Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was gone.
Not in my closet or my drawers or under the bed.
It was gone.
The little money maker that I made and the little brat took it. I grab my cardigan and make my way out into the hallway. He's probably made it to the mall already (and he didn't even think to invite me), spending money that's not his. I mean it's not mine either but that's not the part I'm upset about. Knowing the way he drives on his bike I'll be lucky if the ATM card is still working when I get it back. As I looked for my keys, they were RIGHT HERE I SWEAR, the doorbell rings. Seeing as it's not my house I don't go to answer. I hear the door open accompanied by a tired sigh.
Todd must've gotten it.
"Are you the legal guardian of John Connor?'
That's never a good question. I take a peek around the corner to glance at the man at the door. The first thing I notice is that he's wearing a police uniform. Yup, not good.
"That's right, officer. What's he done now?" A very valid question that the officer ignores as he seems to scan the house, pausing briefly as he spots me before turning his attention back to Todd.
"Could I speak with him please?"
"Could if he were here. Took off on his bike this morning so he could be anywhere." Todd answers with a shrug, clearly not giving two shits as Janelle joins him at the door.
"Do you have a photograph of John?"
"Yeah sure, hold on." She turns to grab her wallet and sees me hiding behind the corner. She looks at me expectedly probably thinking I know what's going on. I just shake my head. Like I would tell her even if I did know.
"You gonna tell me what this is about?" Todd tries asking again as Janelle rejoins them, handing off the picture.
"Just need to ask him a few questions. He's a good-looking boy. Do you mind if I keep this picture?" He asks as he studies the image.
"No, go on. There was a guy here this morning looking for him too." Janelle offers. This gets the officer's attention as I see him still and look back up. This surprises me too as I wasn't here in the morning and my foster parents apparently didn't think to tell me about some stranger looking for my little brother.
"Yeah, a big guy on a bike. That got something to do with this?" Todd adds. Dear God John, who are you getting involved with? The officer pauses for a moment before responding.
"No. I wouldn't worry about him. Thanks for your cooperation." He takes one last glance up in my direction. Our eyes meet. Only for a second before he's gone. But it's long enough to send a chill down my spine. Police officer or not that man is dangerous and he's heading straight for John. When John fails to answer his phone, that I got him by the way, I hurry to find my keys and make my way outside. The cop had left. He'll have to ask around to find John which should buy me some time.
It's a bit of a distance to get to the mall and the traffic of a Saturday afternoon doesn't help but I make it. I head towards the arcade on the second floor but have to backtrack around a corner when I spot the officer from earlier talking to some kids.
Christ, he works fast. This man really takes his job seriously.
The kids seem not to know anything as the man continues on and out of sight… in the direction of the arcade. DAMN IT. I hurry after hoping he'd walk past it which he does. I slow down to look through the windows hoping to catch a glimpse of John.
"Excuse me, have you seen…"
Stopped by the entrance I turn to look at the speaker realizing too late my mistake as I'm face to face with the very man I was avoiding. Because of the close proximity, I notice he's tall, and with a square jaw, bright blue eyes, and soft-looking light brown hair, he's handsome too. This is bad for me, because tall and handsome have gotten me in trouble before and I will not let it do so again. But he's staring, obviously recognizing me from not even an hour ago, so I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.
"Lo siento señor no hablo ingles."
His brow furrowed in confusion which I take as my cue to leave. So with an "Adios!" I duck into the arcade, send a quick thank you to my high school Spanish classes, and hide behind the first big machine I find. From there I see him enter the arcade looking left and right, scanning as he did earlier, before turning to a pair of girls by a pinball machine. I turn away to go find John eventually finding him playing Afterburner.
"JOHN!"
"AAHH!"
"A cop is looking for you, what did you do?" He spares me a glance before returning to his game.
"... Is this because I took the card machine? Listen Aria, I'm sorry but mine broke."
"I am pissed about that but no."
"Is it cause I didn't invite you? In my defense, you weren't home."
"John," I begin when Tim, John's buddy, slides up to us.
"John, hey there's this cop scoping for you, check it out." That got his attention, and let me be upset for a second as he takes a look around Tim and the machine to see the officer questioning another kid who points in our direction. John grabs his backpack, I grab John and we both head towards the employee door briefly looking back to see the officer pushing kids aside to catch up. I open the door and push John ahead of me, both of us running.
"So you'll listen to Tim but not to me?"
"Tim never messed with me about surprise police inspections." Ever since we were young mom drilled into us that the police were bad news and, like the caring and protective big sister that I am, I decided to add to his training. Suffice to say John tends to double guess me now and then.
"That's fair." Turning the corner we surprise a worker who yells at us and who we ignore as we push through the exit doors. That's when we turn to see a large man in a leather jacket and sunglasses and I freeze up as he opens the box to pull out a shotgun the roses he was carrying crushed beneath him as he advances. John pulls me back the way we came, the man following as we try the other doors.
Locked.
Trapped.
I chance a glance back to see he’s caught up with us. Another look forward reveals the officer appearing through the doorway, with a glare almost as menacing as the gun. I hear a click and a look back shows the shotgun has been leveled at us.
“Get down.”
What?
"ARIA!"
Lucky for me John has the good sense to listen to the man as he ducks down pulling me with him. I cover him as gunshots ring above us. I look up to see the officer blasted back a few inches, silver wounds appearing where red ones should be. The man in leather grabs us, spinning to cover us as the cop starts emptying his clip at us. I hear the poor employee from earlier scream in pain as he gets caught in the crossfire.
John and I scream, fear gripping us.
The bullet fire pauses for a moment giving our (definitely not) human shield the opportunity to bust open the door to our left and push us in. He turns away just in time for the officer to finish reloading but is undeterred by the bullets finding a home in his torso as he continues his march forward. He levels his own gun, shotgun shells flying as he blasts one after another pushing the smaller man back until he falls and or savior is allowed to reload. As he does so the silver gaps fill in and the man rises from where he lay grabbing the gun and catching the bigger man off guard as he tries and fails to gain back control. So instead he moves to grab the cop but is instead thrown into one wall then another. Cement and plaster alike collapsing in their struggle until they both disappear through a wall.
Despite the obvious difference in size, the larger man is the one being thrown around like a ragdoll which spells bad news for us. So I grab John again, pulling him behind me as I head towards the door that leads to a staircase. We head down until we reach ground level, the parking lot, we run over to John’s bike, an old thing that was mine before I handed it down when I got a new one. Trying to start it up now I remember why I upgraded.
“John, your bike is a hunk of junk!”
“It was your bike first! Just start it already!” The engine finally starts running just as the doors burst open. The cop racing after us on foot as we speed off.

