Under the mistletoe - part 7

[4kennedy]

Title: Under the mistletoe
Author: 4kennedy
Fandom: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Pairing: Cameron/Sarah
Rating: PG-13
Summary: As Christmas is coming closer even the Connor household gets into the seasonal spirit.
Disclaimer: I unfortunately don’t own them; they belong to FOX television and Warner Brothers.
Notes: Written for charrua33. The wish on the Christmas wish list at passion_perfect was 'Getting caught under the mistletoe'. Thanks to my wonderful beta reader gsr_rocks!


Part 7

At quarter past four in the afternoon on the same day Sarah was sitting sideways in an armchair in the living room, her legs swung over the armrest and her feet dangling in the air. She was looking at the luminous Christmas tree without really seeing it. Her eyes were unfocused, staring into the distance.

The raven-haired woman tried to think about the whole situation with Cameron and she tried not to think about it at the same time. After a while she had given up. It was impossible not to think about it. Every time she willed her mind to focus on something else, it wandered right back to the terminator.

So much had changed between them and still was changing.

There had been moments where Sarah had felt close to the girl, not only physical but also emotional, and where she had been only a fraction away of crossing the boundary finally and completely. They already had grazed it several times, for example when their lips had met under the mistletoe. A sweet, almost innocent moment Sarah liked to remember and sometimes imagined that instead of ending the kiss she’d deepened it.

It was one of her guilty pleasures.

And of course there had been moments were Sarah had doubted it, where she had questioned just everything. First of all Cameron’s feelings and her intentions. She had also questioned herself. A lot. Doubted her sanity and her feelings as well. It couldn’t be sane to feel attraction and even affection for a terminator.

Her head dropped against the chair-back and she closed her eyes. The silence of the house was relaxing. It was nice not to have to keep up the bravado for anyone that she was feeling better when she was still in pain.

Her left shoulder ached, Sarah supposed that she’d hurt it when she had been slammed into the wall, and the throbbing between her temples wasn’t better at all. However Sarah refused to take the painkillers during the day. She didn’t want to be drugged when she could be needed and planned on only taking a pill to get some sleep during the night, trusting Cameron with their lives. She simply had no other choice.

Sarah heard the turning of a key in the front door. She hoped it would be Cameron, she also hoped it wouldn’t be.

Since she had slapped the girl and fled the room after Cameron had confessed her feelings, Sarah hadn’t even seen a glimpse of her. She felt bad about the way she had responded. It wasn’t a very grown-up reaction to it. But even though she already knew about the girl’s crush on her, it still had been a shock to hear it directly from her. She just hadn’t known how else to react without revealing that the terminator had stirred something inside her too. The moment had come too soon and unexpected.

“Hey Mom, it’s me!” John called from the hallway loudly, probably assuming that she was in her room, resting, what she should be doing instead of twisting her mind inconclusively.

“I’m here,” Sarah shouted back, remaining in the same position. Every movement caused a drum roll in her head.

“What are you doing down here? You should be in your bed,” her son said accusingly, coming into the living room with his forehead wrinkled in confusion.

Why was everyone telling her what she should do, Sarah wondered. “I needed a change of scenery.” She didn’t look at him and continued to stare at the tree, remembering how she had watched Cameron and John decorating it. It was another small, nice memory she cherished.

“And Cameron is…,” John began to say in a questioning tone.

“… In the shed,” Sarah finished his sentence. “At least I guess so. I haven’t seen her though.” She finally raised her eyes and looked at her son. “Did you talk to Derek?” she asked quickly to change the subject. He had already given her his speech about his opinion and she didn’t need another lecture from him.

“Yup, I did and he’s still… upset. He won’t come back home until the metal has melted,” John said and immediately raised his arms defensively when his mother glared at him. “His words not mine.”

“Damn idiot,” Sarah mumbled and rubbed her forehead with her thumb and index finger. It wasn’t only that Derek was John’s uncle and that she wanted him to be a part of her son’s life. It was also that he was a soldier, a good fighter and they needed every help they could get to prevent Judgement Day. “Well, it’s his decision and we’ve to respect it. I don’t want him in the house anyways when he behaves like this.”

John nodded his agreement. “Yeah, me neither.” He knew what his mother meant. His outbursts, the constant anger and hate that radiated from Derek made the atmosphere between all of them tense. John doubted that Derek’s attitude would ever change, he wasn’t even trying to and therefore it would never happen. “How is your head?”

Sarah stopped massaging her forehead and plastered a brave smile on her face. “It’s still on my shoulders.”

“Do you need anything?” he wanted to know, noticing how pale she was and that her eyes were squinted as if trying to will the pain to disappear. “Do you want me to go and get you the painkillers?”

“No, thank you. I’m good.” Sarah patted the gun, which lay in her lap.

