever returning, but she decided differently when hesitant green eyes lifted to her.
"I've been thinking about what we said earlier today," Sarah started out carefully. Her voice was low and pensive. She was obviously nervous to have this talk or maybe even scared because it could mean her emotions were vulnerable to Cameron's cold cutting logic.
"I have been too," the terminator softly revealed.
Sarah felt some safety in Cameron's admission. She knew it wasn't just her, anymore. "You're right that I mistreat you." She lowered her head as disappointment crossed her face. "I've never mistreated anybody in my life... until you." She looked up again and met Cameron's soft, blue eyes. "All day I've thought about why I do this to you."
Cameron searched the human's face, which was becoming more open as Sarah spoke. "It's because I'm unique. You said because of me that things are no longer black and white. You believe terminators are solely evil and humans are good."
Sarah brushed a lock of hair behind her right ear. "Yes." She tightly laced her fingers together in her lap. "It was easier to think that way. I try to convince myself, everyday that you fit into that little world I made up in my head." She bit her lower lip. "I mistreat you in hopes I'll prove to myself you're nothing different... and I'm still special because I'm human." She let out a frustrated sigh and admitted, "It's not right I do this to you. I claim that humans are worth saving because we're humane, just, and fair but yet I don't practice what I believe." She went quiet and waited to see what Cameron would say back. She prepared for Cameron to either cut her down or fire up her temper. She was tense with preparation.
Cameron processed what Sarah softly confessed and explained to her. She then thought back on John's advice earlier tonight and slowed her logic down that was processing fast. This time, she relied on the human emotions she'd developed since the first day she was exposed to humans. Now Cameron felt Sarah's words tonight rather than heavily analyzed and calculated them.
After tense moments, Cameron recalled a classic line humans often used, and it appropriately fit to what she wanted to sum up to Sarah. She honestly admitted, "I'm not so innocent." She held silent at seeing surprised green eyes upon her now. But she mentally pushed forward and discussed John's keen observation. "You have always attempted to explain your thoughts or opinions, but I consistently crush them with my logic. You respond by scorning me because I disrespect you and make your human qualities seem weak or pathetic compared to my logic that I regard as more superior."
Sarah stared in amazement at the terminator, and it was true that she didn't give Cameron enough credit. She pushed down her shock then dared to take the conversation further in hopes that maybe they'd have middle ground to stand on, together. "I think that pretty much sums up what happens between us."
The terminator nodded then confided, "I do not wish to argue or fight with you anymore."
Sarah quirked a grin and playfully explained, "We'll always fight about something... that's just normal." She became serious again. "But, I'd like to cut it back and not let it be so unhealthy." She searched the blue orbs above her and realized she could actually read them. There were thoughts and even emotions behind those blue lights. "Every time you acted like you knew what I would do, say, or told me how irrational I was... it started to eat at me. I felt I had to prove to you that being human, like me, was better than being a machine, like you. But I started seeing the difference between your human mimicry and your true feelings." She frowned and shook her head. "I thought since you were developing emotions that you'd understand and be more considerate... but it's never happened that way."
Cameron was hit by a rise of guilt at Sarah's confession. In the past, she was too focused on analyzing Sarah's words and actions so that she could understand humans. She never tried using her developed emotions to handle conversations or fights, until now. "You are right."
Sarah felt some relief at Cameron's serious agreement. She gently explained, "I don't like to fight or argue in my family. I don't like being out fighting to stop Skynet then coming home to fight more." She shook her head and emotionally whispered, "I can't even rest at home... for just a little while." She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. "I am becoming like a machine. How else can I fight fire without fire?"
Cameron felt the human's heavy emotions and easily used her own to reply to it. "You must not join them or else they do win."
Sarah sadly smiled and not because of Cameron's logic. But more at the fact that Cameron didn't consider herself a part of the terminator race. "What other option do I have?" she muttered in despair.
Cameron lifted her hand until her warm fingertips touched Sarah's jaw line. She tilted the human's head back up to her. "There are always options... do not choose this one." She was silent for a beat but reminded, "I am the fire to fight back, Sarah... you are not." She saw how Sarah grappled with that truth, but Cameron added, "You are human."