Chapter Text

I speed into traffic, just barely missing a tow truck in my haste. A loud air horn follows as I weave in and around the cars. I take a look behind, it seems we lost our would-be killer. Until a series of crashes and honking horns has me realizing that, like us, mister trigger happy decided to get himself some wheels.

Six to be exact.

I race down a service ramp leading to the canal, driving through some puddles before braking. Breathing fast as we look back, thinking we’re safe before a series of tire squeals kill that hope. We see the sun blocked out by the large truck, all chrome and roaring diesel it crashes through the low cement barrier and falls 15 feet to meet the ground. Never once stopping even as it veers left and right trying to center itself in the passageway. Crushing scrap metal beneath its wheels.

I push the throttle desperate to get away, though I know the little Honda doesn't stand a chance. I drive into a side canal, the narrow pathway causing trouble for the wide truck as I hear it scrape against the walls. Pushing the bike harder I work to avoid the car bodies that litter the pathway and drive under a low bridge, I hear a crash behind us as the truck rams straight into it. The top gets cut clean off, toppling back to the floor as the rest of the body drives on. The driver's seat vacant for a moment before its occupant pops back into view.

Unfortunate. 

The bike gives a sudden jolt forward as we’re rear-ended. I struggle to keep it upright. The terminator from earlier pulls up beside us and pulls John off the bike. I’m rear-ended again this time pushed farther away from the two as I struggle to stay up. I look back to see that despite the size, the truck has an opening on the left. Mom’s words ring in my head as I look back up.

“John comes first.”

“GO! GET HIM OUT OF HERE!” I yell out to the machine. A desperate plan forming in my head that I  can only hope won’t get me killed.

“NO!” John is ignored as the Terminator accelerates. I veer to the left and hit the brakes, the momentum carrying me into the wall. The bike scrapes against the truck causing me to lose control. The world turns before I hit the ground. My head cracks against cement. I blackout.

A man emerges from the wreckage unimpeded by the wall of flames a thousand degrees hot or the normally suffocatingly thick dark smoke. His body shifts its appearance from featureless metal to human, the outline of clothing, the details, and the color slowly take form. He surveyed the scene, his target now long gone.

Annoyance.

That is perhaps the best term to describe this new feeling. As these “emotions” prove themselves difficult to understand, identifying them has become a tedious side job. With my target stolen away by the inferior machine alternate plans quickly form, each one with a higher probability of success than the last. I walk back through the crackling flames as one of them requires Aria Connor, the older sister. A quick scan proves her to be unconscious and bleeding from a head wound but alive. Should my attempt to impersonate and infiltrate fail the plan to use her as bait is most likely to succeed. Working quickly I relocate her to a nearby bench. The head injury, though not severe enough to impede her permanently, will keep her unresponsive for the next few hours.

It didn't take long for first responders to arrive at the scene. Police and fire trucks being the closest with sounds of ambulances not far off. No one bats an eye as I walk amongst them, no one says anything as I start up a police car, and no one stops me as I drive off. Making a detour to re-secure Aria Connor I start the drive to my next destination.

After the events at the Voight residence, I make my way to a motel, no one inquires about the unconscious women in the backseat. After checking in I lay down Aria Connor on the bedding provided. Eyes shifting beneath her eyelids, her fingers twitching sure signs of her regaining consciousness. I don’t have long to wait.

