From: "M. Cogburn" Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 13:50:45 -0600 Subject: Portraits Of The Past, Part 11 Chapter Eleven March 28, 1996 Sam tossed in his sleep as he dreamt. What he dreamed about disturbed both his heart and soul. He moaned and turned his head, frowning. He was standing in the middle of the hallway and a mob of teenagers swarmed about him. Margaret stood at the other end of the hallway looking at him. She was saying something to him but he couldn't make it out. He tried to go to her, but even as he pushed toward her, the swarm of students pushed him farther away. He watched helplessly as he saw a hooded figure approach her. He saw the knife as it came up into the air and glistened in the light of the hall. He began to fight his way through the crowd toward her only making a little leeway. The knife came down slicing into her arms. Margaret just stood there, her face void of expression, yet her eyes with fear. "No!" Sam yelled out as he pressed harder into the crowd. He watched as the knife came down again. Once again, the knife came down only to cut her other arm. Bright red blood began to appear from the cuts. Margaret closed her eyes and she stood there for a moment swaying slightly. He watched as the hooded figure went up to her and planted a long passionate kiss. He wasn't sure why this act riled him, but he screamed and pushed into the crowd finally making some headway. He rammed into people and made his way to her to touch the hooded man but he suddenly disappeared. He looked down at Margaret laying on the floor, a pool of blood spreading out around her. "Margaret?" He leaned down and cradled her in his arms. Her eyes slowly opened and peered into his. Slowly, though, they closed once more. "Margaret?" When there was no response, he looked up at the ceiling and cried out, "I can't do this anymore! I quit! Do you hear? I'm not doing this anymore!" Tears spilled forward and he cradled her closer to him bending his head to hers. Sam's green eyes opened and blinked from the light in the room. He wasn't quite sure why he woke but was glad that he did. He usually dreamed of home but nightmares like these were strange to him. He shook his head clearing it then he heard the muffled sounds. Frowning, he rose from the couch still in the flowered pink robe. He followed the sound. It was coming from Margaret's bedroom. Slowly, he opened the door and realized what the sound was. He wanted to turn the bedroom light on, but decided against it. He walked over to her and noticed her figure shuddering. "Margaret?" She made no response. He frowned wondering if she could still be asleep. He hurried back down the hall and turned on the bathroom light, then went back to her room. Although she was curled up in the fetal position and crying, he could tell that she was still asleep. Her eyes showed signs of REM sleep. Not wanting to startle her, Sam placed a hand on her shoulder and called her name once more. Although she continued to cry, she woke slowly with more prodding. She opened her eyes and looked into his warm face. "Their all gone." "Who's all gone?" Sam questioned softly as he began to wipe away the tears from her face, yet fresh ones continued to fall. "All the people I've ever loved." She turned her head into her pillow and began to cry into it. Sam touched her shoulder showing his concern but she quickly turned over. "No, please, go away." Sam wasn't exactly sure what to do. He knew everyone had to grieve in their own way, but also knew that to much grieving was bad on the soul. He got onto the bed and leaned back on the headboard. Feeling the bed moved beside her, she moved farther away. "Please, go away before it happens to you too." He wasn't quite sure to what she was referring to, but he frowned and ran his hand up and down his face. "Margaret?" Hearing her name, she turned to him only to see his arms open to her. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the gesture meant more to her than anything else. She quickly moved into his arms craving, needing and wanting all the love he could give. Whether or not it was a true love or a faked love, she needed the caresses he would give. Once Margaret was in his embrace, he held her close. He remembered how he felt when he had first found out that his father had died. He thought the world had crumbled. Slowly, her crying ceased and she fell asleep in his arms. Sam looked down at her and smoothed her blonde hair only to kiss the top of her head. "Nothing is going to happen to me or to you." The sun's rays shone in through the blinds lighting the room in shadows. Margaret moved in her sleep and woke Sam in the process. His eyes blinked open. He moaned silently and stretched his neck. He then looked at the young woman who was still in his arms. He shook his head remembering what Al had told him. Death surrounded her