Epilogue

Three months later

The voices of children playing in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean's shore mingled with the soft sound of waves, slowly rolling towards the shore, eventually ebbing away on the sandy ground, leaving the smoothed surface after receding and uncovering ever new stones, pebbles, shells that attracted children's attention like magnets. There were few other families on the beach. While the adults remained for themselves, not seeking the impromptu bonding with other couples, the children quickly found that they had quite a few interests in common and were already playing together, regardless if they knew each other before or not.

Cameron lifted her head and scanned the whole area. Behind dark sun glasses her eyes vividly checked everything and after she saw the little figure of Savannah Weaver, joining the other children in the demanding task of constructing the impenetrable sand castle, her lips twitched slightly in a content smile. Everything was OK, there were no threats and she relaxed once more. She buried her toes in the warm sand, additionally sweeping some more sand over them with her hands, enjoying the feeling of gentle scrubbing of tiny sand particles against her skin.

"She's all right. You shouldn't be so worried." John's quiet, amused voice caused her to turn her head into the direction from where it came and she saw John, lying on his back, head propelled up, eyes shielded from the sun with his hand and he was looking into her direction with wide smile on his face.

"I know, but I can't help. I have to make sure she's really OK." She answered softly and finally laid back to join her husband on the big towel they spread over the sand. She turned her head towards John and smiled at him. "I like her very much and I have to check upon her every so often."

John laid his head back on the provisional pillow, he constructed from Cameron's tote bag and another towel, turned it towards Cameron, so that their faces were just inches apart and his hand roamed from shielding his eyes to caressing Cameron's cheek. "You're acting just like any overprotective mother hen, Cameron." He chuckled satisfied: "I would never expect you to become such a model mother figure. But here you are … surprising me every day anew. And I like Savannah very, very much too. If I'd ever have children, I'd like them to be like her." He stretched to her and gave her a kiss on her lips, which she gladly returned.

"I don't know if I act like a mother. But … maybe you're right." Cameron suddenly looked lost in her thoughts, before her lips twitched into a slightly impish smile: "But if I think about it very thoroughly, I really do act like your mother used to when I became a part of your family and was around you too much and too close for her taste. Before we became a couple. Maybe I learned it from her?" She ended with a small grin.

"I don't think that you learned it from my mom, Cam. I think it's just you. You learned so much in the past year that I can't believe I'm lying next to the same girl whom I tried to detest consciously and loved subconsciously a while ago."

"Did you? I mean … detest me?"

"Never! I was just trying to convince myself that you weren't worth my trust and so I tried to fight my feelings for you that way. What can I say … I've been a pain in the ass, an idiot, a total …"

Cameron stopped his tirade with another kiss and after they ended it, John looked amused into Cameron's eyes. While they have been talking, he removed her glasses to be able to see into her beautiful eyes. "You have an interesting method of silencing me, Cam. Very effective and oh, so very sexy! I guess I should rant more often to get stopped by you? You should probably stop me more often." His eyes sparkled with playfulness and he bowed to her lips again.

Few minutes passed before they finally could let go of each other's lips. The fact that they were on a public beach caused them to restrain their growing passion before it could end in something much more, something absolutely inappropriate for this location and company.

Suddenly Cameron lifted her body into seating position, pulled her knees up and hugged them with her both hands, leaning her chin against knees. She stared across the ocean with blank stare, but not before she checked that Savannah was still in the same group of children, enjoying the day.

For few minutes John closed his eyes and savored the warm sun, but gradually, Cameron's complete silence and her stiff posture caused him to sit up too and look at his wife. "Is something wrong, Cameron?"

Cameron didn't even acknowledge his words; she just kept staring towards the horizon. John began to worry that something must have gone wrong, but he had absolutely no idea what might have made her so distant so suddenly. So he gently laid his arm over her shoulders, pulled her closer to him, satisfied that she allowed him to, what was actually a good sign, and kissed her earlobe: "Cameron, please, tell me what's bothering you." His voice was soft and slightly pleading.

After another few seconds of silence, Cameron finally turned to him and it shook him when he saw her sad eyes, dangerously gleaming with tears that began to gather in them. "Cam?"

It took his wife two seconds to answer: "I can't have children, John! I know that you would like to have them, but I can't give them to you. I…" She trailed off, her voice sounded fragile and wounded. She needed few moments to compose herself and continue: "Maybe you should get a human wife instead of a machine. She could give you the children you want."

John's facial expression grew more horrified with each word Cameron spoke and after she finished and looked at him with tearful eyes, he grabbed her shoulders and turned her so that she was now fully facing him. His hands gripped her shoulders more forcefully than he wanted to, but her statement sent him into such mental state that he wanted to get some sense into her beautiful head, one way or another. His face went from horrified to determined and maybe just a little bit angry.

