The three women sat in a corner booth in the cafe, Sam and Janet facing Anna.
Sam reached over the table, and put her hand gently over Anna's. "This is complicated," she began, in a soft voice. "I mean, real complicated. I'm going try and tell you the shortened version. You're probably gonna think I'm nuts, but if you try and keep an open mind, it'll help."
Anna nodded, and looked up as three coffees were delivered to the table. She smiled, "thanks Mario," she said, and wrapped her hands round the warm mug.
"Do you know anything about alternate timelines?" Sam asked her.
Anna shook her head. "No," she said, "that means nothing to me."
"Okay, then," Sam took a deep breath. "It's similar in a way to the idea of alternate realities, which are different versions of the lives we know; scientists posit that, for every decision we make, there's an alternate version of us that has made the opposite decision, and an alternate reality to go with that decision. Alternate timelines are similar. I'm in one now; the life I knew up until a few months ago was different. I had a different job, an adopted daughter - Cassie - and my relationship with Janet was different. In some ways, that is. In other ways, it was exactly the same. It's just circumstances that were different."
Anna looked disbelievingly at Sam. "That's crazy," she said, shaking her head.
"It's not," Janet said quietly. "It sounds crazy, but it's not. In this timeline, which was altered by somebody going back in time and changing something important from history, I wasn't with Sam any longer. My version of Sam," her voice shook at the memory, "died in a space shuttle accident just over three years ago."
"Oh my God," Anna gasped. "You're her!" she looked at Sam. "You're that astronaut. How the hell did that happen?"
"It's like Janet said," Sam said, "history was changed. And I'm not gonna go in to how I came to move to this reality, that's just too complex right now. But you have to know that I did. And as soon as I reasonably could, I searched out Janet and she," Sam took Janet's hand, "she made me the happiest woman in the world by letting me into her life. My life is worth living again, thanks to her. But one thing is missing, my daughter - our daughter - Cassandra. She's never been a part of Janet's timeline, so I'm trying everything I can to track her down. And in my timeline, Cassie was with you Anna. In fact, the week before everything changed for me, you had just asked her to marry you."
Anna flinched at this information.
"Are you okay?" Janet asked her. "We don't want to upset you with all this."
Anna swallowed. "I'm fine," she whispered. "I just don't know what my girlfriend would have to say about that."
"Your girlfriend?" Janet asked.
"Yeah," Anna replied, though she didn't look happy at the turn the conversation had taken. "We had split up before I went to Japan. I went to Japan..."
"... for four months, to teach," Sam finished her sentence for her.
Anna looked at her, amazed. "Yeah," she said. "We weren't together when I left. We were.. fighting.. quite a lot. But then she came out half way through my time out there, and she was so kind and so sweet, and so loving. We've been back together ever since."
"Tina?" Sam asked gently.
Anna nodded. "Either what you're saying is all true," she said, "or there's some other reason you know all that about me."
Sam took her hand again. "But that wouldn't account for the fact that you recognized Janet. Or for your dreams about Cassie," she said gently. "I know I sound like I'm nuts, but it's true. Really it is."
Anna swallowed. "So what is it you want from me? How can I help you?"
Sam shook her head. "I don't really know," she said. "I guess I was hoping that, somehow, you and Cass had got together. That we'd find Cassie here. I knew it was unlikely, but it was worth a try. I love her so much, you see. And you too, you fitted into the family perfectly."
She saw the anguish on Anna's face. "I'm sorry," she said, "I'm not trying to upset you, I know you're with Tina instead. And I hope you're happy," she took a chance here, "but looking at you, I'm worried that you're not."
Anna opened her mouth to object.
"I'm sorry," Sam said again, "it's none of my business, I know that. It's just hard, you know? In my timeline, Tina treated you badly. Very badly. But it could all be different here. Just promise me one thing, will you?"
Anna looked at her, and Sam couldn't fail to see the fear in her eyes.
"Call if you need me," Sam handed her a card. "That's got my cell number on it. Janet and I plan to stay in London for the rest of the week, but even after that, you can call. Any time at all."