in a shroud. Her brothers had died within one year of each other then she lost her last grandparent, mother, father, and boyfriend in the next four years. Life had been cruel and yet she still survived, only to believe that she in some way had caused it. "Margaret?" She stirred again, but didn't wake. "Margaret, it's time to get up." He raised his arm to check the time. It read: 7:00. Come on, or we'll be late." Margaret stretched then opened her eyes only to realize where she was. "Sam?" She was still dazed with sleep. "Hmmm?" "Why are you in my bed?" She questioned not quite sure how he got there and how she was in his arms. "Don't you remember?" She shook her head against his chest. "I heard sounds coming from your room so I came to check on you. You were crying. I was comforting you, that's all." A small smile appeared on her face as she accepted what he said. She couldn't remember. "Okay." She didn't want to move from his embrace but pushed away from him and sat up on the bed beside him. "Thank you." It was nice to know that he wouldn't take advantage of her. Sam nodded then sat up straighter on the bed. His lower back was stiff and he needed to stretch. His lower back popped as he raised his arms and he sighed in relief. He then smoothed out the rumpled pink robe and stood. Margaret stifled a giggle as she looked at him. Sam turned to her with a pointed finger only to see the portrait she painted last night. He walked around the bed and sat down on the edge of the bed to steady himself. "Wow. When did you do this?" "Last night." She said proudly. "I could understand Al, but me? You've only seen me once -- in the mirror." She crawled on the bed over to him. "But that photographic memory helps a lot." She looked at her alarm. It read: 7:10. She slightly hit his arm in a friendly gesture. "Come on, we better get ready. We're going to be late." "You use the restroom first. It will take me a minute to figure out what to wear." Margaret pursed her lips as she stood to go to her closet. "Okay." Sam stood and headed toward the restroom. Once she heard the shower came on in the bathroom, Margaret reached for her diary. She opened it, grabbed a pen from her night stand and wrote: March 28, 1996: I can't believe I met him. I remember being at the Convention Center when he came to town. Dad had to be at the convention for security measures, and he took me along because he wanted me to see the genius of the century. He said to learn from the best. He said he was from the future and that he had made a project called Quantum Leap. He explained his theory and everything. If Samuel Beckett could do it, I'm sure that he could. I just have to wonder something . . . am I falling in love with a genius, or am I just fascinated by his wisdom, charm, and good looks? Whichever the case, either is fine with me. So much has happened. I've had a makeover a-la Al Calavicci, who is the sweetest man in the world. Who would have known that Aunt Maggie captured him on film? After all the things I have said to Sam Beckett, I regret saying that I didn't need him and that he -- a genius -- couldn't get back to the future. He's just looking out for my best interest and I know that now. I just hope that one day he will be able to get home to be with his friends and loved ones. Margaret * * * Jason paced restlessly waiting for Al to come for his usual morning visit. What was happening? This was the fourth day he'd been there. Why wasn't he back home? He heard the door swoosh open and he turned only to see Sammy Jo. "What's going on? Where's Al?" "He's on his way Jason. Calm down. What's wrong?" "I want to know what's going on. I mean, why haven't I been sent home yet? What's going on with Margaret?" He began pacing once more concerned. Another door opened and Al appeared dressed in a bright pink button-up shirt with baggy black pants. "Hey, kiddo." He said in his usual good morning chipper voice. "What's going on Al? Why haven't I been sent home?" Jason blurted out unable to keep the pleasantries alive. "Whoa, now." Al brought his hands up trying to calm him. "We told you, we're not sure. It could be a while. Sam has to save Margaret first, then you'll be going back." "But . . . ." "No buts." Al remarked. "It's just how it is." "Well, what's going on with Margaret?" Jason asked as he realized there was nothing he could do. "She's changed." "Changed?" Jason questioned curiously. Al nodded as he lit his cigar. "She had herself a make over and may I say she looks wonderful." Al grinned subtly. "Oh. Is she okay? I'm worried about her, Al." Jason maneuvered himself over to the bed and leaned against it. "She's fine. Sam's taking good care of her." Sammy Jo went over to Jason's side and grabbed his hand. "Everything is going to be fine. Dr. Beckett will do everything in his power to stop Margaret's death." Jason nodded understanding but still