Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 22:22:18 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Mirror - part 7 Message-ID: Quantum Leap Mirror of Deception by Katherine Freymuth and Gary Marsh Copyright 1998 Part 7 Al stepped out of the Imaging Chamber with determination. "Okay, Ziggy, which of your 100,300,000 possibilities is the one that Sam has to change?" he asked firmly. "100,326,399 possibilities, Admiral," Ziggy corrected. Al rolled his eyes in frustration. "Whatever," he told the computer as he approached it. "Just tell me what Sam need to do." "I do not yet know, Admiral," Ziggy answered. "Try postulating if Sam's there for something involving future Senator Hatcher," Al told her, condescending creeping into his voice. "There are 50,529, 247 possibilities that Dr. Beckett must change something involving Keith Hatcher," Ziggy answered after a brief moment. As she spoke, Verbina entered the Control Room from the Waiting Room, ready to report to Al on her progress with Terry. Al glared at Ziggy angrily. "Fifty million possibilities?! You've been at this for nearly three hours and you haven't eliminated one possibility?!" "Actually, Admiral, in the past two minutes, I have eliminated four hundred thirty-two possibilities," Ziggy replied. "Oh! That's really helpful!" Al told her sarcastically. "At this rate, how long will it take you to get down to the top ten?" he shouted. "Don't answer that! It's probably more time than we have left." As he ranted, Verbina approached him slowly. "Al," she put in gently. "You're supposed to be the best computer in the world!" Al shouted angrily. "What the hell happened?" "Al! Stop it!" Verbina ordered. Al looked at her with an intense glare. "My office, Admiral. Now," she told him firmly. "Is that an order, Doctor?" Al questioned with strong sarcasm. Verbina looked firmly into his eyes. "As a matter of fact, Admiral, it is. I would remind you that, as staff psychiatrist, I do have the authority to make such an order." Al frowned at her. "Then, by all means, lead the way." Verbina didn't move. It was obvious she wasn't about to let Al out of her sight. Al, seeing that this was the fact, straightened himself and walked out of the Control Room, Verbina following him and Gushie watching them with concern and confusion. "Sit down," Verbina ordered when they entered the plush office. Al reluctantly obeyed while Verbina walked to face him. "What the hell is the matter with you, Al?" she asked loudly. "Your behavior in the Control Room was inexcusable!" "Nothing is inexcusable," Al replied with a calmness that was without remorse but not malice. "Just some things lack a good excuse." Verbina frowned at him. "You know exactly what I mean, Al. Just what was that all about in there?" Al stood, face to face with the psychiatrist. "Do you really want to know," Dr. Beeks?" he asked with a growl. "I'm tired of going into that room as the bearer of bad news for Sam. I'm tired of going up to the Committee and pulling money out of their teeth! I'm tired of doing the paperwork that keeps this place running! That's what this is all about, Dr. Beeks." He moved his way passed her and began to pace. Verbina considered Al's words. "Al, I know you're under a lot of stress right now but..." "The hell you do!" Al shouted. "You have no idea what I'm going through!" He glared at her. "Do my job for five years. Then you'll know what real stress is." Verbina was silent as she took in what Al had told her, especially his choice to use colorful expletives. "You're also still upset about Tina and Mark," she noted. Al frowned strongly at her. "What are you getting at, Beeks?" Verbina looked at her friend. "Have you spoken to them yet?" Al glowered at her angrily. Verbina frowned, reading the answer in Al's glower. "Al, you really need to talk to them about this." Al watched Verbina for a moment. "Go to hell," he told her bluntly before marching out of the office. Verbina followed quickly. "Al," she called out as Al stepped into the elevator. She hurried to catch the elevator as the doors closed but failed to arrive on time. She opened her mouth to order Ziggy to return the cab but changed her mind when she remembered the look that was in Al's eyes. He looked as if he were capable of doing anything at that moment. She exhaled. "What the hell is going on with him?" she worried aloud before returning to her office.