|
|
"What makes you think I know anything about your parents, other than what you've put on your record?", Al replied, stalling for time and trying to remember his navy training on tactical manovers.
"I don't know, but i just have this feeling..."
"Feelings and dreams, huh. Maybe you should be talking to Dr.Beeks, not me".
"Come on Al, this is me, Sammy-Jo. Stop trying to stall me. Tell me the truth. We're friends aren't we? You've been like a father to me ever since I got here and this is my home. Now please show me the respect I deserve and tell me the truth."
"I, I really don't know if I can, Sammy-Jo. I'm sorry."
"Yeah, sure you are. You don't have to answer to anyone here. Why can't you tell me?!"
"It's difficult, Sammy-Jo; and it's not that I have to answer to anyone, it's more of a promise."
"A promise? To who? To Dr. Beckett?"
"Sammy-Jo, I'm sorry, but I really can't tell you now."
With that Al walked off, leaving Sammy-Jo feeling very frustrated and very thoughtful.
Sept 3rd, 1977:
Sam and 'Donna' were still on the road when Al reappeared just 15 minutes after he had left them. Sam gave him a surprised look. Al wasn't usually back this quick, especailly this early on in a leap, unless something was wrong.
"Hi, Sam. I, er, I'm avoiding someone." Or if he was avoiding someone!
Sam, not being able to talk to Al without raising suspision, just waited for more details.
"I, well, we, have a problem. It's Sammy-Jo. She's asking questions and I don't know how long I can keep the truth from her".
Sam went pale. "Can we stop at the next gas station? I really need some food", he said to his younger self.
"Sure. I guess it is getting late", replied his younger self, looking at his watch.
Five minutes later Sam and Al were alone, in the corner of the gas station shop.
"OK, Al, tell me exactly what happened".
"Well, she said she had a dream. About her mother, and I was in it".
"Just a dream? So, she doesn't know anything?".
"No, she's just suspicious".
"Hmm. So, if this dream is a repressed memory, and you're in it, then I must be there somewhere".
"Yeah".
"How much do you remember of that leap? Could she see you, us?"
"If she could, she never told us".
"That's strange".
"I hope this isn't another time-line change. One where Sammy-Jo somehow managed to see us. Ziggy doesn't reckon so, though."
"She still wasn't young enough. The only reason I can think of as to why she could see us is because of the nerons."
"You mean because she's your daughter?."
"Yeah. Maybe she could somehow see both images, the way you can."
"I guess so. That doesn't help our problem though Sam."
"I know. I'm working on it. Maybe we should just tell her. She's not a kid anymore, and she does understand as much about leaping and time-travel as anone else at the project, probably more than a lot of people."
"I don't know Sam, she could react badly."
"More than now? You know she's gonna keep on at you, at Ziggy and at just about anyone else until she gets the truth. It's better coming from you."
"It's best coming from you, Sam."
"Yeah, well, we can't have everything."
"Maybe I could get her hooked up to the handlink. Shared neurons and things."
"I never thought I'd see the day when Admiral Calavicci refused to carry out an assignment!"
"Hey, that's low, Sam!"
"Ok. I'm sorry. But, come on, you're the best man for the job. I might be her father but I hardly know her. Only through you."
"Yeah, I like her. She's a great kid. Smart, stubborn, caring. Bit like her father really. But what do I say to her - oh, by the way Sammy-Jo, you know how we've been friends for ages? Well, there's just something I forgot to tell you. My best friend, the director of this Project, he's actually your father. You thought you didn't have one. Well you do, but unfortunately he's travelling through time at the moment and can't see you.- She'd gain a father one minute and lose him again the next!"
"I think she deserves to know. She's my daughter."
"Exactly. You tell her. Trust me, she'll appreciate it."
"Oh, alright. What do I do meanwhile?"
"Erm, spend time getting to know yourself?"
"Ha, ha, Al. Go get some data from Ziggy, and bring Sammy-Jo with you when you return."
"Ok, see you later Sam."
Al stepped through the door back into the Project. Sammy-Jo was waiting for him outside the imaging chamber.
"Um, Sammy-Jo. Sam, Dr. Beckett, would like to talk to you. I think we can modify the handlink so that you can come with me next time."
"Dr. Beckett wants to see me!"
"Yeah. It's, er, about the conversation we had earlier."
"Oh. I'm in trouble am I?", she asked sarcastically.
"No. I hope not."
"Oh?", Sammy-Jo was curious now.
"It's important. Go see him now, while it's quiet there."