he wanted to be there with her. He sighed and looked down at Dr. Beckett's hands. "I . . . I just . . ." Jason finally looked back up at Al. "Al, I love her." "I know." Al responded. "I know." * * * Although Margaret hadn't seen Al all day, she knew he would eventually pop in. She had still been getting the looks from others as she had yesterday; the grins, and much more conversation than usual. The more it happened, the more she liked it. She was walking down the hall going to Spanish when Billy began walking in stride with her. She looked over at him and grinned a hello. Usually, he ignored her completely but today he seemed somewhat hesitant to talk to her. "Hey Margaret. How are things going?" Billy asked quickly as he glanced back down the hall so he wouldn't miss his class. "Fine, thanks." Margaret was in shock. Billy was actually talking to her. She was impressed. `If Al were here, I'd give him a hug,' she thought warmly. "Do you like parties?" He blurted. Margaret laughed softly. "Who doesn't? Why?" She cocked her head to the side inquiringly. "Well, David is having a party over at his house Saturday night." Billy ran his hand through his hair nervously. "Would you like to come along?" Margaret's eyebrow popped up. She wasn't sure how to ask him, but it blurted out too quickly. "Is, uh, this a date Billy?" Billy searched her face wondering how she would answer if he said yes. Instead of choosing one word to answer her, he questioned, "Margaret, would you like to go to the party with me tomorrow night?" Margaret blinked softly at his question while on the inside she was going wild. 'Al said that guys would be different towards me.' She licked her lips slowly then answered, "It would be an honor." Billy genuinely smiled. "Great. I'll pick you up at seven to take you to my house so the limo will pick us up at my house." Margaret nodded then watched as he waved a short good-bye then saw him sprint down the hall to his next class. Margaret finished her walk to Spanish in a good humor; a very good humor. Her neck-hair stood as she felt the electricity in the air and she heard the door open somewhere close by. "Hello, Al." She said musically into the air not caring who heard her. "What was that all about?" The familiar raspy voice asked as he stepped out of the door only for it to slide down in a guillotine fashion behind him. "I've got a date for tomorrow night." She responded with a grin as Al fell into her gait. "Well, good for you. What kind of date?" "A party date." "Those are the best kind." Al replied before he had a chance to think about what he said. "You never know whom you'll . . ." The thought struck him hard. 'You never know whom you'll end up in bed with.' "Well, now that I think about it -- they aren't the best in the world." "I know what you're thinking Al, but it's been a long time since my last date." Margaret stopped to look at him earnestly. "Just please don't spoil this for me." Al nodded. "Okay." "You know, if you were actually here, I'd kiss you." Margaret continued the last few steps to her class then went inside. Al, however, opened his mouth to say something and raised an eyebrow. He slowly closed his mouth, placed his hands in his pockets and grinned as he rocked on his heels. Margaret walked around the rest of the day on a cloud. Billy. Billy McCray had asked her out. A smile had become permanently plastered on her face and she couldn't seem to get rid of it even during lunch. She sat down in her normal secluded part of the cafeteria only to have several people come to sit by her -- all boys. Their conversation was light and mostly about baseball. They cracked jokes and flirted. Margaret was delighted to get the attention. Yet, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sam walk in the cafeteria. As she watched him, a funny sensation came to her and it made her shiver. She remembered his hands from this morning and how they felt around her. She sighed. As he walked up to the lunch bar line, she saw Jessica moving towards him. A tightening sensation hit her stomach as they began talking. "Jason." "Jess." Sam decided to be curt with her. "Did you know that David is having a party at his house Saturday night?" Jessica asked as she ran her fingers down his chest. "David mentioned it." He replied stepping back from her touch. He didn't want to get slapped again. He knew that he would never hit a woman unless consequences were horrendous. But, one more time and he might just have to. "Do you have a date already?" 