PROLOGUE
Consciousness came back into Sam's head as he looked out onto a busy main street in any small town USA. He was still holding onto the hand of Jennifer.
"Whoa. That was incredible," she said. "What a rush zapping oneself through the fifth dimension. I loved it," she said shaking the last of the tingles from her head sending her hair flying. She looked at Sam who stood there in a long pink poodle skirt, white sweater and a ponytail. "Come over here." she said dragging him to the front window of an ice cream parlor. Sam was a vision of blonde beauty while Jenny was cute and a little more conservatively dressed. "Why Sam, you're precious!" "At least you're the same sex, uh.." stammered Sam.
"Jenny!" she replied. "You do remember me, don't you?" Jenny looked quite worried as if she would have to start over with every leap.
"Yes, of course. We're partners of some kind. New ones, I think," he said shaking his head. She definitely looked familiar.
"That's right and at the moment we appear to be girlfriends, too. Look at that place in there. I really made it. I'm back in time even before I was born in nineteen sixty something. How about that! Whee!" she exclaimed feeling freer than ever.
"You must be traveling around in my lifetime since we're kind of intertwined," said Sam to Jenny.
"Hiya, doll!" a Fonzie look-alike called out to Sam ignoring Jennifer.
Sam just barely waved and decided to forget it. Feeling another tug on his arm, Jenny pulled him into the malt shop.
"Well, we know who the popular one is here. No problem. I want an ice cream soda just like my parents used to rave about. You got any money, uh sweetie?" she asked Sam.
PART FOUR
Dewey, Michigan
May 27, 1958
Sam sat down at the counter watching himself in the big mirror. Cute as he was, the girl in the mirror did not look very comfortable since Sam wasn't. Inside her little purse he found a library card that said Mary Findlay born in 1942. From the calendar on the wall, he replied, "I'm 16. And this must be Michigan," he said pointing to the advertisements from Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. Scrapping through the purse he came up with 18 cents and two lifesavers. All Jenny had was twenty cents.
"So we'll split one. Um, waiter, counter boy, um.." called out Jenny not trusting her own memory.
"Try soda jerk. Forgetting some things?" asked Sam looking at her tenderly.
Jenny looked strange. "Appears to be. How about a soda over here?"
"Hi, Susan, Mary. What will it be?" the young man with the pockmarked face asked.
"Ice cream soda. Hm. Chocolate chip cookie dough!' she said with an extra "Mmmm!"
"Sounds raunchy. Never heard of that," he said looking perplexed and a little sick at the stomach.
"Chocolate," Sam sounded in," With nuts, whip cream and a cherry," said Sam. The soda jerk nodded his head and turned to Jenny. "You have to keep a mind as to the timeframe. Lots of things change including the type of ice cream they have in any particular decade."
"I'm sorry. It's just that's its my favorite. I really should be more careful," she said apologizing.
"You'll learn. I did and forgot about it and relearned and so on and so on and so on," as Jenny lost her funk and laughed out loud.
The sound of the Imaging Chamber door got Sam's attention as he turned around.
"Good evening, Sam. And you too, Dr. Daniels," he said sneering a bit. "I am very relieved that you both made it leaping together. I've been worried to death for six weeks while you two happily leaped across the cosmos together."
Sam ignored Al working on his soda and then mumbled to him, "What have you got on this leap?"
Al picked up his hand link, pushed a few buttons and asked Ziggy for his usual update. "Here it comes. Welcome to Dewey, Michigan. The date is May 27, 1958. Sam you are Mary Findlay a fifteen-year-old high school sophomore. The good doctor is Mary Sizemore, aged sixteen. You've both been friends since Miss Sizemore moved here in 1952. Um, both seem to grow up and lead fairly normal lives. Married with children. Mary is a now widow. Ziggy, you got any scenarios here for this leap?" he called to his computerized librarian.
"Dr. Beckett has a 89 per cent probability to stop John Danvers from disappearing on a trip to Dewey this week. He's visiting the Findlay's neighbors and he ran away suddenly on the 29th. He was never heard from again," responded Ziggy.
"Sounds like your kind of duty. Right now, you two should be home. Mary has a six o'clock curfew. Bummer. So the two of you should get your cute little fannies off these stools and head home. Take a left on Main Street and go five blocks down to Maple. Turn right and I'll meet you two there. Good bye, ladies!" he said disappearing into nothing.
"Al is still having problems relating to two leapers," Sam told Jenny.
"A bit testy, isn't he?" asked Jenny. 'Though considering the change throwing me in is enough to get under anyone's good disposition."
