Disclaimer
& Notices
Copyright: The Terminator: The
Sarah Connor Chronicles characters and concept belong to James
Cameron and Josh Friedman. However, I own the plot and other
characters.
Notices: This story contains violence and
sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or
other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to
privately message me about what you find otherwise, just enjoy.
Summary: The sequel to "I, Terminator". It's
been nearly twenty-two years since Sarah Connor met the Omega
terminator, Cameron Philips, who forever altered her life. On a
regular work day, Sarah Connor receives a visit at Cyberdyne Systems
from Cameron, who reveals that Sarah's daughter is under threat.
However, it appears to both Sarah and Cameron that Cameron's exact
mission is unclear leaving them to find the answers.
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Started:
May 28, 2009
Series 2: No Fate, Story #2
I,
Human
by Red Hope
Chapter 3 – Keepsakes
The Omega terminator was resting in the middle of the double bed and had been watching television all night. Her internal clock told her it was just fifteen minutes past six o'clock in the morning. With a careful tilt of her head, she confirmed the movements from the master bedroom and suspected it was Sarah getting up for work. Shortly after, she heard a shower running for twenty minutes.
Throughout the night, Cameron utilized the internet to do basic research on today's time period such as trends, economy, education, and current world news. She then spent some time learning the house's security system until she fully understood it. She was rather confident that Christopher, the security system, was an effective deterrent for home invasions. However, Cameron knew Christopher could not halt a terminator, who would want to kill Jean Connor. If anything, Christopher would prove to be an excellent alert system if a Resistance terminator made an attempt for Jean.
Just before seven o'clock, Cameron looked at the door after a soft knock. She was lying on top of the bed sheets and sat up just as Sarah entered the room.
"Morning," Sarah greeted to the terminator.
Cameron only nodded in return and remained seated on the bed. She could see Sarah's hair was still damp from the earlier shower. Also a soft, fragrant scent drifted to her that she enjoyed too.
"There's something I need to show you," Sarah mentioned, "before I go to work."
The terminator had never changed out of her clothes and even still wore her boots. She knew it was inaccurate for a human, but she just didn't care last night. There was too much she had to do and a lot on her mind after her meeting with Sarah last night. But Cameron stood up from the bed, turned off the television as she passed it, and followed Sarah out of the room.
"I talked to Charley," Sarah softly told the terminator on the way down the stairs. "He's fine with everything, but he'll probably ask you questions today when you see him." She glanced back at the terminator, who was a few steps behind her. "Be ready for it."
Cameron didn't comment back because she was already prepared for such a situation.
Sarah hurried down the steps but tried not letting her heels make too much noise. She considered how Cameron hadn't spoken at all, which greatly reminded her of when she first met Cameron back in 2008. But she led Cameron to a back sliding door that went out into the yard. She noticed the day was fairly warm and would most likely peak into the eighties today.
Cameron took the human's side as they trekked across the open, freshly mowed lawn. She determined they were most likely headed to the large structure set away from the house and garage. She'd spotted it last night with her night vision, but she didn't bother to ask about it. Now she indeed wondered what it was and what rested behind the large door.
Sarah stepped up onto the short concrete pad that came out from under the door. She flipped open a keypad cover and hastily punched in a code. "The PIN for the garage door is 2008." After she punched in the last digit, the door immediately rolled up at a slow pace. Once it was high enough, she ducked under it and searched for the light switch despite the early sun was revealing the contents.
Cameron went under the still lifting door, and she stopped short as her keen vision focused on large red familiarity. Once Sarah turned on the overhead lights, she moved closer and raised her hand to the shiny chrome. Cameron gingerly ran her fingers over the chrome and traced the blue oval emblem in the center of the grill.
Sarah approached the terminator, who was captivated by the antique before them. "I couldn't get rid of it." She had a bittersweet smile. "I couldn't let it go," she confessed.
Cameron slowly pulled her stare away from the Ford F-350 and gazed down at Sarah Connor. "For all these years?"
"Yes," Sarah murmured. She broke her eye contact and stared at the truck's shiny grill. "I've never used it much... but I kept it maintained, myself." She reached into her slacks' right pocket and produced a set of keys. She held them out to Cameron. "It's all yours... again."
The terminator clearly showed surprise. But as she took the keys, she noticed that the Harley Davidson's key was hooked to the chain too. She cupped the keys in her left hand but grabbed the motorcycle's key. "You have the motorcycle too?"