Sarah lost her thin control over her emotions at those three simple words that were declared from alloy lips with such pride. She shut her eyes quickly, but it was too late to stop the sting or the tears that rolled down her cheeks. She was struck by a heavy mixture of emotions that made her quickly grab Cameron's hand in reassurance that this night was real. Sarah didn't realize she leaned forward into Cameron until she found herself protected by Cameron's alloy body all around her.
Cameron had pulled Sarah into her lap and held Sarah against her body. She bent forward and bowed her head down to Sarah. She would have closed her eyes if it was possible.
Sarah kept her head down and let the silent tears trickle over her cheeks. It had been many years since she was comforted by somebody or allowed somebody to comfort her. But ironically she would have not guessed that a terminator, who she considered the enemy, would be the one to hold her when she mentally crashed.
Sarah Connor had dedicated much of her life to loathing the terminator race and Skynet. She lost her entire normal life and nearly her human identity. The hatred had built up in her and slowly ate away at her heart other than her son being her last hope and purpose. But when Cameron Phillips arrived from the future, Sarah was starkly confronted with the fact that machines could almost be human. The line that separated man from machine was starting to blur thanks to Cameron Phillips. Sarah's hatred then found the perfect target.
But tonight proved how wrong Sarah was after all this time. She could relearn that terminators were not all evil. It seemed as if Skynet had unknowingly brought about something good to this world when it designed and built Cameron Phillips. Sarah now understood she had the choice to accept Cameron's growing humanity and emotions or she could scorn it further. The angry energy she'd already driven at Cameron had nearly broken her and caused a rift between her and John.
What Sarah Connor slowly realized was that Cameron Phillip's existence plagued Skynet to no end, and Cameron's uniqueness made Skynet fear for the first time. Skynet believed that human emotions were illogical and a mistake, which automatically made Cameron a mistake. Sarah now understood if she could accept Cameron's humanity then Cameron would become far more than a mindless terminator. What kind of future that would bring, Sarah could not be sure, but she knew it was one that Skynet did not wish to find out. It seemed as if the Future War could be won.
Slowly, Sarah wiped her face dry with her left hand while her other palm pressed into Cameron's soft, alloy chest. She carefully lifted her head, which caused Cameron to straighten up too. There was relief that filled her at knowing her life and the future wouldn't be harmed further if she accepted Cameron.
"Humans usually hug after there's been an argument or emotional conversation," Cameron gently informed. "Does that mean we have made up?"
Sarah let out a small chuckle and peered up at the terminator. "I think so." She toyed with her thick, dark hair and murmured, "I'm glad we worked that out."
Cameron tilted her head to the side and studied the human's body language. She discerned that something had indeed changed about Sarah Connor. "You do not hate me anymore."
Sarah let out a sigh at the statement. She stared down at her lap and gently explained, "I didn't hate you. I just hated the idea that a terminator could be so human." She hesitantly gazed up at metal features. "How does that make humans special anymore?"
"How can any cybernetic organism become truly human, Sarah? Yet we are unique in our own way." Cameron paused but reminded, "There will always be fundamental differences between humans and machines."
"I know," Sarah murmured. She leaned her temple against Cameron's chest. "It's just another line of thought that I have to see."
"Another line of thought?"
Sarah peered up into curious features. "The thought that cybernetic organisms are another race." She straightened up and concluded, "But I think there's a difference between cybernetic organisms and terminators."
Cameron nodded at this new school of thought. "Cybernetic organisms are self-aware and terminators are not." She slightly frowned and sadly added, "There are not many cybernetic organisms then."
Sarah silently agreed with Cameron's definition and realization. She patted Cameron's small stomach then finally got to her feet. "It pretty much leaves you, Skynet, and some rogue terminators out there."
The terminator stood from the bed too.
Sarah faced Cameron and cautiously asked, "Do you mind if I come back in a few minutes?" She bit back a yawn. "I think I'll change and take that medicine."
"I don't mind," the terminator replied. She noticed the human's weary features and reddened eyes from the crying.