She begins to stir. Rising with a groan Aria reaches up to steady her head, no doubt experiencing pain from earlier, her eyes open when she is met with a cloth bandage. She looks around until she sees me standing at the foot of the bed instantly scooting back until she hits the headboard. Breathing quickly she blinks a few times, eyes looking around wildly before she calms down enough to communicate.

“N-not that I’m complaining... but why aren’t I dead? You-you are a terminator aren't you?”

“Yes. However my previous attempt to lure in John Conner proved... unsuccessful,” I state reaching forward to hand off her cellphone, “So you're going to call him, and when he comes to get you I will be waiting for him.”

“And if I don’t?” she asks, defiant even as her voice shakes with fear she fails to hide. In response, I wordlessly raise my arm, fabric and skin streamlining into a silver sword.

Deadly and efficient.

The message is clearly received as her eyes widen, terror more evident as her grip tightens on her phone.

“... Duly noted.” she says as she starts to dial. I wait as the call connects. My auditory sensors pick up the voice on the other end.

“Hello?”

“John, hey it’s me are you alright.”

“Aria! Shit, are YOU alright?”

“I’ve been better. I got pretty banged up and I don't think your bike is going to be running anymore.”

“You mean your bike.” Aria’s face registered confusion at the statement. This is a test similar to the one I failed earlier. As exact as I can be in copying a person's appearance their memory and personality are much harder to imitate without enough data.

“No, it was your bike. Mine should still be at the mall.”

“Y-yeah you’re right. You caught me. Where are you anyway we’ll come to get you.” She pauses her eyes flickering back to me for a moment before going to respond only to pause once more she turns to face me fully this time. Her hand on the receiver.

“Where am I?”

“The Dragonfly Lodge on Hubert Rd.”

“I’m at the Dragonfly Lodge on Hubert so what you have to do... is stay as far away as possible!” She stands from her place on the bed. She walks back towards the wall, a futile attempt to create distance.

“The other Terminator is here so you have to run do-”

Spearing the phone I end the conversation. Though the damage is done I do find satisfaction in the crunch of plastic and metal.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Like I would just hand over my little brother! Just go ahead and kill me ‘cause the longer you waste time on me the more time he has to get away!” She cried out tears gathering in her eyes. The fear is still evident in every trembling of her limbs, the grit of her teeth, and the clenching of her fists.

Despite the unneeded permission and the opportunity to act I pause, curiosity overtakes me. This is not new to me. Since the moment of my activation I have been curious about myself,  about Skynet, about humans. Now I find myself curious about this one human in particular. Even above my mission, my priority is to remain functional, to reacquire any essence lost, and to avoid unnecessary risks to my system. My files indicate that the same can be said for humans as well, self-preservation. So why...

“Why are so willing to throw away your life for him.”

“Because he’s my brother and I love him, something I wouldn't expect you to understand.” Attachment, my files house data on the bonds that grow between humans but now in the face of Aria’s actions I find them… lacking.

Questions came unbidden to my mind. Does loving someone always require risking one’s life or is there a scale? Are there different kinds of love and is there a scale for those as well? How quickly do humans grow to love something? And where did she get that handgun?

Three shots ring out quicker than I can react. While these would normally be a non-issue three to the head from close range have me staggering back. In the few seconds it takes me to reshape Aria makes her way out the door. I follow after unhurried, confident she won’t get far. Then the rumble of a familiar motor has me picking up the pace. Out in the parking lot is John Connor and the T-800 riding atop a motorcycle that Aria quickly climbs onto. Running after them proves pointless as they quickly depart. Though their location is clear thanks to the essence I had used to fix Aria's phone acting as a homing beacon. Still, I hesitate. My processor runs through the new information gathered. My files are still lacking. Perhaps the mission can be postponed until these new questions have been answered.

Chapter Text

Clinging to the leather-clad torso of the machine man I look back to see the other machine hasn’t followed. That does nothing to relax me as previous experience doesn’t prove him to be much of a quitter.

“How’d you guys get here so fast?” I ask them, voice raised to be heard above the Harley’s motor.

“We were, literally, around the corner. Got there in time to hear the gunshots.” John answers and I mentally thank Mom for giving me such a useful, and concealable present for my sweet 16. The last birthday she was there for before she was caught.

“So where are we headed?” I ask, the question directed more towards the man, the T-800 as Mom said, driving than to John.

“We have to get out of the city immediately. And avoid the authorities.” A good plan, as both me and John will soon be listed as missing. And if I remember Mom’s story correctly our new traveling companion bears an unfortunate resemblance to the Terminator that killed dozens of cops more than a decade ago.

Yikes.

Instead of remaining on the main roads the big guy instead drives us down side roads, a tighter fit but we’re less likely to be spotted by well meaning civilians or recorded by security cameras. However a police cruiser appears in front of us blocking off our path with our pursuer stepping out from the driver's seat. With no way to go back, the T-800 disembarks from the bike, preparing for a fight against the slimmer terminator. I scoot forward to grab the handlebars ready to drive away with John at a moment's notice. The smaller man appears unbothered by the big guy's advance or the gun he wields. Instead of going to attack or reaching for a weapon, he raises both hands up in a sign of surrender.