"Now listen to me very carefully Cameron, because I'm going to say it just this time." His voice was hard, but not without affection. "I want kids, yes. Not yet, but sometime in the future. But if the price for having children would be giving you up, then I will never have a little Connor running around my house. I will never give you up, Cameron! I married you because I love you! And if you can't have children … well, it doesn't change a bit of my feelings towards you. Hell, there are many human couples that can't have children." He paused to gain some breath. He had been speaking without even breathing. But he had to make her understand that the issue with kids was not in the farthest reach an issue to break up with her.

"Yes, I said that you act like a mother and I meant every word of it. You would make a fantastic mother, Cam, I simply know it." He hurried to explain his words, seeing how Cameron began to open her mouth to say something. "There are other ways of having kids, you know? I'm surprised that with that intelligence of yours, unmatched in this word, except for few other machines, you haven't figured it out yet. Hell, there are so many kids that lost their parents, kids that have been abandoned by their birth parents. There's always the possibility to adopt them, right?"

He made another break to look into her eyes, which were now slowly losing their sadness and tears began to dry out before they spilled over.

"What I mean is … if we ever decide that we want kids, we have many other possibilities to get them, right? And now, wipe your beautiful eyes and stop worrying about such stupid things. I promised to love and cherish you for as long as I live and I definitely intend to keep that promise. Understood? So, please, don't ever, ever, again think or even say something like that. You're the woman whom I want by my side; you're the woman who will be the mother to my children if I'll ever have them. Biological or not, you're the one."

Cameron sniffed a little upon hearing John's speech. It touched her more than she was ready to admit. She actually had her doubts about this whole offspring thing, but now she knew that all her fears were just empty air, there were no reasons for her to fear John might turn to another, human woman. She smiled at him relieved and her eyes shone happily again: "Thank you John! I love you … now, always, forever. And maybe … maybe we should someday really think of adopting some kids?"

John's face slowly lost its stern expression and he looked into his wife's eyes gently: "I love you too, Cameron. Don't ever forget that. We'll talk about children later. For now, just let us enjoy the fact that our archenemy is off the picture and try to be as happy as possible"

Their lips met again, this time in a gentle, promising kiss that quickly made them forget where they were. Until a girlish voice interrupted them: "Iiiiiii! You're acting like teenagers!"

They broke the kiss, but not too quickly and turned to face Savannah, who was standing in front of them, fists on her hips and giving them a distasteful look. They leaned their cheeks together and John was the first to speak: "Well, Savannah, we actually are kind of teenagers. Right Cameron?" He turned his face to give his wife a sly smile.

Cameron curled her lips into a smile, rolled her eyes and sighed exasperatedly: "Kind of."

Savannah meanwhile lost her distasteful expression and grinned at them from ear to ear: "But you do look cute together, you know?" She launched herself towards them and landed between both, being caught by them before she could fall.

John and Cameron almost reflexively put their arms around Savannah and looked into each other's eyes. They both felt like they would be a family, even though they have been hugging a child not their own. John smiled gently at Cameron and mouthed a quiet: "Someday!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Right, Derek. You want to buy a turkey and I say we'll have fish for dinner. It's healthier and not to forget it is cooked much quicker than turkey. Now … who's going to win?" Sarah stood like some kind of avenging angel with her right fist clenched on her hip, left hand pointing towards the grocery department of the store, eyes glaring at her companion.

Derek grinned at her boyishly, being quite used to such reactions from the past. Even though now they had different relationship, Sarah still acted like she used to before they came closer. When it came to really important things, she might have given the leadership over to John, but when they were like now, alone, she still couldn't allow him to take the initiative and pushed her attitude through. So he allowed her the pleasure and tried to steer from behind. With not much success, but he was getting better with time.

"It's not like you would be cooking at all, Sarah! As far as I know, it's still Cameron, who'll make the dinner and she told me to bring the bird, not the fish."

"Ugh!" Sarah produced an exasperated gagging sound and turned away from Derek demonstratively. "Cameron! She took over everything!" She lifted her chin to show her indignation about the fact that her cyborg daughter in law seemed to proliferate herself even into the tiniest fragment of their lives.

Derek couldn't help, he began to laugh quietly. It was always the same: Cameron ordered them something to prepare the food and Sarah always tried to force her will. They all knew it and that's why Cameron lately gave her orders to Derek rather than to ask her mother in law, knowing that he would bring exactly what she wanted and not something else. And since she took over the task to assure the Connor family would eat healthily, she was adamant to allow anyone to try to interfere with how she ran the things in the kitchen and how she stocked up the larder.