It wasn’t hard to tell that his mother wanted to appear tough and strong for him, he didn’t know her any different. John admired her for her strength and for her unwillingness to give up. Hopefully he would find those characteristics in himself one day too. “Okay, I’ll be in my room,” John gave in, knowing that it would be useless to argue with her.

When her son was gone Sarah’s view fell upon the Christmas tree once again. She wondered whether she should give Cameron a present or not. Even if she decided to get a present what would it be a terminator could want? What would she like? What would make those big brown eyes shine with delight?

*****

Sarah had drifted into a light slumber, when the clicking of the front door brought her back out of it. It had been a doze without any nightmares, where her thoughts and desires had mixed and formed pictures, scenes full of Cameron. Beautiful, strong, warm and soft. Lively. She had dreamt or fantasised about kissing the girl, touching and seducing her, not holding anything back. It had been so real, Sarah had the impression she could still smell and feel the girl. Her body kept on lingering in the dream too.

Water, the raven-haired woman decided and got up slowly, waiting a few seconds until the dizziness had worn off before walking to the kitchen. She barely noticed what she was doing as her mind was busy to dive into the fuzzy and sensual pictures again. It had to be one of the most erotic dreams she’d ever had.

The closing of another door brought Sarah back to reality. She realized that it had been this noise that had awaken her in the first place, but she had instantly forgotten about it. What worried her more was the fact that it hadn’t made her grab her gun and to find out who had entered the house. It could’ve been an assassin like the one on the motorcycle yesterday in the alley. “Stupid and careless,” Sarah chastised herself, realising that she had left the gun in the living room.

Anyways, it had been Cameron who had come in, the raven-haired woman was certain of it. Somehow she must’ve sensed that it had been the girl. She just knew it had been her. Her instincts never failed Sarah; she could rely on them one hundred percent. On a subconscious level she had registered that there was no reason to be alert.

The second time Sarah had heard a door just a few seconds ago; it had been one upstairs, which one she couldn’t say. Had it been Cameron again? Was she still in the house or had she gone back to the garage, keeping on to avoid her?

It was a bit odd though that she had admitted without really thinking about it, that she had hurt Cameron’s feelings and that therefore the terminator was staying away from her. With a sigh the raven-haired woman plucked up courage and went upstairs. At least she should apologize to Cameron for her behaviour the previous day.

The girl wasn’t in her room and when Sarah peeked into John’s she wasn’t in there either. Her son was sitting at his computer, giant headphones covering his ears and listening to music so loudly she could hear it from the door. Maybe Cameron had slipped out into the garage without her noticing and it had been John, who had gone to the bathroom meanwhile. It was possible, Sarah thought shrugging, and she just wasn’t at her best at the moment, her attention distracted by the throbbing in her head.

For a few moments the raven-haired woman considered going to the garage, but then she decided against it. She really wasn’t in the physical condition with the dizziness and the headache to make it to the garage and back without fainting or throwing up.

Perhaps she felt ready for a little trip like this after she had lain down for a while. Sarah realized that she wanted to have Cameron back into the house, not liking the thought of her being alone out there like a guard dog.

Deep in thought, thinking about what and how to say to the terminator she entered her own room. She sat down on the edge of the bed. The shower was running next door. Cameron hadn’t left the house after all.

It was inevitable that her mind started to picture the girl standing under the spray of hot water, the drops rolling down her body and her hands gliding over the curves, dispersing the soap everywhere.

Sarah had seen Cameron naked, when they had jumped through time. The terminator had stepped right in front of a car to stop it, kicking those three guy’s asses though they could get their clothes. The memory of a nude and fighting Cameron was something she surely would never forget, it was as clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Even back then, despite the situation and mess they’d been in, it had made Sarah smirk.

When Sarah forced herself to push the teasing images away, she became aware of the silence. The shower wasn’t running any longer. The bathroom door opened and closed and the next moment Cameron was passing by Sarah’s room only wrapped in a towel. In the blink of an eye the girl was gone, Cameron hadn’t even looked in her direction as if she hadn’t noticed her or if she didn’t care that she was there.

“Cameron!” the raven-haired woman shouted after her. “Please wait a second.” She jumped to her feet and hurried into the hallway, ignoring the explosion of white pain between her temples and behind her eyes. “Cameron,” Sarah said the girl’s name again, but this time in a much lower voice. She was standing in the corridor now, her feet didn’t want to go any further and she was swaying unbalanced on them.

The terminator was a vague figure in the semi-darkness of the hallway. Blood was rushing in Sarah’s ears loudly until she could only hear it ringing. Her body started to shake; she had no control over it any longer. Then blackness crept closer, surrounding her until it overpowered her.

Sarah didn’t lose consciousness, not entirely. A small part of her still registered what was happening. Her legs gave out beneath her and then she was falling. She didn’t feel nor heard that her body had hit the floor, but when she opened her eyes she was lying on her back on the ground, the world still spinning around her somewhat.