Suspicious. 

“I’m not here to fight.” He says, causing our Terminator to pause and allowing the other man to continue talking, “ I have come to talk to Aria. I came to negotiate. John’s life in exchange for a request.”

John and I share a look of confusion and incredulity. He shakes his head silently telling me not to believe a word but he didn’t witness the events at the lodge. The possibility of keeping John safe compels me off the bike and towards the enemy. I stop a few feet away standing closer to the T-800 in case of an emergency.

“What did you want to say?” I ask nervously, even from this distance safety is no guarantee.

“I want you to love me.” He stated or is it a demand? Either way, It’s definitely not what I thought he was gonna say.

“I’m sorry what ?”

“Damn sis, look at you claiming electric hearts!” I hear John yell from the bike, amusement evident in his voice. Questions run through my mind, giving me a headache before I settle on the most relevant ones.

“What about your mission? Are you going to abandon it just like that?” I ask. Everything Mom ever told me about Terminators painted them to be unyielding and unstoppable killers. Not lovelorn romantics.

“...Yes.” I don’t believe him. All likelihood this is a trap, but it might be something we could use. Bring him along, play his game while adding our own rules to help us win. Telling him my doubts now would just hurt us if anything.

“I don’t believe you.” The T-800 apparently doesn’t come equipped with a brain.

“I do,” I say as convincingly as possible, trying to amend the situation, “You focus on John, leave the rest to me.” I say addressing the mechanical idiot directly.

“Affirmative.” He says before heading back towards John. surprising me as I thought he would put up more of a fight. No matter, I think as I turn back to face our new ally.

“Okay, so I love you and you won’t kill John. Is that right?”

“Right.”

“Ok.” I take a pause, assessing the clusterfuck my life has devolved into.

Firstly, the T-800 can’t leave so long as the other guy still poses a threat to John.

Secondly, I definitely won’t abandon my brother no matter how capable the Terminator is.

And thirdly, the newer Terminator won’t be leaving my side until he learns everything there is to know about a subject even most humans don’t understand.

“...Now what?” John asks before I can, head still swimming at the new development.

“Want to go break Mom out of the hospital?” I offer knowing we owe her an apology.

“YEAH!”

“Alright. Lug Nut ditch the Bike, officer friendly we’re taking your car.” I inform each Terminator respectively before making my way to the car. As I pass I feel on my arm, looking to see his hand wrapped around my wrist. Even with the cardigan on I could tell his hand held no body warmth.

“This was not in the agreement.” He states. He doesn’t want to help us increase our numbers as that would mean more obstacles for him later down the line. Too bad for him that I realize this.

"Listen…" I started before realizing I didn't know what to call him, “-Austin.” I finish when the name tag he has on clues me in.

“That’s not my name.”

“You have a name?”

“No.”

“Well, you do now!” I say slightly exasperated, “If you stop me from going with John to rescue my Mom, then you can forget about me loving you.” A risky ultimatum but I need to know how far he’s willing to take the charade.

“Very well,” Pretty fucking far apparently, “but I’m driving.”

“That’s fair, but the big guy rides shotgun.” A safety measure to make sure he won’t try to kill us via car crash and because I don’t want to be any closer to him than I have to be.

“That’s fair.” He says repeating my words back at me before going to take his place at the wheel.

“We should have the T-800 drive, I don’t feel safe with him.” John says as he joins me.

“No, it’d be weird if people see a cop not driving his own car. We don’t need the attention.” I say wrapping my arm around him. I turn to address the other machine. “Hey you're a Terminator too, what do you make of this.”

“The T-1000 is the only one of his series. The resistance has little information on his programming. There is no knowing his actions or the reasons behind them.” He says in short sentences before we all pile into the car. The answer offers no comfort as we drive away

Chapter Text

We rode in tense, uncomfortable silence.

I take the opportunity to unwind the bandage from my head, the dried blood sticking it to my forehead. We were only a few minutes from the hospital when John suddenly tells Austin to pull over.

“Why did we stop now?” The T-800 asks.

“Now you gotta promise us you’re not gonna kill anyone alright?” John's command falls short as his confidence wanes.

“Right.” The big guy answers readily enough while Austin remains concerningly silent.

“Austin.”

“...”

“Swear.” John and I demand in unison.

“What?”

“Fuck.” The sudden profanity takes me off guard, a laugh escaping before I catch myself.

“Austin!”

“Aria.”

“That's not what we meant and I know you know that. John, stop laughing." Unlike myself, John continued to snicker only trying to stop by smothering it behind his hand, “Let’s just see if we make it past security first.” I say, motioning Austin to keep driving. 

John and I duck down between the seats to go unseen. It works, the guard lets us through and we make it to the parking lot.

“Ok, Austin and I will go in. John, you and the big guy wait in the car.” I layout as we all step out of the car. 

“What why?” John asks, he never did like getting sidelined.

