Date: Mon, 10 Mar 1997 12:14:32 -0700 (MST) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - part 9 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Part 9 Al didn't move for a moment when he noticed that Sam had leaped. He was afraid to move. What if they hadn't retrieved him? What if he had died in their attempt? What if.... Al shook his head, clearing his mind before leaving the Imaging Chamber. He slowly approached the Control console and looked at Gushie and Alia intensely. "Well?" he asked more calmly than he felt. Alia's concentration was focused on the console. "He's still in phase," she told him. "We'll know soon." Al looked about the Control Room. Verbina Beeks stood ready, a medical team near her to attend Sam the moment he arrived. Alex Hathorn stood to one side, his head bent in prayer. Admiral Kalarco had returned to the Control Room with Captain Strickler the moment they had heard of the attempt to retrieve Sam. Tina, Gushie, and Sammy Jo/Alia were focusing on the retrieval itself. Beth was watching Al with concern. She went to him and hugged him firmly, sharing in his anxiety. "Gawd, I hope we're doing the right thing," he whispered into her ear. Beth smiled gently. "We are," she told him. "And he'll be fine." Al hugged her for what seemed like an eternity. The tension of waiting was almost too much to bear. It hadn't even been a minute since Al left the Imaging Chamber when Alia exhaled in relief, giving a nod to Verbina. Al noticed the nod and followed Verbina as she and the medical team went into the Accelerator Chamber. Beth hurriedly followed her husband. There, sprawled on the Accelerator Chamber floor, was Sam Beckett, his eyes closed and his head tilted to one side. He didn't move a single muscle. Verbina stood to one side, allowing the medical technicians to do their job once she saw that her services weren't immediately needed. Al put his arm around Beth and held her hand with his free hand. He watched tensely as the med-techs checked over Sam. The med-techs put Sam on a stretcher and took him out of the Accelerator Chamber. The chief of Medicine approached Al, Beth, and Verbina with a smile. "He'll be fine," the Chief assured them. "He's very ill but he should be up and about in no time." Al nearly yelped for joy. Instead, he voted to give Beth a passionate kiss and to hug Verbina. "I'll tell the others," Verbina volunteered as Al held his wife tightly. Verbina left the Accelerator Chamber. A moment later, the loudest cheer Al had ever heard came from the Control Room. ************************** Al sat beside Sam's bed in the complex's infirmary, Beth standing behind him, her hands on his shoulders. Both watched Sam as he slept a very deep sleep. Sam had changed so much over the years. Slight streaks of gray hair adorned his brown hair and there was a hint of age wrinkles around his eyes. Still, for a fifty-two years old man, Sam had aged very gracefully, despite Al's warning about aging Becketts. Al touched his wife's hand and smiled at her, turning his head to look at her. She returned the smile, obvious joy filling her heart. She lowered herself to kiss Al. "I'll leave you two alone," she told him. Al raised his eyebrows. "You're leaving?" Beth nodded. "The first person he should see is you." "Alone?" Al questioned. Beth laughed slightly. "You're acting as if you've never met him before." Al smiled. "Well, it has been a while." Beth stood and kissed the back of Al's head. "I'll be in the cafeteria," she told him just before leaving him alone. Al reached out for Sam's hand but stopped. "What stopped you?" someone asked from behind. Al exhaled. "I thought Sam and I were alone." He turned his head and looked at Alia. "You were. I wanted to make sure Sam was okay before I leap." "You're leaving?" Alia shrugged. "My mission is done. Onward and upward." She looked at Sam. "So, how is he?" "It looks good," Al told her. "He's completely unconscious though." He paused. "What happened in the original history?" Alia looked at Al in surprise. She exhaled. "I can't really tell you that, Al." Al looked at her firmly. "He died. Didn't he?" Alia hesitated. "Yes. He died. There was a retrieval attempt and it killed him. The project was shut down completely and you blamed yourself for his death." Al's eyes lowered thoughtfully. "Thank you, Alia." He looked at Sam. "For everything." "Why don't you take his hand?" Alia asked. Al smiled with slight embarrassment. "I guess I'm afraid this whole thing is a dream and my hand will go right through him." Alia smiled. "I can assure you, it's quite real." She started towards the door. "Good luck, Admiral. To all of you." Al heard the infirmary door close and he knew Alia Hindon was gone. He reached out yet again but, this time, he took the younger man's hand lovingly. Sam opened his eyes slowly and looked at Al with a smile. "Welcome home," Al said softly. Sam's smiled widened. "Thanks. It's good to be home." He let go of Al's hand to cover his mouth as he coughed. "How do you feel?" Al asked with concern. "I'm okay," Sam assured him. "I should be on my feet by the end of the week." "Good," Al told him. "'Cause you're missing one hell of a homecoming party." Sam laughed. "Yeah. I can hear them." The two looked at each other intensely. "You've gone gray," Sam finally said, breaking the silence. Al laughed. "You just noticed now? Well, so have you." The two were quiet again. No words could express the total joy that filled their hearts. They looked at each other and smiled, wanting to do much more than smile. Tears filled Sam's eyes and he took Al's hand again, just wanting to touch him and reassure himself that he was really finally home. "How long has it been?" Sam asked. Al hesitated. "Ten years." "Did I miss much?" Sam joked. Al laughed. "More than you know." He looked at his friend. He could tell that Sam was about to ask a question Al wasn't sure he was ready to answer. "So, where's Donna?" Al closed his eyes reflexively. "I knew you were going to ask that," he muttered. He looked at Sam. Sam looked exceedingly worried. "Something happened to her," he whispered with fear. Al hesitated. "Not exactly." He exhaled slowly. He looked into Sam's eyes. "I didn't want to tell you this so soon but perhaps it's better if I do." He paused. "A lot happened while you were gone, Sam. Do you remember when you and I traded places?" "Vaguely," Sam said, wondering where Al was going with this discussion. "You came home for one night but one night was all it took." Al took a breath. "You have a son, Sam. James Samuel Beckett. He's five years old now." Sam's eyes were filled with joyful surprise. "A son," he said with wonder. "I have a son." He smiled with pride and astonishment. Al closed his eyes. He had lifted Sam's spirits and now he had to shatter them. "There's more," he said gently. "And it isn't good news." Sam frowned at this and looked at Al with concern. "It's about Donna," he surmised. Al nodded slowly. "She couldn't wait for you anymore. She divorced you and remarried two years ago." He paused, seeing the emotional pain on Sam's face. "And since she claimed spousal abandonment, it's quite doubtful you'll ever see your son." Tears rolled down Sam's cheeks. Al closed his eyes, hating himself for bringing about such pain for Sam. "I'm sorry," he whispered, unable to look at Sam. He stood up and started for the infirmary door, knowing Sam would want to be alone for a little while. "Al?" Sam's voice stopped him. Al turned to face his friend. "What's he like?" Al exhaled. "He's a bright kid. No genius like his father but he has a good head on his shoulders. You should be proud of him." Sam was quiet for a moment. "I am," he said softly. "Thanks, Al." Al gave a brief nod just before he slowly left the infirmary. --------------------------------------- What's next? Find out in Part 10. Katherine