As Gushie worked on the brief modifications to the handlink, Al prepared Sammy-Jo.
"Don't worry!" Al smiled at Sammy-Jo expression. She was in for a big surprise, and he hoped it would be a nice one. After all, he couldn't think of a better father than Sam Beckett.
Following Sammy-Jo into the imaging chamber, Al centred them both on Sam - in the bathroom again. Luckily it was empty.
"Hi Sam".
"Al, that was quick".
"Yeah. A certain someone was waiting for me. Sammy-Jo this is Dr. Sam Beckett. Sammy-jo meet Sam".
"It's, um, it's an honour to finally meet you", stammered Sammy-Jo, attacked by nerves now it had come to crunch-time.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it. Have fun." And Al left.
"So, how do you like working at the project, Sammy-Jo?" asked Sam, attempting to break the ice.
"I like it a lot. It hard work, but it's a great place to work".
"Yeah. I used to think that, when I can remember the project, that is!"
"Yeah". They lapsed ito silence. Sam, usually so good with new people, unsure what to sat to a daughter he'd never been able to be there for; and Sammy-Jo in a state of awe having finally met her hero.
"I, er, I really admire your work, Dr. Beckett. I hope to continue it some day. Not that I can expect to live up to your work, I mean, I'll try. I..."
"Well, thank you Sammy-Jo. Don't worry, I know what you mean. And why don't you call me Sam".
"Oh. OK, Sam"
"So, Al tells me you've been bothering him", Sam said with a smile, feeling it was time to get down to business. How could he do this!
"Oh, is this what this is about? I, I didn't mean to cause trouble. PLease don't fire me! I just...This is going to sound dumb. I was having these strange dreams. Al was in them. I think, so were you, Dr. Be,...Sam"
"I see. Well, I don't think that's a firing offense. I'm sure Al will forgive you. However, there is something I guess you do need to know, considering these dreams. I don't really know how to say this, so I'll just say it. Al's never told you this. Maybe he should have, maybe I should have, although i don't often remember. The thing is, I lept into your mother's fiance, the night before their wedding. Sammy-Jo, I'm your father."
He waited quietly for the girl's reaction. It came as shock.
"You, you what?! You. You're my...! How could he never tell me. How could you not... no. Al! Al I want to go back!"
Al, listening outsude the imaging chamber quickly came to see to Sammy-Jo.
"Al, take her with you. she's in shock. She knows. Talk to her, I have to go back outside", Sam said quietly, somewhat subdued at Sammy-Jo reaction, but he suposed he couldn't really have expected anything else.
"Al. how, how could you...? I...Sam Beckett, my father! I.."
Al didn't really know how to confort the hystical Sammy-Jo, but he gave it a good try. Pouring her a drink, he sat quietly opposite her in his office until she had regained a little control.
"I'm sorry, I just thought it was better that you didn't know. After all, Sam could never exactly have been there for you. I, we both, only wanted the best for you. God, you're so much like him, Sammy-Jo, it takes my breath away. Not having him here, and then seing you working in the lab, it's almost like having him back here. I should have told you, I wanted to. I guess I just didn't want you do anything else like him. I don't want to lose you too. I care about you a great deal, sammy-Jo."
"You mean leap? You thought I'd leap!? How could you think I'd do something so stupid! We both know Sam Beckett should never have used the accelerator. it wasn't ready, that's why he can't get home. It's still not working properly, so don't worry, Al, I'm not about to make the same mistake he did!"
"Hey, now wait just a minute. I know you're upset, but.."
"Upset," she shouted, interrupting him. She gave a strange strangled laugh.
"Why should I be upset, just because my whole life is complete lie, all thanks to a little experiment that went, in your words, 'a little kaka'?! Now you think I'm about to go off following him, just because you suddenly decide to tell me he's my father. Why should I? Just because he happens to be my biological father - huh, and slept with my mother without her even realising it - she thought he was her fianace, someone she loved adn trusted! So, what's the great Sam Beckett ever done for me, besides the obvious? God, just when I thought my life might be becoming normal. But, no wonder I was never normal, I had to have a time-travelling genius for a father, didn't I!?" She started to storm out of the office.
"Sammy-Jo, wait, don't do this, it's not like that! You're just in shock!"
"The mistake's already been done Al; and not by me!"
Sammy-Jo left the office, leaving Al wondering exactly where he went wrong, and realising that Verbena Beeks, the Project psychologist was probably the only one who could help him - and Sammy-Jo - now.