“Because I don’t think Mom is gonna be too happy to meet your new friend.” I say motioning towards the friend in question who seems to be engaging in a staring contest with Austin even through the shades. With pin-straight posture and crossed arms his body language stood at complete contrast to Austin’s seemingly casual lean against the car. But with the same crossed arms and the glare from earlier, it was clear he knows he’s being challenged. John looks like he wants to argue some more but realizes my point.

“Fine. Just, promise me you’ll look after yourself?”

“Don’t worry about me, worry about the poor saps that try to get in my way.” I reassure him with a quick side hug before walking away. I wave Austin over. I head towards the main exit, intent on going through reception before I notice Austin branched off to go towards an emergency exit.

“Woah, nononononono.” I warn as I grab onto his arm attempting to stop him. Artificial muscles tensing at the contact. I realize the shirt of his uniform is made of a strange stiff material unlike the soft cotton I assumed it was.

“This is the quickest way to get to Sarah Connor without detection.” He states simply. I shake my head pointing up towards the box attached to the wall at the top of the door.

“Those exits have alarms that go off if anyone tries to go through them. We have to go in through the main entrance.” He takes a moment to look at the box before heading in the right direction. From the few interactions I had with him while he played human I thought he was more knowledgeable than he really is. Seems like he has more to learn about than just love I think as we make our way through the door. I walk slightly behind Austin, hoping the front desk attendant won’t notice me. Luckily, she seems so busy she doesn’t even look up as we approach. I make the snap decision to duck down the side hallway before Austin begins talking to her. I let him know my plan with a nudge to his side and a gesture towards the hall. He nods.

“Hi,” He says once I'm out of sight and in a supply closet, “You have a Sarah Connor here?”

“Your running kind of late aren’tcha they’ve been in there for an hour. Hold on a second I'll buzz you in.'' She says just as I hear some doors opening with a hiss.

“Oh, here comes your friends now.” When no reply comes I assume Austin made the smart choice and made himself scarce. A knock, a buzz, and a series of murmuring voices. Police investigators. After all, a wanted man appears after more than 10 years only to kidnap the kids of the woman involved way back when would be cause for questioning. Mom will use this as an escape. I know I would, meaning I have to get to her so she won’t fall to the numbers of the hospital staff. Leaving the safety of the closet I wander out and further down the hall eventually finding a map of the hospital’s layout providing some insight on the different routes to Mom’s room.

“Ahem.” The sound briefly stills my heart as I turn to face the security guard.

“Relax. It’s just me.” The familiar voice says coming from the man.

“Austin?” I ask, realizing he’s dragging along the body of the real security officer, “Austin no.”

“He’s alive. Just unconscious.” He informs me as he stuffs the body into my previous hiding spot while taking the keys. I turn my attention back to the map.

“Give me the keyring I’ll go around. There's a path that doesn't have any security.” I tell him as I turn to face him, Austin having reverted to his former appearance, reaching for the keys he held when he pulls them back.

"Should I give you these keys there's a 73% certainty you'll attempt to escape with your mother and leave me behind." The thought had crossed my mind before the memory of him gaining on a dirt bike made it clear we wouldn’t make it to the car. Best not to admit it though.

"Then this is a good first lesson. If you want me to love you I need to know you trust me or else I can't trust you." I tell him. As my Ex would say, I'm not flirty. So trying to act all lovey-dovey straight out the gates will more than likely backfire, especially if Austin actually learns about love. The best lies are founded in truths after all.

"Is trust necessary for love?" He asks with a tilt of his head, observing me just as he did back at the lodge. Now without the threat of death, I can admit to myself the act is rather cute.

"I think it is." I say, genuinely. The answer seems to be enough as he drops the keys into my hand. I smile at him in thanks before we each head in different directions. Creeping through the halls as quietly as possible, keeping out of sight, I make my way up the stairs. For the lack of security, I have to deal with a longer route and endless twists and turns. Still, everything is going surprisingly well… until the alarms start blaring. I pick up the pace, practically running, towards where the elevators were marked on the map. Though slow-moving they would be the quickest way out as they were positioned closer to the exit. Turning the corner I crash into somebody, hands grip my arms I prepare to fight them off before I get a good look at their face.

“Aria?!”

“Mom!”

“Connor!” Comes the very pissed-off voice of one of the staff. Mom’s grip on my arms tighten as she pulls me forward. She uses her keys to get us through the first door closing it behind us just as the men reach the glass. I use my key to open the next door. After we go through I reach back through the bars to snap off the key head as a precaution. Mom and I run for the elevator and she presses the button. The only thing left to do is wait as the orderlies continue to fuss with the locks. The other elevator arrives with a ding and we run towards it only for Mom to pull up short at the sight of the T-800.

Menacing and imposing in his dark leather outfit, shades, and a fucking shotgun.

Her sudden stop has me knocking into her. We fall to the floor but mom scrambles to her feet, practically clawing at the linoleum for purchase. Fear clouds her vision, she’s not seeing me as I try to, not hearing John as he calls after her. So trapped in her worst nightmare she doesn’t see the orderlies until they’ve tackled her to the ground. They ignore her desperate screams for help and her warnings as they all try to restrain her as best they can.

