Disclaimer: If these were mine, would I really be posting it on this website?
A/N: Yay! It's the last chapter. Ok, so this is kind of a sad occassion. I had a lot of fun writing this story, and was actually surprised when I found myself writing a Quantum Leap fanfic. This chapter wraps it up nicely, though I did put a few little 'facts' in which I highly doubt are true at all. Just ignore them, or smile, and realize this is an AU. Haha, well, here it is; the last chapter. I hope you all enjoy it! Read and Review! ThAnKs!
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"Sam, what are you doing?" Al asked sternly from beside Sam; who sat at a small desk writing furiously.
"What do you mean?" Sam asked, not tearing his eyes away from the paper.
"I mean the date you have with Beth," Al stated, "You should be there by now. You have to make sure she falls for Dirk, and she's a real stickle about time."
"I know Al, I'm almost done," Sam said, and sure enough, finished writing.
"What are you writing?" Al questioned, "A love letter?"
"Not quite," Sam grinned, "You'll find out though."
"What are you talking about?" Al tried unsuccessfully to see what was written on the paper.
"You'll see eventually," Sam laughed and quickly folded up the paper, "Are you going to be at the Silver Table for the dinner?"
"Of course," Al's voice became soft, "I want to say good-bye to her."
A half hour later, Sam still hadn't lost the grin on his face as he was seated at the table which Beth sat at; dressed in a beautiful red dress and white shawl. Sam was startled to see Al standing beside her, his white Navel Uniform on with all the decorations.
"Hi Beth," Sam smiled and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"Very good Sam," Al encouraged, "Don't go on too strong; she-she doesn't like that."
"How are you doing?" Sam continued on; ignoring Al.
"I'm doing good," Beth returned the grin, "I was worried about you this morning."
"There was nothing to be worried about," Sam shook his head, "I had a problem, and I needed to figure out an answer to it."
"And did you?" Beth questioned.
Sam took out the piece of paper, "I did."
"The note?" Al looked suspiciously at Sam and took a step towards him, "Sam, what did you write on that piece of paper?"
"Now Beth, I have something that I want to tell you, but you have to believe me," Sam began, "Alright?"
"Someone told me that once before," Beth's voice became soft suddenly and distant.
"I know," Sam nodded, "But before I can tell you, you have to make me a promise."
"What?" Beth's eyes shone with unshed tears at the direction her heart knew the conversation was going.
"The letter," Sam placed the neatly folded piece of paper in Beth's hand, and then placed his own, soft hand overtop of hers, "This letter is very important--"
"Sam, I don't like this," Al swallowed hard.
Sam did his best to ignore Al as he continued on, "This letter is to your husband. To Al," Sam heard his best friend gasp slightly from beside him, "And you have to keep this letter, and make sure that Al reads it. And whatever you do, never let him forget it."
"Sam, what are you doing!" Al screamed from beside Sam.
"Al…" tears clearly came down Beth's face now as she held the paper in her hand.
"That's the thing that I wanted to tell you," Sam swallowed hard, praying his plan would work, "Al is still alive Beth. He will be coming home to you. I promise you that."
Beth's hands moved to her face, and a quiet sob escaped from her mouth.
"Sam, what the hell did you do!" Al cried out.
Sam stared at Al a moment as Beth continued to cry to herself in the seat across from him, "Don't forget the letter Al…"
…
Something was wrong!
The noises were so loud and indistinct. Sam knew that there was words being spoken, but he just couldn't understand them. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw nothing but a reflective blue.
"The letter…" Sam's voice mumbled out as the memories of his last leap occurred to him, "Did it work?"
His head spun and pounded and the distinct feeling of wanting to vomit enveloped Sam, causing him to have to close his eyes again; remaining in a half hunched over position on the cool ground. He remembered giving the letter to Beth then looking at Al and then…
Did he leap?
Yes, of course he did. Sam was sure he'd leaped; he'd recognize the feeling anywhere. But something was different this time. He didn't feel like this when he'd leap usually. And the noise! The noise was so loud.
"Ziggy, tell me what the hell is going on!" suddenly the loud, angry shout of Al could be heard as Sam heard a chamber door opening.
"Al…" Sam mumbled; hardly loud enough for his own ears over the siren which wailed.
'It appears that Dr. Beckett is no longer leaping.'
'Ziggy!' Sam's mind screamed out at the familiar voice, 'Why can I hear her!'
"Then who the hell is in here?" Al yelled; seemingly completely oblivious to the fact that Sam was now awake, "And would you turn that damn siren off!"
"Al?" slowly new memories immerged within Sam's brain, "Al… where am I?"
Suddenly everything was quiet as the wailing siren stopped and Al's ranting cessed. Sam's head still spun viciously as he forced his eyes open to look towards the door. Al stood just a few feet in, wearing vibrant red pants and a yellow shirt. He held the hand-link and was looking wide-eyed towards Sam.
"Ziggy, whose is in the waiting room?" Al called out, and yet didn't loose eye contact with Sam.
