Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 19:29:30 -0700 (MST) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - ch 10 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Chapter 10 It wasn't long before Sam was out of the infirmary and back in his home in Stallion Springs. Donna had left their house to him, in case Sam did return home. However, she had removed all of her possessions, making the house much less cosy than Sam had remembered it. The furniture remained but the walls were practically barren of decoration. On the fireplace mantle was an envelope with Sam's name on it. Sam took out the letter enclosed. Dear Sam, (it read) In a way, I hope this letter is never found by you. I know what I have to tell you will hurt you greatly but I can't pretend anymore. I did love you once and I suppose I still do; otherwise, I wouldn't be writing you this letter. Al has probably told you everything by now but I feel I must tell you myself. When you returned in 1999, I must confess, I was ready to divorce you. But your return renewed my hope, even when you left again. I was angry at first when you left but, once I found out that I was pregnant, the anger left me. You have a son, a beautiful boy named James Samuel Beckett. He looks a lot like you and kind of acts like you. He's a bit impetuous, though. He's three years old now. He's a good child but he needs a father. I've fallen in love with someone else, someone I know will be here for him. I wish it were you but times change. People change. I've filed for divorce. I based it on spousal abandonment because I honestly don't believe you're coming home. I'll try to get you visitation rights just in case I'm wrong. I'm truly sorry, Sam. But I can no longer live waiting for you to come home, especially when I've found someone. Please forgive me. You'll always be dear to my heart. Donna August 12, 2003 Sam crumpled the letter in his hands. He closed his eyes. "It's my fault," he whispered. "That she left you?" Al questioned. He approached Sam and put his hand on his shoulder. "Sam, it wasn't anyone's fault. Some things just happen. Donna was right. People change." Sam's hand tightened around the crumpled paper. Al frowned. "Do you think you and I are the same people we were ten years ago? Of course, we're not. Times change. Governments change." He paused. "People change." There was silence between them. "I want to see him," Sam finally said. Al exhaled. "I thought you'd say that. I've been trying to talk to her but with no luck." He paused. "I really think that the best thing you can do for both you and them is to just let them go." Sam glared at Al. "I can't believe you, of all people, could say that." He walked away from him, throwing Donna's letter into a trash can. Al rubbed his face. "I understand, Sam. I really do. I'm a father, too, you know." "Yeah. And you watched your daughters grow up!" Sam retaliated. Al looked carefully into Sam's eyes, forcing him to pay attention. "How are you going to explain to either of them why you weren't able to come home. Donna might understand but James certainly won't. He's only five years old. In his view, Donna's husband is the only father he's ever really known. You're just a stranger to him." "I don't want to be a stranger to him, Al," Sam said softly. "I want to be his father." Al sighed. He watched Sam carefully as Sam sat down on a plastic covered couch, distance in his eyes. "I'll see what I can do," Al finally told him. He started towards the door. He stopped and looked at Sam. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Sam looked up at Al. He took a breath. "I'll be fine." "Are you sure you don't want me to stay and help you straighten up everything?" Sam nodded. "I'm sure." Al paused. He looked at Sam carefully. Sam didn't seem to notice. Al exhaled and left the house. *********************************** "How is he?" Beth asked as Al came into their house. "He's taking it pretty hard," Al told her, sitting beside her on the couch. "He wants to see James." "That's only natural," Beth replied. "I know," Al said softly. "I just don't want to see Sam hurt anymore and I have a feeling he will be if he sees the boy." Beth hugged her husband. "You don't think Donna will allow it." Al shook his head. "No, I don't think she will." He gave her a slight smile. "But maybe I can convince her with your help." Beth smiled back. "What can I do?" ********************************** "Al, if this is some kind of cruel joke, I'm not amused." Al frowned. "Donna, you know me better than that." He took a breath. "It's true. Sam's home and he wants to see James." There was a long pause on Donna's end of the transmission. "I can't," she finally said softly. "Why not?" Beth asked, sitting beside Al. "James is just as much Sam's son as he is yours." She looked at her firmly. "It's true they don't know each other but shouldn't they get the chance to know each other? James already knows Paul isn't his father. I know he's been expressing his wish to know who his father is. Don't you think he deserves to meet Sam?" "Yes," Donna replied. "But he's only five. He's not ready for this." Al tilted his head. "Is it really he who's not ready or is it you?" Donna's pause and her slightly shocked look told Al everything. "That's what I thought," he muttered. Donna took a breath. "It's been six years, okay? I have a new life now. I have a wonderful husband and we now have a daughter of our own. I don't want old wounds to be reopened by seeing Sam again." "What about James?" Beth pressed gently. Donna shook her head. "I don't know." "Does that mean Sam must spend the rest of his life never seeing his first born son?" Al questioned. "Donna, don't deny them the chance to be a part of each others lives." Donna exhaled. "Let me talk to James about it. I'm not going to force him into this." Al nodded. "Let us know his decision. Thanks, Donna." Donna gave Al and Beth a quick nod before she disconnected the viewphone. ************************** Sam was pacing his living room floor nervously. "Sam, would you stop it?" Al complained gently. "You're giving me a headache." "You're sure he's coming today?" Sam questioned. Al exhaled. "I told you. I talked to Donna yesterday. She talked to James about it. She called me back and said she'd bring him here today at four o'clock." He paused. "So why don't you just sit down and relax." Sam obeyed, taking a deep breath. As he did so, the doorbell rang. Sam stood up quickly. Al glared at him, telling him as such to stay where he was and to relax. Al then went to the door and opened it, allowing Donna and James into the house. Sam swallowed. "Hello, Donna." Donna nodded to him. "Sam." She paused. "This is James." She bent down to speak into her son's ear. "James, this is Sam." James straightened himself. He walked over to Sam and extended his hand. "Hello," he greeted. Sam smiled gently. He accepted James' hand, lowering himself so that he was looking at the boy directly in the eyes. "Hello, James," he replied. "You're my father," James said bluntly. Sam looked at Donna at the comment. Donna smiled. "I didn't tell him." Sam looked at James. "How did you know?" "Mom has a picture of you and her. It's a wedding picture." Sam smiled. "Well, you're right. I am your father." James' smile widened. He quickly hugged Sam. Sam gently wrapped his arms around the boy and closed his eyes. Al smiled. He motioned Donna towards him. She obeyed the motion. "Let's give them some time alone," he whispered. Donna hesitated a moment, looking towards Sam and James. Finally, she nodded and followed Al out of the living room. Sam finally released the boy and looked at him. "James, we have a lot to talk about." James nodded. "I know." Sam smiled. "Why don't you sit down?" James nodded and obeyed. He waited patiently for Sam to sit down as well. Sam marveled at the boy. "You're not afraid of me at all, are you?" James shook his head. "No. I like you." "Why?" James shrugged. "I just do. Why did you go away?" The question took Sam slightly by surprise. "Well...." he started. "James, this will be a bit difficult for you to understand. I left so I could help people in the past." "Time travel," James said with understanding. Sam nodded. "Yes. How did you figure that out?" "Mom talked to Admiral Calavicci a lot. She didn't know I was listening to them." Sam smiled and laughed slightly. "You were eavesdropping." James frowned. He was obviously unfamiliar with the word. Sam looked at him with a smile. "I'd like us to get to know each other," Sam told him. James smiled. "Okay. But call me Jim. That's what my friends call me." Sam nodded. "Okay, Jim." ----------------------------------------- What next? You'll have to wait for part 11. Katherine