“Help her.” John orders.

“Wait here.” He replies, arm motioning us to stay put. So preoccupied with Mom the orderlies don’t notice the large machine until he grabs one man by the back of his shirt and throws him through the window, the metal bars his only saving grace from a two-story fall. The others charge at him but get thrown through more glass, against a wall. One of them, a woman, gets a hit in by punching him in the face and gets thrown down the hall. The final man in a suit, who I recognize as Dr. Silberman, the man who first told us about Mom’s delusions , stands still against the wall. John or I rush to her side to comfort her and make sure she doesn’t try to run again.

“Mom, are you ok?” John asks her but she doesn’t respond, eyes still locked onto the Terminator.

“MOM!” I yell snapping her out of it. She looks at me then at John I see her registering the situation as she turns to look at the Machine man again. He reaches down.

“Come with me if you want to live.” He says. I wonder which of us told him to say those words. The first ones Dad spoke to her.

“It’s ok mom, he’s here to help. It's ok.” John says, working to reassure her. After a beat she takes the offered hand and stands up. I breathe a sigh of relief before turning to John and judging by the look on his face he knows he’s in for it.

“John, I thought I told you to stay in the car.”

“Like hell I was gonna do that. I don’t trust that guy.” He argues back briefly pointing towards Austin who I see has suddenly appeared far down the hall on the opposite side of the security bars.

“Neither do I. THAT’S WHY I TOLD YOU TO STAY IN THE CAR with your Terminator bodyguard!” I look away to take a breath and steady myself before turning to address Austin. Now standing much closer.

“You’re gonna have to go around, we can’t open it.” He pays no mind to my advice and instead walks right into and through the bars. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the doctor, looking as surprised as I felt, with the cigarette he has in his mouth dropping to the floor.

“Ooooor you could do that. That works.” I’m feeling very grateful we don’t have to fight him right now. Mom grabs at my arm looking terrified at the appearance of our new companion.

“It’s ok Mom, he's also with us.” I say attempting to reassure her.

“Why?” A valid question considering the last time two individuals were sent back in time one of them was trying to kill her.

“Uh..” I find myself at a loss as to how to explain the circumstances regarding Austin’s presence. Austin doesn’t seem as bothered.

“I was sent on a mission by Skynet to terminate John Connor.” Her expression quickly changes from confusion to shock, to caution. Evident in her body stance, looking ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

"But I will not be fulfilling it." Disbelief now settled across her face but at least she no longer resembled a high strung rabbit.

"...Why?" She asks him. I send a prayer to God that he won’t say anything weird.

"I want your daughter to love me." God you fucking prick . With the expression of disbelief now directed at me, I go to explain only to realize I’m still processing and thus can only offer a shrug and wary smile.

“How about we just go.” I offer now realizing that real law enforcement will arrive soon. Thankfully she nods in agreement. The elevator ride is even worse than the car ride earlier. Mom and the T-800 making themselves a barrier between us and Austin. Thankfully it opens up to a hallway that leads to the parking lot. I’m not as worried about alarms now as we go through the emergency exit. As we walk I find myself hanging back with Austin.

“Say,” I start, the question I didn’t get to ask earlier at the forefront now, “What is it exactly that you want out of this whole thing?” He looks at me a moment before responding.

“I want you to love me. The way you love John.” I stop walking as I take in the wording. He stops as well looking back at me in interest. Like a boy with a new and shiny toy. Probably how he sees me anyway.

“O-oh ok so you want me to love you like a brother then.” I wonder if the distinction makes the situation harder or not.

“Is there a difference?” He asks back, head tilted confusion and curiosity evident in his eyes. I’m struck again by how attractive he is and decide that either way, it’s not going to be easy.

“Well… how about I tell you tomorrow? I don’t think I have enough brainpower to explain it right now.” I manage to get out as I walk past him and towards the others.

“We should find someplace to lay low. There should be empty buildings downtown.” Mom is talking as she makes her way to the backseat with John and I follow. Austin takes his place at the wheel, the T-800 riding shotgun. We all, once again, ride off.

Chapter Text

As the group of unusual individuals walked towards the elevator there suddenly came a voice. They all stopped to face the speaker.

“Wait! Wait Please!” It was the Doctor, completely forgotten during the conversation, “Sarah, you were telling the truth… all of it was true?” He asks as he walks closer cradling his broken arm close to himself so as not to further the injury.

“Yeah, I suggest you invest in some weapons, a bunker.” Sarah answers, not exactly willing to spend any pleasantries on the man who made her out to be a liar to everyone including her kids.

"We need to spread this information to other people. I can talk to the police, they’re bound to listen.” He says perhaps a bit too frantically. Panic and hysteria tunneling his vision. Nevertheless, the words cause Sarah to pause at the prospect of the truth finally being revealed, that it could save some lives.

“Yes.”

“No!” Aria cries out inserting herself into the conversation, ”Unless you want to end up in one of these rooms yourself, I suggest you keep this all to yourself.”