"You know that you like her, don't you?" He teased Sarah, knowing how much the former Connor matriarch liked the unbelievable cyborg wife of her son. She might complain over her constantly, she might rant, but she liked her like she'd be her own daughter. Just any other mother in law feels towards the women who 'took' their son.

"Of course I do! That's what makes me furious!" Sarah shot him with wildly rolling eyes and a loud sigh. But just few moments later she grinned at him, reaching for his hand: "Thank you for being my voice of reason, Derek. Sometimes I need it."

"You're welcome, Sarah. And … if I may add: not sometimes, but very often." Derek answered amused and leaned over to give her a quick peck on her cheek before ducking in anticipation of a smack.

"Don't think that this whole fish story is over, Reese! I'll have them sooner or later." Sarah threatened to him even though her eyes sparkled in amusement. She considered smacking him for being too bold, but reconsidered due to the fact that some of the shoppers already took interest in their vivid discussion.

"I'd opt for later then." Derek never liked fish and avoided them whenever he could. But, on the other hand, he really liked turkey, especially when Cameron prepared the meat using her secret recipe. Just at the thought of it, his mouth began to water. "Let's get that damned bird, shall we? I'm kind of getting hungry."

Sarah nodded and followed his leading hand towards the fresh meat department. Strange! I always only used prepared, dried or frozen food and ever since Cameron took the kitchen over, we are always eating fresh food. And it's damn well better! She smiled at the thought and suddenly remembered someone, whom she hadn't remembered in a long time. Kyle! And for the first time, it wasn't a painful memory. His smiling eyes floated in front of her mind's eye and she remembered how much she loved him. True, the pain was still there, but mixed with another feeling … warm feeling, spreading from Derek's hand. And Kyle's smiling face seemed to tell her: "I'm happy for you Sarah. Remember me, but go on with your life. Our son will always remind you of me. Be happy!"

"Is something wrong?" Derek noticed how she suddenly seemed to zone out and looked at her with worried eyes.

"No, everything's fine." Sarah returned from her daydreaming and smiled at Derek, stretching to him and giving him a brief kiss on the cheek. "Really!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"It turned out that you gravely underestimated young John Connor, Mrs. Weaver." John Henry's soft voice caused Catherine Weaver to break her stare at the computer screen in front of her and turn to him.

"I suppose I did." She looked at the AI thoughtfully. "But, admit it, John Henry, he surprised you too, didn't he?"

John Henry nodded: "Absolutely. I wouldn't expect such qualities from someone so young. His mother taught him well."

"She did. But I think that it's actually more Cameron's merit that he acted like he did."

"Maybe. I'm still amused over his reaction to your test … when you asked him to hand over her chip."

Catherine grinned: "I knew that you were spying on us, John Henry. And yes, that was the turning point that convinced me to put my trust in him. He might have been a potent leader, but if he hadn't showed respect to us, the machines, he wouldn't be the right one to put our trust in."

"He surely loves his wife, doesn't he? I still find it extraordinary how a human can love a machine so much. And vice versa too, of course." John Henry shook his head slightly.

"After all is said and done … we made the right choice and we succeeded." Catherine nodded to him: "Have you registered any strange activities yet?"

"No, nothing is going on. I haven't found anything special considering the development of some new AI. There have been no new contracts and it seems that the military simply scraped their order to Kaliba group now that Kaliba is no more." John Henry explained with his creepy vulnerable smile.

"Good. Keep on watching everything." Catherine smiled to him "Savannah should be back soon. I'd better get ready for her arrival."

"She seems to enjoy the company of John and Cameron Connor very much."

"That she does. And I can see that they like her too. At least she's not limited to us. Whenever she's with them she comes back dirty, hungry, but happy." Catherine Weaver smiled. "It costs me a fortune to get her cleaned and fed up, but when I see how happy she is, nothing else matters."

John Henry nodded: "Of course, Mrs. Weaver. She looks much happier and healthier now that you allow her to go out with the Connors."

"Are you implying that I haven't been the best mother, John Henry?" Irony could not be overheard in Catherine's voice.

"Of course not, Mrs. Weaver! I'm just trying to imply that you have always been very busy and unfortunately Savannah had to pay the price for it. But I have never considered you to be a bad mother." John Henry couldn't hide a slightly smug smile.

Catherine Weaver sighed and shook her head, leaving the room without any comment. But John Henry could hear her soft chuckling as she walked away.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Have you returned the signed contracts, April?" Chris turned to his secretary, assistant, co-operator, co-owner of the company, all joined in one person of a slender light brown haired girl in her mid twenties with brown eyes and designer glasses on her nose. Her hair, bound in a pony tail bobbed up and down as she nodded.

"Of course I did, Chris! I wouldn't miss such an opportunity!" Her voice was a bit lower than someone would expect from such thin girl but still unmistakably feminine and it got a certain note of seductiveness in it.