Sarah went to the door and revealed, "I just don't feel like being alone tonight." She didn't wait for a response and disappeared out of the room.
Cameron stared at the shut door and replayed Sarah's last words. She didn't expect the human to spend any more time with her tonight. But it pleased Cameron, deeply and wouldn't deny Sarah either. She decided they could watch television or perhaps a movie.
Soon enough, Sarah returned to the room in her sleeping attire and some of her hair was faintly damp from washing her face. She leaned against the foot of the bed and folded her arms. "What you want to watch?"
The terminator stood next to the human and stared at the genre selection list. "Perhaps a movie." She selected the romance genre then looked over the sub-genres.
"LGBT?" Sarah prompted.
"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender," Cameron defined. She selected the sub-genre and now a list of LGBT movies were generated for selection.
Sarah raised an eyebrow at some of the titles. "Bound?" she murmured.
Cameron selected the movie and pulled up its summary plus movie cover. She quickly read the summary.
Gradually Sarah's eyebrows hiked up as she read the summary on the movie. "You can go back."
The terminator did so and the LGBT list repopulated. "Perhaps this one." She scrolled down and picked a movie titled Desert Hearts.
Sarah slowly puckered her lips while she read the summary for this movie. She peered up at the terminator, who was now more than her protector but also a friend. This thought made a soft smile touch her lips, and she softly asked, "What you think?"
"I believe it is worth watching." Cameron saw the human's nod so she selected the play option. "You are not familiar with LGBT?"
Sarah lightly scratched her neck then dropped her hand to her side. "I've been a bit busy to pay attention to the abbreviation." She lowered her voice and muttered, "And it's been many, many years." She knew the terminator heard her, but she walked away before Cameron could inquire further about her last remark.
Cameron oddly studied the human's back. She decided not to ask and just went around the other side of the bed. Like Sarah, she climbed up onto the bed and became comfortable on her back. She set the remote down on the nightstand.
Sarah fluffed up her pillow, which provided a better view of the television. She then muttered, "Damn lights." She slid out of bed and trudged over to the door. She shut off the overhead light and crawled back into bed. She settled in for the lesbian romantic drama set back in the 1950's that was loosely based on a book.
The movie was about an hour and half long that went through the highs and lows between two women, who became lovers once the older woman accepts her attraction to Cay Rivvers. Near the end, a passionate yet gentle love scene was revealed between the women. Despite their attraction, neither initially believed that their opposite lives could possibly workout, but Cay Rivvers was willing to try it, for Vivian Bell.
Halfway through the movie, Sarah Connor curled up her right side but still watched the movie. She couldn't help but see some similarities between her and Cameron. Sometimes Sarah did feel like an old, stuffy woman, who couldn't learn anything new and remained in denial. Despite Cameron was certainly not free-spirited like Cay Rivvers, she was very persistent and often eye-opening like the character.
Cameron watched the credits at the end of the movie then at the end, she went back to the movie selection home page. She turned to Sarah and asked, "Do you like Law & Order?"
Sarah raised an eyebrow then softly grinned at her protector. "Sure... that sounds good." She didn't really care because she was getting tired now. She considered whether to head to her room for the night, but she felt too lazy.
The terminator worked her way through the guide until she started an episode of Law & Order SVU. She enjoyed this show often and discovered an infinitive for the character Olivia Benson. She turned down the volume some then returned the remote to the nightstand.
By now, Sarah had closed her eyes and just merely listened to the voices. She curled up more so her body heat was retained.
"Sarah?"
"Mmmm?" Sarah blinked a few times then focused on the blue orbs turned to her. "Yeah?"
"Have you ever had a relationship with another woman?"
Sarah was very glad to be on the bed or else she'd tumbled to the floor at the sudden question. She cleared her throat then waited a second so she could compose her thoughts. "I've never been in a romantic relationship with another woman."
Cameron could feel the hesitation from the human so she waited to see if there was more to it. But after a moment, she wondered if she'd still have to press the topic to learn more information. She adjusted her question and tried, "Have you been involved with another woman intimately?"
