** Greetings. This is my first attempt at fanfic. Hopefully, it's not too horrid. Any and all feedback appreciated.

Set in the second season. AU Derek's alive and still annoying. So are Riley and Jesse. But those 3 won't be in it much. Promise.

The beginning will be PG to PG13 but a definite R rating is on its way unless Skynet pulls some shenanigans. If sex between 2 women or a woman and a really hot killer cyborg offend you then skip this story.

No infringement intended. Just for the fun and the love of the show.**

The girl was-wait, no, strike that. The "machine" was watching me again. She—hell—"it" is always watching. Analyzing, studying, and just staring in general. I've spoken to her. Told her to put on a movie, run some combat scenarios, bake a freaking cake, or go for a long walk off a really short pier. Anything so long as she stops staring at me.

She gives me the big innocent brown eyes. I'd like to say the doe eyed stare doesn't move me. That it doesn't twist my stomach and ignite a flame that should have smoldered out 17 years ago when the love of my life was killed by a machine just like her. But I only lie when it comes to the mission or the protection of my son. So, just for the record, the look does get to me.

I finished my pull ups and dropped to the ground. I was determined not to make eye contact but this morning was different. She—Damn! "It" was coming straight at me.

Skin tight jeans, bike boots, and a barely there tank top covering her perfect body. Long, wavy brown hair bouncing on her shoulders. Her pouty lips curved in a smirk. "Good morning, Sarah. John has finished decrypting the chip. I made pancakes."

I rolled my eyes. The pancakes are a running joke about my lack of cooking skills. Even I can't screw up a recipe that only requires a cup or two of water. I thought that explained the smirk. I couldn't have been more wrong. If I had only known the real reason behind the smirk I might have run a zillion miles in a different direction. But I didn't know. So I followed her inside.

John was seated at the table, shoveling in forkfuls of fluffy, yes, fluffy pancakes. Mine are never fluffy. Sometimes bumpy or clumpy, but never fluffy. Crispy bacon, perfect fried eggs, and from the looks of it, fresh squeezed orange juice completed the meal. "Hey, Mom." He mumbled between bites. "This is really good you should get a plate."

I shook my head and opted for coffee instead. I was about to reach into the cupboard for a mug when Cameron lightly touched my arm. She was holding a steaming mug of black coffee toward me when I turned around. The smell was better than the stuff Starbucks charges five bucks for. My mouth watered. Apparently her skills had no limits.

I took the mug and managed a quick, "thanks" before I drank about half in one swallow. It was smooth and strong, just like her. Oh hell, where did that thought come from?

I gave my head a quick shake and focused my attention on John. "I hear you were able to access the chip."

He nodded. Still chewing and reaching for more since I shook my head when he offered me the last of the bacon. "I accessed parts of it. It's kind of like having a huge puzzle spread out before you and only chunks of it are coming together. There's still tons of it that are missing."

I nodded. "Ok, but you've got something. What is it?"

He briefly met my gaze before becoming extremely concerned with something under his fingernail. "There's no easy way to put this, Mom. The woman's name is Kim Czymanski, but she goes by Dr. Kim. She's an inventor who specializes in robotics. As of tomorrow morning she will be attending a, um, four day seminar in Daytona Beach, Florida. The chip has her name, the day after tomorrow's date, the name of the hotel holding the seminar, and tons of surveillance footage of the Dr. at work and in every day life with her lover."

Other than a rushed unexpected trip, I couldn't imagine why he wouldn't make eye contact and actually seemed embarrassed. "So, she's probably the Kim referred to on our wall outside. I get that. Why are you acting so weird? What's the catch?"

His eyes flicked back and forth between Cameron and I a few times before he suddenly jumped up. "Cameron will explain. I have to—um, I have stuff. Stuff that needs doing. R-r-right now." He stammered on his way out of the kitchen.

Cameron cocked her head to the side and looked at me. "John is not comfortable with gay people."

"Wh-what?" I stammered very much like John had just done. "Tell me what the hell is going on or so help me God I will find a way to dismantle you and then roast marshmallows over your flaming body."

"I am not a flamer, Sarah. I am not even sure I am actually gay. You are a fascinating person with very aesthetically pleasing features and a slammin' body. Anyone with eyes would be attracted to you."

My mouth hung open. A carload of flies could have flown in and nested and I would have just stood there and let it happen. Even if she had punched me or pulled out a gun and shot me I still could not have been more surprised or stunned.

"Do you require assistance? You look pale and your breathing is erratic."

I slowy slid down until I was sitting on the floor with my knees pulled up to my chin. I mentally counted to ten. It didn't help. I still felt an awful lot like Dorothy when she first woke up in Oz. "I'm going to do my best to forget what you said a minute ago. Just tell me what's going on in Daytona Beach that requires our attention."

"Dr. Kim is attending a lesbian workshop at the Holiday Inn. John has arranged for you and I to attend the same seminar. We are to be lovers."

Ok, I lied. Apparently I could be more surprised and stunned. She had spoken the words nonchalantly as though she were reading off a grocery list. It took a minute or two for me to form a coherent thought and get back the ability to speak. "This is preposterous. We're not doing any such thing."

"The chip made reference to Dr. Kim one hundred seventy-three times. Although I do not know the specifics she appears to be somehow integral to either the prevention of Judgment Day or the growth of John's Resistance after Judgment Day. In two days something is going to happen to her. It could shift things in our favor or Skynets. I am not sure which. I do know that you and I have to be there."