"Of course." Sarah signaled for the terminator to follow her, and they went behind the F-350. She stepped aside and allowed Cameron to see the old motorcycle.
Cameron came up to the Harley motorcycle and touched the leather seat that was in mint condition. But what she hadn't expected was that the motorcycle was now red like the F-350.
Sarah leaned her shoulder against the truck's bed and folded her arms. "I repainted it after a couple of years... had all the police decals removed." She found curious blue eyes on her. "I just didn't think it would be safe. So I matched it to the F-350's red." She pushed off the truck and neared the terminator. "I bought two new helmets... for some dumb reason." She huffed and muttered, "Not like I can drive it." She'd wanted to learn how to ride a bike, but she never allowed herself to do it.
"Charley does not use these?"
Sarah instantly looked up at the terminator. "He knows not to touch them." She scanned about the large garage. "I built this workshop just so I could store and work on the truck and bike." She faced the terminator. "He knows they're my pride and joy." She revealed a grin at the terminator.
Cameron couldn't believe that Sarah went through so much trouble over material items. Yet, she found it warmed her despite all the coldness she'd received from Sarah. She didn't want Sarah to see it on her face so she turned around and looked over the rear of the truck. She noted something and mentioned, "You fixed the rear window."
Sarah looked up at the window. "Yes, I had it replaced since it was cracked." She then considered any other changes made to the truck. "I also repaired other damage from when we hit that Ford Edge. Then I removed the radio and replaced it with an updated model that could handle HD stations." She looked at Cameron. "It's still original equipment... I like it that way."
Cameron glanced down at the human. "You maintained it yourself?"
"Yes, I drained and replaced the oil every six months. I also swapped out the oil filter once a year." Sarah tilted her head and thought about the regular service work she did to it. "I replaced the air filter, spark plugs, and the spark plugs wires because they were aging." She shrugged and explained, "Luckily, Ford is very good about still making parts for older vehicles."
Cameron tried imaging the petite human working on the rather large truck. Her stoic features slightly softened at the visual her new imagination conjured up.
"I haven't replaced the oil or filter in about nine or ten months," Sarah sadly admitted. "I've been meaning to do it... just not enough time anymore." She let out a low sigh. "I suggest you do it soon." She twisted to the left on her heels and pointed at the wall. "All my tools are in those various cabinets... you'll find everything you need in this garage." She then pointed at the closed door at the far end. "In there are spare parts and different lubricants and greases." She dropped her hand to her side. "I know I have at least half a case of oil filters left, twenty or so gallons of oil for the truck, and plenty for the bike."
Cameron considered another aspect and checked, "Do you have shop manuals or service manuals?"
"Yes," Sarah replied. "In that same room, I have your old Dell laptop in there. I managed to get my hands on Ford's old diagnostic tools and software from decades ago. So you can actually hook it up to the truck for testing. The laptop also has the service manuals on it."
Cameron just nodded despite she didn't expect Sarah to also still have her laptop.
"The battery on the laptop is pretty much useless so you'll have to keep it on AC power." Sarah now started walking away and heading out of the garage. "I wouldn't suggest going out on the roads until we get your digital documents."
The terminator walked with Sarah back to the house but this time their walk was much slower than earlier. "I will take care of your truck, bike, and tools." She could tell the human was attached to them all.
Sarah was quiet for a long minute then softly replied, "I know you will." She put her hands into her slacks' pockets on the walk through the backyard. "You understand the meaning behind them." She left it at that and mentioned, "Jean usually gets up around eight thirty, gets on the road at nine thirty, and needs to be at school by ten."
"What time does she finish?" the terminator inquired.
"Not until about four o'clock." Sarah thought about her mental calendar. "Although, she'll be having try-outs for soccer soon... I think that may be next week."
Cameron was vaguely familiar with the sport, but she never found a need to research it, until now. "She gets home at four thirty then?"
"Typically," Sarah answered. "Sometimes she stays late to get homework done or she has a major research project due." She climbed up the steps onto the wood deck but stopped beside the closed, glass door. She pulled out her hands but in her left she had an earpiece. "You'll need this." She held it out to the terminator.
Cameron retrieved the earpiece and looked over it briefly.
"I've programmed it with numbers like mine, Jean's, Charley's, and also Chola's. I don't suggest you contact Chola just yet." Sarah edged closer to the door but carefully added, "She'll probably alert the UR network that you're here."
