Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 20:12:57 -0700 (MST) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - ch 8 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Chapter 8 As Admiral Kalarco left the room and the group started to disperse to their stations, Al approached Alia. "Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered. "I could have helped." "Exactly," she told him. "But it would have attracted attention and you would not have returned to your house for the rest that you needed." Al laughed sarcastically. "Some rest." He didn't elaborate. Alia smiled at him. "Go check on Sam. He needs you." She looked at him firmly as if the statement were a hard fact. Al nodded. He took a handlink from the console. "Gushie, center me on Sam," he ordered before giving a kiss to Beth and entering the Imaging Chamber. The younger Alia was helping Sam towards the city, straining to keep him on his feet. The two had to walk, now that the truck was unusable. "We've got to get you inside," Alia was telling him. "Just keep up with me and you'll be fine." Sam wasn't looking well. He was obviously exhausted and cold. It was also obvious that he was having a hard time keeping up with Alia's pace, even with how slow it was. Al decided it was best to walk beside them for a little ways before speaking. He didn't want to startle Sam. Sam finally looked at Al and gave him a weak smile. He was greatful to see the ex-Admiral, greatful that Al hadn't left him alone. "Hi, Sam," Al greeted gently, smiling reassuringly at him. "I'm right here." "How are we doing?" Sam rasped. Al hesitated. He didn't like the sound of Sam's voice. He disliked it even more when it was followed by a very harsh cough. "We'll be in the city soon, Freddie," Alia assured him. Al nodded in agreement. He looked at the handlink. "In about two minutes, a Mrs. Lutz is going to come by and pick you two up. She takes you to the hospital and, having suspicions about Fred Sr., puts both of you under her name. Freddie and Alia agree to go to the United States together after Freddie gets better." Sam nodded slowly just before collapsing to the ground. "Freddie!" Alia exclaimed, helping him back on his feet. "Come on, Freddie. We can't stop now!" "What's wrong?" a voice asked. Alia gasped in fear. She looked over her shoulder to see a woman looking at her and Sam with concern. "Nothing," she answered, lifting Sam from the ground. "Don't listen to her, Mrs. Lutz," Al said to the woman. Mrs. Lutz felt Sam's forehead. "Nothing? He has a terrible fever. He needs to be in a hospital." "We can take care of ourselves," Alia told her. "Thank you." She started walking again, Sam's weight on her. Mrs. Lutz sighed. "Whoever you're running from, I don't care. I just want to get both of you some medical help. I'll even check you in under my last name. Whoever they are, they won't find you." Alia looked at her. She was still uncertain. "Please, let me help. You don't even have to tell me your name," Mrs. Lutz told her. "Mine's Carol." Alia looked at Sam. She knew he needed medical care. She looked back at Mrs. Lutz. "Okay," she finally said.. Mrs. Lutz smiled gently and took Sam from her. "Go ahead and get in the car," she told Alia as she put Sam in the back seat. Alia obeyed as Mrs. Lutz got in and buckled herself in. Alia mimicked her. Mrs. Lutz then drove to the nearest hospital and, keeping her word, checked the two into the hospital under aliases. The doctors were astonished by the evidence of abuse on both Sam and Alia, especially on Sam. They tried to convince both of them to press charges. However, Alia was just too scared and Sam knew, from Al, that pressing charges would result in both Alia's and Freddie's death, thanks to their father. "Your friend," the doctor told Alia, "has severe pneumonia. He's really lucky to be alive." "May I see him?" Alia asked. The doctor nodded. "But only for a short time. He needs rest." Alia nodded with understanding. The doctor led her to the room and left her alone with Sam. She took Sam's hand gently, causing him to open his eyes. "How are you?" Sam asked with concern. Alia smiled. "I'm supposed to ask you that." Sam took a breath. "I'll be okay," he assured her. He gave a harsh cough. "They're taking good care of me. Now, what about you?" Alia squeezed his hand. "Now that you're okay, I'm doing great. I'm staying with Mrs. Lutz until you get better and then I thought we'd go to America. Start over." Sam nodded. "That'll be good," he told her. She kissed him on the cheek. "I'd better let you rest. I'll be back tomorrow." With that she left the room. "Will she be okay?" Sam asked Al, who had been standing near him the entire time. "She'll be fine, Sam," Al replied. "So, she doesn't..." "I didn't say that," Al corrected. "There are just some things you cannot change." Sam sighed in frustration. "Nor should you," Al added. "Think about it, Sam. After we rescued Alia from Zoe, she helped a lot of people. Some thing are just meant to be. You've done your job." "And Frederick Sr.?" Al looked at the handlink. "Oh, he's arrested in a couple of weeks for the murder of his first wife. He's extradicted to France and is currently serving a life sentence. You're definitely done here." Sam still seemed uncertain. Al exhaled. *Here goes.* "Sam, we're pretty sure we can retrieve you." Sam looked at Al with excited shock. "What?" Al smiled at him, nodding. "Ziggy says there's a ninety-eight percent chance you should be coming home." Sam smiled in delight. The smile faded slightly. "I can't go home yet. There's still so much to do." Al huffed in frustration. He looked at Sam firmly in the eyes. "There's nothing more to get done, Sam. At least, not in the past." Sam shook his head. "So many people still need me." "Yes," Al told him. "And they're all at home. Home, Sam! Think about it. The place you've been yearning for the past ten years!" Sam thought for a moment. "I want to come home. But..." "There are no buts about it, Sam! We need you. I need you." He paused, looking into Sam's eyes. Nothing was working. "Please, Sam." "Why don't you just retrieve me?" "You have to want to come back, Sam." As Al said this, Sam coughed harshly. Al winced, gaining Sam's attention. "What is it?" Sam asked. Al shook his head. "It's nothing." Sam frowned. "Don't lie to me, Al." Al hesitated. He looked at Sam. "I'm not sure I should tell you. It might make matters worse. All I can tell you is we have to retrieve you and, in order for it to be successful, you have to be calm and willing. You have to realize that there isn't anything left to do in the past and you have to be truly ready to come home." Sam looked at Al. He could tell Al wasn't just worried; he was frightened. Sam stifled a cough, bringing another wince to Al's face. He suddenly realized what was frightening Al. "Al, I'll be fine," he assured. Al exhaled quickly. "Gawd, I wish that were true," he said quietly. Sam frowned. He looked at Al questioningly. Al closed his eyes. He'd stepped over the line and now he had to finish. "We have strong evidence which indicates that, if we don't retrieve you, you'll lose your ability to properly oxygenate your brain." He hesitated. "Unless we retrieve you, Sam, you'll die." Sam thought about Al's words. He coughed hard. He looked at Al again and saw the fear in his friend's eyes. "You really think I'm going to die," Sam concluded. Al was quiet for a moment. He nodded firmly. "Yes." There was silence between the two men. They didn't need words to describe the feelings they had in their hearts. Sam smiled gently. "Al?" Al looked at his friend. "I'm ready to come home." Al smiled slightly, closing his eyes to keep himself from crying. "Thank you, Sam. Thank you." He looked at the ceiling. "Let's bring him home, Gushie." He smiled at Sam. "Just relax and let it happen, Sam." Sam nodded. He closed his eyes and let his entire body relax. A moment later, the strangest sensation passed over his body. ------------------------------------------ Did Sam make it home? What about Alia? Stand by for Chapter 9 - coming soon! Katherine