"It says 'Beth Porter' on this," Anna said.
"Yeah," Sam said, "That's my 'new' name; I can't call myself Sam Carter any more. Only Janet knows me as Sam. And you, now, of course."
"Just one question," Anna asked. "How come I've got memories, or images, or whatever it is, of a timeline I've never experienced?"
Sam shook her head. "I really don't know," she admitted. "Near as I can tell, this timeline's bleeding into my timeline, or the other way round. Just in a couple of ways. Janet's mom was the same."
"But Janet isn't?" Anna asked. "How come she didn't recognize me?"
"I have no idea," Sam said, "I'll be honest, I don't really understand most of this. But I do know, if Cassie does exist in this timeline, I have to find her."
Anna nodded, and pocketed the card. "I've got to go," her voice was husky with emotion. "Tina's meeting me for lunch. She gets mad if I'm late."
"Can we come see you tomorrow?" Janet asked. She knew how much this quest meant to Sam. Even if Anna couldn't help, she felt that Sam wanted to get to know her better. And the girl looked unhappy, maybe they could help her?
Anna shook her head. "I'll call," she promised, "I'll tell you when and where we can meet again," she looked slightly scared. "I swear, I'll call you some time tomorrow. Tina's going away tomorrow afternoon for a couple of days, so I'll see you after she's gone. She likes to spend all her spare time with me. She loves me," her tone became defensive. "She doesn't like me to be away from her."
"Okay," Janet's tone was gentle. "We'll wait to hear from you then."
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Sam and Janet left the coffee shop deep in thought. Janet slipped her hand through Sam's, as they made their way down the street. "Are you okay, baby?" Janet asked.
Sam nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay," she insisted, but her voice was wavering. "It's just... I had so hoped Cassie was there."
"I know, honey," Janet said softly, "I know. We'll find her, if she exists in this timeline, we'll find her."
"Anna looked sad, didn't she?" Sam asked, "I wish we could just drag her away from that Tina."
"I know, Sam," Janet replied, "but we can't, you know that. She has to make up her own mind. We can't make that decision for her."
"I know that," Sam's tone was miserable. "It's just awful to see."
"We can stay longer than a week," Janet suggested, "we'll get through to her, I'm sure. Hey look," Janet pointed across the street. "A sightseeing bus! What about it, hon? Shall we be real tourists? Let's get on it, shall we? And then we can go back to the hotel for a nap before dinner."
Sam smiled. "Yeah, why not?" she agreed, "I think that'd be good."
"And we can dress up for dinner," Janet grinned, "I need to see you in that new dress you bought for the trip. You've been so secretive about it, I wanna know what all the fuss is about."
Sam smiled at that; she had bought the expensive dress on a whim while out shopping when Janet was at work. She knew it emphasized all her best parts, and it was very similar to one she used to have, that drove her 'old' Janet crazy. "Okay, sweetie," she said, "just promise me that you'll wear the silk shirt."
"That's a deal," Janet said.
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They returned to the hotel four hours later, tired but exhilarated. They had enjoyed their 'whistle-stop' tour of the capital, and saw many things they expected, plus quite a few things they knew nothing about. They agreed that, once everything was settled, they would come back for a few weeks and really get to know the city that had meant so much to Cassie. But the weather had suddenly turned cold, so they were pleased to make it back to the hotel, just as the sleet started.
Janet sat heavily on the couch in their suite. They had booked a suite at the hotel, with two bedrooms and a small living room. They didn't care what everybody thought of them sharing a bed, but just in case the authorities were keeping tabs on Sam, they wanted to pretend she and Janet were just friends. In 'her' timeline, Sam's relationship with Janet was well-known, by everybody that mattered, but she had had no hint that in this timeline anyone knew she was gay. It was nobody's business, she reasoned, but more to the point, she didn't want the authorities delving too deep in case they found out Janet's connection to the astronaut Sam.
Janet looked up at Sam, and smiled wearily. "I think I'm gonna take a nap before we go to dinner," she said, "how about you? You look all-in."
