Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 18:32:02 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - Part 14 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Part 14 The frail figure in the bed was wrapped with bandages. They seemed to cover every inch of his body, leaving some areas of darkened flesh flesh showing. His eyes were bandaged, preventing him from seeing his surroundings if he could. He was shaking slightly, seemingly from well-hidden fear or from cold when, in fact, he couldn't stop himself from doing so. "How is he?" Sam asked the Chief as he watched Al's weak form on the infirmary bed. He watched as Beth held Al's hand and gently spoke into Al's ear. The Chief looked towards Al with a frown. "It isn't good," he told Sam. "I think the only thing that's keeping him alive is sheer will power." He looked at Sam carefully. "The blast did a lot of damage to him. He's lost most of his voluntary control of his muscles. He's lost his eyesight. He'll be severely scarred for the rest of his life." Sam closed his eyes at the news before opening them again and looking at the husband and wife. He exhaled with sorrow before going over to Beth and touching her shoulder. She gave him a frail smile. "Al, Sam's here," she said to her husband. The slightest hint of a smile came to Al's face. "Sam," he rasped softly, sounding very old. "I'm here, Al," Sam told him with a deep breath. He hadn't realized he wasn't breathing until Al spoke. Al's face had become serious. "Sam, I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm sorry." Sam knelt by the bed and touched Al's shoulder gently. "It's not your fault, Al," Sam told him softly. "You have nothing to blame yourself for." "You lost her," Al whispered. Sam lowered his head. "That was my fault. I had lost her a long time ago." He took a deep breath, holding back tears. "You were right, Al. I did love this project more than I loved her. He exhaled slowly. "I know it's too late to make amends but you did open my eyes and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. I just wish I had seen it before." Al nodded gently. He gently squeezed Beth's hand. Beth, in return, kissed the hand lovingly. "So, what are you going to do now?" Al asked quietly. Sam hesitated at the question. "I don't know," he whispered, standing up. "I don't know." He started to leave the infirmary. "Sam," Al stopped him. Sam returned to his side, this time opposite of Beth. "Yes, Al?" "Would you do me a favor?" Sam frowned with curiosity. "Anything." "Take care of Beth and the girls for me," Al requested slowly and quietly. His voice indicated resignation and Sam noticed it. "Al," Sam said gently. "You're not going to die." He took Al's hand. "Just take care of them," Al pleaded. "Okay?" Sam nodded. "Okay. You have my word." Al smiled slightly and nodded. "Okay," he whispered. He released Sam's hand. Beth stood up, still holding Al's hand. "I think we should leave him alone now," she told Sam. "He needs rest." Sam nodded with understanding. "Okay." He turned to Al. "You get some sleep," he told him. "Sure," Al answered him. Beth gave Al a gentle kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow," she told him softly. Al responded with a gentle smile before Sam and Beth left the infirmary together. "He's really taking it pretty hard," Beth told Sam as they walked to the elevator. He feels he should have done something." Sam nodded. He was thinking the same thing for himself. He looked at Beth and noticed that she was trying hard not to cry. "Beth," he started with concern. "I'm okay," she said gently. "It's just..." She exhaled slowly. "Oh, Sam! He's taking it so hard. He was so quiet when he found out that he'll never see again or walk again without assistance. I know that silence, Sam. He's devastated!" Sam closed his eyes in sympathy before speaking. "And you?" he asked gently. Beth didn't fight the tears this time. "He's so frail and helpless! It breaks my heart to see him in there!" Sam took Beth into his arms and held her as she cried into his shoulder. "Oh, gawd, Sam!" she whispered. "He's already given up! Why did any of this have to happen?" "He'll be okay," Sam told her gently. "Just give him some time to adjust." He released her and looked into her eyes. "You should stay in the complex. Let's get you a room." Beth nodded as Sam left her to the elevator and took her to a vacant quarters, giving her instructions to rest. He then went to his lab, wanting something to focus his mind on other than Al's frail form in the infirmary. The attempt failed miserably, especially when he saw the pile of papers he had left on the floor. A tear started down his cheek. "Why?" he whispered, sitting in his lab chair. "Why did any of this happen?" He looked at the ceiling. "Why Donna? And Susan and Alex? Why did they have to die? Why did you have to hurt Al so badly?" He paused. "Why did you even bring me home and not give me the chance to help them?" He closed his eyes. "Oh, gawd! Why?" he cried out, letting the pent-up emotions come out of him in a downpour. After a few minutes, Sam wiped away a tear, deciding he needed something to keep his mind occupied other than with his own emotions. He slowly picked up the papers off of the floor and put them on the lab table. "Sam?" a gentle voice said from the speakers in the lab. Sam took a deep breath to calm his still agitated emotions. "Yes, Janet?" he finally said. "Could you come to my office? We found out why the explosion occurred." Sam straightened noticeably at the news." "Why?" Sam asked, wanting to know immediately. "Just come to my office. We need to talk." Sam nodded. "I'm on my way." There was silence for a moment as Sam breathed. This was it. He was about to find out why his wife - he closed his eyes - his ex-wife was dead and his best friend was in the infirmary. He straightened himself and stretched his neck before leaving his lab, heading for the fifth level. -------------------- "Tell me more, tell me more." Sorry! You'll have to wait! Katherine