Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 18:33:51 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - Part 15 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Part 15 "It was a mechanical error," Janet told Sam in her office. "What?" Sam questioned. Janet took a breath. "The explosion was caused by an electrical surge in the wall of Lab 8G. The surge ignited the chemicals against that particular wall which, in turn, caused the explosion." "But the complex is protected against electrical surges of that kind," Sam pointed out to her. "Yes, I know," she replied. "which is why I had it further investigated. Apparently, there has been some work done on the electrical systems in the complex. The person who did this work unintentionally routed too much power into the secondary systems and thus caused an electrical build up in that wall. The fact that the explosion took place on Level Eight was a fluke. It could have easily happened on any level." She looked at Sam gently, deep concern on her face. Sam took a shaky breath. He knew he had worked on the electrical system. It was in need of repair. But could he have made such a mistake?" "Janet, are... are you saying that I... I... killed them?" he whispered. Janet looked at him with sympathy. "Sam, it was a simple mistake. Even the best electrician wouldn't have caught it until after the fact. The secondary systems should have been able to handle that much power but they didn't. The surge itself was harmless. If the chemicals hadn't been there, all it would have done is burned the wall a tad." Sam wasn't really listening. His heart was in his stomach. He felt like he was going to be sick. "Do you hear me, Sam?" Janet said gently. "It's not your fault." She sighed. "The electrical system in this place is outdated and in desperate need of repair. You were doing what is best for the complex." "But Donna, Alex, and Susan are dead because of my actions," he whispered, a lump in his throat. Janet leaned gently towards him. "It was an accident, Sam," she told him firmly but softly. Sam closed his eyes in emotional pain. He nodded slowly, indicating that he heard her. He slowly stood up. "Thank you, Janet," he said quietly before leaving the office. Janet watched him leave with concern. She had a feeling about Sam and she wasn't sure she liked it. ********************* Sam walked into the infirmary slowly. He quietly went to Al's bedside and looked at his friend carefully. Al was obviously in pain, despite the regulated doses of morphine he was on. He flinched slightly in his sleep. Sam rubbed his face with frustration. How could he cause his friend so much pain, physically as well as emotionally? Sam tried to think what it would be like to be suddenly and irreversibly struck blind and cripple. *And all because of my stupid mistake*, he thought bitterly. He sat down beside Al's bed and watched his friend with concern. "What's wrong, Sam?" Al asked suddenly. Sam's eyes widened slightly. "I thought you were asleep. How'd you know I was here?" Al laughed slightly. "We're neurologically linked, remember? I can tell when you're worried even when I can't see you." Sam exhaled. "Janet found out why the explosion occurred." "Really?" Al asked. "Yeah," Sam replied quietly. He didn't speak any further. "Well?" Al pressed gently. Sam hesitated. "A power surge ignited some chemicals in the lab." Al nodded as Sam stood up. "You feel guilty about the whole thing," Al noted. Sam didn't answer. He started towards the door. "Sam, you can't blame yourself for what happened," Al told him loudly, sensing him heading for the door. Sam left the infirmary without a word. Al sighed. "Just don't do anything you'll regret," he said towards Sam as more of a prayer than a request to a friend. ******************* Sam had gone to his quarters that he kept at the complex. He was pacing the small room, trying to sort his feelings from his rational mind. He knew he had made a promise but that was under different circumstances. His heart, his very being told him that what happened was wrong and that, what was more, he caused it. Whether or not anyone could have made that mistake, it was Sam who had made it. He was responsible for his son's broken heart. He was responsible for Beth's worry. He knew if he didn't do something, the incident would haunt him for the rest of his life. He sat on his bed and closed his eyes. *What do you expect me to do?* he asked God, Fate, Time or Whatever. *I made a promise to Al and I've never broken a promise to him.* He sighed. *Why did you even bring me home? All I've caused was heartache and pain. Maybe Donna was right. Maybe it would have been better if I had never come home. I killed her and Alex and Susan. I completely destroyed Al's life. Is this why you brought me home? So I could hurt people?* Sam wiped away the tears that had formed under his eyes. He couldn't let Donna die. He loved her too much not to see to it that she lived a long happy life with their son. He couldn't let Al be robbed of watching his grand-children grow up and of having the ability to hold them in his arms without the fear of dropping them because he suddenly lost control of his motor functions. He couldn't let Jim grow up without his mother. Sam took a breath. He stood up and went to his office. Sitting at his desk, he took out a sheet of paper and a pen and started writing. He didn't stop until he had finished pouring out his heart onto the paper. Once he had finished, he neatly folded the paper and put it in an envelope, sealing the envelope. "Ziggy?" he called to the ceiling. "Yes, Dr. Beckett?" came a sultry sounding voice. "Where's Captain Strickler?" "She is currently in her office. Did you wish to speak to her, Doctor?" "Yes, please," Sam replied, waiting patiently for Ziggy to make a link to the Captain's office. "Captain Strickler," Genine replied, looking up at her viewscreen. "Oh. Hello, Dr. Beckett. Is there something I can help you with?" "Actually, Captain, there is," Sam told her. "I read in one of Al's reports that, should anything occur that would prevent Al from being the Observer, Al chose you as his replacement." Genine hesitated. "Yes, sir. He did come to me with that request." "And your answer?" Sam questioned. "I told him that if he needed me to be the Observer, I would be," Genine answered him. "Did he tell you why he chose you?" Genine was obviously a little uncomfortable. She looked as if she were on the verge of blushing with embarrassment. "He said that he couldn't trust his best friend's life to just anyone. It had to be someone who would do anything to protect him, even give up her life." Sam smiled slightly. "He thinks very highly of you, then." "Yes, sir," Genine replied, obviously a bit embarrassed. "We've saved each others' lives a couple of times." Sam took a breath. "Captain, I need your help. Could we talk in person?" Genine looked more than a little curious. "Certainly, Dr. Beckett." "Good," Sam replied. "Why don't you come down to my office. I have a proposal for you." ------------------------ Want to know what happens? Stay tuned for Part 16. Katherine