Cameron was kneeling by her left side. “Sarah,” she whispered, leaning over her. Water dropped from the girl’s hair on Sarah’s face. The terminator reached out to the barely conscious woman, her fingers brushing some strands of loose hair away first and wandering then over her cheek. “Are you okay?”

The question didn’t reach Sarah’s mind, she had seen Cameron’s lips move and she had heard her voice, but the meaning of the words were lost on her. There were only the soft fingertips on her face and concern in brown eyes. Cameron was so close. Drops of water glistened on flawless skin, especially the ones on the girl’s cleavage made Sarah to want to kiss each one of them away.

Sarah’s eyes drifted briefly to the gunshot wound under Cameron’s right collarbone. It was hidden under a dressing, which was protected from the water by a clingwrap. But it wasn’t a flaw, it was a symbol. The girl had saved her life; she had taken two bullets for her and not out of programming, but out of worry and...

No, she wouldn’t think that word.

Her look strayed further. The towel around Cameron’s torso was stretching over her breasts and full lips were hovering right above her own.

“Your vital signs are outside the normal parameters,” Cameron stated matter-of-factly, her fingers wandering downwards from Sarah’s cheek until they reached her neck where they stopped over the carotid artery. The pulse of the raven-haired woman beat with an accelerative speed against her fingertips. Cameron could feel excitement pent-up in the area below her belly button in reaction.

Sarah’s thoughts were fuzzy and she was grateful for it. “Who cares?” she asked, before reaching up to the girl with one hand and coiling her fingers around Cameron’s neck. Half pulling the terminator down to her and half raising her head Sarah brought their lips together.

The raven-haired woman closed her eyes and took a moment to enjoy the feeling of relief that she had finally found the courage to do this. It lifted a weight she didn’t know had been there.

Then Sarah began to move her lips against the girl’s, slowly and tentative first, but when Cameron wasn’t only allowing herself to be kissed and started to respond in a likewise timid way Sarah deepened the kiss with more passion.

A small gasp of surprise escaped the raven-haired woman when she felt Cameron’s tip of the tongue brushing against her bottom lip. Sarah wrapped her other arm around the girl’s waist, drawing her closer still and clasping the rough fabric of the towel between her fingers.

The kiss was everything Sarah had been hoping for and even more. She hadn’t known what to expect from a machine, something so natural and emotional for humans just couldn’t be programmed. It was more than angles and technique. It was the feelings that made a kiss to what it was and Cameron conveyed her emotions surprisingly pretty well through it.

With a noise between sighing and moaning the raven-haired woman parted her lips and met the girl’s tongue with her own. It sent an electric thrill through Sarah, before it pulsated between her legs.

Several minutes passed like this. It was as if they were in their own little cocoon, there on the floor in the hallway were nothing else mattered beside them and their feelings for each other. Sarah kissed the brunette hungrily and with such intensity that her arousal reached the point where she either had to stop or to go all the way.

Sarah closed her hands around Cameron’s shoulders and pushed the girl away from her gently. She smiled tenderly at Cameron to show her that everything was okay, her breath heavy and her heart racing.

During their little encounter they must’ve shifted some more as Cameron was now practically laying on top of her. But the terminator managed to balance her weight so that she wouldn’t crush her. It was the perfect amount of pressure and warmth. It felt unbelievably good.

“I care,” Cameron said and the corners of her mouth lifted into an adorable smile.

tbc

A/N: I hope that especially the last part of this chapter makes up for the long wait.

Feeling:  weird

Comments

[ciara06.livejournal.com]

*drools then keels over twitching*
<--had a brain overload from the awesome hotness.

*after a moment recovers* HOLY MONKEY MAN! Defiently worth the wait.

"Your vital signs are outside the normal perameters."
"Who cares?" hehe

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

lol! oh my, I hope you're okay there and that you've fully recovered =) I'm glad it was worth the wait *g*

[demoka.livejournal.com]

*giggles* What a cute and wonderfully sexy chapter! XP Even though I hate balloons, I want to get them (and you) a box that bursts open with streamers and a balloon that reads "YAY!" after you cut the fake wire.... (like in DEBS! XP)

aw. I dunno about how comfortable the corridor floor is though... I had half hoped that Cam would have just caught her instead, but this works too. I just wonder if John might walk out...!

*giggles again* Cam's still in just a towel isn't she? XP

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

awesome! I was aiming for sexy ;) I would happily accept a box with ballons and cut the fake wire.
well, who cares how comfortable the floor is when you have Cameron only wrapped in a towel on top of you? so yeah, she's still in the towel *g* I wondered too if Cameron should catch Sarah, but she was too far away to get to her in time and it wroked pretty well that Sarah was laying on the floore *hehe*

[charrua33.livejournal.com]

Reading this was a really bright spot amidst all the cancellation doom and gloom...Yep, this update was definitely worth waiting for - you're back and firing on all cylinders!!!