She was right, Sam was exhausted. The emotion of the morning was taking its toll. "Yeah," she smiled affectionately at her lover. "We need to be at our best tonight, don't we? It's going to be a special evening, I've just got that feeling."
"It sure will, honey," Janet said, "especially if that dress lives up to its reputation."
"Oh I don't think you'll be disappointed," Sam grinned. "Leastways, I hope not. I bought it just for you."
"Can't wait!" Janet replied. "Now c'mere," and she pulled Sam to the bed, where the taller woman kicked off her shoes and lay down next to Janet. Janet snuggled up to Sam, and pulled the quilt over both of them. "You okay, hon?" Janet asked.
"Never better," Sam said, drowsily, "sleep well baby."
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Janet awoke at 1900hrs, to find the bed empty and cold next to her. She sat up groggily, and it was only when she heard the shower running in the bathroom that she realized where Sam had got to.
Janet was waiting with a warm towel as Sam exited the shower, and she wrapped the soft fabric round her. "Hey," Sam smiled, "that's got to be the best way to leave a shower!"
Janet kissed her softly on the cheek. "I was tempted to join you, hon, but we don't have much time, our table's booked for 7.30pm. And showering with you always takes such a looooong time."
Sam grinned. "I'll go get dressed, Jan," she said, "you can take a nice quick shower, I swear not to interrupt you."
Janet showered swiftly, and when she returned to their bedroom, wrapped in a towel, Sam was nowhere to be seen. "Sam?" she called, "where are you?"
"In here," Sam called back, laughter in her voice, "I'm in the other bedroom. No peeking until I'm ready."
Janet pouted, and then laughed at herself, realizing that Sam hadn't seen the pout, so there had been no point. "I suppose you've got the hairdryer in there too, huh?" mock-exasperation in her voice.
"Yup!" Sam was laughing too. "I'll be finished with it in a few minutes."
"I'll come get it then?" Janet thought she could trick her way into the room.
"Oh no," Sam said, "I'll leave it outside the door. You're not coming in here until I'm good and ready."
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Twenty minutes later, both women were dressed and ready. "C'mon," Janet nagged, tapping on the door of the other bedroom. "You must be ready by now."
The door handle turned, and Janet gasped as Sam opened the door. She was wearing a low-cut, blue slinky dress that clung to her in all the right places, emphasizing the curves that she so often hid under jeans and sweaters; her shoulders, which she knew could drive Janet wild, were bare, though she carried a wrap to cover herself on the way to the restaurant downstairs in the hotel. Her long, blonde hair curled enticingly round her neck and shoulders, and her jewelry was elegant and complemented her outfit perfectly.
Janet gasped; she had never seen Sam looking so hot. "Oh my God," she whispered. "Sam, you're just stunning."
Sam grinned, the goofy, embarrassed grin she always wore when Janet complimented her. "You're looking pretty hot yourself," she replied, her voice husky. As promised, Janet was wearing her sheer silk blouse over smart black pants, and as Sam had hoped, she had undone the top two buttons, so Sam could glimpse the soft curve of her breasts.
"That's probably because the temperature here has suddenly gone up ten degrees!" Janet was only half joking. "How about we skip dinner, go straight to 'dessert'?" she suggested saucily.
"Oh no," Sam admonished, "I didn't get all dressed up just to stay in our suite. Anyway," she said firmly, "I'm hungry."
She didn't mention that Janet, too, should eat. She was still underweight, even though she had gained a couple of pounds back since she and Sam had hooked up again. Sam had sworn to herself that she wouldn't nag Janet about the weight she had lost, but there was also no way she would countenance allowing her to skip a meal.
Janet swallowed. "Okay, then," she agreed, "let's hit the dining room. Though every eye in the room's gonna be on you, honey."
Sam grinned. "On both of us," she said. "And they can look if they want, but they can't touch."
Janet reached up and kissed Sam. "I love you baby," she said, her voice cracking. "So much."
