In loving memory of Dean Stockwell.

Sam stood alone, thinking about how they first formed their unlikely friendship.

**Star Bright**

"You have so much potential." Sam followed the man he'd just seen beating a vending machine. In the short and rather angry conversation he'd had with the man, Sam had quickly realized that something was special about him.

"Bright future, haha. Is that the lie to tell to all the wash-ups?" The man held up the hammer he had been using the beat the vending machine. "I don't like people who lie to me."

"I'm not lying." Sam held his hands up in surrender. "My mother always says I can't lie, I have a horrible poker face."

"Well, your mother must be one hell of a lady if she plays poker with you."

"That's not what I-" Sam held his hand out. "My father says to only speak words that you're willing to shake on. So I'll show you I'm being serious."

"You're a little old to still be hanging on your parents' little fingers, aren't you?" The man rolled his eyes.

Sam kept his hand out. "I really do believe you could go far. You're much smarter than you give yourself credit for. And I promise that I'm not lying. Let's shake on it."

The man chuckled. "I said you were a Boy Scout when I first recommended you be brought onboard and you keep proving me right." He studied Sam for a minute. "Fine. It's not like I have a damn thing to lose anyway." He shook Sam's hand.

Sam smiled. "I know we've been formally introduced, but let's start again on more friendly terms. I'm Sam."

"Al."

**Project Quantum Leap**

"Can you believe it, Al? We're almost ready to make history."

"Yep. I have to admit that I really wasn't sure if you'd actually convince anyone to fund you, but you did it."

Sam clapped Al on the back. "Not just me. I only know the science part. You're the one who knows how to maneuver around the red tape. None of this would have ever happened without you."

Al shrugged. "Let's agree that we each have our own talents. Mine just happens to be just this side of shady."

"Someone has to balance out my boy scout ways." They both laughed.

"I fail to see the humor in that." The feminine voice of the computer interrupted the conversation.

"You would, Ziggy." Al pulled a cigar out of his jacket.

"Ziggy?" Sam looked amused.

"She just sounds like a Ziggy."

"That's a good enough reason, I guess."

Al held up his cigar. "Well, here's to the future. And the past."

"Whether the test run succeeds or fails, here's to us making a difference in the world. If not with The Project, then with whatever is next."

"You sure you want to hang on to a dusty old admiral if this thing fails?"

Sam looked thoughtful. "Might as well. I've kind of grown to like you."

"Gee, thanks," Al laughed. "I guess I'll stick around then since you like me so much."

Sam held out his hand. "I won't leave if you won't. Let's shake on it."

Al shook his hand. "You're stuck with me for life, kid."

** a few years later **

Sam threw a stick as hard as he can. "Why?! Why am I stuck doing this? I want to go home!"

Al flinched as the stick flew through his holographic self. It wasn't very often that Sam got this angry. "Sam, Ziggy told you that there was hardly any chance of you being able to save her. It's not your fault."

"Then what's the point of me flying around through time if I have to watch a child die?"

"You were there for her. She would have died all alone if you weren't here. No child should have to face that alone."

"Well, in my opinion, no child should have to die at all!" Sam hit the tree, then cradled his hand.

"I agree, Sam. But some things we can't change. All we can do is try to help where we can."

Sam tried to massage his throbbing knuckles. "We? I'm the one getting thrown into other people's lives. I don't see you doing anything."

Al hit a button on the handlink to open the door.

"Al, I'm sorry," Sam sighed. "I just can't get her out of my head."

Another press of a button closed the door. "I know, Sam. Everywhere I look I see those innocent eyes."

Sam sat down against the tree. "I really am sorry, Al. You're been here through everything. I just forget sometimes."

Al sat down next to Sam. "Swiss cheese brain will do that to a fella."

"But you don't have a swiss cheese brain. I'll forget that little girl by the next leap. You'll remember."

Al chewed on his cigar. "It's best that way. You can focus on helping whoever needs you at that time. I just need a cigar to make it through."