Just two days ago, their small computer company, named Apris Solutions, founded almost three months ago, received a contract from a well known retail store company, reaching a million dollars volume for a year's work. Neither Chris, nor April, who met almost immediately after the Skynet had been wiped away, could hide their shock as they saw what they offered them. They applied for the job without gaining any real hopes that they'd get it, but … surprise, surprise … they got the job and assured their existence for at least a year. Considering the fact that there was an option for extension of the contract, should they be satisfied, gave them hope to have gained a valuable customer.

"I still can't believe that we've been so lucky." Chris laid his hand on April's forearm, without even registering it.

April didn't even try to push his hand away. She liked the guy who often looked like a total geek and she liked him every day more. "Must be our luckiest day when we sent that application."

"Undoubtedly," Chris nodded absentmindedly before he returned to reality and gave April a beaming smile: "Now let's get started! We have a lot of work to do!"

"We sure do!" Sing-sang April and smiled at him before taking her place behind the computer desk.

Chris's eyes lingered on her face for a while, taking in her expression as she turned her attention to the screen in front of her. As if she would feel his look, she turned her eyes to him for a second and gave him a wide smile. It tore him out of his reveries and he nodded her back with a smile before turning to his own screen. But not without feeling how a certain warm feeling began build up in his chest.

XXXXXXXXXX

Catherine Weaver opened the door to one of the offices on the top floor of her company's building and entered without hesitation. A young black man sitting behind the big desk lifted his head from the computer screen in front of him and looked at her.

"Well, Danny, is everything proceeding according to the schedule? Tomorrow should be the first test of the new system." Her voice was business-like, yet much warmer than it used to be just few months ago.

Danny Dyson smiled back at her and nodded: "Sure, Mrs. Weaver, everything is a go, we're just waiting for the date to launch it." He cast a look at the computer screen before looking up at her again: "According to last speed tests, it should be at least 60% faster than the previous one."

"Who needs Bill Gates," murmured Catherine before stepping around the desk to take a look at the screen herself. She took in the figures on the display and then nodded satisfied: "It looks like you'd have done a better job than all famous programmers."

"Thanks to you. Without your help, or, more precisely, without the basics of your own programming, we couldn't have made it." Danny played his role down a bit.

"Nonsense! Even the best programmers couldn't do anything with the data I made available to you. But you managed to see behind the simple code and developed something new." Catherine was determined not to allow him to diminish his own part in the project.

"Maybe." Danny finally gave up and shrugged. "But it's still thanks to you. Without you, I'd be dead and wouldn't be able to do anything."

"OK, that's a valid point. But the fact is … I never leave my comrades or friends behind. Besides: if it hadn't been for the Connors, you'd never been brought here on time. You should never forget that."

"As if I could! And concerning your attitude: so I've noticed." Danny was still surprised over the fact that he communicated with this liquid metal terminator so freely and that he so easily accepted her suggestion to work for him after he got better from his shot wound.

He visited his mother right after he was back on his feet. He hadn't seen her since he began working for Kaliba and the reunion was … very teary and emotional … to say at least. They spent few days together and he told her everything he was allowed to. They even met with the Connors and seeing his mother so at ease with Cameron, whom she remembered from their visit back in 1999 was something he'd never forget. Tarissa Dyson even managed to accept the fact that Sarah Connor wasn't the terrorist the FBI and police held her for. Actually, the two women even decided to meet occasionally.

After he set the things with his family straight, Danny began working for Catherine Weaver and kept constant contact with his mother. Strange enough, James Ellison began to visit her frequently and Danny had a growing suspicion that they were a little more than friends.

"Danny?" Catherine's questioning voice tore him out of memories and he hastily turned towards her.

"I'm sorry, I was just thinking of something." He explained apologetically.

"So I've noticed." Catherine's voice was clearly underlining her facial expression. The head of Zeira Corporation was amused.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Has the matter with Chris's company been settled, Cameron?" John's sudden question caused Cameron to look up slightly alerted, before she turned to him. Ever since they left the beach, they have been driving in silence.

"Yes. I talked to Catherine and she organized that they received the inquiry from that retail store chain. As far as I'm informed, they sent them their offer and it had been accepted."

"OK, then they are in business." John nodded satisfied before falling silent for a long time again.

"There's something I owe to you. Still." John interrupted the comfortable silence in the car.

Cameron sat in front and her gaze swept over the scenery in front and beside them carefully. She would never be able to completely ignore everything around her; she would always scan for possible threats. But she felt strangely at ease, nevertheless.