"Back at ya," Sam unconsciously mimicked O'Neill.
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After dessert, Janet reached over and put her hand over Sam's. "We don't have to stay for coffee, do we?" she pleaded. Sam had enjoyed teasing her lover all through dinner, and Janet knew that she would just burst if she didn't get her hands on her soon.
Sam grinned. "I guess not," she twinkled, "if we get desperate for caffeine, we can always call room service, can't we?"
The look of relief on Janet's face was palpable, and Sam laughed out loud. She leaned over and whispered in her ear, "race you to the elevator!"
Janet was on her feet before Sam had finished her sentence, and somehow managed to get to the elevator in double-quick time, without looking as though she was hurrying and making their plans obvious to the other diners. Sam was still collecting her purse and wrap, so she was a few moments behind Janet. "Never kid a kidder," Janet grinned triumphantly.
The two women held hands as they waited for the elevator to arrive, and were delighted that they were the only passengers in it when it came. As the doors slid shut, Janet pulled Sam to her. "All mine," she said, "all mine."
Sam looked deep into her eyes. "I've always been yours, Jan," she said in a serious voice, "and I always will be. Whatever timeline we're in, whatever happens, I'll always be yours." She kissed Janet passionately, eliciting a whimper of pleasure from her smaller lover.
"Oh God," Janet said, "I don't think I can wait. Why is this damned elevator taking so long?"
"Just a few more minutes," Sam's voice was breathy, and Janet could tell she was as desperate as she was to get to the privacy of their bedroom. "Just hang on a bit longer, baby."
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Several hours later, Sam and Janet lay tightly entwined in each others' arms. "I think that was the best ever," Janet said, tears in her eyes.
"Hey, baby, are you okay?" Sam was concerned at Janet's sudden tearfulness.
Janet nodded, "I'm okay," she said, her voice cracking, "I've just missed... that... so much. Being back with you these last few weeks has been incredible. I never imagined I could be this happy again."
Sam embraced her tightly. "I know, Jan, you were on your own for over three years. I can't begin to imagine what that was like for you. In my timeline, just being apart for a few weeks at a time for the last year has been awful. But at least I could talk to you, that version of you, on the email every day, and we made sure we saw each other as often as possible. But to be ... well, widowed. I don't know how you coped, honey."
"Badly," Janet admitted. "It was awful. If it weren't for Mom, I'd have had nothing at all. She kept telling me it would get better, but I didn't believe her. My world just stopped after the accident. And I know you're not the same Sam, not exactly. She's still dead, and I'll always miss her. But there's so much of you that is the same."
"We are the same people," Sam said gently, "we've just had different experiences. Just like you are the same Janet."
"Just swear to me we'll always be together, Sam," Janet knew Sam couldn't promise that, any more than she could.
"Whatever happens, Jan," Sam said, "finding you, being with you, will always be my top priority."
"Followed by finding Cassie," Janet added quietly.
"Yeah," Sam agreed sadly. "That's next on the list. I love her so much Jan, and you will too, the 'you' from my timeline is an amazing Mom. I will find her," she said, determinedly, "I will."
"*We* will, Sam," Janet picked up her hand and kissed it softly, "we'll find her together."
"You're amazing, Janet," Sam said gratefully, "you've not even met Cassie."
"You love her Sam, that's good enough for me," Janet said. "Wanna take a shower baby? We're all sweaty."
Sam grinned bashfully. "Yeah," she agreed, "we are aren't we?"
They took a long, leisurely shower together and then, because it was a cold night, put on their pajamas before heading back to bed. They snuggled up tightly, and drifted off to sleep.
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It was 0445hrs when Sam's cellphone rang. "Yeah?" she answered, panic coursing through her veins. Who would be calling at this time?
"You did say any time," Anna's voice shook.
"And I meant it. Are you okay Anna?" Sam wondered what could have happened.
"Yeah," Anna said vaguely. "No. No, I'm not."
"What is it Anna?" Sam asked in a gentle voice.
Janet sat up at these words. "Is she okay?" she mouthed at Sam. Sam shook her head, concern clear in her deep blue eyes.
