Disclaimer:
A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter took a bit; I lost my internet, so couldn't post it. I'm actually almost done the story; there's only one more chapter after this. I'm happy with the way my first Quantum Leap fic is going; it's been so much fun! I hope you enjoy this chapter; lemme know! ThAnKs!
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"Yeah," Al's voice softened as Sam sat down on an old couch, "It'll go back to the way it was before," Al paused and studied his friends distressed look, "Sam, listen to me. I want you to make sure that Beth gets together with Dirk."
"What?" Sam looked up at Al, "No. I can't make that mistake again. I won't."
"Sam, do you even remember what it was like for the past two years?" Al questioned harshly, "You had no one. Do you really want to go through that again?"
"If it means that you'll have someone, then yes," Sam stated.
Al laughed and turned his back to Sam, "You're something else there Sam."
Sam could tell that the conversation was getting far too emotional for Al, so he decided to stop it, "Listen Al, why don't you go back. I'm going to get some sleep, and then tomorrow I'm having brunch with Beth."
The portal door opened and Al wordlessly stepped in and closed it. Sam smiled to himself as he slowly undressed; Al was his best friend and he'd do anything for him, but Al just didn't seem to understand that.
'If you're lucky, life is going to give you one shot at true love.'
Al's words loured Sam to sleep that night as he enjoyed the first night in over two years in a bed that he could call his own.
…
"Dirk!"
Bang! Bang!
"Dirk, wake up!" the voice was that of a female and Sam struggled to think of a female he knew.
"Dirk, it's me Beth, your Mom sent me over with the truck to pick you up!"
"Beth!" suddenly the memories of the previous day occurred to him, "I-I'm coming!"
Practically falling out of bed, Sam stumbled around the room. The image in the mirror caused him to jump and he put on the first cloths that he could find. It wasn't even five minutes later when he flew to the door and opened it; completely out of breath.
"Hi," Sam gasped, forcing a smile.
"Hi," Beth looked suspiciously at him, "Are you alright?"
"Fine," Sam nodded, "I'm just fine. I was--"
"Sleeping?" Beth giggled, "It's nearly noon. What were you doing up so late?"
"Umm, nothing," Sam closed the door as he stood out on the small porch, "Come on, we can still grab something to eat."
"Alright," Beth said, "I can show you a beautiful place at the corner of Harvest Street. My--" Beth paused, "Husband used to take me there all the time."
Bells rang off in Sam's head and he paused in mid-motion of opening the passenger door for her, "Oh. Well if it's a special place for just your husband and you, I don't want to ruin it."
"Don't be silly Dirk," Beth shook her head, "Al and I dined at this place at least once a week when he was here, but we also went with other people as well."
"Alright," Sam glanced around in a vein hope that Al might be somewhere close by, "If you're sure Al won't mind."
"He won't," Beth shook her head, "Come on."
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up on the side of Harvest Street. Nervously Sam opened Beth's door and she got out; hooking her arm around Sam's. It made Sam scared how comfortable that it felt and his heart pounded with every move; fearing it would be the move to cause him to leap. Before he knew it, they had arrived to their destination at the corner of the street and they stood in front of a large, old brick building with a sign reading 'Silver Table' above it. They walked the two stairs to the double doors and were greeted in the dim lobby by a hostess.
"Hello there Mrs. Calavicci, how are you doing today?" the lady smiled warmly and Sam admired her pristine appearance in a black pleated skirt, a white shirt and red sash.
"Hello Sally," Beth smiled back just as warmly, "I'm doing good. Just for two today."
"Very good," Sally smiled and looked at Sam, "May I take your hat Sir?"
"Uh, yeah," Sam took off his hat and handed it to her, "T-Thank you."
Sally held the hat in her hand and lead them into the main dinning area. It took Sam's breath away as they walked through the area scattered with about a dozen other people chatting quietly while eating. The floor was covered with a dark navy carpet that was accented by a slightly lighter blue coloured wallpaper that was covered with different pieces of Navy nostalgia. There was nearly thirty tables through the room; each covered with a white cloth table cover, and pre-set with red cloth napkins and a vase with flowers to match. Each table seemed to have its own personal light above it, giving a sense of intimacy at any time of the day. Sam spotted a large wishing fountain off in the far right hand corner that made soft sounds of water as an old wooden spinning wheel circulated the water that had been wished upon so many times. The left side of the room held the sitting bar which was furnished with a dozen stools covered in burgundy leather; Sam envisioned the crowd that would gather there in the evenings with their brandy's and cigars. A light jazz music filled the room leaving a pleasant atmosphere to eat a late brunch by.
"Is this seat suitable Mrs. Calavicci?" Sally asked as they finally got to one of the tables near the back.
"This is great Sally, thank you," Beth nodded approvingly and Sam helped her into the seat.
"This place is amazing," Sam said quietly, "It's so classy."
Beth laughed, "Classy? I suppose. I guess I'm just used to it by now."
"Yeah," Sam looked around some more; spotting a picture on the wall of a Navy Officer.