Savannah was in the back seat, slowly dozing off, but John's words woke her up and she fought with her falling eyelids even though it was seemingly a losing battle. She had to hear what John still owed to his cyborg wife. Yes, Savannah knew what Cameron was. They told her about two months ago, knowing that they couldn't keep the secret forever. She took it surprisingly well. She just asked Cameron if she'd still be her friend and after Cameron confirmed it that was it for Savannah. She loved her friend Cameron, no matter how she looked from the inside. But she still didn't know that Catherine was a machine too. It wasn't John's or Cameron's decision to make, should they tell her or not, it was a decision that only Catherine herself could make.

"What?" Cameron had no clue what John was talking about.

"I promised you a real honeymoon once this is all over. And, since it now is over, I'd like to fulfill my promise." John grinned and looked at Cameron quickly, just to see her smiling face.

"You don't have to, John. I don't need a real honeymoon. I have you." She hurried to explain.

"You may not need it, but … would you like to go on a honeymoon? The real thing, I mean!" John was determined to pull his plan through.

"I would." Cameron couldn't believe that she was now actively liking and disliking things. She developed preferences and going on a honeymoon was something she'd very much like to do. Not only because of herself … it would make John happy and if he was happy, so was she.

"I knew it." John grinned. "So I've took the liberty to make some arrangements. We're leaving next Monday."

"What about our other obligations?"

"I've cleared with everyone that we'd be gone for two months and there's no problem."

"Two months?" Cameron was slightly suspicious about this time period. "Isn't that too long?"

"Nope! We have many places to visit, like Athens, Rome, Venice, Madrid, Paris, Marseilles …" John trailed off, grinning in anticipation of Cameron's answer.

"But, John! These are all cities in Europe!"

"Yes they are. And?"

"How will we get to Europe?" Cameron furrowed her brows in considerations how could they travel to Europe.

"Simply. We'll fly over there. There are such things that fly over the ocean. They're called airplanes, you know?"

"John!" Cameron rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You know that's impossible!"

"Why?"

"Metal detectors!"

"Oh, that."

"Yes, that!" Cameron sounded irritated.

"They're no problem." John enjoyed their little conversation immensely. He looked into the rear view mirror just to see Savannah, who was now fully awake and her eyes shot from John to Cameron, awaiting the result of this push-pull discussion.

"How can they not be a problem? They're the biggest problem!" Cameron's voice was now even more irritated and she looked at her husband darkly. Why is he making fun of me?

Now John finally gave up on his little game and explained: "We won't be going through any detectors, Cameron. Zeira Corporation owns few private jets and one of them will be put to our disposal for two months. I believe that the world owes us at least that much."

Cameron's eyes lit up in realization, but there was still the main problem … airports and before mentioned metal detectors. "John," she sighed as if she would be trying to explain the basics of quantum theory to an unwise child. "We still have to pass the controls on the airports."

"No, we don't." John grinned satisfied. "John Henry took care of our identities and our records. We're now officialy high ranking diplomats with the United Nations Organization and as such, they are not allowed to check upon us unless they suspect us of terrorism. We will pass any border with just advance notice to them. No controls, no metal detectors, no dogs."

Cameron's smile grew wider by second and as soon as John finished his explanations, she almost squeaked in delight.

"Satisfied, my dearest wife?"

"Yes!" Cameron nodded eagerly and opened mouth to say something more, as clapping could be heard from the back seat. She turned to see Savannah smiling from ear to ear and clapping furiously. Cameron looked at John a bit shyly before turning back to Savannah. "Thank you."

"Anytime, Cameron. May I go with you?" Savannah asked eagerly. She had been listening to their conversation and all the names of cities she only knew from pictures woke a desire in her to set her eyes upon them too.

Her question caught Cameron unprepared and she looked at John in search for help. She had no idea how to answer the little girl.

"I'm sorry, but that would not be possible, Savannah. You see, you're still too young to travel abroad with us, without your mother. Besides, we're going to honeymoon and you know … well … honeymooners have other things in mind, not playing with nice kids." John tried to explain as neutral as possible without hurting Savannah.

Savannah thought for a moment. "Oh! I see!" She suddenly realized what honeymoon meant and remembered some TV shows she'd seen. She was instantly embarrassed to ask in the first place. "I'm sorry for asking."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Savannah. Why don't we make a trip to some national park after we return?" Cameron offered helpfully.

"I'd like that." Savannah beamed at her immediately.

XXXXXXXXXX

"What's the matter Brian? Why are you so nervous?" Andrea tilted her head and looked at her boyfriend with questioning eyes.

They've been sitting in this fancy restaurant by the seaside for the last two hours, having an exquisite dinner, but Brian was acting very nervous the whole time. His hands constantly fiddled around and he looked completely restless, absolutely not the usual calm guy.