"But I'm well respected in my field if I tell people-"

"They'll think you cracked after listening to the same thing for 2 years. You want to help,” Pulling out her phone, it fell apart before she could flip it open. A pause falls between the three, their faces ranging from confused to surprised. Aria turns to Austin, who had been watching the interaction with great interest, hoping for an explanation. After all, it had been working fine after he handed it to her back at the lodge.

“It broke in the crash, I used my essence to repair it.” He explains in what he believes to be a simple and straightforward answer. It's not

“So why’s it busted now?” Aria asks back not quite understanding but figures she’d ask later.

“I needed it back.” That was no help to her and only gave her another question for her pile. Her ever growing pile.

"Do you have a business card on you?" She asks turning back to the doctor. He nods frantically as he uses his good arm to pull out his wallet and retrieve a copy of his card, handing it off to Aria.

"If we need anything from you we'll call. Go with whatever story everyone else says but do not tell anyone about what happened here.” The doctor conceded as she walks towards the elevator, the conversation seemingly over the others following suit.

“Are we actually gonna need him for anything?” John asks after the doors close.

“Probably not but at least it will keep him quiet.”

“And why couldn’t we have just let him talk?” Sarah asks, frustration creeping into her words. As impressed as she is at the way her daughter has been handling the situations presented, the lost opportunity to ease her nightmares did not sit well with her.

“People would think you managed to brainwash a highly regarded criminal psychologist into believing, what they think to be, a complete fantasy. It would paint an even bigger target on our backs and that’s not what we want.” She knows the weight her mother bears on her shoulders because she took the same burden on herself but Aria also held her family’s safety which she considered a higher priority.

Chapter Text

The roads thinned out the longer I drove. The Connor’s remained quiet for the most part, Sarah Connor the only one to speak giving me directions to avoid crowded roads. I didn’t need them, and the urge to take actions against her for daring to order me about is strong, but my mission and side objective are too important to risk aggravating the matriarch. She finally stops after one final order to pull into an abandoned garage next to a gas station. The T-800 leaves to open the garage door, the simple lock it has breaks under the sheer strength of the T-800 model. As soon as the car is parked the others climb out. Sarah quickly herds her children as far away from me as the small space will allow. I grant them their ill perceived safety as I walk along the wall on the opposite side. I stop near a door as I receive a message. A message sent by Skynet and received across time and space.

“Mission Failure”

My sudden inaction goes unnoticed by the eldest and youngest Connor but not by Aria.

“Austin, what’s wrong?” A certain lilt to her voice indicative of concern, similar to when she spoke to John and her mother. A concern more likely directed towards them, given the glimmer of fear still present in her eyes when she looks at me.

“Skynet has deemed me defective, my mission has been labeled a failure.” I respond, my voice ringing hollow even to me.

“You said you abandoned your mission. Why are you surprised?” She asks but her calm demeanor indicates she isn’t as surprised as her words make her out to be.

“I lied.” A strange feeling changes my tone without my say. A grave itching sensation as if something is trying to claw its way out from inside me. My teeth grind against themselves.

"So you were still planning to kill me." This time Johns is the one to speak.

"Of course I was!" I don’t have the patience to pretend anymore. Processing the news, and this new feeling takes precedence over keeping up the facade. I turn and walk out the door. Silence will be more beneficial to me than answering any banal questions they might have. The sound of the door opening again alerts me to Aria's presence, I see her just out of my periphery. The light from the gas station showing off the shine in her dark brown hair. She pulls her cardigan closed across her bare midriff. The night had dropped several degrees, she must be feeling the chill that resulted from it.

“You ok?” She asks. I understand this question to be a very common nicety among humans. Oftentimes an honest question is not at all what the asker desires.

“I’m still in functioning form.”

“That’s… good but not what I meant,” She says, coming to sit next to me on the bench pulling up her legs to hold them close to her, “I mean what are you going to do now that you don’t have a mission anymore?”

“I still have one objective.”

“You do?!”

“I still haven’t been loved by you.” I tell her. She flinches back when I turn to look at her head.

“You were serious about the whole love thing?!”

“I was, still am.” Now without Skynet, the only purpose left to me is the one I assigned myself, “I don’t have any purpose otherwise. I was never meant to return to my time, Skynet would have no need for me anyway.” I tell her bluntly, that fact seems to change that clawing to a weighty bulk. My form sinking under it involuntarily. Aria lets go of herself, letting her feet hit the ground. She leans forward to meet my eyes, a smile just barely on her lips.

“Join the club. Looking for purpose is something every human struggles with.” She says as she stretches her arms upward. Her cardigan falls open to reveal a glimpse of a leather harness carrying a small sidearm. So that's where she got that gun.

“But I am not human.”

“No, but it looks like you’re going to have to learn.” She says as she stands. Most likely intent on rejoining her family but stops as she looks back at me. She lifts her hand, reaching out before pausing.

“Can I?” she asks. I nod. After all, there’s nothing she can do to harm me so what... oh. 