Sarah nibbled on her lower and entertained her options. She could get defensive, but in reality it would only set them back if she acted that way, again. Or she could just be honest, to Cameron and herself. She let out a sigh after her decision and replied, "Yes, when I was a teenager I fell for this older woman." She rolled onto her back and muttered, "Needless to say, it didn't workout... for many reasons."
The terminator was quiet and attempted imaging Sarah Connor as a young woman in the late 1970's or early 1980's. Cameron already understood the turmoil that faced many teenagers, like John Connor back in 2008. But the extra compound of intimacy and relationships were far more dramatic or even traumatic for teen humans. After these thoughts, Cameron turned on her side so that she faced Sarah Connor.
"Do you consider yourself bisexual then?"
Sarah softly chuckled at the fact she was having this conversation with a terminator. She lost her silly smile and became somber. "Honestly, I really haven't ever thought about it." She shrugged and concluded, "I don't think it matters to me."
"Why?"
Sarah smiled at how the terminator always wanted to understand humans, especially her. "I suppose I'm too focused on John and saving the future." She flashed a grin at the terminator. "There's not much time leftover to sit around and think about my sexual preference and how to label myself. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter." She looked back up at the dark ceiling that flickered on the television's light. "You just take love as it comes to you... real love."
"But you refused Charley Dixon," Cameron reminded.
Sarah normally would have snapped at the terminator for bringing up Charley Dixon; it was an infected wound. But maybe for once she could just talk about it to somebody. "He's a good man," she murmured. "I love him." She went quiet but after a moment, softly confessed, "But it's not fair for me to drag him into my crazy world."
"He could not handle it," Cameron tempted.
Sarah lifted her arms and tucked her hands under the pillow. "He could but that doesn't mean he should have to." She glanced over at the terminator. "He deserves better than what I offer him." She looked away now.
"You did not choose this life," Cameron reminded the human.
Sarah considered the true words. "But it chose me." She revealed her saddened features to the terminator. "I don't expect to find absolute happiness in this life." She let out a sigh. "I'm content because I have John in my life."
"He is everything," the terminator whispered.
Sarah silently agreed with her protector's assessment. She turned her eyes away and stayed quiet.
Cameron was still and thought about Sarah Connor very carefully. She then guessed, "You have given up."
Sarah didn't reply at first then checked, "Given up on?"
"On ever having a mate," Cameron answered. "You don't expect to find somebody."
"Why should I?" Sarah fought. She seriously regarded the terminator again. "I have every possible odd working against me here." She blinked a few times and lowered her stare. "My son and I are hunted because of who we are... we don't have a normal life. It's nearly impossible, Cameron." She licked her dry lips and murmured, "In a few years, it won't even matter because I'll be gone." She closed her eyes and tried not letting her future death, the unavoidable, plague her further.
"But every human deserves happiness," Cameron debated, "It is what every human attempts to find in their life."
Sarah bitterly smiled and whispered, "Maybe next time... maybe not." She then joked, "Hopefully my karma will bring me back as something simpler."
"Perhaps a rat," Cameron teased.
Sarah snorted then gently slapped the terminator's stomach. "Thanks." But she saw the terminator's smile reflected in the television light. She couldn't help hers but turned her head away.
"Prior to my arrival in the past," Cameron started after a long silence, "I was not aware that humans may engage in relationships with the same sex."
Sarah smirked at this and taunted, "You thought it was just all about procreation?"
Cameron was considering this then replied, "Yes." She decided on pushing the topic more in the direction she wanted it to go. "I have done several detailed analysis on select humans as a potential mate."
Sarah blinked a few times once she understood what Cameron was telling her.
"Initially, I did not include women into my first analysis," Cameron further explained.
"Who were on your list?" Sarah hastily inquired.
The terminator took a deep breath and almost prepared to recite the entire list, but she faltered. "Perhaps you do not wish to hear the entire list." She shifted some on her side. "The majority were classmates from school."
"Ah," Sarah murmured. She then checked, "You redid the analysis once you discovered you could include women huh?" She had a silly grin. "Any prospects?"
"I concluded there was only one suitable mate, who holds similar interests, excellent characteristics, is efficient, and is competent enough."