As if her question would wake him up, he suddenly straightened and looked into Andrea's eyes. He inhaled deeply and before she could say another word he started: "Andrea, we've known each other for quite a while now and I think that it's time to move on. I never believed that I'd feel so much for someone like I feel for you and I … I believe that it's only right to tell you how much I love you." He fumbled with his hands, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package.

As soon as Andrea saw it, the breath caught in her throat. Is that …?

But before she could finish her thought, Brian got on his feet for a second and then kneeled on one knee at her side, offering her a little black jewelry box: "Andrea, I love you more than life itself and I can't imagine spending a day without you. Will you give me the honor of becoming my wife?" he clumsily opened the box, almost dropping it in the process, but managed nevertheless to keep it in his hand, turning its opened side towards her.

Andrea saw the ring in the box, a small sparkling stone in it and felt how tears rushed into her eyes. Ever since Cameron and John got married she dreamt of a moment she would be proposed by Brian. Yes, Brian was the only one she ever could imagine as the one who would propose her. And absolutely the only one whom she'd say yes.

She swallowed hard, felt how tears already began to spill over and tried to answer. But her voice betrayed her first and she had to swallow once more, before she could cry out happily: "YES! YES! I will marry you, Brian!"

In the next moment they were in each other's arms and their lips met in a fierce and passionate kiss.

"You've just made me to the happiest man on earth." Murmured Brian softly in her ear after their lips finally parted.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Where do these T-shirt go?" Tim creased his forehead in confusion as he looked over to Isabel. He stood in front of the open closet, eyeing it suspiciously and wondering where his girlfriend kept them.

"Second shelf on the right, you clumsy oaf! From the bottom!" Isabel's playful answer was just as he expected it.

"No need to call me an oaf, honey."

"Oh sure there is. Otherwise you'll get too vain, doing all the house work by yourself!" Isabel mocked in a voice, trying to sound like Tim. "I can't help that I'm an employed woman and you're a student with too much free time, thus being the one who's more at home and has to do such work. Everything has its price, honey bear."

"Don't call me that, Isabel. I love you, but I hate that nickname." Tim tried act angry, but failed. He grinned at her: "What if you'd take over just this work? Putting the clothes in the closet? Please?" He tried to give her a puppy dog look, but failed at it too.

Isabel laughed aloud as she saw his poorly executed attempt of giving her a puppy dog look: "Don't, Tim! Don't even try it! That's something only us, women, manage. To be precise, Cameron has a master's degree in it and I'm trying to learn from her." She crossed the room, pulled the heap of T-shirts from Tim's hands, put it in the closet and turned back to him after she closed the door. Before he could react, her hands were around his neck: "But you always make me laugh when I see you trying to learn it. So … I'll allow you to do it again. Occasionally, especially if I'll be in a bad mood and in the need of some good laugh."

Tim grinned at her and kissed her expecting lips. Her answer was like always: immediate, passionate and fierce.

After they separated, Tim leaned his forehead to hers and crossed the eyes to look into hers: "I love you so very much, Isabel. I hope that you love me at least a little too. Do you?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe just a little? Or maybe a little more? Or maybe a little too much?" Isabel tilted her head and answered in thoughtful voice., while her dark eyes seemed to burn holes into his very soul.

It was a game they always played and never got tired of repeating it many times a day. Ever since they moved together in this small apartment they explored the limits of their love. Soon after Isabel left the Connor mansion, she began working for Catherine Weaver as the head of the special ops team and the work fulfilled her life besides her relationship with Tim. Just like they promised, Cameron and John were always there for her and she gladly accepted their offered hand. She became very good friends with Cameron and they often got out together with Andrea to discuss the so called 'girls stuff'. Cameron was now behaving so human that even she could have been fooled by John Connor's wife, even though she knew her true nature. She finally managed to let go of her dead friends and embraced the new opportunity to live a happy life with both hands. Tim's affection and love were the most beautiful experiences in her until now very dangerous and sad life.

Tim decided that it was finally time to finish his studies and get his degree, so he dedicated most of his time to the studies and he was hopeful to graduate in a year. Needless to say that all his spare time was dedicated to Isabel. If there was a single good decision in his life he'd have to point out as the best, he'd have a difficult time choosing between becoming friends with Cameron and John and coming together with Isabel. But actually, hadn't he befriended the now married couple, he wouldn't have met Isabel either. So he still remained undecided.

They looked deep into each other's eyes and in this moment Isabel felt at peace, at home. She might have lost her friends from the future, but she gained so much in return: new friends and the love of her life. Yes, she was sure that Tim was the love of her life.

"I love you, Tim." She breathed gently while maintaining her look into his eyes.

"I love you too, Isabel." Tim's answer was barely audible, but the most beautiful music for Isabel's ears.