"We better head home, Mary. This should be interesting," said Sam thinking that they had to split up.
"It always is," she said as she picked up her books and headed out the door.
Project Quantum Leap
Stallion's Gate NM
August 22, 2002
"Everything all right?" asked Donna as Al entered Ziggy's control room.
"Nothing too unreal there. Sam was more attentive than sometimes. Neither leaper seemed to have any lasting effects. How is your group working on giving Dr. Daniels her walking papers?" asked Al to Donna. "Very close. It's the miniaturization that is taking most of our time. Sammy Jo is still working on how to turn the Acceleration Chamber into a matter transfer station. The fix is easy, but we're not replacing any matter using the chamber like this. We have to physically send it there to 1958," explained Donna.
Al twirled his finger around. "And then your doohickey will help us split the two of them?"
"In principle, if we can boost their matrix pattern, then one of their patterns will pop up above the other and we can pull that one back here. In practice, we're still working on that. We think we can transport about in kilo to Sam. The tricky part is getting Jenny to stand on it and willingly be sent home, Al. That is going to take all of Sam's persuasive powers," remarked Donna. "But we may be able to bring him home!"
"If I was there, I'd throw her into the confinement beam and zap her back here so fast that she'd think she'd been kidnapped by aliens," exclaimed Al.
"Al, it has to be a very precise action. No excess movement or we might harm Sam or Jenny. The unit needs more work on it. We'll keep you advised. OK, Al?" asked Donna as she headed for the door.
"Fine. I have to go direct two schoolgirls home. Tell Sammy Jo I appreciate all the work she is doing. Kay," said Al sweetly.
"Enough said. Take care Al," Donna giggled and then let for the elevators.
Dewey, Michigan
May 28, 1958
After school Sam went over to Jenny's temporary residence after stopping by to see John Danvers. Jenny had all her homework spread out on her desk in a neat girls' room decorated mainly in white and pink.
"I forgot how much repetition we had in high school homework. It's still a lot of fun. Just glad we aren't doing anything in Home Economics this week. I'd get Susan kicked out for sure. My cake would fall clear through the kitchen floor due to its weight," she laughed putting down her glasses.
"Got to pretend to be your host down to the last comma and period. Part of the rules," said Sam smiling at the pretty doctor. "John is spending a month here with his aunt. He seemed very leveled headed with no real psychological hang-ups. We can have Verbena run a profile on him. In fact, he really appreciated someone stopping in on and seeing him. Must be tough when you don't know anyone. Friends, family and colleagues always surrounded me. Well, I'll stop by and check on him tomorrow. Al said he doesn't disappear until tomorrow night. We should talk to Al and where is he?" asked Sam plopping down on the bed. "Give him time. He's still sore at me. I still think we can make a go of it. Two sets of eyes are better than one. Care for a cookie? Sue's mom and I made them yesterday. Well, she did all the work," Jenny said giggling.
"Thanks, um good. Hey, I've got to get back. Curfew starts in half an hour and I can't watch Jim if I'm grounded," said Sam.
"You even sound like you're in high school, Sam," she said giggling again.
"We'll, you have to get in the mood and be the person. See you in school tomorrow, Jenny," he kissed her a bit and walked out wishing he could stay.
Dewey, Michigan
May 29, 1958
After school the next day, Sam again stopped by the Danvers residence to see John.
"Hi," he said waving to her.
"I just thought I see how you were doing. Sue and I am going see a movie tomorrow night. Would you like to join us? We're going to see Indiscreet. The Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman film," said Sam selling his heart out.
"No, I don't think so. You girls don't want a third wheel," he said sounding disappointed.
"You should. It'll be a lot of fun," smiled Sam.
"Um, would you like to try it on Saturday? I mean with me." he asked looking at his feet.
"Are you asking, me out?" asked Sam sounding very nervous. "Uh, I don't really think so. I mean maybe later."
"Sure. No, I understand. Sorry I bothered you. Bye," he said closing the door in Sam's face.
"You did what?" asked Jenny on the phone. She sat in her room in her jeans with her hair all tied up behind her.
"That could have been it. Maybe it was the rejection or maybe you just did the same thing that Mary did to him. It's hard to say," suggested Jenny.
"But you can't expect me, a guy, to go out with him? An overeager hormone-driven teen-ager?" asked Sam plopped down on his own bed.
"Wait. Did someone say about the rules? Well, it is a good thing I'm around here Sam Beckett. I know just what he needs right now. Talk to you later, Sam," she said hanging up.