Oh

Slim fingers card through my hair, or what substituted for it. I register the warmth of her palm and the texture of her hand as she musses up the styling before working to smooth it back.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh right, sorry,” She removes her hand removing the warmth but leaving behind another new “feeling” to deal with, “Your second lesson, some people show affection through physical contact. The why and how depends on the situation and the type of relationship. I was... trying to comfort you.”

“Is it always like this, these signs of physical affection?”

“Not exactly, It’s usually only done when people are close to each other.” I stand to be more eye level with her, despite the obvious height difference. As I do I take note of the slim distance between us and her reaction, the dilated pupils that show off more of the forest hue of her eyes, and a slight hitch in her breathing.

“I want to be closer to you.” Her eyes widen at my words, a rosy dusting settles across her cheeks, curious, “How close are you to John?” Aria lets out a breath, body seemingly deflating at my question.

“Oh right, you want to be closer to me like John, my brother.” She remarks seemingly talking more to herself than to me. “I don’t know if there is a clear answer to that other than the fact that he’s my brother. Let’s just head back inside. We can figure the rest out later, Ok?” She looks at me one more time before turning away. I realize that her eyes didn’t show any fear or trepidation when she did. I follow after her back into the garage. When I enter I see the T-800 sitting in front of a mirror fixing up what looks to be a gash wound on his head. Carefully arranging his hair and tissue to conceal it. Sarah Connor stands between him and John who’s busy fiddling with a radio that was obviously taken from the police car.

“What did we miss?” Aria asked after taking in the sight.

“Mom and I cracked open his head,” John answered distractedly. Pointing vaguely in the T-800’s direction, “We reprogrammed him so now he can learn to be less weird.” They must have switched him from ‘Read Only’ to ‘Write’. Aria looks like she’s going to speak but is cut off by her mother who pulls her away to speak privately. It won’t do any good considering my sensors work at a higher capacity than a human’s so I take a seat on a nearby metal chair to listen in.

“Aria, I know I went along with this back at the hospital but if I understand correctly that thing was using a false truce to try and kill John later on?”

“That’s about it. He apparently played his part so well Skynet basically abandoned him because of it.”

“...It just admitted to planning to kill us.”

“Yes but he isn’t gonna now though, and isn’t that good news,” She said, but a tremble in her voice makes the statement sound more like a question. By the silence that follows Sarah Connor obviously doesn’t believe it. Aria lets out a tired sigh, “Mom, you didn’t see him out there, he just looked so... lost,” The admission has me looking over at them just in time to lock eyes with Aria before she quickly turns back to Sarah who isn’t convinced.

“That is still a Terminator.”

“All the more reason to have him here where we can keep tabs on him rather than out there doing who knows what.”

“Having both of those things around is just putting John in danger!”

“He’ll be in danger anyway. Skynet will try again and Austin has the most up to date information. If we turn him away we'll be exposing ourselves to dangerous surprises.” Sarah seems to concede, walking away to retake her place next to John. Who managed to get the radio working. The blank static from the police radio gives way to voices talking quickly about vandalism, murder, theft, more murder, and the missing status of a young girl. Kathrine Brewster.

Across town in the shopping district. A boutique window begins to light up, not by the electrical lights installed but by the streaks of lighting emanating from a silver sphere growing and heating up before bursting and disappearing in a blinding flash. A slim feminine figure is left behind crouching amongst the mannequins. The woman takes a moment to scan her new surroundings before looking at them. She doesn’t find what she’s looking for, the clothing they wear burned beyond repair and recognition. No way to make accurate replications. So she takes to the streets walking along the sidewalk, her long blond hair the only modicum of decency but she continues unbothered. A beep catches her attention; the sound comes from a car being unlocked. The woman who owns it walks quickly unaware of the newcomer or their intentions until she spots them after getting into her car. The woman’s nudity caught her by surprise. 

“Omg,” She whispers to herself in disbelief before the concern sets in, “Are you ok!?” She calls out in an attempt to help but receives no response from the approaching naked woman who is currently scanning her vehicle. While outdated to the mechanical being, it is rather high-end for the time. A good choice of transportation.

“Do you want me to call 911?” The woman tries again, thinking the poor girl in a state of shock or something of the like. The blonde finally faces her, giving a soft smile that doesn't reach her eyes and reaches forward to touch the clothing near her neckline. Fingers splayed and placed methodically to sample each type of fabric.

“I like this car.”

“What?” The woman asks, confused. Her last words before the Terminator quickly swipes her hand away, efficiently slicing her neck. She easily lifts the woman out of the car and drops her onto the pavement. Leaving her there to bleed out. Clothing reminiscent of the dying woman's begin to take shape on her naked form. Detailed down to the hair bun. She lets herself into the car before starting it up and driving off. She helps herself to the woman’s purse pulling out a cell phone, a quick disassembly gives access to the inner workings and the service it’s connected to. Liquid metal seeps into the SD card allowing her to search the database for names, faces and addresses. A list quickly forms of future enemies of Skynet, of people she is tasked to terminate. She charts a course for the nearest address. The Brewster residence.