Author's note: I'm glad you've all enjoyed the story so far. Here's the last chapter - Christmas presents!!

Elessar-4-TnT - Thanks for the insight. And of course Riley's nowhere to be found. I've never been a fan of Riley, and I definitely wouldn't put her in a Christmas story with John. :)

Augustus Paladin Maximus - Thanks! I actually did write a mistletoe scene in this story, but thanks for the suggestion.

TorontoBatFan - Ooh, thanks. I was actually toying with what Cameron would get Sarah. I forgot she had Stark's gun, so thanks for the idea!

Chapter Three:

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

John felt someone shaking him and jerked awake. Cameron was kneeling on the bed above him, urging him to get up. His first thought was that there was danger. He bolted upright.

"What is it?" he demanded.

Cameron gestured to the clock. "It's Christmas."

John glanced over, rubbing his eyes. The clock read 12:02. "Jeez, Cameron!"

"I know," she stated, almost sadly. "I missed it by two minutes." John would have laughed if he wasn't still so tired. This was nuts…

"No, I mean, we don't get up this early on Christmas," he protested.

"I don't understand. It is now December 25th. Christmas Day."

"Yeah, but do we ever get up at 12 in the morning?"

"Yes."

John sighed. "Fair enough, but that's only in emergencies. Do we usually get up this early?"

"No."

"It's the same on Christmas. We still get to sleep until seven or eight."

Cameron still appeared a bit confused, but she didn't argue as she lay back down on his bed. He sighed, trying to fall back asleep.

************

Cameron woke him up again, this time at eight, and John decided to get up this time. After Derek, who was sleeping on the couch, and Sarah woke up, the Connor clan congregated in the living room by the Christmas tree.

"Merry Christmas," John said happily.

Derek snorted, still appearing a bit groggy. His mother and Cameron both returned his greeting.

"Alright," Sarah said, looking at the presents. "Who wants to start?"

Cameron held up hand and Sarah gestured for her to begin. Cameron picked up a large box and handed to John. As he eagerly tore off the wrapping paper, he wondered what she had thought to get him. Not that it truly mattered. She could have gotten him a rock and he would have treasured it forever just because it came from her.

He lifted the cover off the box and stared inside with confusion. He recognized that purple leather jacket. It was Cameron's, not one like it, but her own personal jacket. It even still smelled like her.

"You're giving me your jacket?" he asked incredulously. "The one you killed for to get back?"

Cameron nodded, seeming pleased. "You said a present for someone special should be something special. This is my most prized possession. Besides my nine-millimeter, but I need that to protect you."

John was touched at her consideration. If she gave up her most prized item for him, it meant she cared a lot for him right? "Thanks, Cam, but…I can't take your jacket."

She looked troubled. "Why not?"

"Because…it's yours," John said, holding it out to her. "Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the thought, but I can't take it from you. I don't even think I'll fit into it."

Cameron examined the jacket in his hand. "I did not consider that."

"Hey, come on John," Derek spoke up, unable to resist the opportunity to tease his nephew. "You'd look great in purple."

Cameron looked up at Derek, apparently not liking the fact that he was teasing John. She picked up a perfectly wrapped box and handed it Sarah, finally stopping in front of Derek, her face blank and stony. "I didn't get you anything."

She resumed her seat on the floor, and John watched his uncle's mouth open slightly in astonishment. He nudged Sarah.

"Can I take back her gift?" he asked.

John smiled as his mother simply ignored Derek for the moment, concentrating on opening up Cameron's gift. John watched curiously, wondering what Cameron had decided on.

Inside was a Thompson sub-machine gun. John didn't know that it had come from the Stark Terminator which Cameron had smashed to pieces during one of her many nights out. Next to the weapon was a pendant with a small silver turtle dangling from the end. John frowned before remembering the tortoise his mom had helped. Cameron had obviously gotten the idea then.