And, finally, major kiss fest...though, I kept hoping that the towel would fall off...;-)

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

aw, I glad I could provide a bright spot =) is the show officially cancelled? I hope not, I need more Camerah!
Now that I've started to fire on all cylinders,I might not be able to stop the kissing, groping, sweet talk etc *gg*
yup, finally kiss fest =) it was about time. I bet Sarah was secretly hoping to that the towel would fall off ;)

[gsr-rocks.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention it yesterday in the email but thank you very much for that vision of Cameron dripping wet in a towel. XD

My favorite chapter so far. ♥

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

lol! you're always welcome. I like to give you such nice images. like a naked Cameron on a washing machine ;)
thank you, I'm still very happy that you enjoyed this chapter.

[savagevalyn.livejournal.com]

I was pretty blue after reading the FOX cancellation notice, but this was a nice little morale booster. A lovely read, thanks for writing this awesome series. Looking forward to more! In the meantime....I'm off to bombard FOX viewer comment line. xD

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

I've just read the bad news =( this makes me sad and disappointed. I would have loved the see more of the show and especially more Camerah.
thank you, I'm glad that you like it. I'll try to finish the next chapter asap.

[jen-sparks.livejournal.com]

During their little encounter they must’ve shifted some more as Cameron was now practically laying on top of her. But the terminator managed to balance her weight so that she wouldn’t crush her. It was the perfect amount of pressure and warmth. It felt unbelievably good.

Awwwwww...

I was thinking of something nice and wise to say, but I'll go with the quote and one simple sentence: you made my day.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

*gg* don't worry, A comment and especially one that say "you made my day" is very appreciated and it makes me happy =) thank you

[theagonyofblank.livejournal.com]

Aww, hahaha. Very cute!

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

=) thank you *g* that was my intention *g*

[tanama30.livejournal.com]

wow they kissed. they finally kissed yea. more more more plz

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

yup, they finally kissed *g* was about time I know, but now that they've crossed that boundary expect fluff to come, which was my plan for the story all along. it just took me a little bit longer as I expected, though. so more will come, don't worry.
thank you for commenting!

[revolos55.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're back!

I dig the idea of Sarah getting a giftie for Cameron.

Somehow she must’ve sensed that it had been the girl. She just knew it had been her. Her instincts never failed Sarah; she could rely on them one hundred percent. On a subconscious level she had registered that there was no reason to be alert. - Neat!

It was a bit odd though that she had admitted without really thinking about it, that she had hurt Cameron’s feelings and that therefore the terminator was staying away from her. With a sigh the raven-haired woman plucked up courage and went upstairs. At least she should apologize to Cameron for her behaviour the previous day. - Awww :D

The bathroom door opened and closed and the next moment Cameron was passing by Sarah’s room only wrapped in a towel. - Rowr! :D

hen blackness crept closer, surrounding her until it overpowered her. - Uh-oh...

“Who cares?” she asked, before reaching up to the girl with one hand and coiling her fingers around Cameron’s neck. Half pulling the terminator down to her and half raising her head Sarah brought their lips together. - Woot!!

“I care,” Cameron said and the corners of her mouth lifted into an adorable smile. - Awww! :D

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

aw, thank you for you comment =) I always like to know which parts people enjoyed.
I dig the idea of Sarah getting a present for Cameron too. but so far, I've no idea what she could get her :/ any ideas?

[revolos55.livejournal.com]

Honestly my first instinct was "motor oil", but that doesn't really make much sense, and isn't really a sweet giftie.

Ooh, maybe one of those music boxes with a ballerina inside, and it plays the song Cameron was dancing to in that one episode.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

lol! motor oil *g* too sad it really doesn't make a lot of sense, but it would be indeed a sweet gift.
but omg I love your idea of a music box with a ballerina inside! *wee* that's just perfect. I think I'll use and I'll give you of course credit. thank you so much!

[olli01a.livejournal.com]

Wonderful update. I like especially Sarah sensing Cameron in a way. The kiss was hot. I hope the next part will be out soon.

[4kennedy.livejournal.com]

thanks a lot =) I figured that by now Sarah would be able to sense that it was Cameron entering the house and not an attacker on a subconsious level. the more time you spent with someone the more accustomed you get to their presence... which yes, leads to Cameron having one =) *hehe* besides after 16 years of running, fighting etc. Sarah's senses should be sharp enough to detect danger. At least that's my explanation for it and I just like it too, that Sarah can feel Cameron's pressence =)
I'm working on the next time, but I can't say how frustrating it is that I'm such a slow writer. I spent way too much time to contemplate every sentence and possible directions of the scene etc. I'll try my best.
thanks for commenting.