"Your ice water Mrs. Calavicci," just as suddenly as they sat down, another lady; dressed in the same uniform walked over and placed two glasses of ice water on the table, "And menu's."
"Thank you Karen," Beth took a menu, "I'd like you to meet my friend here; Mr. Simon."
"Hello Mr. Simon," Karen did a small curtsey, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Thank you," Sam repeated the words he'd said to Sally.
"Now," Beth started to talk as Karen walked off, "You can order whatever you like. Don't worry about the bill; they know me very well here; Al and I have an account."
"Alright," Sam nodded his head and opened up his menu, staring at the assortment of foods-- every one of them looking good.
"Ohh Sam! You have to the try Eggs Benedict; they're unbelievable!" suddenly Al's voice sounded beside Sam.
"Al!" Sam blurted out, his eyes wide in excitement.
"What was that?" Beth looked at Sam.
"Umm," Sam cleared his throat, "I'll… be right back. I didn't have time to wash up this morning. Order me the Eggs Benedict's."
Beth smiled, "That's what Al always used to order."
"Yeah, I heard it's really good," Sam nodded and got up.
Not quite sure where the bathrooms were, Sam head towards the back of the room. Al was nowhere in sight, so he quickly assumed that his friend was currently waiting in the bathrooms. He quickly got his answer as he spotted his destination through a door just beside the sitting bar.
"Al," Sam grinned widely seeing him standing unreflectively in front of the large mirror, "It's good to see you."
"If you're going to do this mushy stuff every time I come back, I'm going to start wearing bells," Al commented, "Listen Sam, Ziggy says that you have until the end of today to convince Beth either way."
"Ziggy's got more information?" Sam asked, highly interested.
"Sure," Al smacked the hand link a few times, "I gave her a few bribes and she started kicking out information."
Sam smirked, "Al, how can you give a computer a bribe?"
Al raised his eyes brows, "I give fed her some downloads of last years firemen calender and she--"
"Alright, alright," Sam shook his head, not wanting to hear anymore, "Just tell me what she told you."
"Well," Al stared intently down at the hand link, "According to what she's brought up, and… well-- what I remember, I went MIA in Vietnam, then, on November 28th, 1969 she married you-- err-- Dirk Simon. But the thing that throws her over the edge happened," again Al smacked the hand link; cussing to himself quietly as he did so, "--happened this last weekend, on the eleventh. Three people who were listed MIA over seas were found," Al sighed, "Dead. Beth was really distraught over that, and used Dirk as a comfort tool. They fell in love, got married, and-- well, we all know the rest."
"Ask Ziggy what will happened if I make sure they don't get together," Sam questioned.
Al waited a few moments, "There's a 97.5 percent chance that you'll leap out of here. But… the same thing will happen as before where you'll leap as yourself and will sort of be lost in the universe. I'll have never met you, Star Bright will have never happened, and Project Quantum Leap will never have been thought of."
"And--" Sam took a deep breath, "And if I make sure they do get together?"
"Uhh--" Al paused, "92.5 percent you'll leap. But you'll go just like you used to, and I'll still be around."
"But you won't have Beth," Sam spoke slowly.
"Sam, I don't care," Al shook his head stubbornly, "I have Tina right now. Tina is--"
"Tina has been with pretty much everyone but Ziggy," Sam frowned, "Al, you said so yourself that a person only gets one true chance at love."
"A person only gets one chance to have a best friend like you too," Al's voice bore that of a person who had seen heartbreak far too often, "And even though I won't even have known you otherwise, I know you now. And I don't want to loose you."
"But there's no way," Sam turned into the mirror and stared at the reflection; frustration overwhelming him, "How can we have it both ways?"
"We can't Sammy," Al spoke softly, "You have to do it. Make sure she gets together with Dirk. Don't go back to the way it was."
"Al," Sam took a deep breath, "I can't do that to you. Not again."
Without another word, Sam walked out of the bathroom door and back into the dinning area. His mind was running away with idea's of how he could possibly figure out a way to make everyone happy, and before Sam knew it, brunch was over.
"Did you have a good time?" Beth asked as they made their way back to the truck.
"Y-Yeah," Sam nodded.
Beth frowned, "You seemed a little distracted. Is there anything wrong?"
"No," Sam opened up the passenger side door, and yet Beth remained standing outside it.
"I remember," a far away look came to Beth's face as she spoke, "With Al… whenever one of us was upset about something, the other one would leave a note for them to read. One that would say how much we loved each other and that everything would be ok as long as we had each other."
Select tears rolled down Beth's cheeks.
"Notes?" Sam's breath caught in his throat.
"Yes," Beth nodded.
A large grin came to Sam's face, "Beth, will you join me for dinner tonight? There's something very important I have to talk to you about."
Beth reached inside her hand purse and took out a tissue to dab at her eyes with, "Of course I will."
'It has to work!' were Sam's last thoughts as he helped Beth into the vehicle and took off down the street.
To Be Continued...
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A/N: So there it was! Sam knows what he's going to do, but will it work? What do you think so far? What do you think it is that Sam is going to do? lol, it's not too hard to figure out! You've read, now review! ThAnKs!