Sarah was smiling as she set the gun and pendant aside. "Alright, Tin Miss," she announced. "My turn." John waited in anticipation as his mother handed Cameron a small wrapped package that resembled a DVD case, which ruled out his idea that Sarah was buying Cameron a new nine-millimeter. John was handed a decorated envelope.

Derek looked like he was about to start pouting again when it seemed like Sarah had forgotten him. She finally told him that his gift was still out in the garage, which prompted him to hurry out of the room in excitement.

Cameron carefully peeled off the wrapping paper of her present. John had already guessed which movie it would be: The Wizard of Oz. Cameron looked up at Sarah with wide eyes and his mother smiled, "You and John can watch it later."

John grinned, wondering if this would be the start of a new tradition. Forget Charlie Brown. My family watches the Wizard of Oz each year on Christmas Day. Sarah looked at him expectantly and he quickly tore into the envelope, sliding out a couple of movie tickets for the local cinema.

He looked up, a bit stunned. Movies were for normal people, not those who were destined to save the planet. Movies were something normal families went to see together. Was she actually implying what he thought? Was she reassuring him that she did want him to have a life?

She looked down, seeming embarrassed by the gift. "I know I'm no good at picking out presents…" she began. "…the flak jacket, and everything…but…"

"Mom," John interrupted. In all honesty, this was more than he could have ever hoped for. "This…" he gestured around the room, at the glittering tree, the mistletoe above the doorway, the brightly wrapped packages still under the tree. "This entire Christmas season has been a present," he finished meaningfully. "Thank you."

Sarah smiled at her son, a true smile. Derek burst back into the living room with a broad grin on his face. "I got a bed! She got me a bed!" He came and plopped down onto the couch beside Sarah once more, grinning gleefully. John had already seen Derek's present. It was not much more than a cot, but he supposed it was an upgrade for what Derek slept on in the future. John caught Cameron's eye.

"He's way too excited about this," he muttered good-naturedly.

Up on the couch, Derek was still rambling on. "I always did find it odd that the machine—," he trailed off as both Sarah and John shot him a cautionary glare. "—that Cameron got a bed and I didn't…"

"Derek, it's your turn," John quickly cut him off. "Quit digging a hole and pass out your presents."

That finally got Derek's attention, and he forced a smile and picked up two packages. The first was wrapped awkwardly into a tube shape…well, they both were wrapped awkwardly. Of course, it's not like he was taught gift wrapping 101 in the future. Derek tossed the tube-shaped one to Cameron carelessly. She caught it and opened it, revealing a tube of nail polish. The second he handed to Sarah, who tore it open to find a Betty Crocker Cookbook.

A wide smile spread across John's face as his watched his mother scowl playfully at Derek. "What are you saying, Reese?"

"I'm saying that three square meals of pancake sucks, and that John and Tin Mi---Cameron are better cooks than you."

"You know I can still have that bed taken back," Sarah said casually.

A look of horror crossed Derek's face and he instantly shut up. John shook his head in amusement and reached under the tree, pulling out a small rectangular wrapped box on which he'd written Cameron's name.

He placed it gently in her hands, feeling a rush of anxiety. What if she didn't like it? He almost panicked, and he wondered if she would just be happy with anything he could have gotten her. Would she treasure a rock that came from him? Did she have an idea?

John was in more of a tizzy than Cameron was. He felt as if he was going to go crazy waiting as Cameron carefully peeled away the wrapping paper. He almost opened his mouth to remind her that they weren't saving the paper and she could just rip it open. Finally, she reached the inner box and lifted the lid.

Inside was a necklace with a diamond in the center. It was hard to judge what her reaction would be. All the ladies on the jewelry commercials he'd seen had stared in awe, repeating "He went to Jared."

John watched with satisfaction as her eyes widened slightly. She understood, he decided happily.

"This is the diamond you gave me from the safe," Cameron stated. John's smile widened.

"Yeah." He took it gently from her grasp and leaned over to fasten it around her neck.

