Date: Sun, 22 May 94 12:15:47 EDT From: "Tracy E. Finifter" Subject: Meant to Be - Pt. 7 Message-Id: "Meant to Be - August 12, 1953" by Tracy E. Finifter Part 7 Al had spent this entire leap either in the Imaging Chamber, which was of course normal, or else locked away in his room at the Project, which was highly unusual. He usually only went in his room to catch a nap when Sam didn't need his immediate attention during the course of a leap, not to spend his life in there. However, Gooshie noticed with concern that Al seemed to be isolating himself this entire leap. He had been acting strangely ever since Sam's last leap, and he had offered no explanation. But even when Beth was on duty, make that especially when Beth was on duty, Al seemed to try his damnedest to avoid people altogether. Even when the admiral was in the Imaging Chamber, he never wanted to be centered in on Sam and instead spent nearly all his time at the San Diego marina, alone. In fact, Gooshie couldn't remember the last time Al actually communicated with Dr. Beckett. He was going to have to tell Dr. Beeks about this. "Dr. Beckett has leapt out of San Diego, 1969," Ziggy informed the programmer. Ziggy, which was the only known entity besides Sam or Al who was aware of the change in history that had just been made, made no attempt to inform Gooshie of the new timeline that was imposing itself on the world. Make that, the corrected timeline. "Thanks, Ziggy," Gooshie replied, and waited anxiously for Al to emerge from the Imaging Chamber. And Al did indeed step out of the Chamber a few minutes later. "Are you all right, Admiral?" Gooshie asked. "I'm fine, Gooshie," Al answered wearily. "I'm going to my room now and getting some sleep." Al then paused and waited for Gooshie's reaction. "Good night, then, Admiral," he replied, as if there was nothing the least bit unusual about Al's statement. "Listen, Gooshie, have you seen Tina around?" he asked, in part still testing Gooshie, and in part longing for some company. "Tina?" Gooshie asked. "I think she's in your room already." "Good," Al said. "Oh, and listen, if you see the head nurse..." Al paused, hoping that Gooshie would fill in the name, which he did. "Marie?" "Yeah, the head nurse Marie, just tell her... Oh, never mind, it's not that important. I'll tell her myself next time I see here." "Whatever you say, Admiral. Good night." "Good night, Gooshie," Al answered as he stumbled off to his room. He didn't want to know how, but somehow Sam had changed things back to the way they were supposed to be. As Al walked quietly into his room, he thought briefly about checking Ziggy through his terminal, just to see that history was the way it should be, but then decided against it. Somewhere, in his heart, he knew that things were right, even if they weren't the way he wanted. Things were once again the way they were meant to be. Keep Leaping... * Tracy E. Finifter + finifter@gandalf.rutgers.edu + New Brunswick, N.J. * * * * "I've got a strong urge to fly, but I got nowhere to fly to." * * -- Pink Floyd, "Nobody Home" *