Hey everyone! This is my first Quantum Leap story and I'm so excited, especially since I have at least half a dozen stories planned for this series. I don't know what to call this series yet, so ideas are welcomed. This is my way of bringing Sam home but keeping the leaping stories going. Quantum Leap was like the first show that I really fell in love with, and I hope you guys go easy on me. I'm not a professional writer, but I have 7 stories for the Psych fandom posted, so my writing is slowly getting better. I would love a beta reader, but I'm too impatient for one.
DISCLAIMER: The main character is someone that I've made up so she belongs to me as well as a few minor characters. But, sadly, I'm not associated with QL in any way, shape, or form and therefore do not own anyone you recognize. Most of the plot ideas I came up with myself, so I apologize if it sounds like another plot line, I'm not trying to steal anything.
Alright, so details: I'm going with the facts that Sam first stepped into the accelerator in 1995; the episode "The Leap Back" happened in 1999; the trilogy episodes happened in 1999 project time; and that Mirror Image did happen, but then Sam kept leaping with Al's help. Basically, spoilers for the entire series and I will try to keep my facts straight.
I'm making Laura biracial, but there's no good point to address it, so I'm just going to say it here. She has a white, southern mother and black father from Chicago. Her father died when she was 6, so she has more of an southern accent. I'm from Ohio so please excuse me if Laura or her mother don't sound southern.
I am not an expert in any field, so if I get something wrong, please be nice. I try to do as much research as I can.
Alright, enough rambling. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
May, 2010
"LAURA MARIE JACKSON! What the hell do you think you are doing?"
Laura sighed as the voice boomed through her living quarters. Throwing her robe on, she went out to meet her visitor. "Hey Mama."
"Don't you 'hey Mama' me!" Her mother growled as she got right in her daughter's face. "You better explain yourself right this instant or so help me, I will ground you for the next month!"
"You can't ground me Mama, I'm 21." Laura walked around her to sit on the sofa.
Not easily dissuaded, her mother stood in front of Laura and crossed her arms. "I can get you restricted access to the rest of the complex, especially if I let the Admiral know what you were planning. Now explain yourself!"
Sighing, Laura opened her robe to reveal the skin-tight Fermi suit. "Is there really much to explain? I'm going to leap."
"No! It's too dangerous, I won't let you!"
Standing up, Laura put her hands on her mother's shoulders. "You can't stop me. I've made my choice."
Shaking her head, her mother brushed back Laura's hair. "Why? You've got your whole life ahead of you."
"I made my choice 11 years ago mama."
"What?! You decided when you were 10? Why would you decide that at such a young age? Don't you see how much trouble and stress it causes the loved ones?"
"But Mama! I'm doing this for Dr. Beckett, Dr. Donna, Uncle Al, John." Shrugging her shoulders, Laura smiled. "And for you."
Her mother looked at her suspiciously, "Me? Why me?"
"Because I love you mama, I've had 21 wonderful years with you." Laura took her mother's hand and stared at the ring. "But I know what it's like to grow up without a father. You need to get to know yours before it's too late."
"Wh-what are you talking about?" She asked nervously.
Laura smiled. "I know all about Dr Beckett leaping into Grandma Abby's fiancé and Great Grandpa Clayton. I overheard Uncle Al discussing with Dr Verbena whether or not they should tell you after those three leaps 11 years ago. "
"And you kept that knowledge to yourself for all these years?"
"Well, I've discussed it with Ziggy, but no one else."
Sammy Jo crossed her arms and walked to the other side of the room. "I still don't think that you should leap. You don't know what it's like. It's dangerous for Sam, think of how much harder it'll be for you."
"I know the risks! I've been preparing for this for 11 years! I've been training both physically and mentally. I graduated from high school at 15 because I knew it would be easier to learn at college. Why do you think I took all those extra classes at school or why I never declared an official major at college until my 5th year! And I ended up with three degrees. I was determined to learn as much as I could. Mama, I can do this! Please believe in me!"
Sammy Jo finally turned around. "Can't you at least wait until this current leap is over? Sam's in a very serious situation and you leaping in might make it worse."
"But Mama, he's critically injured right now! He might not make it through this leap! I have to do it in the next 12 hours or Dr. Beckett's chances of survival will drop below 5%. Don't you understand? It's now or never."
Ziggy decided to chime in, "Excuse me Dr Fuller, Miss Jackson. Dr Beckett's chances of survival, if nothing changes, is currently at 16% and will fall below 10% within the next 6 hours."
Sammy Jo shook her head. "I don't care, Ziggy! I still don't want Laura to go!"
"Mama, stop thinking about me or you for one minute!" Laura sighed as she started pacing. "What about Dr. Donna? She hasn't seen Dr. Beckett since they conceived Johnny. And Johnny's almost 10 and all he knows about his father is what others have told him. Uncle Al is starting to have health problems, he already had a stress induced arrhythmia last year. Who can say how long until something else happens? Dr. Beckett's siblings and mother haven't seen him in over 15 years and Thelma Beckett ain't no spring chicken. I'm thinking about them. And maybe with him home, you guys can finally fix the retrieval program." Laura stop in front of her mother with tears in her eyes. "Please Mama, I'll do it with or without your blessing, but it'll make me feel better to know that you support me."
Sammy Jo studied Laura before pulling her into a tight embrace. When they finally pulled apart, Sammy Jo brushed the tears off her daughters face before speaking, "Ziggy?"
"Yes, Doctor Fuller?"
"Prep the accelerator chamber and set the coordinates." Seeing Laura's face light up, Sammy Jo smiled as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "Please come back to me, baby."
"I will Mama, I promise." Laura hugged her mother one more time before sprinting out the door.
Looking down at her ring, Sammy Jo whispered, "Oh Mike, look at what a strong, smart young women our little girl turned out to be. I wish that you were here to see it."
Drying her tears, Sammy Jo called, "Ziggy, please inform Al and Donna that they are needed in Control as well as the medics. And make sure that Verbena is monitoring the visitor."
"Of course, Doctor Fuller."
Twisting her wedding ring, Sammy Jo left her daughter's living quarters and made her way to the control room.
When she arrived, Laura was doing final adjustments with Tina and Ziggy. Taking a deep breath, Sammy Jo joined them, giving a nod at Tina's worried expression.
Once everything was ready, Laura stopped in front of the accelerator. Before she went inside, she looked at her mother one more time, giving her a smile. Blowing her daughter a kiss, Sammy Jo started up the accelerator as Laura stepped inside.
The lights dimmed briefly as the system started up, making a strange noise only heard 3 times in almost 20 years of operation.
As Tina was doing the countdown, Al and Donna finally appeared. "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!" Al shouted as he surveyed the room.
"Activating," Sammy Jo simply said as she placed her hand on the console.
"Activating? Activating what?!" Ignoring Al, Sammy Jo continued to monitor the screens. "Who's leaping? Who the hell is stupid enough to leap?"
Closing her eyes, Sammy Jo felt three pairs of eyes land on her.
"Doctor Beckett's signal has been lost." Ziggy announced to the quiet room.
Looking at Al, Sammy Jo whispered, "Laura leaped," as a tear slipped down her face.
"What?" Al asked as Ziggy rang out, "A body has appeared in the accelerator chamber."
Watching them rush to the door, Sammy Jo backed up to a wall and slid down, letting her tears flow freely.