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May 18th, 2003, PQL:
Meanwhile Al had been to see Nicholas once more.
"Nick, is there anything you can tell me about this leap? What do you remember? Sam is working on Lucy, but I'd afraid that's not much to go on."
"Well, no-one really told me much. I'm sorry. I, I want to help but you and dad kept everything classified. You didn't want to change anything"
"Hmm, even to help us this end? Maybe they need to work on it your end, Sam's end? I bet Sam made lot's of improvements after he came back..."
"Al, don't, please. You know I can't tell you much. Would you tell if you were me? I don't like letting you down, but, whatever happens is suposed to happen..."
"No, it's not; and it's our job to put it right!"
"Look, I had a good childhood, I had loving parents, I was happy, dad was home. Nothing needs changing. I had you as well."
"We, er, we were pretty close, kid?"
"Yeah. You, you were great. Like a second father. Well, you know how obsessed with work dad is. I miss you, Al."
"Well, maybe this is God, time or whatever's way of giving us a last chance. Even with a version of me who hasn't met you yet?" He laughed.
"Come on, kid, what say I buy you a coffee and we catch up?"
"That'll be great; but what will you tell the others?"
"Don't worry I'll think of something. If your dad can wander around in the past I guess you can for a while as well."
June 21st, 2035, PQL:
After finally finding Nicholas' quarters Sam had tossed and turned before falling into a deep dream-ridden sleep. This morning, although not really refreshed, he decided to get up early and try to talk to Lucy again. As he didn't have anything else to go on he had to assume that she was the key to this leap. The question remained: what had gone so wrong in the Project's (and his) future that he had leap into the future thirty years to put it right. He sighed. Maybe he was just making too much of this. Perhaps the only reason he had leaped here was because of the link with Nicholas. Perhaps this was just like any normal leap? 'Normal leap'? God, there was no such thing! He just couldn't help feeling that there was something very wrong, and that there was just too many complications this time. His older self, his friends on the rest of the staff, being so close to the Project itself and Ziggy, and who knows what having Nicholas back in 2003 would do to Al and the others there? He shook his head and poured some coffee. Why was he being so negative? They'd tackled difficult and unusual leaps before. He just couldn't shake this feeling though. Maybe it was because he tired. He thought again about the dreams. They were about Al. In his dream he was in various leaps, past ones, and Al kept appearing and reappearing, then disappearing altogether. He could never find him, but knew it was his fault. Then suddenly he was in a new leap and the same thing happened again, and again. He didn't know what they meant but they were disturbing. It was only a dream, though, he told himself. He put it down to his shock at the news of Al's death, and to his link with Nicholas' neurons. But, still, the feeling that something was very wrong remainded.
May 18th, 2003:
Al entered the main control room of the Project and found Gushie working alone. He took a deep breath and went to talk to the man, knowing that he had to tell someone, if only so that Sam would not be completely abandoned.
"Gushie, I need to talk to you."
"Yes, Admiral, what can I do for you?"
"How much do you know about this leap?"
"Hardly anything. Ziggy has been very cagey about it, and has asked for hardly any input from me. As have you," Gushie replied pointedly.
"Yes, I know. The situation just a bit delicate, you see. The thing is, I'm going into town for a day or so, and as you were once able to act as a temporary observer for Sam once before, I'd like you to fix up that connection again. Tell Sam where I am, and give him any information that comes in whilst I'm away. However, I'm going to have to tell you when Sam is and who he is. He's, he's in the year 2035. And his name is Nicholas Beckett. It's his son, Gushie. He's leaped into his son!"
"Oh, my! This is very, very irregular", remarked Gushie.
"Don't I know it Gushie. But, no-one knows. Who knows what damage could be done if too many people find out. I've restricted the waiting room to my presence only, under the pretense that the visitor is refusing to talk to anyone else. Well, that isn't such a lie actually. Anyway, you must not tell anyone else about this. No-one."
"Yes, Admiral. Absolutely. Have a good trip."
"Thank you."
Al left the room, as Gushie stood in shock. He made his way back to the waiting room, stopping only in Sam's room for some clothes.
June 21st, 2035:
Behind him Sam heard the sound of the door, and he turned around to greet Al. Instead of Al, though, there was an shakey image of a man who Sam thought he remembered.
"Dr. Beckett", the hologram greeted him.
"Where's Al? You're not my usual observer. Are you?" Sam was immediately on his guard. If Al wasn't here... He hoped it wasn't another change in the time line. It was just a little too much like his dream to be of comfort.
"No, Dr. Beckett. I'm Dr. Gushman, chief programmer. Admiral Calavicci asked me to fill in for him while he went into town for the day."
Al didn't usually go out for days whilst they were in the middle of a leap. Did he? But at least Al was still his observer. Cursing his swiss-chessed memory, Sam turned to Gushie.
"So, has Ziggy found anything else yet?"
"Yes. There is a 66% probabilty that in three days time there will an attempt on Nicholas Beckett's life. We don't have any details because this is just the predicted scenario with the higgest result. I'm afraid we don't have much to go on, Dr.Beckett. You'll just have to figure it out this end, I guess".