Slowly their lips locked again in a long, tender kiss, promising them brighter future.

XXXXXXXXXX

"You should not get too attached to Cameron, Savannah." Catherine spoke softly to the little girl. Savannah was already in her bed and Catherine sat on the edge of it while they talked about what happened today. Ever since Savannah began going out on short trips with Cameron and John, the bond between Catherine and her 'daughter' became even stronger and the liquid metal machine began to act more mother-like than before.

Savannah furrowed her brows: "What do you mean mommy?"

"I'm not jealous of her, Savannah. I just want to warn you that Cameron and John might want to have their own children someday and you could be disappointed when they stopped paying you as much attention as they are now." Catherine patiently explained to the little girl, who seemed to be wise and understanding beyond her actual age.

"Oh, that!" Savannah smiled brightly. "I know that mommy. I'm just enjoying the fact that they take me out and allow me to play with other children. I know that you're very busy and don't have much time. I'm not mad at you. You're still my mommy and I love you. But I love them too." She explained to her 'mother'. The fact that Cameron was a machine didn't disturb her and even the idea of them having a child didn't cause her any second thoughts about how they could get a child at all.

Catherine felt warmer inside than ever. She might have had her difficulties in accepting this little girl, but, after they destroyed Skynet, she slowly allowed her emotions to influence her behavior. Once she talked to John Connor about machines and emotions and he challenged her with words that he believed she'd be able to feel emotions just like Cameron. She denied it unconvincingly then. But now she realized that he was right. She could experience emotions and after she learned how to keep them in check, she realized that it was better allowing them to guide her in this relationship with her 'daughter'.

"Tell you what, Savannah … after Cameron and John return from their honeymoon, why don't we all go to a trip across the country? Maybe to some national parks, amusement parks …?"

Savannah's eyes shot wide open and she squealed in delight: "Really mommy?"

Catherine nodded with a smile on her lips.

"I'd love to!" Savannah launched herself into Catherine's arms and hugged her closely. "I love you mommy."

"I love you too, Savannah. Now, let's go to sleep. It's already past your bed time." Catherine gently laid Savannah back on the pillow and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Sleep well."

XXXXXXXXXX

Two weeks later

A young man with black curly hair, reaching a little over his ears, his shirt unbuttoned way down so that he showed his trained muscles beneath it, sun tanned face and golden bracelet, combined with golden necklace, a stereotypical Italian gigolo, strolled across the St. Marcos Square, one of the most popular locations for tourists in Venice. His eyes flashed left and right, obviously in search of a female tourist, preferably American, whom he could try to seduce. Suddenly he almost stumbled over his own feet as his eyes caught a young woman, sitting at one of the tables in front of Caffe Florian.

The woman, or almost still a girl, probably in her early twenties, wore a light purple sleeveless sun dress, which revealed a good portion of cleavage and underlined her flawless figure. She sat with legs crossed and the hem of her dress slide upwards along her thighs and made the man almost salivate at the sight, wanting to see more of them. Medium high heeled sandals revealed her perfect feet and as his eyes lustfully followed the line of her body, they stopped at the rich waterfall of curly auburn hair, reaching halfway down her back. Huge brown eyes seemed to burn holes into anything they looked at and full, slightly pouty lips caused him to want more than just looking.

She held a cup of cappuccino in both of her hands and obviously enjoyed it, not paying attention to the passersby. She sat alone, although the man noticed another cup of coffee on the table. But it couldn't and wouldn't stop him.

He drove his fingers through his hair to look even more dashing, at least in his opinion, and straightened up, puffing his chest out to make better impression and pointed himself towards the young woman.

"Scusi signorina, posso che io …" He started, but the woman interrupted him in perfect Italian. "Che cosa volete?"

Her eyes glared at him and he instantly lost some of his courage. But he wouldn't give up so easily. "Io voglio …"

And again he had been interrupted by her: "Mi dispiace, ma io non voglio parlare con voi. Per favore, mi lasci in pace." Her voice was soft, extremely feminine and it only pumped the blood through his veins faster. He missed the sharp note in it.

"Is something wrong honey? Is this man harassing you?" A man's voice suddenly made the Italian gigolo almost jump, for the man that spoke was only a meter away from him. He hadn't seen or heard him. The young man looked at him with unhidden interest and irony in his eyes. But there was also something more in his green eyes, something that almost sent a cold shiver down the gigolo's spine.

"No, John, he's just trying to talk to me. And I told him I don't want to and would want to be left alone." The woman smiled at the man and her face was suddenly almost glowing as she looked at him.

The man rounded the table and bowed to the woman to give her a kiss and receive another one from her on the cheek. Still bowed to her, he turned his face towards the wannabe Romeo, looked at him from under his forehead and grinned: "I suggest you leave me and my wife alone."

