From: Zakharin Newsgroups: alt.tv.quantum-leap.creative,alt.ql.creative Subject: For Tomorrow We Leap Part01/? revision 2 Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 20:13:27 -0400 Organization: Voicenet - Internet Access - (215)674-9290 Message-Id: <31E1A427.42BA@voicenet.com> For Tomorrow We Leap By Boris Zakharin Part 1/? This is revision 2 to part 1. There is a reference here to the new dating system. This dating system really exists and the Decimal Time Association (DTA) is proposing it take effect on March 21, 2000. This system will be described better in part two. Again, here's the story. Enjoy (or not). Suggested retail page length (-::-) is 4 pages. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Just as he finished talking to Beth, Sam felt a tingling sensation. He leaped. While he was in mid-leap, his memory started to clear. He was used to Swiss cheese effect revealing some parts of his memory and hiding others, but this was different. "...I have a brother...How could I have forgotten him...Tom...He was standing at the accelerator chamber when I leaped...That's right! It is all my fault! _I_ leaped when the programs weren't ready yet! It's because of me that Al doesn't sleep at night saving my life." Sam got so carried away, he didn't notice the blue light fading away. All became white. He was in a white room with no furniture and a barely visible door. "Where am I?," he said out loud. Suddenly it all came to him. "I am home! This is the waiting room. Yes! I remember perfectly now!" I am sorry Admiral, but there is not mention of Al's place in any of the records. "What do you mean?! Dammit, Ziggy! I've just been there! We searched for him on his birthday on...", Al's Eyes were filled with rage at the stupid pile of gummy bears. "Admiral, I believe the last time you talked to Sam was when he leaped into Elvis Presley. I believe he was there to...". Al was so used to the irrelevant information Ziggy gave that he completely ignored her. Suddenly, he heard a female voice, a too familiar female voice, "What's all the commotion about? I couldn't help overhearing your yelling and, I know I am supposed to be on duty, but as your wife, I think I have a right to..." Al looked at the figure in amazement. It couldn't be, but yet, "Beth! It's you? Is it really you?". Beth looked up in amazement. "We last met this morning! Are you alright, Al?". Al looked puzzled and unsure of himself. "Oh Boy..." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "For tomorrow we leap" March 20, 2000 or day 360, 4600001999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sam's joy was upset as more and more memory returned to him. "I have a wife. Wait. No I don't. But yet, I do. I must have changed that in my leaps. It's so unclear to me now. But the point remains. I have a wife and on my leaps, I disgraced... Wait... How many times did I... The point is, I did. My wife will never forgive me... Donna... Yes, that's her name." Given to those thoughts, Sam forgot more and more about his joyous thoughts of finally meeting everybody. Al finally shook off part of his shock and realized he has to talk to Ziggy. He had to somehow get Beth off his case at least for now. "I am just a little tired from Sam's last leap. You can go back to your, er, job," he said. Oh no, Al didn't even know what Beth did at the project. Beth agreed to go back to whatever it was she was doing at the project. As soon as she left, Al started his inquiry. "Ziggy, what is Beth doing here?" As always, Ziggy answered casually as if Al asked if it was raining outside. "Beth Calavicci is your wife. She is assigned to the project as the project nurse. Born in ninet..." Al's fury, temporarily subsided from the shock, returned. "Ziggy! Is there another timeline where Nurse Calavicci was not married to me?" "Affirmative, Admiral. It is very puzzling. It seems Beth changed her mind and therefore history on her own. It's as if she was informed of the future." The oversized calculator, as Al often mentally called Ziggy, finally gave him some useful information. "In the other timeline, Beth married one Dirk..." Here Al gave Ziggy an ominous look. "Ziggy! Tell me something I don't know!" "Tina is married to Gooshie." Since Al was still glancing at Ziggy angrily, Ziggy decided not to risk getting her processors smashed. "But if you mean your marriage, as I calculate a 96.3% chance you do, you have four children, all daughters..." After Al had a lengthy session with Ziggy, He decided to question Sam about the subject. "Sam! I forgot all about Sam! Ziggy, where's Sam?" As if asked where Al's favorite sweater was, Ziggy answered, "In the waiting room, Admiral. He leaped back 2.49 hours ago." Al definitely didn't appreciate this, "Ziggy! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" The most intelligent and egotistical computer in the world replied, "You didn't ask, Admiral." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sam was so upset, he didn't notice how much time passed, but he estimated about two hours. As soon as he began to worry why Al didn't come for him yet, he saw the door slide open and Al came in. Sam, used to dumping everything on his mind onto his listening and caring friend, started to empty his mind right away. "Al! How could you? Why didn't you tell me about Donna?" Al thought for a second and replied, "I couldn't. But it's a long story. The point is, you are back! Let's make a party!" Al sprang forward to hug his long lost friend. Sam rushed out of the waiting room as if Al wasn't standing right in front of him. He ran straight towards Donna who, he somehow knew, stood there waiting. "Donna! I am so sorry! I know you will never forgive me, but..." Donna put her hand on Sam's shoulder and interrupted him. "Sam, I forgive you. I know you did this for the greater good." Al finally ran after Sam, his age catching up on him. "Sam, I tried to tell you. You know Donna will forgive you. You just don't want to forgive yourself." Donna interrupted, "Sam, I didn't want you to know. I made Al swear that he will not tell you. I knew it was necessary for you to do what you have to do. I forgive you for any time you slept with a woman." Suddenly, the vain female voice popped up out of nowhere. "I calculate from the quantum field around him an 86% chance that Doctor Beckett will leap again after he accomplishes what he has to do. By the way, good job, Admiral, Doctor. This was one of the reasons Dr. Beckett is here. Sam interrupted the endless flow of words coming from nowhere. "What?! You mean I'm not here forever?!" Al gave a pleading look to Ziggy almost saying "Please! Say it's not so!" No cigar. Sam came back to his sorrowful mood, not helped any by the memories flooding him more and more. "Al! *You*'ll never forgive me. I leaped early just because of my selfish reasons. I didn't let you sleep nights, I changed your history. Look at this! Tina, your girlfriend, is married to Gooshie." Sam saw Al hesitate. Al knew it was hard for him to say this. "That's OK, Sam. But you said you changed my history. Would you mind clarifying about me and Beth? We appear to be married." Sam was relieved. Even if Al didn't really fully forgive him, it's the thought that counts. "Yes, Al. After leaping out of Al's bar, I think I convinced Beth you are coming back. The memory of the leaps is quickly escaping me, but I think that's what happened. She never left you. When you came back you... had kids, didn't you? The new memory is quickly replacing the old in my mind." It seemed Sam was remembering the new history while Al was remembering the original one. As more and more memories came back, Sam related to Al what it seemed to Sam like Al told him himself. Sam decided it is better for Al to have the old memories. Otherwise how would he help sam with the knowledge from his marriages. After a while, Ziggy's voice popped up again. "Here's what you are here to do, Doctor Beckett. You are here to face the truth about Donna's feelings for you, set straight your feelings about leaping. It's something Time, or God, or Faith, made you do. You are here to catch up on life in the year 2000, to celebrate New Year's day with us." "Ziggy! I usually only do one, two at most things on a leap! What's going on?" Ziggy hesitated. "Uh, Doctor Beckett, You longed so much to leap home, that I believe, you need this leap more than it needs you. Meanwhile, you should fix many minor things at this time period. Also," here Ziggy made a five second pause trying to decide whether to admit it or not, "since you are in the present, I can only... estimate the possible reasons that you are here." Another question was bothering him. Usually, he had some clue as to what was going on, like a newspaper. He could know what time of year it was by looking at the weather outside. Now, he was deep underground with only a talking pile of wires at his disposal. "Ziggy, did you say New Year? What date is it?" It was time for another one of Ziggy's speeches. "It is March 20, 2000. However, the Decimal Time Association is accepting a new time keeping scheme. Tomorrow, the first day of spring will be the new year's day, or, more precisely, day 001, year 4600002000, but we'll talk about it tomorrow, Doctor Beckett. You better go to bed because tomorrow, you have to prove that the project should not be abolished." Ziggy had a way to give the most important information in such an "as a matter of fact" way. Sam said "Oh boy." Al said "Oh yeah, I forgot. Donna said, "Yeah, we were so preoccupied with your leap in." Gooshie said, "Oh, Dr. Beckett..." Ziggy said, "It is now midnight. Happy new year, year 4600002000, everybody." There was nothing left to do, but open a champagne bottle and celebrate. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To be continued... -- Boris Zakharin zakharin@juno.com Editor, Quantum Leap Mailing List Zakharin.QLML@juno.com My family zakharin@voicenet.com My homepage including QLML online http://www.voicenet.com/~zakharin "Those who dance with the devil are bound to get burned" -Al the devil, "The B**gi*m*n", Quantum Leap