"Ok. I'll watch my back. I'll talk to Lucy and see if she knows anything. You go back the Project, and, er, tell Al to get in touch when he returns. Thanks for the information."
"Ok. Goodbye, Dr. Beckett. Good luck." And, with that, Gushie went back through the door, leaving Sam alone with his thoughts once more.
By early evening, Sam was enjoying the peace and quiet, but was no nearer to a solution to this mess of a leap. He was almost falling asleep when another sound interupted his thoughts. It was a knock on his door.
"Come in," he called.
"Hi, Nicholas", greeted the older version of Sam Beckett, as he entered Nicholas quarters.
"Oh, hi, er, dad. I um, was just on my way out," he replied.
"Can it wait just a minute? I think we need to talk."
"Oh, sure. What about?"
"What's going on?"
"What do you mean , 'what's going on?'?"
"I mean, who are you?"
"You know who I am. I'm Nicholas."
"Then why aren't you acting like him. I know my son, and I also know about time-travel and leaping. Now, who are you?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"I mean, Nick doesn't stare into thin air as if there's someone there. And he doesn't have to keep leaving his desk to use the bathroom. Now, please, just tell me who you are and what's going on."
"I can't."
"Can't or won't? I'm sorry, but we're not leaving this room until I get some answers. I've thought hard about this, and I've decided that, whatever it is, I want to know."
"This could be a really bad idea. If I tell you..."
"What...?"
"I could be stuck!"
"You won't. I know enough about leaping to know that things always more or less work out how they should. If you aren't supposed to be here, then you won't be. Now, please, just tell me. Maybe I can help."
"Boy, this is weird, but maybe you can."
"Sam, what's going on. What are you two talking about? You're not telling him, are you? You can't! It's against the rules, Ziggy says you won't come home!" interupted Al suddenly, as the door opened.
"The rules are for the past, not here! I'm sick of them. Sick of always having to be someone else!" snapped Sam, ignoring the older man.
"Sam! Just be careful", warned Al, but now Sam was ignoring him and had turned back to his older self, who now sat quietly, aware that something had just snapped in the other man.
"Ok, you really want to know? I don't know what this will do, but it's too late now, isn't it? I guess it was too late the minute I started all this. I had to go and try and prove my damn theory, didn't I. I couldn't let them close us down. If I'm not stuck here, I'm only stuck elsewhere and elsewhen. Well, the truth is, not only am I a leaper, I'm you. I'm Sam Beckett. I'm from your past, from 2002. I must say, it's nice to see that one version of me is home."
"God, you're really me! But, but I don't remember leaping into Nick!"
"Swiss-chesse effect. You probably didn't remember half of the leaps when you finally got back. I guess I wouldn't have told you. Already too many screw-ups with time and memories and knowing things we shouldn't. I wouldn't tell you it were me, and, let's face it, it was me! Boy, this is confusing!" muttered Al, now seemingly resigned to the scene that was taking place, especially as there wasn't anything he could do about it.
"Oh, right. Swiss-chesse memory. First I'm stuck not being able to forget anything and then I can't remember anything!"
"Well, I guess there were a few leaps I hardly knew anything about when I got back..." commented the older Sam Beckett.
"Either that or someone didn't want you to remember them", replied his younger self, looking pointingly to Al.
"Now, Sam, don't start blaming me. You made the rules! Maybe it was for the best that you didn't remember. Who knows what's going to happen in this leap." He sneaked a look at the handlink. "Ziggy really blowing a fuse on this one. She doesn't know what to nake of any of this. She's used to dealing with the past not the future. Not even she can predict the future. And now, you've gone and done this - just what could make it worse! - who knows what's going to happen. I think we're completely on our own here, Sam."
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have taken it out on you. You're right, we're in completely uncharted territory here. But, don't worry, we'll get through."
"I hope so, kid."
"You're talking to Al?" interrupted the older man.
"Um, yeah. He says the reason you don't remember is because of the swiss-cheese. He also reminded me of the fact that we have no idea what is going to happen on this leap. Especially with the fact that I've just told you."
"Yeah, that sounds like Al." He turned to where the hologram was standing.
"Al, buddy, I know you can hear me. I can't see or hear you this time, I wish I could, but... Well, i just wanted to say, I miss you. You were always there for me, even if I took you for granted sometimes."
"Yeah. I'm sure he appreciates it. And you. I'm not him, not yet, but I sure he would have known it when...at the end."
"Um, he says thanks, and he's sure he knew.", Sam told his older self, touched.
"Right."
"Well um, now what?"
"What do you know so far? Maybe I can help."
As Sam told himself what he knew, Lucy, or rather, Zoey, turned away from the keyhole of the door of Nicholas Beckett's quarters, and turned to her own hologram to give him the good news. She had heard every word. Now they wouldn't have to worry about killing Sam Beckett's son, they could kill Sam Beckett himself, leave his son trapped in the past, and now succeed with all their projects because Sam beckett wouldn't be there to change history for the better!