'Not again.' He said to himself. "I was planning to ask Margaret." "Too late. I already asked her buddy." Billy said from behind him. "She's mine." "Then you don't have a date?" Jessica questioned innocently as she stepped toward him placing her hand on his abdomen. "Why don't we go together for old times sake?" She rubbed his abdomen gently trying to be seductive. "Well, I don't know." Sam wavered as Billy poked him in the back. "Go on, Ja. She won't bite you -- at least not too hard." He jibed. "Please?" She crooned. "Oh, I love it when they beg." Al responded as he walked in on the situation. "Al . . ." Sam began then looked at Jessica's expectant face. "All right. But just for old times sake." "You won't regret it." Jessica purred then pulled him to her and planted another long kiss on him. Sam waved his arms in the air at his sides, not wanting to egg her on. Al looked jealous and licked his lips. Suddenly, he sighed and turned his attention to find Margaret. Margaret saw the entire incident from across the room. Both her smile and her shoulders dropped. "Margaret, are you okay? You look like someone just hit you with some bad news." One of the boys responded as he placed his drink down. He had light brown hair, hazel eyes, and was generally handsome. His looks seemed to remind her of Kevin Costner. Margaret looked at him with a small tight smile. "Something like that." "Well, hey is it what we're talking about? Cause, we can talk about something other than baseball." The young man genuinely enjoyed talking with her and didn't want to lose her attention. "No. That's fine. I just saw something and it made my stomach turn." "Probably the cafeteria food." He joked and finally got a real smile to return to her face. "There's that smile." The comment made her smile more. "Thanks, Brian." Brian winked as he smiled at her. "No problem." "There she is." Al pointed to Margaret just as she smiled at a comment a young man had made. "You know, she looks really happy." Sam nodded as he laid his food on the table. "Seems to be." Sam glanced over at her and was surprised when he felt jealousy creep into his being. He quickly looked away from her. "Seems to be what?" Billy asked as he glanced up from his food. "Seems to be a good day for the snack bar." "Nice retrieve." Al monitored. "So, you're going out with Jess. How do you feel about that?" Billy asked as he took a bite of his hamburger. "I'm not sure." Sam responded honestly. "After what happened the other day . . ." Sam's hand came up to his cheek absentmindedly. "Yeah, yeah, I understand." Billy said with a nod. "So, you and Margaret? When did that happen?" Sam said as jealousy reared it's ugly head again. `She should be going with me,' he thought to himself. "This morning. I was really shocked when she accepted. I thought that you two would go together or something." Billy picked up his coke and took a long gulp. Sam frowned. "Wait, I thought you guys said that it would ruin your reputation to go out with her and that grave thing." He didn't understand why the change was in their behavior. Margaret hadn't really changed - except her appearance. `Appearance - maybe that was a part of it after all,' he thought miserably. "Yeah, but she's changed . . . ." Billy said as he confirmed Sam's thought. They dropped the sentence as Margaret and Brian passed by without even a hello or nod. "Well, how about that." "What?" Sam watched as they continued to talk to each other oblivious to others around them. "That's not like Margaret." "I know." Both Al and Billy replied at the same time. Once they were out of the cafeteria, Margaret shook hands with Brian. "It was a pleasure to meet you and thank you for a moment ago. I really didn't want to talk to them." Brian wondered why she wouldn't want to talk to them but didn't ask. He knew it was none of his business. `If she wanted to tell me, she would,' he thought to himself. "No problem. Just promise me one thing." "What?" Margaret's eyebrow rose curiously. Brian thought for a moment. "Promise me that you'll eat lunch with me at least once a week. Is that too much to ask?" He questioned not wanting to be pushy. He had enjoyed her company. "Tell you what, we'll be lunch buddies if . . ." Margaret had genuinely enjoyed Brian's company and didn't want it to end. She pursed her lips as an idea formed in her brain. "If what?" Brian asked moving closer to her. "If . . ." She began again and smiled. "If . . . you'll meet me at my house tonight for dinner." Brian looked shocked but he quickly recovered. "Dinner at your house tonight? I don't know. Let me check my calendar." Brian looked at his watch and tapped it twice. "Ah, look at that. I'm free tonight. So, I'll be there at . . . " "Seven o'clock." She supplied. Margaret pulled out a piece of paper from her notebook and quickly wrote down her name, address and telephone number. "There you go." Brian smiled, took the sheet of paper, and held it to his heart. "I'll treasure this forever and I wouldn't miss it for the world." Margaret smiled. "See you later, Brian." She then turned to go to her next class. He watched as she walked away then looked at the paper she had handed him. Margaret Dawson. He grinned remembering the past few