Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 14:42:07 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Circles of Fate - Part 18 Message-ID: Quantum Leap "Circles of Fate" Part 18 "Ziggy, where is Dr. Hathorn and Dr. Anders?" Sam asked, pacing his office in thought. "Neither are in the complex at this time, Doctor," Ziggy told him. "Did you wish to speak with them?" "Not yet, thank you," Sam replied. "What are their schedules for tomorrow?" "I believe the doctors are planning to work together in Lab 8G." "What are they researching?" Sam asked. "They are examining several DNA samples, which you have provided, to determine the physiological effects leaping has had on you." Sam exhaled. *There has to be some way to keep them away from the lab.* If only he could remember what time that explosion occurred. Or maybe... "Ziggy, can you relocate Dr. Hathorn's and Dr. Anders's experiment to another lab for tomorrow, preferably on another level?" "Negative, Dr. Beckett," Ziggy replied. "The equipment that they need is only in Lab 8G and cannot be transferred to another lab. May I ask why you do not want Dr. Hathorn and Dr. Anders in Lab 8G?" "There may be a problem with the electrical system in that lab. I want to check it out." There was a brief moment of silence. "I find nothing wrong with the electrical system in Lab 8G," Ziggy told him. As Ziggy said this, the door to Sam's lab opened. "What's this about Lab 8G?" Al asked as he came in, having heard the end of Ziggy's statement. Sam smiled at the sight of his friend. Al was currently dressed in a tomato red suit with a white dress shirt, the collar button undone. He looked so relaxed and yet, at the same time, concerned. "I want to check its electrical system," Sam told him. "Ziggy says there's nothing wrong but I'm not so sure." Al frowned. "What do you think is the matter?" Sam hesitated. "I don't know," he finally said. "I just have this feeling that there's something seriously wrong with the electrical system." Al lowered his eyelids, looking at Sam carefully. He had a peculiar feeling about him. He was certain that Sam was hiding something from him. He let the odd feeling pass away. It was probably nothing. "Tell you what,' he told Sam. "I'll have Janet check it out. Okay?" Sam thought for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he finally said. "Okay, then," Al said. "With that little issue resolved, I was wondering if it was even possible to convince you to actually leave your lab for more comfortable surroundings like, perhaps, my dining room table." Sam smiled. He vaguely recalled Al asking him to come to dinner in the original history. He also recalled not accepting the invitation, claiming too much work to do. He decided, this time, it would be different. "I'd love to join you for dinner," Sam told him. Al looked at him in slight surprise. "No 'but'?" Sam laughed. "No 'but'," he assured him. Al nodded slightly. "Good. Dinner's at six-thirty but, if you're not there by six, I'll consider you a lost soul. So, don't be late." Sam looked at his watch. It was four-thirty already. "That only gives me an hour until I have to leave for your house," Sam commented. Al smiled knowingly. "Exactly." Sam laughed slightly. "Well, I may be a little late," he told Al. "I have a few things to work out first." Al gave him a wry smile. "Uh-uh. Not today, buddy. If I have to tie you up and drag you to my house, you will be there at six. You can't back out on it now." Sam raised his hand in defense. "Okay. I'll be there at six." Al pointed at him as he started towards the door. "You'd better." He exhaled. "I'd better get going and help Beth get dinner ready. She's a hell of a cook but she doesn't have the advantage of being born Italian," he joked. Sam smiled. "I'll tell her you told me that." Al feigned being scared. "Please, don't, Sam. I'd be in the dog house for sure." He gave Sam a wink just before exiting the lab. Sam exhaled. *Now what?* he thought, still wondering how to keep his friends alive. He had to find some way to keep them from that lab. He pondered the problem as he left the complex and went to his house to change clothes for dinner at the Calavicci house. He was still thinking of it when he arrived at the home in Stallion Springs at precisely six o'clock. Al raised his eyebrows when he opened the door. "You're on time!" he exclaimed. "Okay. Who are you and what have you done to Sam Beckett?" Al smiled. Sam laughed. Al had no idea just how close he was to the truth. "He's somewhere on the tenth level of the complex, probably being visited by a beautiful woman," Sam told Al truthfully as he entered the house. Al watched him cautiously. He was getting that peculiar feeling again. He felt like Sam knew something important and was hiding it. Once again, he put the feeling to the side. "Beth's in the kitchen," Al told him as they walked towards the living room. "Want something to drink?" "What have you got?" Sam asked him. Al thought for a moment. "Some red wine, vodka, bourbon, and light beer." Sam laughed slightly. "Where'd you get all the liquor? You don't drink." Al gave a slight shrug. "Most of it is leftovers from the Christmas party which you nearly missed." He gave him a friendly glare to which Sam smiled. "The red wine was a gift from Verbina. It's supposed to be good for your heart. She already warned me to lay off it, as if I would need reminding." "It is good for your heart," Sam told him as they entered the living room. "With moderation." "And the light beer," Al continued. "Well, I have to be honest and say that I picked some up for you on the way home." Sam smiled. "In that case, I'll have a beer." "Coming right up," Al told him. "Besides, I'd better make sure Beth's doing okay in the kitchen.' "Anything I can do?" Al shook his head. "Not that I know but I'll let you know. Why don't you make yourself comfortable and I'll get your beer." As Al said this, Sam saw the Imaging Chamber door open right behind Al, allowing Genine to enter the Imaging Chamber. Sam nodded to Al's suggestion, sitting on the couch. Al started out the door but stopped for a moment. He frowned, turning around. "What's wrong?" Sam asked. Al examined the room carefully. He sighed. "Just an over-active imagination, I think," he finally answered. "For a moment, I thought there was someone else in the room." Both Sam and Genine looked at Al in shock. Al shrugged at Sam's expression. "Maybe I've been working to hard." He gave Sam a smile before leaving to retrieve Sam's beer. --------------------------------------- OOOOO! The plot thickens! Find out how in Part 19. Katherine