Sarah chuckled at the efficiency and competency expectations. She then became rather serious at a scary thought. "If it's John then no," she quickly denied the terminator.
"No, John is meant to be with Kate."
Sarah was relieved at hearing Cameron's agreement. But she shifted her full attention to the terminator now that her interests were peaked. She couldn't help a little poke though and teased, "Derek?"
"I believe the appropriate response would be: not even if he was the last human on this earth."
Sarah laughed at the terminator's developed wit. She sighed and still held a grin.
"I concluded that you are the only suitable mate for me," Cameron finally revealed to Sarah Connor.
Slowly Sarah's earlier grin slipped from her face, and she idly stared at the terminator.
Cameron immediately detected the human's accelerated breathing, and she knew it'd shocked Sarah, completely. She wasn't sure her next words would ebb or worsen the conversation, but she made an attempt. "You are the most acceptable mate for me. You are highly efficient during missions and competent. Your human characteristics are opposite of mine which would provide a balance in a relationship."
Sarah was stunned but weakly managed, "And similar interests?" She was seriously asking without any mockery.
"Initially our connecting interest was John and the mission, but I recently discovered your interest in the arts such as plays, literature, and dance. You also enjoyed movies on a regular basis despite you no longer partake in them either." Cameron paused then added, "You also love cheeseburgers, like me."
Sarah laughed but more out of disbelief. She freed her hands from under the pillow and covered her mouth with her right hand for a moment. She tried grasping what Cameron was telling her which stupefied her because she just didn't see it coming at her.
"Additionally," Cameron softly told, "you know I'm a terminator. Despite how defensive you can be about humans, you do wish that I could be more human... you wish to help me evolve."
Sarah finally pulled her hand away from her face but wasn't honestly sure what to say or how to react. She thought Cameron would have pinpointed a kid at high school as an optimal mate, but she was blindsided by this revelation. She released her breath that she'd been holding the past several seconds. "I..."
Cameron detected the human's distress, but she wasn't sure what to do or say so she just waited for Sarah's reaction. She already assumed what it may be.
Sarah finally focused on the terminator's alloy features that reflected the television's shine. She swallowed and whispered, "I... I don't think it's exactly possible." She saw that Cameron's face was unmoving as if Cameron expected her words. "You're... I'm..."
"A cybernetic organism and a human," Cameron helped. "I calculated it was a ninety-seven point five percent chance you would disagree with us becoming mates."
Sarah faltered under Cameron's analysis that told her a lot about her and Cameron. She whispered, "Then why would you bother with such bad odds?"
The terminator was silent for a beat but honestly revealed, "I have beat worse odds... a two point five percent chance is more than I've had in the past."
Sarah blinked a few times and rolled onto her back again. She clenched and loosened her jaw several times. She shut her eyes and considered such a possibility despite all the why nots.
"You have given up," Cameron interrupted the human's thoughts, "on finding a potential mate. However, you did not factor that I'm a possibility due to me being a machine." She waited a beat but added, "I will not give up on convincing you we're suitable mates."
Sarah still had her eyes closed and turned over the terminator's speech. She couldn't believe this situation that she'd never saw coming at her. There were plenty late night thoughts in the privacy of her bed that she'd thought about what Cameron would be like as a lover and a partner, if Cameron were just a bit more human. Under that assumption, it was much simpler for Sarah to brush off the notion that her and Cameron would ever match up. They were too extreme in their differences and humans shouldn't mix with machines. That's what Sarah chided at her little imagination late into the nights.
Yet, Sarah was badly mistaken tonight because all along Cameron had obviously considered the same possibility. And now Cameron was managing to walk Sarah through her illogical biased and disproved how Cameron was inhuman. Apparently, it took the machine to understand the situation's complexity rather than the human. Now, the machine had promised to the human that she wouldn't give up until Sarah agreed to it. This promise was far more than what any other gave Sarah Connor.
At this last thought, Sarah developed a distinct sting behind her eyes. She'd refused another persistent love interest merely because she was scared to be happy. Sarah rejected Charley Dixon's proposal and his love because happiness wasn't meant for her. Just how many times would she refuse what she wanted so much? Why couldn't she just let herself love and be loved in return before her last years of life were gone?