years. He had wanted to pursue Margaret but his severe problem with shyness had stopped him. He looked back up at her as she vanished from his sight around the corner. He sighed. He was glad that he took a chance today and sat across from her. He finally bit the bullet and now look at what it got him - a date with the one he'd had a crush on for years. His grin became a full blown smile. He began walking back down the main corridor to the cafeteria as Sam and Al emerged from the cafeteria. "What's his name?" Sam asked quickly. "Brian Watson." Al responded as soon as he got the information from the handlink. "Brian?" Sam called out to him. Brian turned in mid-step. "Hey, Jason. What's up?" He walked up toward Sam wondering what he wanted. "Did you see where Margaret went? I need to talk to her." Sam was worried that she might have seen the incident in the cafeteria and think the wrong thing. He didn't want to get on her bad side again. "As far as I know, she went to her next class. Remember when I told you sometime ago that I wouldn't mind dating Margaret?" Sam nodded at the comment although he hadn't heard the message yet, Jason had. "Well, she asked me over to her house for dinner." "Really?" Sam asked perplexed and quickly glanced at Al who shrugged and began to ask questions to Ziggy through the handlink. Brian nodded. "Look, I've got to go. Talk to you later." "Oh, yeah, sure." Sam responded as Brian turned and left Sam and Al alone. "What's going on? She knows I'm going to be there tonight." Al was pounding on the handlink and turned in time to see Margaret walking back down the hall toward them. He watched as the happy expression vanished and a very angry one returned. "Maybe not." By the time she reached them, her face was void of expression. "You're going to have to go out tonight. I have a date coming over." Once she had left Brian, the scene of Sam kissing Jessica had first made her depressed. Then the depression turned into anger. He was playing games and he wasn't going to get away with it. "Where should I go?" Sam questioned honestly since he didn't know the town very well. "How about home?" Margaret turned to leave but Sam stopped her by grabbing her arm. "What's wrong?" Margaret jerked her arm back aggravated again. "You're the genius. You figure it out." She snapped then walked away from him. He stared after her confused. "What is it with you and this leap? One minute you're a wonderful guy and the next your dog meat." Sam dropped his head and turned slowly to Al. "I don't need this from you. Raging hormones are enough this leap." "Well, they're not the only thing raging." * * * The rest of the school day passed by quickly. Margaret spent the rest of the day ignoring Sam except for the play. The rest of the time he was nonexistent until they met at her car in the parking lot. She unlocked her car then got in without saying a word. As she tried to put the key in the ignition, Sam wrestled the keys from her. "All right. What's going on? What's wrong? You've ignored me since lunch." "Give me my keys." "Not until we talk about what's wrong." "Give me my keys." She demanded again and held out her hand. Margaret dropped her hand on the car seat, sighed and looked away from him. "I don't want to talk about it." "But I do." Sam stated as he laid his hand on hers. He was beginning to feel Jason slowly slipping his emotions into play. She jerked her hand from her. "Fine, you talk; I'll listen." "You're being unreasonable." Sam stated. "Tell me what I did." "You don't know, do you?" She questioned as she turned back to face him. "First you leap into Jason and come on to me, then somehow you end up in my bed supposedly comforting me. Then today, you're kissing on the hog in the cafeteria. What kind of game are you playing here?" Sam watched as her anger grew and the only thing he could think about was how beautiful she was and how much he wanted to kiss her. Jason's feelings were in full force and it was difficult not to succumb to them, especially when they came in so strong and filled him so completely. "Well?' She demanded. Sam quickly pulled her to him succumbing to the strong emotions that overwhelmed him. He kissed her with the passion he felt for her. The pressure of her lips on his ignited it more and he pulled her closer. For a moment, Margaret struggled and fought the kiss until it turned more passionate. The emotions she had already built on Sam Beckett swept her away and she eagerly kissed him back soaking in the emotion to her very being. The kiss was longer than either of them had expected and it ended abruptly. Both sat back stunned until Margaret's anger reappeared. Hot tears began to well in her eyes as she grabbed her keys from his relaxed hand. As she started the engine, she questioned softly once more as the tears ran down her cheeks. "What kind of game are you playing Sam Beckett?"