Cameron tucked the phone earpiece away in her pocket. "What time do you finish work?"
"I never stop working." Sarah flashed a grin at the terminator then went into the house.
Cameron hadn't expected such a response, but she followed the human.
"I get home around six... just in time for dinner," Sarah explained. "But about three or four times out of the week, I get home later than that." She was heading back to the stairwell. "If something comes up then call me without a second thought." She headed up the steps while she softly explained, "Jean's safety is my priority above anything else in my life."
"I know," Cameron replied, "and it is my mission, always."
Sarah was satisfied that she and Cameron were at an understanding. She separated from the terminator and went back to her bedroom. She quietly finished getting herself prepared for work and left the house fifteen minutes later. She didn't see Cameron anywhere, but she knew Cameron was watching and always would be watching. Some part of Sarah felt a new security at knowing the apt terminator was here to help protect her daughter's life. She just hoped no attempts were ever made by the Resistance and that Omega was wrong.
Cameron had slipped away into the large bathroom that she shared with Jean. She took a shower and cleaned away any dirt she'd collected from the brief brawl in the alleyway yesterday. She enjoyed the warm water that soothed her skin and organic muscles. She then started getting dressed after toweling herself dry.
By eight thirty, Cameron indeed discovered that Jean had awakened and took a shower too. But Cameron was downstairs, and she prepared a breakfast for the teenager. She made an accurate calculation that Jean would be ready by nine o'clock.
Jean had smelled the breakfast food not long after her shower. She made her way into the kitchen and was surprised by the full plate of food handed to her. She ogled at the steaming eggs then peered up at the guest. "You can cook too?"
Cameron gave a grin and merely replied, "Yes." She then suggested, "You should eat it before it gets cold."
Jean didn't argue and went to the dining room table that already had a fork and napkin for her. She rarely had a hot breakfast meal unless it was on the weekends when she had more time. "Did you already eat?"
"I'm fine," the terminator replied. She was getting two filled glasses of orange juice, and she joined the human. "Is it alright?"
"It's so hype," the teen replied. She was busy shoveling the eggs.
Cameron put a glass down for Jean then sat down with hers. She studied the young human across the table.
Jean curiously stared at Cameron's neck where there was a blue tattoo. She wanted to ask about it last night, but she'd never done so. She took a sip of her juice then inquired, "What's that tattoo?" She pointed at it once then went back to her meal.
"It is the Greek letter for omega," Cameron replied.
"Hmmm. Doesn't omega mean final or last?" Jean prompted.
The terminator tilted her head at the young human's question. "It literally translates from Greek as the 'great o'. However, in religion it is often referred to as the last or final."
Jean nodded her head a few times. "In the New Testament," she agreed. She thoughtfully went over it in her head and properly recited, "God declared 'I am the alpha and the omega'... the beginning and the end."
"Yes," Cameron agreed. She recalled a similar conversation with Jean in 2046.
"But why do you have the Greek letter tattooed to your neck?"
Cameron had already worked up an easy explanation. "I believe that omega, the end, is really a beginning to something else... perhaps something better."
Jean thought about the older woman's explanation. "We usually fear death." She peered up from her almost cleared plate. "Humans fear doomsday too, which is essentially the end." She slightly grinned as she traveled Cameron's same thoughts. "But it could just mean another start."
"Yes," Cameron softly agreed. "All things must end, and they must begin."
"Hmmm." Jean set her fork down and asked, "So, you don't fear the end?"
The terminator seriously considered this question because it now applied to her, too. "No, I do not."
Jean softly hummed at Cameron's confession. She took a sip of her juice then switched topics. "So what are you going to do today?" She felt bad that today was Thursday, and she couldn't entertain their new guest. "I don't get home until like five or so."
Cameron held the glass of orange juice but hadn't drunk from it yet. "I plan to work on the truck and bike."
Jean was in the middle of eating her toast, and she nearly choked on it. She put the half eaten toast down and coughed a few times. She grabbed a drink of her orange juice. She then hoarsely whispered, "Mom's truck and bike?" She lightly patted her chest and cleared her throat.
"Yes."
Jean stared in disbelief at Cameron then whispered, "You're serious?"
Cameron tilted her head at the rhetorical, almost silly, question. "Yes," she repeated.