Cameron stared at him for a moment, as if processing the correct response. Then she leaned over and hugged him, which momentarily startled John.

"Thank you for my present," she said. "It's tight." She pulled away quickly and John wondered if he had merely fantasized the whole thing. He saw Derek stiffen at their closeness, but to his credit, his uncle didn't make a comment. Definitely real, he thought. He quickly picked up the gift to give his uncle, not wanting Derek to become moody again.

"Here."

Derek took the package and ripped off the paper. Inside was a baseball glove and a ball. John watched Derek's eyes start to get a little misty and smiled at his uncle.

"I was thinking…maybe you and I could play sometimes," he said hesitantly. He hadn't been sure of this plan. He had debated, knowing that baseball would bring back memories of Kyle, but he didn't know whether his uncle would welcome such memories or if they would only serve to make him grieve even more.

Derek looked down at his nephew seriously. "I can't take the place of my brother."

"I'm not asking you to," John replied.

Derek finally grinned, slipping on the glove. "Thanks, John. This actually goes perfect with what I got you."

John stared at him quizzically until his uncle handed him a package shaped almost exactly like the one Derek had just opened. Sure enough, inside was another baseball glove.

"You need two gloves in order to play," Derek said, as if John hadn't known that already.

"How did you know?" John asked. He thought he'd been so careful. He'd wrapped everything as soon as he'd returned home, and he'd hidden it in his room. Derek wouldn't have been able to find it and he certainly couldn't have guessed without…

John slowly turned his gaze on Cameron. "You cheater," he said, trying to keep a serious face.

She looked up at him innocently. "I was not aware there were rules."

John sighed, a smile forcing its way onto his mouth. "Alright, so looks like there's just one present left."

He picked up the box and handed it over to his mother, eagerly awaiting her reaction. It had taken a lot of thought to figure out what she would really want, and even more to find out how to get it for her.

She unwrapped it and the minute she saw what was inside, her hand flew to her mouth and tears sprang unbidden into her eyes. Her reaction was exactly as he'd expected…and hoped for.

In her hands, she clutched a picture frame with a photo of Kyle Reese in the center. Derek noticed the picture too and his eyes widened at the unexpected sight of his little brother.

Sarah was positively speechless. "How did you…"

"As it turns out, Cameron had a profile of him in her records," he explained. "It included a picture."

Sarah kept a tight grip on Kyle's picture, and Derek hadn't looked away yet. John fought a lump in his throat. Before that picture, he hadn't even known what his father looked like, not as an adult at least. Now it was almost like he was there, a part of his life. Proof that he existed.

The Christmas music was still playing softly in the background and John recognized "I'll be home for Christmas." He smiled softly. It was fitting.

Because Kyle Reese, or at least his image and memory, was home.

****************

Sarah stood in the living room, holding onto Kyle's picture long after everyone else had parted. John and Cameron were watching the Wizard of Oz and Derek had reluctantly joined, though she heard him complain several times about having to watch the singing and dancing Munchkins.

It was almost time to start the Christmas dinner and she was glad for Derek's cookbook present. Sarah looked out the window, catching a glimpse into their neighbor's house. The usually bubbly Kacy was just sitting on her couch, looking lonely. Her boyfriend, Trever, was nowhere to be seen.

A wave of sorrow washed over Sarah. She knew what it felt like to be alone. Reaching for the phone, she dialed Kacy's number, inviting her over for dinner. Some of Kacy's cheerful disposition returned as she readily accepted, thanking Sarah again and again.

Derek, John, and Cameron paused their movie and came to the door curiously when Kacy rang their doorbell two minutes later.

"Thank you so much for inviting me over," she said gratefully. "Trever got called into work last minute." Her voice filled with disappointment.

"On Christmas?" Sarah asked. She could imagine that Trever felt just as bad about having to leave his girlfriend alone for such a special day.