Sam's heart lurched into his throat for a moment in fear that maybe he'd stumbled into some alternate universe where his best friend had no idea who he was. That thought quickly left his mind, however, when he remembered that whoever was in the waiting room at Project Quantum Leap looked like him; Sam Beckett. That in turn lead to another, heart lurching thought.
"I'm home," Sam's voice was hoarse and quiet, "I-It worked."
"What did you say?" Al took a suspicious step forward.
Memories that Sam didn't even know he had washed through his head and he looked up at Al from his position on the floor, "W-Who's Alexandria?"
"How the hell do you know my daughter?" anger flashed through Al's eyes as he yelled again, "Ziggy! Who the hell is in the waiting room, and where the hell is Sam!"
'I believe, Admiral Calavicci, that you will get both of your answers from in front of you.'
Al groaned and smacked the side of his hand-link, "Enough of the damn riddles!"
'There is a 99.8 percent chance, Admiral, that the man crouching before you is Dr. Samuel Beckett.'
Sam's eyes widened as he forced himself to his feet, "It worked," tears slowly crept down his face, "My God… it worked."
"Sam?" Al looked at the hand-link to verify that the man was, in fact, his best friend.
Sam grinned widely and made a large sniffling sound, "Hi Al."
Al's hand flew up to his face to cover his gapping mouth. Any formality training he had learned; any training in keeping his emotions in tact, now left him as he took a large step forwards. All the times he'd come into the waiting room and saw Sam Beckett there, he knew it wasn't really him. He knew that his best friend was off somewhere in time making right which once went wrong. But now. The person that he saw was really him.
"Sam--" Al choked on his words.
Silently Sam took a step forward to meet him. He put his hands out hesitantly, fully expecting the man he'd seen so many times to continue to be a hologram. For all of this to be some evil trick from God. Finally the moment came and Sam's hand brushed up against Al's light cotton shirt.
"Al," Sam laughed.
Seconds later he had his arms wrapped tightly around the Admiral, letting the tears of joy, love and relief wash down his face. Al returned the hug with tremendous force; the hand-link lighting up in his hand as he held his friend in his arms for the first time in so many years. All too soon they broke apart and Sam half collapsed onto the small table in the centre of the room.
"Sam--" Al tried feebly to wipe his own tears from his face, "Sam, are you ok?"
"I-I'm home," Sam breathed deeply, "I finally made it home."
The distinct role of Project Observer and keeper of Sam took over Al, "Alright Sam, we need to get you to see Doctor Laura. She needs to look over you."
"Why?" Sam's mind was still fuzzy as his memories swished and bounced around in his head, "What's wrong?"
Al smiled, "We've been waiting for this day for nearly ten years Buddy. We have it planned to a tee, and the first step it to make sure that swiss-cheesed brain of yours isn't going to go completely bonkers on us."
"O-Ok," Sam nodded.
Al hooked Sam's arm around his shoulder as he helped his wobbly feet make their way to the door. It automatically opened and the two of them were greeted by a long hallway.
"Y-You have four daughters," Sam spoke quietly; just loud enough for Al to hear.
"Yeah," Al encouraged the conversation, "Do you remember their names?"
"Alexandria," it was a struggle for Sam to think through his, so poetically titled, swiss-cheesed mind, as they continued their trek down the corridors, "She's… sixteen. Then there's," Sam paused to think, "Elizabeth w-who is eighteen and--" Sam gasped as he stopped in mid-stride, "and you have twins Al!"
Al chuckled, "Yeah. Remember their names Buddy?"
"Samantha and Trudy," Sam grinned, continuing to walk more stable, "They should almost be twenty now."
"Two weeks there Sam," Al pulled the cigar out of his mouth, "Good work."
Sam found himself standing in front of a large, automatic door.
"Where are you going?" Sam seemed concerned with the fact of loosing sight with Al.
"To get Donna, Beth, Gooshie, and pretty much anyone else I meet along the way," Al grinned, "Don't worry, I'll be back. I have something to show you."
Sam nodded and walked into the room.
"Dr. Beckett?" Sam still stared at the now closed door as a female spoke from behind him, "Dr. Beckett, I'm going to have to ask you to strip down please."
If something dramatic happened within the next ten minutes, Sam wouldn't have known. Loud talking came from outside of his examination room which lead him to the assumption that they were all told to stay out in the waiting room.
'Whose out there?' Sam's mind wandered as Doctor Laura checked his temperature, 'Probably Al, Beth, Gooshie… maybe Alexandria,' Sam's heart started to pound as the most important memories of all began to flood back, 'And Donna… and--'
"Jack," Sam's voice gasped.
"It's ok Dr. Beckett, you'll get to see everyone in just a minute," Doctor Laura attempted to sooth the suddenly frantic Sam, "I just have to check your pupils and you can get your cloths back on."
Sam could barely hold still long enough, and the second he had pants on, he demanded the doctor to open the door up. As she did, a flood of people rushed in.
"Sam!" Donna was the first person to rush over as she wrapped her arms tightly around her husband, "Oh my God, it's so good to see you again."
"Donna," Sam pulled away from the hug to study her face, "I thought I'd never see you again."