"Nooo," Jean murmured. She shook her head and hastily explained, "Mom doesn't let anybody touch her antiques." She went back to her food. "One time I took the truck out for a ride when Mom was at work. When she found out, I thought she was going to ground me until I was eighteen." She forked the last of her eggs. "After that incident, she put a garage door lock on it with a keypad so I couldn't get to it."
Cameron didn't expect Sarah Connor to be so possessive and protective about the truck and motorcycle.
"I've never even seen her use that old Harley," Jean ranted. "She says she has a motorcycle license, but I don't think she knows how to use it." She evilly smirked and chided, "Who would have thought a mechanical engineer doesn't know how to use a motorcycle?"
"If she didn't," Cameron debated, "she could quickly learn it."
"True," Jean granted. She became more serious and thoughtfully considered that this seeming stranger, Cameron, was given the code into the antique workshop, allowed to touch the antiques, and probably even use them. Then as she thought more about it, she realized that Cameron would use her mother's tools if she was doing work on them.
"Mom must really trust you," Jean muttered between her bite of toast. "I can't wait to get her for this one." She shook her head a few times.
Cameron didn't pursue the topic any further because she didn't want Jean mulling over it too much. She instead took the empty plate when Jean picked up the last piece of toast. She started cleaning up the small mess she'd made from breakfast.
Jean saw the time on her digital watch and quickly jumped from her seat. "I need to get in fourth gear," she muttered and rushed back up to her room for her book bag. She rushed back down stairs, and her pack rustled behind her. She started to the garage door in the kitchen, but she reversed a few steps.
"Cameron, thanks for breakfast," the teen called to the older woman.
The terminator looked up from the sink and nodded. "You're welcome." She then recalled a typical sentiment. "Have a good day."
"You too." Jean smirked and teased, "Have fun with the antiques." Then she dashed through the open door and into the garage. She rushed to her hover car that waited for her.
Cameron put away the clean dishes but went to the glasses on the table. She saw Jean's was mostly done, but hers was pretty much filled. She drank hers on the way back to the kitchen and finished up with the dishes. Afterwards, she planned on inspecting and tuning up the truck and motorcycle. She soon found her way out to the garage that was set away on the property.
Around eleven o'clock, Cameron received an alert about movement in the Connor house from the security system. She instantly determined that it was Charley Dixon getting up from his long night at the hospital's emergency room. She considered whether she should go in to meet him but decided just to continue her work on the motorcycle.
But it wasn't but an hour later that Cameron heard footsteps coming into the workshop. She was knelt beside the Harley Davidson and was cleaning out the carburetor's bowl. She'd planned to replace the fuel element in the carburetors. But she carefully set down the bowl upon hearing a man's voice.
"Sarah said you're good with your hands and fixing machines."
Cameron had stood up with a rag in her hands. She cleaned off the grime as she faced the human that was behind her. She took in Sarah's husband, who was probably about five foot and six inches so Cameron easily stood higher than him. She also assessed he was rather slim figured for most men.
"I'm Charley Dixon," he properly introduced. He smiled and held out his hand.
The terminator stepped forward and took the small hand into hers. "Cameron Philips," she replied.
"It's nice to meet you," Charley added. He drew his hand back and glanced at the motorcycle behind the stranger. "Working on the bike?" He slid his hands into his slacks' pockets.
"Yes," Cameron replied, "it needed an oil change and the fuel element replaced." She also glanced at it but focused back on Charley. "I apologize for any inconvenience with my arrival." She balled up the rag into her left hand.
"No," Charley brushed off. "Sarah said she completely forgot to tell me last month about you coming." He folded his arms and slightly bowed his head. "She gets pretty caught up at work." He peered up and showed his soft facial features. His brown eyes glowed with amber that matched his freckles. "But it's nice to have somebody at the house."
"I plan to look into UCLA," Cameron mentioned.
Charley nodded a few times. "Sarah said you were thinking about going there. I'm sure between her and I, we can get you in there." He offered a friendly grin. "I wouldn't worry."
"Jean said she will be going there."
Charley's grin shifted into a proud smile, like any father. "She's excited to go, I think. She's not quite sure what she wants to major in, but she's a lot like her mother." He regarded the guest and asked, "Have you decided yourself?"
"I'm undecided right now."
Charley furrowed his eyebrows and carefully studied Cameron. "Sarah mentioned you were in the service for a few years after high school. I know your grandfather was in the Army at the same time Sarah's father."
