Date: Fri, 11 Apr 1997 20:35:55 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - Chapter 13 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Chapter 13 Level Eight was in chaotic turmoil. People were being evacuated from the level while fire control and medical teams were hurrying to the scene. Sections five and six were blazing and the fire was threatening to spread even further. "We're going to have to isolate this level completely and have Ziggy put this thing out. It's spreading much too quickly," Sam could hear Admiral Kalarco shout to one of her people. "Did you find everyone?" "I'm afraid not, Admiral," a female voice replied as Sam made his way towards the Admiral. "The others are still missing." As Sam approached, he could tell the latter speaker was Captain Genine Strickler. "Janet!" he called out, catching the Admiral's attention. Janet looked towards Sam with trepidation. "Oh, gawd," she whispered when she realized who had called her. She raised her hand to indicate to Sam that she would be right with him. She then gave a quick quiet word to Genine. Genine gave a solemn nod before leaving the Admiral, heading towards the fire. Janet approached Sam quickly. "You shouldn't be here," she told him firmly. "But what about Donna and Al? And Alex and Susan?" "We don't know yet and, to be frank, you'll just be in our way," Janet told him. She started leading him towards the elevator. Sam resisted a bit. "I can't just sit back and do nothing!" "You're going to have to," Janet told him firmly. She looked at a nearby Marine guard. "Corporal, get Dr. Beckett out of here." "But, Janet...." Sam protested. Janet surrendered Sam to the guard and returned to the scene. "Any luck, Captain?" she asked. "I'm afraid not, ma'am," Genine replied with a stiff lip. "They couldn't have survived the blast." Janet exhaled in sorrow. "Okay, there's nothing more we can do. Let's get our people out of here." Genine nodded. She raised her radio to her lips to convey the order to the other. A moment later, the level was abandoned to allow the fire to be put out by more effective and more toxic means. *************************** Sam was pacing the hallway in front of Admiral Kalarco's fifth level office. He hadn't known where else to go. The Chief of Medicine wouldn't let anyone into the infirmary without Janet's permission. Sam was desperate for answers. Were they alive? Sam saw Janet approach the office, a haggard expression on her face. "Janet," he told her firmly. "Tell me what happened." Janet looked at him with pain-filled eyes. "Please," Sam begged. Janet nodded slowly. "In my office," she instructed. The two entered the office solemnly, each taking a seat. "You know about the explosion," Janet started. "Just tell me about them," Sam begged impatiently. Janet knew exactly what he meant. She looked into Sam's eyes. "She's dead, Sam," she said quietly. "I'm sorry." Sam felt as if he, too, had died. He didn't stop himself from silently crying. "All of them?" he questioned quietly. Janet didn't answer immediately. "Al survived but he's in critical condition." She paused. He was leaving the area when the explosion happened." Sam looked up at her. "May I see him?" Janet shook his head. "Not yet. I think you should wait a while." Sam stood up and started to pace, wanting to scream at her. "He's in surgery, Sam," Janet told him firmly. "The Chief doesn't even known if he'll survive or not. Beth is on her way here at this very moment." She paused. "I know you're hurting. We all are. But all we can really do now is sit and wait and pray." Sam stopped his pace but did not look at her. "What caused it?" "We're looking into it," she told him. "We'll find the answer. I promise. In the meantime, you should at least try to get some rest, even though I doubt any of us will get any." Sam didn't say a word for a moment. "Did you inform their families?" "I was just about to," she told him. Sam hesitated. "I'll tell Paul and Jim about Donna," he said quietly. Janet shook her head slowly. "I don't think that's a good idea, Sam." "I have to," Sam told her. "I owe it to them." *************************** "No!" the boy screamed, pounding on Sam's shoulders. "It's not true! Momma! Momma!" Sam took the boy and hugged him firmly, allowing both of them the freedom to cry. Jim, at first, fought against Sam's firm hold but eventually gave in, returning Sam's hug. Sam stood up, the boy in his arms. "Daddy?" the boy whispered, his eyes closed. "I'm right here," Sam said to him gently. "Daddy?" Jim said more loudly. It was then that Sam realized that Jim was calling for Paul. *Why not? Paul's the one that raised him.* Still, the knowledge of that hurt Sam greatly. "We'll go find him," Sam whispered to the boy. He carried Jim out of the boy's bedroom and into the living room. There, on the couch, sat Paul, Donna's widower, with the most pained expression in his eyes. He looked up when Sam came in with Jim. "He's asking for you," Sam told him quietly. Paul stood up and gently took Jim from Sam. "Daddy?" Jim called out. "I'm here, Jim," Paul said gently. Jim cried fiercely into his step-father's shoulder, hugging with all his might. Sam exhaled in sorrow. He started towards the front door, thinking it best to leave. "Sam," Paul stopped him. Sam looked at him, waiting patiently. "Please stay," Paul asked him. "At least for Jim's sake." Sam nodded in agreement and stayed a few more hours to share the grief that they all felt. ------------------------------------ "How could you?!" I know. But it's not the end! Part 14 is coming soon! Katherine