Donna tearfully smiled before leaning in for a long awaited, passionate kiss; Sam's hands moving around her and skimming up the small of her back gently. The kiss lasted nearly thirty seconds and finally Sam knew he'd have to move away.
"God, I missed you Donna," Sam whispered.
Donna wordlessly wiped tears from her eyes, and Sam glanced around the room. Al was grinning away; his arm around Beth, who had tears rolling freely down her face. Gooshie stood just inside the doorway; a smile matching pretty much everyone else's in the room. Donna stood beside Sam, and half hiding; shyly, behind her, was a boy that looked to be in his early teens.
Sam's hand came to cover his mouth, "Jack…"
The boy smiled widely and leaped over to Sam. Sam grabbed onto Jack with all his might, lifting him off his feet in a bear hug.
"W-When they s-said that you h-had memory l-loss, I w-was scared you'd f-forget m-m-me," Jack's voice came out in hiccupped sobs.
"Shh," Sam brushed his hand through Jack's hair comfortingly, and pretended, just for a moment, that there was no one else in the room, "It's ok Jackie. I couldn't never forget you. You're my boy."
"I love you Dad," Jack whispered out.
"I love you too," Sam gave him another squeeze before looking at everyone else, "Thank you everyone. For waiting for me."
Donna smiled, "What did you expect us to do? Just leave you?"
"Crossed my mind once or twice," Al grinned.
"Al!" Beth scolded, "Sam, you're a hero. We can't just abandon a hero."
Sam cleared his throat; forcing his voice even, "Thank you everyone."
Donna saw the look the Sam had in eyes and attempted to relieve him from any emotional breakdown, "Come on everyone. Lets go to the dinning area and I can make us something to eat. I'm sure Sam is starving, and needs to get cleaned up."
"Ok," Beth nodded her head, "I can get Alexandria and Elizabeth; I'm sure they're going to be absolutely thrilled to hear the wonderful news."
"Umm," Al cleared his throat and looked at his wife, "I'll be right with you."
Beth smiled and kissed him sweetly, "Alright."
Soon everyone had piled out of the room and Al looked over at Sam, "Hey Kid."
Sam laughed and sat down on the nearest chair, "How could I have forgotten about Jack?"
"Sam, your brain, it's--"
"Swiss-cheesed, I know," Sam interrupted, "But he's my son Al. What happened? Why could I remember some things, and not him."
"That's what I wanted to show you," Al smiled, "What do you remember there Sam?"
Sam took a deep breath, "I remember I'd leap into Dirk. And before that I'd been gone for a couple years and had to decide whether to make sure you and Beth stayed together, or that Project Quantum Leap stayed."
"Do you remember what you did?" Al pressed.
"Yeah…" Sam forced himself to remember, "I gave a letter to Beth to make sure you got."
Al smiled, "And it worked," he placed a hand on Sam's shoulder and squeezed affectionately; his other hand slipping the worn piece of paper into Sam's hand, "Good work Sam."
Al, caught up in his own emotions, walked out of the room, leaving Sam by himself. Swallowing hard, he opened it up and read the familiar writing;
To Al,
As you read this, you have no idea who I am. Which is ironic in all senses as I'm sure you're going to be coming into the room at any moment. My name is Sam Beckett, and no matter what you do, you have to follow the instructions that I'm going to tell you.
I told your wife, Beth, to wait for you to come home. Even though you won't be released for a long time yet, I know that you'll make it. And now so does she. But that will change history, and cause the Star Bright project never to have occurred and more importantly, Project Quantum Leap. In order for me to be able to leap home, I need you to make sure that you go to the Time Theorem Convention on October 9th, 1979 in Dayton, Ohio. That is where we will meet and first discuss the String Theory. Do not show me this letter then, as I'm not sure if that will interact with any history in my leaping. You'll know when I should see this letter again.
I understand that most of this may be confusing to you. You probably don't understand half of it. But I also know you Al. I know that you can't pass a woman without visually undressing them, and yet I know you've never loved anyone like Beth. I know how you love a good cigar since coming back from Vietnam, but won't touch a cigarette. I also know how you don't think that you're good enough for anything or anyone.
But you are Al. You've saved my life so many times, that I can't even begin to repay you. All I want to do is go home Al, but if that means that my best friend doesn't get the life he deserves, I guess I'll have to stay here in Time. I'm going to be trying something tonight that may separate me from you forever, so, even if you never know me, I want you to know that I'll never forget you. You were more than a friend to me Al, you were my best friend. You were my sanity when I had none, you were my courage when mine ran thin, and you were my soul when I was lost. You truly were my Guardian Angel.
Thank you.
Dr. Samuel Beckett.
The End!
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A/N: Like it? It gives you a nice warm, fuzzy feeling knowing that Sam is back home. I had to have a happy ending; I love happy endings. There was some fluff (which, I admit, I love to write and read!), and I made Sam have a kid; which was kind of spur of the moment. Plus, the names of Al's twins... I wonder if any of you noticed... Anyways, please review not only for this chapter, but what you thought of the whole thing. You've read, now review! ThAnKs!