Cameron hadn't realized Sarah made up the part about her being in the service. But Cameron figured it would easily explain away why it'd taken her this many years to go to college if she were twenty-five. "Yes, my parents told me they kept in touch with Sarah. After I mentioned I was interested in UCLA, they contacted her and asked if she could help." Cameron hoped she didn't have any holes or inaccuracies in her story compared to what Sarah told Charley.
"That's what Sarah told me," Charley agreed. He now uncrossed his arms and pivoted on his feet so he could take in the pickup truck. "You'll be using Sarah's truck and bike...?." He knew the answer and turned his head to Cameron. "She loves that truck a lot... I'm surprised she's letting you use it."
"I mentioned to her I use to drive one similar years ago," Cameron explained away. "I had to sell it because I couldn't keep it at the time." Her eyes traveled over the Ford F-350 and memories from 2008 floated back to her.
Charley now understood the connection between Sarah, Cameron, and the truck. He then asked, "Did she show you the fuel pump just outside?" He pointed over his shoulder.
"No." Cameron returned her attention to the small man.
"Here, let me show you." Charley took Cameron outside the workshop, around the side, and brought her to the fuel pump. "The left hose dispenses diesel for the truck." He put his hand on the yellow nozzle then grabbed the right nozzle on the opposite side. "This one dispenses gas for the bike." He then showed Cameron the fuel tank meters. "When these get down to like... three or two hundred gallons left, I suggest you tell Sarah." He was knelt in front of the small meters that were attached to the side of the garage. He twisted his head around to the tall, dark woman. "She'll order more fuel and get it delivered here."
"Is there a key for the locks?" Cameron had noted the padlocks on the fuel dispensers.
"Yes, I think Sarah keeps them in the workshop's office. I'm not sure where but just give her a call if you can't find it." Charley stood next to Cameron again. "But we had to get these fuel tanks for the truck and bike since it's getting harder and harder to find gas stations with these hover cars." He slowly strolled back to the front of the workshop. "It's easier finding them on main highways and populated areas but as you get further away, it can get harder... especially for diesel."
"But the hover cars have been far more beneficial for the environment," Cameron reminded.
"I won't argue that," Charley agreed. "But sometimes I miss the hum of a combustion engine." He smirked at the young woman. "You probably weren't alive in those days."
The terminator knew her birth year, for her cover story, would be 2005 when combustion engines were at their peak in human's lives. But yet she tried joking, "I vaguely recall the smell of gasoline."
Charley chuckled and started moving away from the young woman. "Well, you're about to remember it now." He then offered a smile. "I have to get to the university before my classes start this afternoon."
"Thanks, Dr. Dixon," Cameron formally offered.
Sarah's husband quickly shook his head and corrected, "Just call me Charley, please." At Cameron's nod, he called, "See you later, Cameron."
"Have a good day," the terminator replied. She briefly watched him return to the house then she went to the waiting Harley Davidson. For the rest of the day, she worked on the motorcycle then later on the pickup truck. Cameron thoroughly inspected the truck from top to bottom and front to end for any wear and tear, defects, or regular upkeep. But just after five o'clock, the security system, Christopher, alerted her that Jean Connor had arrived back at the house and parked her car in the garage.
Cameron was currently under the pickup truck, but she heard the teenager's footfall in the workshop so she wheeled out on the creeper. She sat up once she was past the grill of the truck.
Jean chuckled at the grease either on Cameron's face, arms, or tank top. "That's my favorite kind of makeup." She strolled over to the older woman and mentioned, "I would help but I rather not have Mom after me, again." She studied the truck's hood that was up in a vertical position.
Cameron responded with a faint grin.
"How's it look?" Jean inquired.
"It is in excellent condition," Cameron reported.
"Have you started it?" After Cameron's head shake, Jean brightened and quickly argued, "We should start it."
The terminator arched an eyebrow and replied "Not until I replace the oil."
At this news, Jean edged over to the truck, squatted down, and indeed spotted the filled oil pan. "True," she softly agreed. She lowered onto her right knee. "There doesn't seem to be much rust."
"No." Cameron lowered back onto the creeper and pushed herself back under it. "However, it appears the hoses may have aged."
"Which hoses?" Jean inquired.
The terminator glanced at the hoses that concerned her, but she could barely make them out. "I believe the radiator hoses are too old now."