"We had a fight," Anna replied. " She threw me out."
"Where are you?" Sam demanded, "I'll come get you."
"Outside your hotel," Anna sounded disoriented. "I remembered where you were staying."
"But it's freezing!" Sam exclaimed. "I'm coming down. Get into the lobby, I'll meet you there."
She leapt off the bed, and snatched her robe from the back of the door where it was hanging. "Back in a moment," she called to Janet, as she set off at a sprint. She knew the elevator would take too long to arrive, so she ran six flights, barefooted, down the stairwell. Anna was standing in the corner of the lobby, soaked to the skin, and almost blue with cold. Sam ran over to her, took off her robe and wrapped it round the girl's shoulders. She wasn't even shaking, which Sam knew was a bad sign. Wordlessly, she guided her to the elevator, one arm round her waist, the other holding her hand. She was afraid Anna would pass out before they got to the hotel suite, but somehow the girl stayed on her feet. Janet was waiting anxiously at the door.
"Early stages of hypothermia, I think," Sam said in a quiet voice.
Janet nodded. She wasn't surprised; Anna was wearing only a thin shirt and cotton pants, she could see from the hotel window that the sleet was driving hard, and she knew that the temperature must be below freezing. Their hotel was at least half an hour's walk from Covent Garden, where Anna lived with Tina. And the girl was clearly in shock from whatever had happened. "Run the tub," Janet said softly to Sam, "not too hot. We've got to get her warm," and she helped Anna to sit on the bed.
Sam returned from the bathroom with a pile of towels, and between them, they helped Anna out of her sodden clothes. Janet tried not to gasp when she saw a large dark bruise on Anna's side, but she couldn't stop herself from exclaiming when she saw the angry raised red and blue marks on her left wrist. "Oh my God," she whispered to Sam, "these look like fingermarks." Janet gently examined the joint, taking care not to cause Anna any more pain. "It's not broken," Janet said, "just badly bruised. I'll strap it later."
Sam nodded grimly. "You're okay now," she said softly to Anna. "We're gonna take care of you. It'll be okay."
At this, Anna started to weep. She had also started to shake, a good sign, as it meant that at last her body was trying to fight off the cold. Sam and Janet helped her into the tub, taking care not to exacerbate her injuries.
After half an hour in the tub, Anna had warmed up greatly, though her face was frighteningly white and she was struggling to keep awake. "Time to get out, I think," Janet said, tenderly, and between them she and Sam almost lifted her out and set her on the toilet. Anna seemed incapable of independent movement, so they dried her off, and dressed her in one of Sam's long, brush cotton shirts. Sam also found a warm pair of socks, which she put on her while Janet strapped her injured wrist.
"Think you can stand?" Sam asked Anna. Anna nodded, and got shakily to her feet. She swayed alarmingly, and Sam only just caught her in time before she slid to the floor. Between them, she and Janet carried her to the bed in the other room.
"M'sorry," Anna mumbled, "jus' tired. So tired."
"That's okay," Janet told her, "you've been through a terrible ordeal. D'you think you can tell us what happened?" her voice was gentle and caring.
"No," Anna said, "need to sleep. Tomorrow."
"Okay, sweetheart," Janet ran her hand tenderly through her hair. "You sleep. We'll stay with you. You're safe now. Everything's gonna be alright."
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"We should really call the police," Sam said grimly, once Anna had fallen to sleep.
"I know," Janet agreed sadly, "but so often they won't prosecute, not unless there are witnesses. And I'm not sure Anna's strong enough, mentally, to cope with all that right now."
"We'll talk to her in the morning," Sam agreed. "Whatever happens, Tina's not getting away with this."
Janet nodded. She put her hand on Sam's arm. "Just promise me you won't do anything crazy, Sam," her voice was determined.
"I won't, Jan, I swear," Sam said, "Tina isn't worth it. But I will make sure she knows there are some things you just can't do, and hurting Anna is one of those."
Janet hugged Sam tightly.