Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 19:57:30 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Choices - Chapter 8 Message-ID: Choices by Katherine R. Freymuth Copyright 1997 Chapter 8 Janet didn't have to ask Al twice when he learned that Weitzman was on the phone in not-so-amiable a mood. He hurried to her office, still dressed in his pajamas, with a concerned look on his face. "I'm here, Weitzman," Al said towards the ceiling as he took a seat in a chair across from Janet. "What is it?" Janet gave Al a quick look of warning. Despite the well-known antagonism that existed between Al and the Senator, Janet wanted Al to maintain a firm civility with the Senator. After all, Weitzman was a member of the Committee and Al, even though he wasn't military anymore, still was the de facto representative of the military and the civilians in the complex. "Does the name Dana Aptheker mean anything to either of you?" Weitzman asked. Both Janet and Al frowned at the name. "He's a two-bit tabloid reporter," Al answered the question. "He's been trying to investigate Dr. Beckett's disappearance." "Trying?" Weitzman questioned. "I'd say he was succeeding rather well." The frowns on Al's and Janet's faces became reflections of deep concern. "What do you mean, Senator?" Janet asked politely. "Aptheker called Senator McBride this morning," came the answer. "Do you know what his question was?" Al hazarded a guess. "Where is Sam Beckett?" "Wrong, Mr. Calavicci," Weitzman replied, emphasizing Al's lack of rank. "The question was 'What can you tell me about what happened to you on the dates of April 28th and 29th of 1960?'" There was a long pause. "Are those not the dates in which Dr. Beckett leaped into Tom McBride, Senator McBride's husband?" Janet looked at Al with raised eyebrows. Al's eyes were lowered in thought at Weitzman's words. "I would have to double-check with Ziggy," Al told him finally. "But I'm assuming that they are the dates he had leaped into Tom McBride otherwise you wouldn't be asking the question. You've obviously investigated the matter before calling us." "What I want to know," Weitzman said quickly, "is how he found out about Quantum Leap and what he knows about it." There was a pause. "Well, Calavicci?" Al took a slow breath. He shook his head. "I don't know," he admitted. "Well, find out!" Weitzman told him loudly. "The United States government doesn't spend 2.2 billion dollars a year on a project just so it can be exposed in a damned tabloid paper! Is that clearly understood?" Al glared at the ceiling. Of course, it was understood. It was understood that Weitzman cared more about the money spent than about the project itself. For al, it was more than the money. Without funding, the project would be shut down, leaving Sam in the past - alone. It had taken everything Al and Janet had to get the Committee to continue funding after Sam had leaped four months ago. Al wasn't about to let that huge victory be taken from him by an overzealous tabloid reporter. "Believe me, Senator," Janet answere the bellow. "The last thing we want is to have Quantum Leap exposed to the public. I give you my word that we will do our best to prevent such a thing from happening." "Calavicci?" Weitzman questioned as though the question needed to be asked. Al didn't answer immediately, annoyed at the Senator's tone of voice. "Whatever it takes, Senator." "Good," Weitzman replied. "I want a reported on this as soon as possible. Good day." The three way conversation was over. Neither Al nor Janet spoke for a long time, both thinking about the situation. "We have a leak," Al finally said. "Somewhere, we have a leak." Janet looked at Al, knowing that what he said had to be the truth. "It's the only explanation," she said. "How else can he go from knowing about an argument you and Beth had to knowing about Sam leaping into Tom McBride?" Al exhaled. "Exactly." He paused. "So, how do we find our leak?" Janet exhaled. "We're just going to have to keep tabs on everyone, no matter who. Sam's latest leap is bound to be known by everyone in the complex by now. We wouldn't know who to trust with that kind of information." She paused. "I'm going to ask everyone to stay in the complex. Ziggy can monitor everyone's activities and, if anything suspicious happens, she can tell us." Al didn't say anything. He didn't like the idea that anyone in the complex, including the people he knew and trusted, could be leaking out information to Aptheker. But the fact was information was leaking to Aptheker from someone who knew about Quantum Leap very well. Janet saw the hesitation in Al's eyes. "I know it's not the best plan in the world but I don't see any other option. If it doesn't show us the leak, it'll definitely stop it - at least until we can take care of Aptheker." Al nodded slightly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "I don't see any other way either." He looked at Janet firmly. "Let's do it." Sam woke to the smell of coffee. He slowly slipped out of the bed and put on the rainbow-bar robe laying over the foot of the bed. He then walked out of the bedroom and followed the scent to the kitchen. Beth was seated at the kitchen table, sipping at a cup of coffee with a hint of non-dairy creamer. She looked at Sam with a smile. "Good morning," she greeted. "Have a cup of coffee. It's decaffeinated." Sam smiled gratefully. He went to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup. "There's some cereal available, if you want some," Beth told him. "Also some fruit salad in the refrigerator. You're lucky Christy has early morning classes. Al's usually up before I am." Sam sat at the table with her. "Guess I'm not used to the military lifestyle. I haven't had to get up early as a lifestyle since I was a teenager." Beth smiled. "Well, if you're still here tomorrow, you'd better get used to it fast. Christy doesn't have classes tomorrow and Al is usually showered and dressed before eight o'clock." "What time is it now?" Sam asked. "A little after nine thirty." The two were silent for a moment, not knowing what to say to each other. "Beth..." Sam finally started. Beth raised her hand slightly. "Sam, I know you can't tell me why you're here and I know this is very awkward for both of us." She paused. "It might be better if you stayed at the complex until your leap is over. I think it would probably be better for both of us." She stared into her coffee cup, avoiding looking at Sam. "I don't think I can handle seeing Al and knowing it's really you anymore. It's just too hard for me." She looked at Sam hesitantly. "I don't know why you broke your promise to Al but it had to be a very good reason or you wouldn't have broken it. I just hope you succeed in whatever you're here to do." Sam nodded slightly, holding back the fear of his succeeding in the leap. He still couldn't believe what Al said he was there to do. He also didn't know how to answer to Beth's well-wishes. "Thank you," he finally answered, not knowing what else to say. He thought for a moment. "I'll have to talk to Al about your suggestion." Beth nodded. "I understand. If you have to stay here to accomplish your mission, I'll accept that." She took a breath and stood up. "You'd better get going. I have to get up to the hospital and I'm sure you have to go to the complex to see Sam. I mean..." Sam smiled. "I know what you mean. Go on. I'll call you to let you know about..." Beth nodded. As she walked past Sam, she touched his shoulder gently. "Good luck, Sam," she said before leaving the kitchen. Sam exhaled. Despite Beth's offer, he found he had no appetite for breakfast. He therefore finished his coffee before going into the bedroom and getting ready to go out to the complex. Chapter 9 coming soon.