"Hmmm." Jean stood up and went to the front of the truck. She pressed her body into the grill, lifted on her tiptoes, and studied the radiator. She couldn't help but grab the upper radiator hose, and she squeezed it. "It seems pretty solid though." She didn't detect any irregular bends in it.
"It is running a bit hotter than it should," Cameron mentioned from under the truck. She was using a strap wrench to free the oil filter. But with her left hand, she carefully forced the filter free.
"It could be the thermostat," Jean debated.
"No." Cameron replaced the filter and closed up everything. "Your mother's records show she replaced the thermostat only nine months ago."
"It could be just about anything though." Jean went through her mental checklist on the coolant system. "It could be as simple as the radiator cap to the damn water pump."
"I suspect it's the hoses," Cameron informed. "They're rather old and overtime the inner wall of the hoses separate."
"There by creating a vacuum lock in the system," Jean murmured in realization. "It blocks the flow of coolant through the system."
Cameron wheeled back out from under the truck now that she had it mostly closed up under the truck. "Yes, exactly." She sat up and mentioned, "You're knowledgeable about early twenty-first mechanics."
Jean gave a sharp grin and reminded, "You are talking to the daughter of Sarah Connor." She folded her arms. "Mom didn't let me touch the truck or bike, but she did let me watch her and explained it to me. I picked up a few things." She shrugged though and sadly added, "If I really had to wrench on these old things, I'm not sure I could do it."
"I'm confident you could," Cameron argued. She stood up but had a rag in hand to clean off the grease.
Jean was pleased by the older woman's compliment. "Thanks." She gave off a low sigh. "I wish I could stay and help, but I have a lot of homework to do." She started out of the workshop, but she saw Cameron was headed to the office door nearby. "I'll let you know what's up with dinner."
Cameron only nodded and briefly watched the teenager go before she ducked into the office for the truck's oil. She continued the truck's oil change that only took her another half an hour. After she changed the oil, she crept under the truck and bolted the oil pan into place then made other necessary checks.
But shortly, she heard the distinct sound of heels against concrete, and she knew who was in the workshop now. Before she could roll out from under the truck, a strong hand wrapped around her ankle and pulled her out from under the truck. Cameron slowly inclined her right eyebrow at Sarah Connor's amused features.
"How goes it, grease monkey?" the nicely dressed CEO inquired.
The terminator lowered her torque wrench across her waist, which caused a low clank thanks to her belt buckle hitting the metal wrench. "It is in excellent condition." She then hesitated and checked, "Grease monkey?"
Sarah chuckled and softly explained, "It's old slang for a mechanic." She became more serious. "You are finishing up an oil change?"
"Yes," Cameron answered. "I did an oil analysis from what drained out of the engine. I found the analysis to be rather satisfactory. There is very little aluminum content, which shows low wear on the engine."
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows at the mention of an oil analysis because she had nothing on hand to do such detailed testing on oil. "How'd you manage that?" She had a few ideas, but she waited for Cameron's explanation.
"I can analyze anything I touch," the terminator factually stated.
Sarah grew more perplexed and double checked, "Through your skin, you can analyze whatever you touch?"
"Yes," Cameron confirmed. She then added an example, "If I were to touch you, then I can obtain a reading on your vitals such as pulse, water content through your perspiration, body temperature, blood pressure, and respiratory rate."
Sarah hadn't known this prior, but it made sense to her too. "Good to know," she murmured. "Well, I'll let you finish up." She wanted to get change too so she quietly left the workshop.
Cameron lowered her head back on the creeper and considered Sarah Connor. She set aside her thoughts and pulled herself under the truck. After she finished properly tightening the oil pan bolts, she got out and went in the truck's cab. She started the truck with a turn of the key, and she enjoyed the F-350's rhythmic growl. She was content and shut off the engine.
Cameron properly disposed of the old oil out in a recycling container then cleaned up her mess. Last, she went into the office that had a small sink and mechanic's soap. She used the pumice orange soap and thoroughly worked off the grease and dirt that'd traveled up her arms. She also washed her face with regular soap then dried off.
The terminator shut off the lights in the office and closed the door behind her. But she stood by the door and stared back at the Harley Davidson that she'd tuned up this morning. She recalled the rides she'd had on it back in 2008 for almost a month. Cameron broke from her stare and started for the bike with full intent to use it this evening. She had a perfect destination in mind. First though, she wheeled it out to the fuel pump to top it off.
