Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 12:50:26 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Slide Before You Leap - Part 11 Message-ID: Slide Before You Leap A Sliders/ Quantum Leap Crossover by Kat Freymuth Part 11 "Max!" Sam exclaimed as he entered Staff Lounge 2A. "You're walking!" he stated in astonishment. Quinn, Wade, and Rembrandt smiled in amusement at the disconcerted frown on Arturo's face. Al, having followed Sam in just in time to hear his exclamation, closed the door behind him before speaking. "He isn't Max, Sam," Al told him. "At least, not our Max." Sam smiled. "Of course. An infinite number of realities would also mean an infinite number of Maxes." Arturo huffed. "Please, do not call me Max! I have had quite enough of the name from Admmiral Calavicci." Sam looked at Al. "Why didn't you tell me?" Al looked defensive. "What? That one of them happens to be an exact duplicate of Max Arturo? I know you too well, Sam." He gave him a reprimanding look. Sam nodded. Al was right. He would never had agreed to Al's security precautions if he had known. "Well, I think introductions are in order," Sam finally said. "I at least know Dr. Arturo in a manner of speaking. I'm Sam Beckett." "How do you do, Dr. Beckett?" Arturo replied. "This is Quinn Mallory, Wade Wells, and Rembrandt Brown." Sam shook each of their hands in turn, ending with Quinn. "It is such an honor to meet you, Dr. Beckett." Quinn told him. "I've studied all your works." "You must be the guy Al was talking about," Sam replied. "Having a bit of trouble getting home?" "Yeah, a bit," Rembrandt put in for all of them. "Well, then, let's see what we can do about that. Why don't you start at the beginning?" Al touched Sam's shoulder before he could take a seat. He gave him a warning look. "I'll be in my office," he told him firmly before leaving. *************************************************** Max Arturo wheeled himself into the Project Quantum Leap Complex with a pensive look in his face. He was thinking about Sam. Ever since yesterday's phone call from the Admiral, he had found Sam's behavior grow more peculiar than usual. Sam seemed disjointed, out of touch. He had hardly worked on his computer or the retrieval program. Arturo knew that something extraordinary had to have come up to distract Dr. Beckett from his work. Max entered the elevator and pressed the button for the tenth level where he and Sam had been working on Alpha, the Project's hybrid-computer. Max had been correct about the benefits of trading tasks with Sam. He had found one of the solutions to the problem of Alpha's ego. Sam was trying to give the computer something distinctly human. What Alpha needed, which would give him a human ego, was a human brainwave. But how do you give a computer a brainwave? He wanted to consult Sam about the issue. The elevator went down and stopped at the second level to allow Al Calavicci to enter. He stepped back a bit, as if a bit startled to see Max, before entering fully and pressing the fifth level button. "Hello, Dr. Arturo," Al said briefly. "You're rather late today." "And you, Admiral Calavicci, are rather formal, though I find it a pleasant change of pace," Max pointed out. "I guess I have a lot on my mind," Al told him. Max smiled slightly. "So, how was your little excersion with Ms. Martinez-O'Farrell?" Al smiled knowingly. "Interesting to say the least." "Interesting enough, in fact, to call Dr. Beckett and return from your trip early," Max commented. Al sighed before looking at Max with curiosity. "As a matter of fact, yes. And it's a private matter." "I see. Has Samuel come in yet?" Al couldn't help smiling at Max's words. Only he called Sam "Samuel". "Yes," he told him. "He's...in conference." "With whom?" "Sorry, Max. That's a private matter between Sam and me." Max shrugged. "Very well. However, I would like to see him as soon as possible. I believe I have a solution to the problem of Alpha's ego." "Really?" Al said with interest. "I'll let him know." "Excellent," Max said as the elevator door opened on the fifth level. "I will be in the Control Room if he wishes to see me." "I'm sure he will," Al said stepping out of the elevator with a smile. *Looks like Sam won't need the help of those four in the lounge*, he thought. Yet as the elevator door closed, allowing Max to continue down, Al sighed. The knot in his stomach that told him there was going to be trouble was tightening. He had a feeling life had just become more difficult, despite the good news from Max. ---------------------------------------- Part 12 soon. Really appreciating your feedback. Keep it up! Good or bad. Kat Freymuth