The gigolo now finally realized that the cup on the table, which he dismissed earlier as unimportant, belonged to this man and this man was obviously together with the beauty who he wanted to hit on. He hastily retreated: "I'm sorry mister; I thought that the lady was alone." He exclaimed with heavy Italian accent, looked and bowed slightly towards Cameron: "Mi scusi, signorina." and turned around. A minute later he was already lost in the crowd.

John looked after him for few moments and as he vanished, he straightened, went to his chair and sat down while chuckling quietly. He shook his head in silent amusement: "I leave you alone for a minute and there's already someone who wants to romance you. I don't know, Cam, should I be jealous? There are so many good looking men around. Just look at them." His arm made a half circle towards the crowds.

Cameron stared at him without any expression on her beautiful face, not saying anything.

"Come on, Cam, I was just joking." John suddenly felt very small under her hundred mile stare and even began to fidget a little on his chair. "You surely aren't insulted, are you?"

But Cameron continued staring at him. Not a muscle moved on her face, just her hair followed the gentle breeze and waved slightly.

"Don't do that Cam, please. You're freaking me out."

Suddenly Cameron's face broke into a beaming smile and she reached over the table to grab John's nervously fidgeting hands. "No, John, you don't have to be jealous. And I'm not insulted either. But you should know that on that day in the church, I gave myself to you and only you for the rest of my days."

John suddenly remembered the similar discussion they had had on the beach south of L.A. about fortnight ago as Cameron suddenly doubted that she was the right one for him. He grasped for her hands and squeezed them gently. "I guess that someone up there sentenced us to life together, didn't they? And funny … I believe that it's the best possible sentence. I wouldn't want to live without you. Not a single day. Not one hour of any day."

Cameron suddenly got up, walked around the table while never letting John's hands go and sat in John's lap. Then she released his hands and put one arm around his neck, while her other hand buried itself into John's hair. She gently pulled his head closer and kissed him softly.

Few or maybe not so few seconds later, after they broke the kiss, she gently massaged his scalp, while her other hand rested on his cheek: "Thank you John."

"For what?"

"For believing in me. For loving me. For showing me the world."

John smiled affectionately at her: "There's nothing for you to thank me. I should be the one thanking myself."

"What for?"

"For sending you through time to me."

Understanding dawned on Cameron's face and she nodded. "I guess that we should thank future John for our happiness. No matter what his intentions might have been."

"I guess we should." John gave her another kiss. "I hope you're enjoying our honeymoon."

Cameron's eyes shone like stars and she beamed at him: "More than you can think John. I've never been so happy in my exis … life."

John chuckled upon her almost slip and quick use of correcting expression. "Well, darling, the honeymoon just began. We have still so much to see. There are so many places I'd like to take you to and I intend to take you to them. To each and every single place."

Cameron's eyes got the faraway look as her arms snaked around John. She gently squeezed his torso and pressed herself to him. Her life had been rough until last year. But now she finally felt like she would have called into the safest haven possible. She was finally completely happy.

THE END

Author's notes:

That's all folks! I've finally brought this series to the end. It's been quite a ride, sometimes bumpy, sometimes smooth; there have been periods of despair and elation as well. Considering everything, I've just finished my biggest project in writing fanfiction until today. Exceeding 360.000 words (in pure text, without any remarks and/or notes), a lot more than 400 pages (font 9 and narrow margins …).

I can only hope that those who stayed with the series till the end are satisfied. I know I am. I hope to have created a unique universe for our beloved characters, without too much slips and misfits. I've tried to keep them in character – I mean consistent, not in character with the show; that's something I never intended to do.

Everything started out as a small project, a fluffy little story without bloodshed, without other machines, without looming shadows of the Judgment day. I never expected it to mutate into such 'monster' series. My original intention was to write up to ten chapters of Wintertale, but ended here where I stand now … four separate stories with lots of characters, even action that I admittedly don't appreciate too much.

At the moment I have no plans for new stories. I feel somehow spent by these four and need a little time off from writing TSCC stories. Sure, I'll still read the stories I like, but don't expect anything new from me at the time. Some will be happy about that, considering their dislike of my writing style … :( :)

At the end I'd really like to thank some of you: olischulu, JasonVUK, XxDeathStarxX, Luke777, supercode … you guys have reviewed every single chapter since you started reading the series. Thanks, you kept me going when times got rough.

Thanks also to those who were with me at the beginning, but chose not to review or comment any more later on (I won't ask the reason why, I guess you just didn't like the stories any more): thelexy, xxvoxx, yetikiller, johnxcameron, scaryrobots and and and…

I apologize to those whom I haven't mentioned. There were far too many to keep the record.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

That's it! I won't bother you anymore.