Jenny got off the phone and looked up the Danvers' number. Dialing it quickly she soon had John on the line.
"Yea, what do you want?" he said flatly.
"Well, hi Johnny. I saw you with my friend, you know, Mary earlier. I just wanted to know you. You're so c-cute," she said giggling.
"Me? Naw. What can I do for you, Susan?" he asked.
"Oh, just talk. Where you really from?" Jenny asked. "Detroit. My folks had to go back to Cleveland to help out an uncle of mine. He's awfully sick. Polio," he explained.
Jenny replied "That's awful. You like it here in Michigan?" "It's OK. I prefer the really big towns. This one is awfully quiet," he said a bit sarcastically.
"Oh, there's a lot to see in this old town here. I'd love to show you some of it," she said coyly.
"Oh really?" he popped up.
"Yes, I would. Really and truly," she gushed at him. "They're having a dance on Saturday at the Grange Hall."
"D-dance?" he said nervously ."Would you go with me? Um?"
"You dancing fool. I would love to. I was sure hoping that you would ask me, tiger," Jenny said enthusiastically.
"Great. I'll pick you up at six? On Saturday," he asked.
"That would be perfect. See you then Johnny. Bye." She hung up the phone and smiled. It would be fun being a kid again and hopefully helping Sam out too.
"You have a date with him?" asked Sam immediately afterwards.
"Uh huh. Hope you're not jealous. Since you turned him down and he disappeared right after that, it seemed reasonably that a buildup of his male ego was in order," explained Jenny.
"Hope you didn't go too far," said Sam looking down at his feet.
"No, Sam. This is strictly a straight date. And it does help having a female along doesn't it? To watch after all those boys," she said smiling at him a bit.
"Yes that's true. You did give me a better prospective on this leap," agreed Sam.
"Hiya Sam. Just a quick update. John lasts until Sunday now. What's been going on here? His life has a short new lease on it," said Al.
"Jenny, Al's here. You only got him to go as far as your date. Something else is still missing," said Sam.
"Hm. We opened up some more track for him only to find that the bridge was out. Well, if we're going to leap out of here, we have to find out the real problem here and that may take more than one date. I'll check in with you later, Sam," said Jenny who hung up.
"So is the social secretary figuring out all this leap business?" asked Al sarcastically.
"Al, you're still a very important part of this whole scheme of things. Don't get jealous. I've been that a bit myself," said Sam.
"Jealous? Never. I'm still not completely convinced about the intentions of this doctor leaper," said Al explaining himself.
"Everything is going to work out fine. We're playing it by ear, but talking things out seem to help play more against each other and who knows Al. We might all make a great team!" said Sam enthusiastically.
"Yea, the Chicago Black Socks! Well, I've got some business back at home. Good night, Sam. Oh, by the way, your seams are crooked," he said leering ever so slightly as the door opened and he walked out.
Sam just looked up slightly annoyed and then went to bed.
Project Quantum Leap
Stallion's Gate NM
August 24, 2002
Huddling around the quantum leap control room was the entire Red Team. Al and Edward St. John leaned over the brightly colored panels and readouts.
"Matter transfer will commence in thirty seconds," said Ziggy in a noncommittal voice.
Sammy Jo looking intently replied, "All energy readings are nominal. Data stream is strong and the transfer device is functioning normally."
Donna checking the control room dials announced, "Chamber is building up to maximum energy. Radiation within norms. Quantum flux opening up. Accelerator is looking good."
"Fifteen seconds. Ten seconds. Nine. Eight. Seven Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One." counted down Ziggy.
"Initiate matter transfer. Chamber is at 110% power," reported Donna.
Sammy Jo reported, "Transfer device is operating normally. Matter is beginning to dissipate."
"Dimensional portal is open. Device is passing into .." said Donna cutting her report short. The wail of an ominous alarm made them all twitch.
"Matter is destabilizing, the portal is partially closing. No, collapsing," yelled Donna.
"Radiation is off the scale. Acceleration ring is destabilizing. Ziggy shut down the power grid. Shut this thing down, NOW!" yelled Donna as she busily punched up more data.
"Whatzit?" asked Al, looking very worried.
"One minute. Matter is reappearing. Portal is gone. Data stream has stopped. The air must be a mess in there. Ziggy, clean out the chamber. Turn on the fans," Donna requested.
"Toxic chemicals are suspended in the air. Not good for supporting human life," said Ziggy "Though it would be a pleasant afternoon on Venus in there."
"Ed, turn on the camera," said Donna looking quite disappointed.