Kacy nodded grimly. "Crime never takes a vacation."

Sarah felt Derek lean in closer and whisper in her ear. "Neither does Skynet." But she could hear that he wasn't really worried anymore. He had gotten past the bitterness and was actually enjoying the day. He didn't want to worry about Skynet today any more than she did.

Kacy held up a package of food. "I brought some hickory honey ham."

"Is that different from regular ham?" John questioned.

"Yes," Cameron spoke up. Sarah sighed, expecting Cameron to launch into a technical explanation on the molecular differences between ham and hickory honey ham, thus forcing Sarah to explain to Kacy that her 'daughter' is currently obsessed with culinary arts.

To her surprise, no lengthy explanation came, and she, John, and Derek all turned to look at Cameron, stunned.

"You aren't going to explain the difference?" John asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't think you would want to hear it," Cameron replied calmly.

Derek grinned. "Good job," he said. "You're learning."

John turned back to Kacy, "So is it some kind of special Christmas ham?"

************

Dinner went surprisingly well. Sarah enlisted the aid of Kacy and the Betty Crocker Cookbook. Both John and Cameron pulled their own weight in the kitchen, proving that they weren't just good at making cookies. Derek chose to peel the potatos because it involved him using a knife, a job for a man, he claimed.

John cheerfully discussed his gifts with Kacy before presenting her with the gifts from him and Cameron. He'd managed to convince Cameron to give Kacy some baby clothes after reminding her that it was a bit early for baby's first shotgun. In return, Kacy had gotten him and Cameron a nice bag of candy.

Trever came by after dinner and picked Kacy up, thanking Sarah genuinely for helping his girlfriend have a good time. After the two had departed, Derek stretched and yawned loudly.

"Well," he announced, rising to his feet. "You think we could get my bed moved into the house sometime before I go to sleep tonight?"

Sarah scowled at him, but John could tell she was merely teasing. The bitterness, fear, and grief that usually surrounded his family had taken a one-day vacation. The two walked out into the garage and John was left alone with Cameron.

"So…" John said, gesturing to the necklace that now dangled around Cameron's neck. "You like it? Diamonds are a girl's best friend, right?"

Cameron met his gaze, her eyes serious. "Not this girl."

John frowned slightly, unsure of her meaning. Did that mean she didn't like it? She'd certainly seemed to this morning. "Really?" he asked. "What is?"

"You."

John swallowed hard, fighting to still his emotions. "That's…" he began unsuccessfully. "That means a lot to me. Really. You're my best friend too." Even as he spoke it, he realized how true the words really were. There would never be anyone like Cameron. He trusted her, he cared for her. He'd never confided in anyone, not Riley, not Derek, not even his mother, the way he did with her.

He'd never loved anyone like he loved her.

Cameron gave him a small smile and took his hand. "Come with me."

John followed without question. It didn't matter to him where they were going. Just being with her was enough to make his head spin and his heart race. She led him to the doorway and he could see that the snow was coming down lightly in large snowflakes. Perfect end to a perfect Christmas. She stopped and looked at him and John quickly cast a glance upward, aware of the mistletoe above their front door.

"You gave me a wonderful gift," she said, fingering the necklace. "But you refused my gift. I didn't get you anything."

John held up a hand. If she was still feeling guilty over that… "It's okay. You don't need to."

Cameron took a small step closer and John felt his heartbeat quicken. "You gave me something special…so I need to give you something special too."

Without another word, she leaned forward and kissed him tenderly in a way that made him forget she was a machine. Because she wasn't anymore…not to him. She was just Cameron.

She finally pulled back, keeping her face close to his, eyes shining brightly, waiting for his response. He grinned broadly, feeling a bit of an emotional high.

"You know what?" he agreed. "I'd have to say your present tops mine."

She smiled again, and he matched it, taking her hand and leading her back into the dining room, his heart overflowing with joy. It was his first true Christmas and he couldn't have asked for anything better.

finis