Date: Tue, 17 Sep 1996 15:17:46 -0600 (MDT) From: "Katherine R. Freymuth" Subject: Theresa - Chapter 15 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII References to "A Little Miracle" in this one, just for the fun of it. Also a very small reference to "Trilogy". A warning to Donna-haters. Donna is in this part but it's a minor part and I tried to make her seem more like the Donna in "Star-Crossed", the Donna I like, than the Donna in the Leap Back. ------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 15 School Days The weekend seemed to pass quickly. Theresa had created three wonderful sketches and, at Al's insistence, was starting an oil painting. "They're beautiful," Al told her as he looked at her sketches. "They really are." "Thanks," she replied, flattered greatly by the compliment. Al was loading a very professional looking camera. "You're going to take the pictures?" Theresa asked with some surprise. "I've done some photography in my time." He smiled at her winningly and motioned her to a chair. "Take a seat," he offered. Theresa obeyed and smiled for the camera. "How many more tricks do you have up your sleeve?" she teased. "It'll take a long take you a long time to find that one out," Al told her as he snapped a picture. They finished the photography session with very little conversation, mostly consisting of Al encouraging her. Al smiled at the progress of the session. "Maybe you should be a model too," he told her. Theresa laughed. "Please! One career at a time!" Al took out his film. "Are you signing up for classes?" Theresa nodded. "I start tomorrow. Have to take some placement tests to determine which classes I have to take." Al nodded with understanding. "Well, how about we get these photos developed and then get your resumes out into the field." "Sound like a plan," Theresa commented. Al put the film in his jacket pocket. He was wearing a very attractive sky blue suit with a white Southwestern shirt and a turquoise bolo tie. "I'll take this down to the one-hour shop and get some groceries." He looked at Theresa. "I think you'd better work on your oil painting while I'm gone. You'll want it ready in case you get an interview." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving. Theresa smiled at the friendly gesture and went to the garage where Al had set up a temporary art studio for her. She put on her overalls and started working on her painting. ************************************* It was Friday and Sam had not yet leaped into another person. The complex was quiet in all places except the cafeteria. Al led the costumed Theresa into the cafeteria with a smile. Theresa was rather attractive in her costume. She was dressed completely in black and her hair was delicately arranged so that she could remain cool in the New Mexican sun. Although her costume was that of a traditional witch, she looked more like a countess out on a daily trot. Al, on the other hand, had chosen to dress as he did on the one day in July. He was dressed in old clothes and a fishing hat, both of which looked very grim. He had painted his face white and had made the area around his eyes black. In addition to this strange outfit he had covered himself with chains. He was his own version of the Ghost of Christmas Future. Theresa looked around the cafeteria and smiled. The lights had been dimmed to a dreary gray and the room was decorated with cobwebs and orange and black balloons. Against one wall was a row of foods of all kinds on top of a coffin shaped table. Against another wall was a table of liquid refreshments including alcoholic and non-alcoholic punch, the alcoholic punch having a skull and cross-bones for identification. The cafeteria was full. Gushie stood towards the center of the room, dressed in a black and white suit with a simple pumpkin pin on his lapel. He was talking to Tina, who was dressed in a slinky black cat costume, her tail long enough to touch the floor. Verbina Beeks was talking to an unfamiliar man while providing herself with some apple cider. "Come on," Al told her. "I'll make the introductions." He led her into the crowd towards a brunette woman in medieval dress. She was talking to another woman dressed like a Southern belle. "Donna. Sammy Jo," Al interrupted their conversation gracefully. "I'd like you to meet Theresa Brookner. Theresa, this is Dr. Donna Elesee Beckett and Dr. Sammy Jo Fuller." "How do you do?" Theresa greeted, her hand extended. "Well, I'll be!" Sammy Jo took her hand. "Al, you didn't tell us what a lovely young lady she is!" Theresa giggled with amusement. It was more than just the compliment; it was Sammy Jo's strong Southern accent which complemented her costume. "Thank you," Theresa told her, flattered. "Pleased to me you," Donna told her, shaking her hand. "Al's told us about you. I'm glad you were able to come to the party." "Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here," she answered honestly. Al broke in. "If you'll excuse us, ladies? I still have a few more introductions to make." Smiling, Al offered Theresa his arm. Theresa gently accepted it and allowed herself to be escorted away. She giggled slightly. "What is it?" Al wondered. "I was just thinking about how friendly they are." Al smiled. "You were thinking about Dr. Fuller's accent and costume," he translated. "Believe me, it was his Southern accent that influenced her to pick that costume. She really has a wonderful sense of humor about herself." "Forgive me. I really shouldn't have laughed," Theresa said quietly. Al chuckled. "I promise you she didn't take offense in it. She has her father's sense of humor." He quickly regretted saying the words the minute he spoke them, knowing how intuitive Theresa was. Fortunately, Theresa didn't hear the comment She was noticing an ensign approaching Al. The ensign stopped before Al and was about to salute when Al motioned him not to. "What is it, ensign?" Al asked quietly. "Report from the Control Room, sir. Dr. Beckett has made an arrival." "Thank you," Al answered as a dismissal. The ensign nodded an acknowledgment before leaving. Al turned to Theresa with slight disappointment. "Sorry, but you're on your own, now. Duty calls." Al gave her a quick smile as he walked away and went to Gushie. Donna noticed Al's actions and went over to the small group of Al, Gushie, and Tina. "Sam's leaped?" Donna asked before Al could speak. Al nodded. "I'm going to get Verbina. Gushie, Tina, you'd better get to the Control Room." "Right, Admiral," Gushie answered, starting for the cafeteria door. Tina smiled at Al before following Gushie. Donna also started for the door. "Donna?" Al questioned. Donna stopped. "I have to see his aura at least." Al nodded with understanding. Sometimes it was necessary to see the person you love, even if he wasn't really there. Al went over to Verbina, gently interrupted her conversation, and told her what had happened. Together, they left the cafeteria for the tenth level where the heart of Project Quantum Leap was. Theresa, full of curiosity, followed Al out. She stopped him, calling him name. Al nodded to Verbina to go ahead without him before walked over to Theresa with a smile. "You can't stay out of trouble, can you?" he teased. "What's going on?" Theresa asked. "What did he mean by 'Dr. Beckett has made an arrival'?" Al hesitated. "You're going into the classified area again, Theresa." Theresa straightened herself. "It has something to do with Sam, doesn't it?" Al took a deep breath and exhaled. "Do you want to see Sam?" Theresa's eyes widened. "Please." "Okay," he replied. "First, there area a few things you have to know. But you have to swear to secrecy. What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this complex. Ever." "You have my word," Theresa answered firmly. Al nodded, sighed, and started to explain the basics of Project Quantum Leap. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay. So this was a really short chapter. Chapter 16 is next. Kat "OOOO! OOOO! Hey, Blake! Wake up! OOOO!" "What a minute! I know you! You're the guy from the lobby! I recognize the cigar and the pale complexion." " _I_ am the Ghost of Christmas Future." "Yeah! Right! The Ghost of Christmas Future wore the robe. Jacob Marley wore the chains." "I AM the Ghost of Christmas Future. OOOO!" "Peterson put you up to this, didn't he?" "Are you hard of hearing? I'm here to show you your future! OOOO!" Al and Michael Blake in "A Little Miracle".