Turning on the camera a lot of smoked appeared and nothing else could be seen. Then quickly the exhaust fans kicked in and the inside of the chamber appeared. The small portable piece of equipment that had looked like it belonged on a NASA probe was gone. A burned hulk sat there a quarter of its original size. Black splotches of matter splattered the inside of the chamber.
"What a mess!" exclaimed Al.
"We couldn't maintain the structural integrity of the unit," explained Sammy Jo.
"Nor could we maintain the dimensional access. This project wasn't designed for this type of thing. Tele-transportation is still years off," said Donna sounding totally exasperated with the project.
Ziggy broke in, "I apologize for the failure of the transfer. My simulations worked every time."
"Thank you for your concern, Ziggy. Its not your fault," said Donna looking up at Ziggy's rotating bulb.
"I know that, Dr. Elesee. I am still sorry that it didn't work," replied Ziggy as Donna looked up with a lightly crooked smile.
"We can send the people through the cosmos and they're so much more complex than some old fancy calculator," said Al chomping down on his unlit cigar. No smoking was allowed in the control room no matter how much Al complained.
"Leaping was always based upon an exchange of mind and matter. Making adjustments to send something through hyperspace without the exchange violates all of the previous work done by Sam Beckett. It sounds easy but it is not," explained Donna.
"Can't we bring back some matter to replace this thing?" asked one of the technicians.
"What matter? Exchanging two humans is a known quantity. How do we know which matter we are bringing back? Maybe some living tissue. Maybe part of some critical structural component. It's just too risky," said Sammy Jo looking a bit downtrodden. The whole project had taken a lot out of her.
"Well, Sam got through it just fine!" said Al. "Our first successful leaper."
"No," said Donna. "You were leaped both as yourself and as your younger self, Al." "Sure, but that could have as easily as killed me." said Al looking a little uneasy.
"But it didn't. Each of us have been thoroughly analyzed as potential leapers. Ziggy has us copied down to the last molecule. All it requires is an update of the database," explained Donna looking like something was just on the tip of her tongue.
"So?" asked Al confused.
"And on one leap Sam leaped into your host and forced you back here," said Donna looking off into the distance paying little attention to Al.
"Only because I was about to be murdered. And Sam ended up back on his leaping carousel," replied Al. "To this very day."
A light went off in Sammy Jo's head. "So if we could send one of us. Jenny would be forced back no matter how much her pattern has been altered and mixed up with Sam's pattern. That person would replace Jenny's pattern and then be locked in with Sam."
"Wait, no one else is leaping unless the entire committee agrees. We already have so many people traveling across time that…" said Al wildly shaking his head.
"You want a solution, Al? I think we have one," said Donna crossing her arms and staring at Al.
"But which of us? Sammy Jo is young but has a life and a new husband," said Al. "I'm getting too old to go racing around the cosmos."
"The choice is obvious. I have the most reasons help out Sam. I want to save him from this person. Rival or not, it's Sam we have to help the most," said Donna. "He's out there hearing whatever SHE wants to tell him. He deserves to hear the FULL truth."
"Um, but you're still the heart and soul of the project. No one knows more about it than you, Donna. You and Sam built this place," explained Al.
"Al, I don't plan on staying there. I want to come home as much as Sam," said Donna looking directly into Al's eyes.
"And if you can't?" said Al bluntly. Donna shot a glance over to Al stiffened her lip and replied, "I'll be with Sam. I gave him up eight years ago and I'll do anything to help reclaim him. I guess I can see why Jenny went to the lengths she did."
"Well with a few modifications we put together a pattern shifter that you can leap with. It can be inserted under your skin. Two of them. One for you and one for Sam. It will be physically part of you," explained Sammy Jo.
"I see. First you bring raise my pattern on top of Sam's, grab it and bring me home. Then using the exact same process Sam activates his and we bring him home," said Donna looking excited.
"Sounds simple enough and it gets around all of Jenny's modifications to Ziggy," explained Sammy Jo with just a bit of triumph in her voice.
"And brings Sam home?" asked Al.
"Yes, home," said Donna sounding more like she was uttering a prayer.
"Dr. Elesee," interrupted Ziggy.
"Yes, Ziggy?" she asked still very distracted.
"Dr. Beckett and Dr. Daniels have leaped. Their mission was completed," said Ziggy.
Sammy Jo looked over at a nervous Donna. "Well, that gives us a little time. Red team down to my lab, we have some heavy hours to put in before Dr. Beckett starts his next leap. Dr. Elesee has a long trip to take."