Sarah finally opened her eyes, which allowed tears to trickle down her cheeks. She gasped for air as if she'd been trapped under water all this time. She then painfully murmured, "Cameron?" She rolled towards the terminator.
Cameron must have known ahead of time because she came over and pushed the human back down into the bed. She covered Sarah Connor with her alloy body then slid her arms under Sarah. But much of her weight rested in her knees and elbows while she cradled the woman. She sensed small but strong arms that clung to her body. Under her, Sarah Connor trembled and quietly cried.
Sarah muffled a cry and buried her face into the terminator's alloy skin at the crook of the terminator's neck. She had her left arm across Cameron's back, but she shifted her right hand to the back of Cameron's head.
The terminator kept her face next to Sarah's cheek. Her blue eyes softly highlight the tear trails there. After a minute, Cameron followed an affectionate desire that'd never been in her before; she softly kissed the human's damp cheek. Her alloy lips now glistened from the moisture.
Sarah hadn't expected the affection from the usually stoic, cold terminator. She reciprocated by nuzzling the warm alloy in front of her. She caught her breath just after her tears slowed down. She began realizing that Cameron still felt so human when she didn't have her eyes open and could see the metal.
Cameron briefly squeezed the human tighter then loosened her grip. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Sarah murmured, but she made no attempt on separating her and Cameron. She instead shifted her face away from Cameron's neck. She leaned her temple against her protector's cheek. She now thought back on Cameron's earlier, hidden offer about them being mates. Just maybe the possible happiness could far outweigh the risk and uncertainty. Many years ago in her teen years, such a chance shown to her with her love interest would have been meant something to her then. Now she held that chance for Cameron if she wished to accept or deny it. After a long minute, Sarah made the first step in a direction that didn't scare her as much as she thought.
"Cameron," Sarah whispered, "can you just give me some time, with this?" She trailed her fingertips down her protector's bare, soft head until she gripped the terminator's broad shoulder.
Cameron hadn't expected this attempt from Sarah. She now assessed that her chances were improving, but she softly replied, "Yes, of course." She considered another angle and tempted, "Perhaps it'll be easier for you once I have my skin sheath back."
Sarah sighed at the terminator's thought process. She pulled her head away and finally gazed at the terminator, who was only clad in her endoskeleton. She argued, "That shouldn't matter, Cameron... that's not fair to you." She regarded the soft blue glow before her. "This is a part of who you are."
Cameron was moved by Sarah's speech and softened enough to show it on her face. She could only manage, "Thank you."
Sarah lightened the mood by teasing, "Well, you've put up with enough of my crap as it is." She had a grin that wasn't quite full. She felt guilty about her mistreatment, but if they could start joking about it then it meant she was headed in the right direction.
"It is worth it if you give me a chance," the terminator seriously replied.
Sarah lost her grin and whispered, "I know." She let out a small breath and realized just how weary she felt after such a long, hard day. Everything had been so emotional and now her day would end with major changes to it.
Cameron must have caught it and mentioned, "You should go to bed."
Sarah was silent for a beat then argued, "I am in bed."
The terminator had a smile that pulled at her silver lips. She then suggested, "You should get under the covers."
Sarah smirked and teased, "If you move, I can do that."
Cameron silently agreed she was a hindrance so she quickly moved off the small human. She went onto her back and listened to Sarah getting under the sheets.
Sarah turned on her right side so that she faced Cameron. She curled up and waited for the warmth to lull her to sleep. She heard the television's background noise, but she would be asleep soon enough.
"Sleep well, Sarah."
"Mmmm." Sarah played with the pillow a bit. "Thank you, Cameron."
The terminator wasn't sure why the human was appreciative, but she didn't refuse it either. "My pleasure," she replied. She caught Sarah's faint grin, but she focused on the television. She lost track of the episode's story because she thought very deeply about what'd happened tonight. Cameron actually felt hope not just for her future but also for Sarah Connor's future.
To be continued.