Back in the Connor house, Sarah had changed into a pair of jeans, sneakers, and short sleeved black top. She shut off her television after listening to the latest news and went down to Jean's bedroom. She poked her head into her daughter's room.
Jean was bent forward and hastily typing away on her thin notebook's touch-sensitive keyboard. She was bobbing her head to whatever was blasting in her wireless earphones. She didn't even notice her mother.
Sarah was about to call to her daughter, but she faltered at hearing a distant but distinct rumble from behind the house. She instead closed her daughter's door and went to the end of the hallway where there was a curtained window. She drew open the curtains and instantly spotted the tall, dark terminator on her Harley Davidson.
"Damn," Sarah hissed. She rushed through the hall then down the steps only to explode out of the front door. She slowed her run to a fast walk just as the terminator drove down the overgrown road from the workshop.
Cameron could tell by the human's expression that she was not pleased so she slowed down to Sarah's side.
"You can't ride that on the roads," Sarah instructed.
Cameron debated how to reply, but she decided on honesty. "I will stay under the speed limit so I won't be pulled over."
Sarah put her hands on her hips. Why did she suddenly feel like she'd have to lecture the terminator? "It's not smart."
The terminator tilted her head back and remarked, "Apparently I am not under your keen observations lately."
Sarah took a deep breath and dropped her hands. "Are you trying to draw attention to yourself?"
"I am not." Cameron hadn't fought at all with the human since her arrival, but now she couldn't help being defensive. For just a few hours, she wanted to feel free from her mission like she often did back in 2008 when she rode the motorcycle.
Sarah waited a beat and softly concluded, "I can't really stop you."
"No," the terminator agreed. She dropped her left hand from the handle. "But you could come with me... in case I do get pulled over." She glanced back at the house behind the petite human. "Jean will be fine." She focused back on Sarah. "I'm aware of everything happening in the house."
Sarah hadn't expected the offer. She couldn't deny that it interested her because she loved the motorcycle as much as the truck. She'd never ridden it since 2008 with Cameron and only hauled it on and off the pickup truck. She didn't like leaving Jean alone, but she often chided herself for being too motherly at times. How could she expect her child to grow up if she was always blatantly protecting Jean from the world? Someday soon it would no longer be possible.
Cameron could tell she may be winning Sarah over. She twisted around and unhooked one of the two helmets, which she held out to Sarah.
The CEO swallowed and stared at the silent gesture. After a few heartbeats, she raised her right hand and pressed her palm into the crest of the helmet. "Just wait a minute, okay?" She patted the helmet once then jogged off to the front door.
Cameron lowered the helmet to her left knee and indeed waited for the human. But she had to wait about seven minutes until Sarah returned with two coats in hand.
Sarah had also changed her sneakers to boots for safety reasons. She easily swung on her black leather jacket so she'd stay warm during the ride, especially because she suspected they'd be riding after sunset. But in her left hand, she had hooked another jacket that was made from navy canvas. She presented it to the terminator.
Cameron had the running bike balanced between her legs and the helmet on her left knee. She hesitated but gingerly took the familiar jacket from the human. Again, she was stunned that Sarah had kept another item of hers, personally hers. Cameron had liked the navy blue canvas jacket, and she stood up to put it on with a simple shrug.
Sarah was pleased that the jacket still fit the terminator. "It'll get cold." She took the helmet from the terminator's knee and put on the half helmet. She adjusted the chin strap then retrieved her HUG from her jacket's pocket.
The terminator knew she needed to wear the other half helmet if she didn't want them to get pulled over, by law. She grabbed it and easily fitted it to her head. She sensed that Sarah was situated in the seat so she sat down too. Before Cameron took off, she zipped up her jacket then shifted her boots into place on the foot controls. She revved the engine and put it into gear.
Sarah snaked her arms around the terminator's waist and hooked the firm stomach. She adjusted her boots on the passenger pegs and became comfortable. She briefly focused her eyes on the HUG's GPS mapping as they drove through the development's streets. She could only guess what Cameron had in mind for a joy ride, but she didn't plan to ask.
Cameron ordered her HUD to dim slightly because of the western sun. She was grateful for the windshield on the bike that blocked the few summer bugs. She shifted the bike into the next gear and sped up the ride as they hit main roads. Her internal GPS instantly mapped out the fastest route to her destination. She developed a thin smile at the fact she'd won over Sarah Connor for this round.