"You're a good man, Al."

Al rolled his eyes. "You're sappy."

Sam gave a chuckle. "Thanks for always being here for me."

"Aren't we emotional today?"

"Why not? I'll forget all this as soon as I leap. I might as well tell you how great a friend you are while I can."

"Since you won't remember, I might as well tell you how great of a friend you are, too."

"I think we're getting old. This is really mushy."

Al gave him a side glare. "You're getting old, not me. I'm going to live forever out of sheer spite."

"You promise?"

"If I wasn't a hologram, I'd tell you let's shake on it." Al held out his hand.

Sam put his hand up close to Al's. "This is close enough."

** Yesterday **

Sam did his best to figure out who he'd lept into and what he needed to do. It took longer for Al to show up these days. Sam knew better than to comment on the fact that Al usually stayed seated or that he got out of breath easily whenever he did stand. Sometimes Al seemed entirely dependant on the handlink like he was having trouble remembering. But no matter what, he was still there for Sam.

Except that this time he wasn't. Sam kept waiting for the sound of the door opening. He helped a man close a deal, and helped a child cross the street. Sam knew deep down that something was wrong as he lept.

Sam blinked as he landed in someone else's life. Looking around, he quickly figured out that whoever he was, he was somehow involved in the medical field. He was standing in front of a case of medical supplies. He hoped there wasn't anyone whose life was depending on him right now. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be getting something or not. He decided to take the chance and walk around to see if he could figure out who he was.

He had a sense of remembrance as he walked through the hallway. He had definitely been here at some point. He stepped into one of the rooms when he heard footsteps approaching. He wasn't quite ready to face anyone. He needed to at least figure out if he was a man or a woman.

"Welcome home, Dr. Beckett."

Sam froze at the familiar voice. "Ziggy?"

"That is correct, Doctor."

Sam leaned against the door in relief. "I'm home?"

"Not entirely. You have lept into one of the nurses on staff."

A feeling of dread came over Sam. "Why am I here?"

"I believe that God-Time-Fate-Whatever has given you a chance to say goodbye."

"It's Al, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Where is he?"

The computer seemed sad as she answered. "The Admiral is in room 101."

Sam ran out of the room and down the hall, no longer caring if someone saw him. He burst into room 101 and stopped. He had been making himself ignore Al's aging for so long. But looking at his best friend laying in the hospital bed, he couldn't deny it any longer. He walked over to stand by the bed. A quick look at the monitors told Sam all he needed to know. Ziggy was right. He was here to say goodbye.

Sam reached down to hold Al's hand. Al slowly opened his eyes. He closed them again and smiled. "Hey, Sam."

"How'd you know it was me?"

Al coughed weakly. "I've watched you for over thirty years. I'd know you anywhere."

"Has it really been that long?"

"Time flies when you're having fun."

Sam sat beside the bed, never letting go of Al's hand. "I wonder what I look like now."

"An old man, of course." Al grinned. "I, on the other hand, am still a youngster."

"Sure you are," Sam chuckled, trying not to let tears show.

Al turned to look at Sam. "I'm glad you got to be here. I hated that I wasn't going to be able to tell you I was leaving."

"I don't want you to leave."

"Don't worry." Al made an upward motion with his other hand. "I'll still be watching over you from there."

"I'm not ready, Al."

"It'll be okay. I've been training your new Observer. You'll be in good hands. And we both know that angels are real. Maybe I'll show up on one of your leaps." Al winced as he tried to catch his breath.

"You promise you'll keep watch on me?"

Al squeezed his hand. "Let's shake on it."

** Now **

Sam stood beside the empty bed, no longer caring that he was crying.

"Thanks for everything you taught me, Al. I swear I'll never forget you, no matter how swiss cheesed my brain is."

Looking up at the ceiling, Sam prayed. "God, if you don't mind, could you make Al my guardian angel? He's already got years of experience."

Al stood in the corner, looking like his younger self. "He already did, Sam. I'll always be watching over you. I shake on it."